Manta / Ascona / 1900 Identification Guide

[GoinManta]

The Manta year & model identification list

This document attempts to list the differences between the various years & models of the US Mantas (57). Most of the information applies to Asconas (51,53,54) as well.

The early years (70-73) general features

• Chrome steel "skinny" bumpers

• Single windshield washer nozzle mounted centrally on the fresh air fan housing. The nozzle sticks out through a hole in the hood.

• Round driver side mirror.

• Chrome Ring on front side marker lights

• Dash has only two center vents

• No "Fasten Seat Belt" area on the dash below the Speedometer.

• Rear license plate mounted below the bumper. Illuminated by a lamp mounted in the bumper.

• Opel Blitz sign mounted on rear panel between trunk lock & rear bumper.

• Hardtop body style, meaning the B pillar between the front & rear side windows only holds the window seals, but has no structural function.

• Seat belts without auto-adjustable fit.

• The shoulder belt is mounted low, due to lack of a better attachment point.

• Bottom of rear interior panel has a bump out at the bottom.

• The shifter knob is identical to the GT type. It is made from black, hard plastic & has a characteristic mushroom shape.

• Window cranks have a plastic knob.

• The sheet metal shrouding of the intake air pre-heating encircles the #1 & #4 exhaust manifold tubes.

The "1970" Manta - Technically a 1971 Model.. but a EARLY production Manta made in 1970

• They have the high compression engine with 3-bearing cam & solid lifters.

• The headlight shroud.. has a round cutout in the trim.

• Three piece upper rain gutter chrome trim (only the earliest of Mantas have this)

• Dash has ORANGE Oil Light (This is found on most 1971 models as well)

71 - 72 model years

• Separate lap & shoulder seat belts with individual buckles. Buckles are not solidly floor mounted, but are attached to a belt. The center console has a small square opening with provisions to mount the lap belt buckle when not in use. There is another storage spot for the shoulder belt buckle behind the door.

• The glove compartment lock is a chrome twist knob

• Large "Framed" C-Pillar vent cover

• Chromed bumpers without rubber strip. Chromed steel bumperettes with rubber tips.

• No sign on the front fenders.

• In 71, “OPEL 1900” sign on the right side of the trunk lid. Rallyes have an “OPEL” sign & the checkered Rallye sign.

• In 72, “OPEL” sign on the right side of the trunk lid.

• In 72, the writing on the red emergency flasher button on the steering column changes from “FLASHER” to “HAZARD”.

• Late in 72 the cylinder head changed to the 12 hole design.

• Mid 1972 - the master cylinder & respective brake booster are changed from ATE to larger AC/Delco. NOTE: FAG master cylinder is a replacement & did not come stock on any Manta.

73 model year

• VIN changes from 57… format to OL77NC… format.

• Early in 73 the Opel logo insert in the horn pad in both styles of steering wheels changes from a black plastic piece to an aluminum plate.

• The seat belt changes to the “One Buckle” type. The shoulder & lap belt need to be latched together before they can be inserted in the floor mounted belt buckle. The lap belt has a retracting mechanism, but doesn’t allow for movement once locked. The storage hook for the shoulder belt buckle behind the door changes to a different design.

• The seat belts have a warning buzzer & warning light installed on the instrument cluster between the windshield wiper switch & the steering column.

• The passenger seat has a sensor to detect a passenger & trigger a warning when the passenger has not put on seat belts.

• The rectangular slot in the center console for storing the seat belt buckles still exists, but has no function & is missing the mount bracket for the buckle.

• The cigarette lighter adds a green translucent collar, which makes it visible at night. It is back-lit by the same light bulb that illuminates the ashtray & lighter socket.

• The glove compartment lock changes from a twist knob to a lever.

• Official name changes from 1900 to Manta.

• “Manta” & “1900” signs appear for the first time on the front fenders behind the wheel arc.

• “Manta” sign on the right side of the trunk lid.

• Chromed bumpers with rubber strip & rubber bumperettes.

• Rear vents behind rear side windows changed in February of 73. Early vents have a surrounding frame cast into the plastic piece. The later vents have the horizontal blades only.

• The carburetor changes from a water choke to an electric choke.

• EGR valve.

• Cylinder head has hardened seats for use with unleaded fuel.

The late years (74-75) general features

NOTE some (not all) LATE 73 (Built as early as May/June 1973) are Big Bumpered cars too..

• The model change occurred in the middle of 1973. Confirmed on Benjamin Goin’s 73' Manta with a build date of 6/73.

• Heavy duty cast aluminum bumpers supported by a pair of shocks. The front turn signals are integrated into the bumper.

• Two windshield washer nozzles mounted in the hood. The centered hole was deleted.

• Rectangular rearview mirror.

• Rear license plate mounted above the bumper. It is illuminated by two separate lamps mounted to the rear panel at each side of the plate.

• Opel Blitz sign moved to the top of the trunk lid & is smaller now.

• The B pillar between the side windows is much stronger & serves to stiffen the body.

• The seat belts are of the flexible three point style, which is st&ard today. The shoulder belt is mounted much higher & is attached to the B pillar.

• The shifter knob is of a somewhat softer, two-piece design & is ball shaped (only 57 & 57R). Standard models have a light brown or wood grain texture, Rallye models are black.

• The window cranks have a rubber knob.

• The dashboard has two air nozzles added to direct air to the side windows. The nozzles are identical to the round butterfly type used in the center of the dashboard.

• Seats change & become flatter & lose the "Side bolsters"

• The instrument panel on st&ard models is black instead of imitation wood grain.

• A dimmer reostat for the instrument illumination, mounted under the “Fasten seat belt” sign on the instrument panel, is added.

• The left position of the lower ventilation control lever on the instrument panel is labeled “HTR” instead of “0”.

• The center position of that lever has a left & right facing arrow instead of an upward pointing arrow.

• The right position is labelled “OFF” instead of a downward pointing arrow.

• The shifter console is different.

• Ashtray is directly behind the shifter & pops backward.
Instead of the ashtray in the center of the console next to the h&brake with a sliding top.

• Additional shock mount holes below the st&ard ones in the A-arms.

• The Sport wheels are the only wheels available.

• The sheet metal shrouding of the intake air pre-heating only encircles the #1 exhaust manifold tube.

75 model year

• L-Jetronic fuel injected engine (Same as on European GT/E models), with 80hp@5000rpm instead of 78hp DIN @4800rpm for earlier engines.

• “Fuel Injection” sign on left side of trunk lid.

• Computer mounted in passenger foot compartment.

• Electric fuel pump.

• Timing cover is cast without provisions for a mechanical fuel pump.

• Valve cover has a bracket for the throttle cable. The port for the small crankcase ventilation hose is missing.

• Sprint exhaust manifold without the heat riser.

• The VIN number plate moves from the passenger side frame to the passenger side radiator mount wall.

• Distributor vacuum can only provides retard, no advance. Can is mounted inverted & pulls to retard timing. Breaker points mounted in a different location.

• Engine block has 19E stamped on the number plate, not 19S.

• Cast connecting rods, not forged.

• “Big brakes”. Larger calipers, brake booster, rotors & different hub.

• There is a new wheel for 75. Similar to earlier Sport wheels, but 5.5” wide with the same 37mm offset. The rectangular opening between the spokes is bridged by a steel strip on these wheels, creating 8 holes.

• Head rests change to a thicker design.

• The steering wheel is of the Rallye type.

• "Unleaded Fuel Only" sticker on the multi-function gauge.

• Wide stripes running along the side of the car comprising the word “OPEL” were available as a dealer installed option

• CA registered cars had Catalytic convertors.

In addition to the standard model (57), a Rallye model (57R) & a Luxus model (57L) were available.

Standard model 57

• Simple steel wheel with 9 slots, chrome rings & large chrome hub cap with Opel sign. Dimension 5x13 with 37mm offset (ET37).

• The third round opening in the instrument cluster to the right of the speedometer has a blank-off plate.

• The steering wheel has a hard-plastic rim & a boomerang-shaped horn pad.[/SIZE]

Rallye model 57R

• Available 71-74.

• The dashboard contains a tachometer.

• A separate instrument panel is mounted under the radio. It contains an ammeter, a clock & an oil pressure gauge. In 74 the panel has a different shape & is mounted higher up.

• The steering wheel is rubber/foam rimmed & has a large round horn pad.

• There is a pedal switch that activates the windshield wipers on top of the windshield squirt button on the left of the driver’s foot compartment.

• 71 –72 Front Grille is "blacked out" & does not have the silver trim paint on the horizontal bars.

• The hood & part of the fenders are painted matte black.

• There is a wide stripe running along the side of the car & connecting over the trunk.

• “Rallye” sign with checkered flag on the right sight of the trunk lid.

• Dual chrome exhaust tips.

• The early Rallye models (71 - January 73) had Rallye wheels with an outer ring of 15 oval holes, chrome rings & a large hub cap with through holes for the lug nuts. Later models (January 73 – 74) had the four-spoke Sport wheel design, which was introduced with the Luxus model. Both wheels have the same dimensions as the st&ard wheel. They are similar to the GT wheels of the same time, but with 37mm offset instead of 27mm for the GT.

• Dealer installed fog lamps mounted under the front bumper (71-73). Green switch on the left of the instrument cluster. Relay mounted next to the ignition coil with exposed fuse.

• The rear axle ratio on manual transmission cars is 3.67 instead of 3.44. Automatics have the usual 3.44 rear end. Cars with a 3.67 rear end have a speedo with W=1122 designation (speedo cable revolutions per mile) instead of the W=1054 speedo.
• Stiffer rear dampers.

Luxus model 57L

• Available 73-74.

• There is a large clock mounted in the instrument cluster to the right of the speedometer.

• The arm rest has an integrated handle.

• Cloth type upholstery.

• Imitation wood trim w/ fabric to match seats on the door panels.

• The shifter knob is unique to this model (both 73 & 74). It is larger in diameter & appears as a flat disk.

• The steering wheel is of the Rallye type.

• Lighted glove box.

• The trunk is outfitted with a carpet.

• Four-spoke Sport wheels with small center caps. The wheels are painted silver with black, slotted areas between the spokes. Dimension 5x13 ET37.
• Chrome exhaust tip extension

• “Luxus” sign on the fenders instead of the “1900” sign.

• “Luxus” sign on the right side of the trunk lid next to the “Manta” sign.

• Convenience light in the engine compartment possibly only for the Luxus model.

73 Luxus models

• Came w/ Blue, Burgundy or Gray Interiors with everything mounted to the headliner was color coded. (Visors, Headliners, Grab Bars, etc..)

• Center consoles were molded in Blue, Burgundy or Gray to match interior

74 Luxus models

• Blue & Burgandy interiors only (No Gray).

• Change in seat material

• Exterior colors were dark blue, bright metallic blue, burgundy & silver & exclusive to the LUXUS.

• Center console was same as 74-75 model years [/SIZE]

The Blue Max

• A Special Edition Blue Luxus - Approximately 1400-1550 produced. These were the FIRST Luxus models built.

• Built Starts with the VIN-number 579765100 ends in 8-3-72 with the VIN-number 579790500.

• Paint code: HH 235. (Strato Blue)

• Upholstery code: 111 (Blue Luxus Interior)

• Black pinstriping (double line) along the whole side of the car

• "Manta" & "Luxus" on both frontfenders & on trunklid. "Automatic" on trunklid.

• Two stickers with the "Blue Max"-logo were stored in the glovebox & were be added by the dealers on the rear panel above the pinstriping (most did not make it on the car)

• Automatic (ALL Blue MAxes were AT)

• Sun Roof

• SPECIAL Dark Blue vinyl top (THE KEY Difference)

• Four-spoke Rallye Sport wheels (w/ White Walls)

• Big clock in dash

• NO FACTORY RADIO (Most dealers added them though)

• NO RADIO ANTENNA (Again Most dealers added them)

• Rallye steering wheel. (Rallye gauges were not available for the Blue Max).

Other changes / Dealer options

• Steel vs aluminum oil pans. Some aluminum oil pans have a finned wedge under the #1 cylinder (confirmed on 11/71 & 4/73 cars). 74-75 cars have a steel oil pan.

• Reinforcements in the doors.

• Tail lenses with chromed steel reflectors or integrated aluminized plastic reflectors. These may be reproduction items.

• The 75 model has a square radiator overflow bottle mounted on the passenger side next to the radiator. Noted in a Opel Build book as an addition with installing A/C, but not all A/C cars have the bottle. Was this implemented in 74 models with A/C also? When?

• Confusing info on the 75 instruments. Test report says they came with a large clock, but all cars I’ve seen had a tachometer. Rallye instruments possibly optional.

• Beginning in 73, there is a dot painted on the tank gauge next to the full marker. Possibly wiring change.

• Some information on a relocation of the additional gauge cluster in Rallyes with a/c. Mounted to the left side of the dash, just under the "A" pillar & where the dash vent on the drivers side of the 74-75 models is located. Seen on a 73 Rallye. Currently assumed a 73' Rallye feature only, & then only with ARA A/C (not the GM A/C)

• Fog lamps on 71 Rallyes may be of a larger diameter & flatter design than on 72-73 Rallyes.

• Side stripes on 71 Rallyes may be different. At the beginning of the stripes on the front fenders the stripes are of equal widths. Later Rallyes have a wider bottom stripe & a narrower top stripe.

[Aardvaark]

I don't see mention of the notorious 1974 only seat belt ignition interlock
system that required by law that the drivers seat belt had to be fasten before the engine could be cranked over and started. The engine would keep running if the driver removed his seat/shoulder belt however.
Very easily defeated on all make of 1974 cars by simply grounding the
drivers seat belt or sitting on the fasten belt.
You might include it.

[Aardvaark]

Missing info:
1971-1974 Manta's and Asconas, rotating the upper ball joints would add more
positive (bad) camber to the front alignment.

1975 is the opposite. Rotating the upper ball joints from stock position
adds more negative (good) front camber.

Not sure why this change was made but I speculate it had to do with
radial tires becoming standard on the '75's.

See 1975 FSM suppliment for details.

[GoinManta]

Thanks I will add those items.

If anyone wants to scan all the dealer brochures, etc.. they have that would be helpful. I also need to add Rainers Notes on the Blue Max.

[IT Manta]

I came across an odd Manta back in the 70's that I had always questioned what it really was. It was powder blue, it had a 1900 insignia on the trunk lid just like the 1900's had, large round Opel hubcaps and a high compression motor. It did not have any "manta" logos on it?

[GoinManta]

Originally Posted by IT Manta I came across an odd Manta back in the 70's that I had always questioned what it really was. It was powder blue, it had a 1900 insignia on the trunk lid just like the 1900's had, large round Opel hubcaps and a high compression motor. It did not have any "manta" logos on it?

That is correct 70-72 did NOT have MANTA logos. They were 1900 Sport Coupes..

[4speed]

This is the only information that I hava abou the Blue Max

http://www.opelgt.com/forums/attachm...al-bluemax.jpg