A great deal was carried over from the old car including the 2.4 engine, which, aside from a few minor ancillaries alterations and larger, twin 50 carbs, was pressed back into active service largely unchanged. The former is a relatively subtle affair, certainly compared to some we’ve seen in the years since, while the wheels selected themselves, mainly as no 400 replica worth its salt would be seen on anything other than 9x15in Revolutions!Īware that the shifting sands of the early ’80s World Rally Championship had served to render the Ascona uncompetitive by 1983, Opel opted to press on with work on its successor, the Manta 400. Other elements are more obviously 400-inspired, most notably the bodykit and wheels. While the 2.4 16v used by Opel was a potent unit in its day, the very fact that they were built for homologation and therefore competition means that there’re now rare and expensive, and in any case, the C20XE ‘Redtop’ we selected for the job now makes far more power than the road-going 400s did. There are differences between genuine 400s and Curt’s of course, the engine being the most notable. The car you see here was actually built for Curt Pattinson and formed the very first Retropower ground-up build, and one with a close visual link to the Works cars campaigned by Opel Dear Sport in the early ’80s.
Opel manta b 400 driver#
The Ascona 400 remains the last two-wheel drive car to take a driver to world rallying’s ultimate prize. These traits played a key role in the transformation of the Ascona from also-ran to championship challenger, Rohrl eventually using the proven 400 to take the 1982 Drivers’ title at the expense of the Audi Quattros of Hannu Mikkola and Michelle Mouton. Rohrl’s ability to extract ever last shred of performance from a car was among his most valued traits, as was his mechanical nous and skill for car development. Two things transformed the Ascona’s fortunes as the ‘70s gave way to the ‘80s, the launch of the more powerful, 2.4 16v-powered 400 (the motor having been devised by Cosworth), and the decision by Opel to sign up one Walter Rohrl as its lead driver. The Ascona 400 was actually an evolution of an earlier Group 4 Ascona B-based rally car, and while modestly successful on specialised events, it never had the grunt of a works RS Escort or the handling poise of a Fiat 131 Abarth. It’s all the excuse we need to take a look back at the respective rally careers of both of Opel’s ‘400s’, and also the challenges we faced when it came to building Retropower ‘tributes’ to both of these iconic homologation heroes. Yet both remain among the most sought after rally (or rally related) cars from their respective eras, something merely underscored by Retropower having been commissioned to build examples of both over the years. While the Ascona found championship success with one Walter Rohrl at the wheel, and while the Manta fought a brave rear-guard action against the might of the Quattro and various other Group B ‘supercars,’ neither pointed the way forward for the WRC. Partocinado by BT Mobile disputed the British Championships 1987 obtaining numerous victories.The Opel Ascona and Manta you see here are proof that motorsport success isn’t always the arbiter of popularity, especially when it comes to those models rallied under the World Rally Championship’s Group 4 and Group B eras. The rest of the year was funded by GM, and Manta 400 appearances were carefully chosen since then.The abolition of Group B gave the final blow to Opel Manta 400, which disappeared from Capeonato World Rally in 1986. The Manta 400 with rear-wheel drive running at a disadvantage, also lost the sponsorship of Rothmans (equivalent to 45% of the budget of 1983), which was a blow to the team. In order to save weight the Manta 400 used in Kevlar spoilers and door panels, and in many other parts heavy steel was replaced by aluminum.Its first victory was in June 1983 Hessen Rally in the hands of Erwin Weber and thereafter the victories did not stop succession. Manta was finally approved with an evolution that delivered 275 hp.
Opel manta b 400 serial#
All engines, both for the competition as the serial production, were added Cosworth pistons, crankshaft and connecting rods reinforced steel and equipped with 16-valve cylinder head.The first phase of this engine yielded in Ascona 240 hp at 7,500 rpm, with an engine of 28 kg m torque at 5,000 rpm. The engine was the same 2.4 liters created by Cosworth for Ascona 400 and block developed from diesel Opel Record. It was homologated for Group B on May 1, 1983, after FISA able to show that they had built 200 units of rigor.
The Opel Manta 400 was designed, developed and built to replace the Opel Ascona 400.
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