1973 Opel Manta 16S

Sold

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Sold Price

£8,750

Mileage~22,509 on clock
TransmissionManual
Engine1.6-litre
LocationChepstow

SOLD

1973 Opel Manta 16S

I WANT ONE

Introduction

Jacob Boodrie

Professional Consigner

A stylish '70s sports coupé, combining distinctive design, engaging rear-wheel-drive performance, and timeless classic appeal.

Introduced in the early 1970s, the Opel Manta quickly became one of the most recognisable European sports coupes of its era. Developed as Opel’s answer to the growing demand for stylish, affordable performance cars, the Manta offered sleek coupe styling, practical usability, and engaging rear-wheel-drive dynamics. Sharing its platform with the Opel Ascona, it provided reliable mechanicals combined with distinctive looks that helped establish a loyal following among enthusiasts.

The Manta S represented one of the more desirable versions of the range, featuring the elegant lines and characterful details that define these classic coupes today. With its pillarless coupe styling, chrome detailing, and driver-focused interior, the Manta remains a rare and increasingly appreciated classic, particularly in original right-hand-drive form.

This 1973 Opel Manta S has been cared for by Cliff over the years, having been meticulously maintained throughout his ownership. Finished in a striking red with its original badging and black roof, this example benefits from a fresh paint finish completed in 2000 and presents as a very original and well-preserved example.

This listing was written from information supplied by Jacob after meeting Cliff the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

I’ve always found the Manta S to be an attractive car and great fun to drive.

Cliff told us he bought the car in 1975 and in 2000, he had a restoration carried out to bring the car back to its former glory. Since then, he has taken great pride in keeping the car well cared for, preserving its original character and ensuring it remains a lovely example of this rare model. The V5 says he's has owned the car since 2016.

In recent years, the Manta has spent more time stored in Cliff’s garage, seeing limited use despite being carefully maintained. With advancing age and a desire for the car to be enjoyed by its next custodian, Cliff has made the difficult decision to part with his long-term pride and joy.

Cliff will be available to answer any questions in the comment section below.

Cliff

Vehicle Owner

Cliff saved £1,440* when they
sold their Opel with us.

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EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

Classic coupé styling, featuring sharp lines, elegant proportions, and unmistakable Opel character.

Wheels and Tyres

This example sits on its original-style 13-inch wheels with chrome hub detailing, complementing the period appearance of the Manta.

The tyres fitted are a mixture of brands, including Hi-Fly HF201 tyres dated from 2022 on the front, with Lee Conquest Steel on the rear offside and a Dunlop SP Elite on the rear nearside which was beginning to show signs of age. Cliff has decided to replace all four tyres before the end of the auction to ensure the new owner's safety.

Please take time to review the photos and videos for a detailed view of the exterior, wheels, and tyres so you can make your own assessment of their condition. Tyres are a key safety item, and you should consider replacing any that are cracked, perished, unevenly worn, or over 10 years old.

Bodywork

The bodywork appears to be in great overall condition, with panel gaps aligning visually well around the car.

As to be expected, there are some minor age-related marks including some small stone chips to the front of the car.

We've provided more detailed observations through our high-resolution images and videos. Please take the time to look through all the media files for a detailed view of what’s on offer and to assess the condition of the car for yourselves.

Paint

Finished in a vibrant red, the paintwork presents in great condition with even colour and coverage across all panels. We did notice a small area of touch up paint on the drivers door.

Once again, we've captured high-resolution images and videos of the car for you to assess the condition of the paintwork for yourselves.

Glass and Trim

The glass is in good condition for the car’s age - during our visit we didn’t notice any obvious cracks or discolouration.

The window seals appear good and consistent with the overall condition of the car.

The door handles and window surrounds also present well.

The black vinyl roof presents in good condition.

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INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

A characterful period cabin, combining traditional materials, driver-focused design, and authentic detailing.

Seats and Carpets

The black leather seats have retained their shape well over the years, with only very light creasing visible. The dashboard features wood trim with black leather, complemented by matching carpets and door cards.

The door cards and carpets present similarly, showing a consistent level of condition throughout the interior.

For a detailed view of the cabin, please take a look through the extensive media.

Dashboard

The dashboard in this Opel shows no major damage or scuffs during our visit.

The odometer displayed ~22,509 miles at the time of consignment.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The black Opel steering wheel was in good condition on our visit.

The black gear selector also looked in good shape too, both consistent with the condition of the car.

For a closer look, check out the image gallery to see the detail.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

Engine and Gearbox

The Opel Manta is powered by its original four-cylinder engine, providing the reliable and straightforward driving experience expected from these classic coupes.

On the day of our visit, we started the car from cold, and it performed well on the road. The 1.6L engine idled smoothly, pulled strongly through the rev range, and ran exactly as expected.

Cliff reports that the car starts from cold with no issues and drives well with its manual gearbox sending power to the rear wheels. Take a look at the mechanical video to see the car starting from cold, driving around, and for a closer look underneath the Manta.

Suspension and Brakes

During our visit, the suspension and braking systems performed as expected, with no obvious knocks, bangs, or squeaks noted during the drive.

We cover the underside of the Manta exterior in our “Mechanical” gallery section. Head over to our video section, where we’ve summarised our visit in more detail for you to view for yourself.

The Drive

Cliff has always enjoyed the character of this Manta S, appreciating its classic rear-wheel-drive layout and engaging driving experience.

Please have a look at the ‘On The Road’ video where Cliff takes us for a short drive.

Just to note, Cliff mentions he's had the car since 1975, however, this is 2016 as recorded on the V5.

Electrics and Other

Cliff reports that everything is functional and operational, aligning with the overall condition of the car.

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History and Paperwork

A rare example with provenance, representing long ownership and genuine enthusiasm for the Opel Manta marque.

Having been carefully maintained throughout Cliff's ownership, the car represents a rare opportunity to acquire a classic Manta with genuine provenance.

Take a look at this history and paperwork media to see the previous MOT reports and documentation supplied with this Opel Manta.

Cliff also reports the car is supplied with its original front and back bumpers with over riders, and a brand new carburettor for the Manta 1600, along with a box of spares.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a history check on the vehicle - this is a professional check operated by HPI that will highlight if the car has been previously stolen, recorded as being in an accident, or have any outstanding finance - note, this does not include a mileage history check.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, and as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment on the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bid/s, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.