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#1
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1972 Opel Manta Ralley
I started looking for a 1971 Opel Manta Rallye for my brother a couple years ago. It was tougher than I thought but worth the quest as it is a worthy cause. My brother and his wife, they are still married, bought a 1971 yellow Manta Rallye new in 1971 and had it a number of years until the family outgrew it. I have always had american muscle cars of all kinds of makes over the years so car discussions are frequent in our family. Almost everytime my brother and sister-in-law always talked fondly of their Rallye, wishing they never had gotten rid of it. So I got to thinking it would be a really neat retirement gift to find one and buy it for him. He retired last year and I started my search too late to make his retirement. But I'm stubborn and kept on looking anyway, I lost out on a few cars along the way but finally scored. Its not like these cars come up for sale on a regular basis.
I bought this car: http://www.ebay.com/itm/291338464216...amp;rmvSB=true I was leaving on a cruise the day after it first appeared on ebay so after some discussions with the owner I pulled the trigger and hit the buy it now as I wasn't in a position to see how it did. These cars are very popular with collectors in Europe. The last one in comparable condition on ebay went north of $10k and ended up in Germany. I haven't seen it yet but am anxiously awaiting delivery next week. It is a pretty original car from the pics I've seen and discussions with the now former owner. Supposedly a 3 owner car, 60000 miles, in dry storage since 97, original paint. It's supposedly a true survivor. Owner said he dropped a battery in it and it started right up. It is supposedly a rust free car, will see when it gets here. Supposedly the only rust is under the battery tray area, I will be very happy if that is all there is. I plan to clean it up, ensure it's roadworthy, drive it for a few months and then take it to Oregon this summer and surprise my brother and his wife with a belated retirement gift. [img]https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...-img951966.jpg[/img] [img]https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...-img951967.jpg[/img]
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Dave |
#2
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Re: 1972 Opel Manta Ralley
Wow....I got canned chili from my brother as a retirement gift [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/haha.gif[/img] Very generous gesture on your part, Dave, and it looks like a nice solid car!
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Bill Pritchard 73 Camaro RS Z28, L82, M20, C60 |
#3
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Re: 1972 Opel Manta Ralley
I am not sure why so few of those survived.
I get the rust in the northern cars.... I was the Opel mechanic at the OKC Buick dealership during part of the 70's. I have owned three. I owned a 70 Ralley, gold with black stripes and hood, and a Navy blue 72 Manta. I also briefly owned a 74 Manta after the 72 was rear ended. Very solid cars, just not great performers, although the Manta cornered very well for a live axle car. I keep thinking I will find a cherry 70 Ralley someday, but pretty sure it isn't happening.
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Don't believe everything you read on the internet ... Ben Franklin |
#4
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Re: 1972 Opel Manta Ralley
BTW, you need to tell the seller to take down the CL ad:
http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/cto/4825535344.html
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Don't believe everything you read on the internet ... Ben Franklin |
#5
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Re: 1972 Opel Manta Ralley
Thanks, I did and he said he will. Little fishy since the car was sold more than 4 days ago. Appreciate the heads up.
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Dave |
#6
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Re: 1972 Opel Manta Ralley
Neat car...and the ad is down!
Good for you, Dave [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif[/img]
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Bruce Choose Life-Donate! |
#7
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Re: 1972 Opel Manta Ralley
Opels are great cars. The European Chevy.
Those four-bangers are good engines, in my youth I had several Rekords. One easy way to make them faster was to change the cylinder head on the 1900 engine to a head from a 1700. You got more compression by doing that. In those days there were parts and cars everywhere and you could easily find good parts for nothing. I had one with that engine setup and a 4.22 rear axle, it was really quick off the lights and smoked the tires. It clocked 16 sec on the 1/4-mile :-) Only problem with them were the rust, a lot of pockets underneath where salt and grime accumulates. One saying from those days: "Buy an Opel and be satisfied, through the floor you'll see the countryside" |
#8
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Re: 1972 Opel Manta Ralley
Let me know if you need any parts. I'm in Opel land.
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