Black Magic Manta GT/E

[74Opel1900]

I wanted to start this thread to open a discussion about the Black Magic Manta GT/E. I would eventually like to create a Black Magic Manta GT/E clone. I know they are very rare so obtaining one would be out of the question. Also, from what I understand they were never imported to the US. I searched through the threads and Motor Mouth stated that his father (Fredopelgt) used to own one.

timemachine (Jim) mentioned in another thread that it "looks like a reverse Rallye, plus 185/70s, electric fuel pump, air dam and Recaro seats." If anyone has anything else to add please do.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/g...lack_magic.jpg

[timemachine]

I'd just add what Charles Goin posted in 2005 on this topic:

"Noted should mention a few things as well..

The above list is for US market Manta As.

In Europe they had two VERY special Manta As.

The TE2800 (A Straight 6 2.8L was stuffed into it - UNK Built)

The Broadspeed Turbo (UK RHD car, with Turbo - 19 built)

They also had some trim variants..

GT/E Like our 75' but with spoilers and rallye stripes.

Berlinetta (Much like our Luxus)

The Special edition Swinger model (UNK built), it had funky stripes and interior.

The Special edition Black Magic (Unk Built), A GT/E that was Black with a red/orange stripes and plaid seats.
Love to see the Europeans fill this in some more."

Jim

[Rionart]

It was based on the '75 GT/E, so use a '75 fuel injected Manta as your starting point.
Small (euro) bumpers, painted black, satin black hood (use rallye as template, not GT/E), Replica stripes are available, "Rupert Bear" Recaro's will be hard to match, but there is a 'kinda similar' pattern available from Manta B with recaro's, GT/E badges are available, GT/E window rubbers (no chrome) available from Wolfgang, grill chrome and blitz painted out, Engelmann mirrors, black door handles, front spoiler is regular GT/E item.
Some pics attached...
HTH, rgds, Rob.

[timemachine]

Rob,

Glad to have a true authority on this job. You out of hibernation? Good to hear from you again.

Was the whole car black matte or just the hood? Can't tell from the ad.

Jim

[Rionart]

Originally Posted by timemachine I'd just add what Charles Goin posted in 2005 on this topic: "Noted should mention a few things as well.. The above list is for US market Manta As. In Europe they had two VERY special Manta As. The TE2800 (A Straight 6 2.8L was stuffed into it - UNK Built) The Broadspeed Turbo (UK RHD car, with Turbo - 19 built) They also had some trim variants.. GT/E Like our 75' but with spoilers and rallye stripes. Berlinetta (Much like our Luxus) The Special edition Swinger model (UNK built), it had funky stripes and interior. The Special edition Black Magic (Unk Built), A GT/E that was Black with a red/orange stripes and plaid seats. Love to see the Europeans fill this in some more." Jim

There was also the UK limited edition Manta "Holiday"in 1971/2 (I think), and the UK Luxus which was a run of 400 in 1974, available in fireglow with black vinyl roof C/W sliding steel sunroof.
Pics this time show Swinger, and also one off (I think) Irmscher special.

[Rionart]

Originally Posted by timemachine Rob, Glad to have a true authority on this job. You out of hibernation? Good to hear from you again. Was the whole car black matte or just the hood? Can't tell from the ad. Jim

Hi Jim,
Yes, Spring is almost here!!
The car was gloss black, the only production Black Manta apart from the Broadspeed. Only the hood, half of the top of the fenders, and half the front panel was satin black...this was the same pattern as the Rallye, and differed from the GT/E which had no satin on the fender tops and extended further onto the front panel.
I've had a thought in the back of my mind for years to do a Black Magic replica, I also like the Irmscher special, but have not located the correct front spoiler for it yet (note it mimics the Manta mouth).
I've seen pics of the Manta holiday...I'll see if I can find one...
rgds, Rob.

[74Opel1900]

I think I know where to get my hands on a 75 Manta
I really appreciate all the information. I thought it was a 75 because the wheels in the ad I posted have 8 slots.

[jerseydave]

Does anyone have pictures of the seats & interior of the Black Magic they could post?

[Motor Mouth]

My father owned a Black Magic GT/E back in the day and having had a look at the pics of the 5 cars pictured i'm not entirely convinced that any of them are completely original as the interiors aren't 100% correct.

As has been pointed out the front seats are 'roll-top' recaros with a checked pattern but the rear seats are simply black velour and not checked. The original cars also came with Rostyle steel wheels and not the ATS or Fuchs alloys as pictured.

From memory only 500 Black Magics were produced and i doubt if 20 'Genuine' cars exsist...and as a result of this they have a rather high price tag!

For me i'll never forget the day when we were driving up the German Autobahn at 100mph+ when a CSL BMW came past us at a 'few' more mph.......well needless to say dad put his foot down and for a while all went well, speed in excess of 115mph when all of a sudden the car started to accelerate......the next thing......SMOKE and a dead engine!.....just goes to show you that optimal engine performace is just before it lets go.....i don't endorse this of course!

The car that then followed this as a limited edition was the Manta Magic, based on the B series coupe and hatch....would you believe it we also owned one of these, my dad buying his on my 11th Birthday......what a happy lad i was

[GS2.8]

Manta A Black Magic oder Kadett C City Sitze oder Stoff gesucht. - Interieur - Opel Hecktriebler Forum

Here's a link to a German forum where there's a pic of the seat cloth pattern.

Also found a link to a video about the Black Magic special edition including a good look at the interior. According to this report 850 cars were built.

http://www.oldtimer-tv.com/oldtimer/...x.php?Seite=61