Opel Manta 400 (Racing)
The Manta 400 produced from October 1981 was intended to continue the racing successes of the Ascona B. According to the FIA requirements for Group B, a small number of at least 400 vehicles also needed to be made for the normal market. Contrary to these original requirements, Opel requested and received permission from the FIA to build only 245.
In May 1983 the approval was issued for Group B. In the meantime an increasing number of pure sports cars were taking part in the World Rally Championship in addition to the all-wheel-drive Audi quattro, so that Opel and the private drivers concentrated more on European rallies. Motor racing successes immediately came, including wins in the Paris-Dakar Rally. At the beginning of 1984, after an accident with serious consequences, although they were not involved themselves, Opel decided to withdraw from Group B, so that in subsequent years only private drivers raced in the Manta 400. Due to this decision, those vehicles that Opel still had in stock for rally and racing circuit use were slightly modified in order to obtain approval for the car to be marketed as a road vehicle.
Our model decoration is based on the original car driven by Manfred Förster. This was the next to last Manta 400 produced in March 1984, which took part in its last race at the Nürburgring in 2006.
You will find further information on the plastic model kit in our METAL – CATALOGUE.
