The Opel Manta 400 is almost a hidden gem survivor of the extraordinary Group B era, a period when manufacturers were required to build road-going versions of their competition machinery and consequently produced some of the most exciting and distinctive performance cars of the 1980s.

Developed from the Ascona 400, the Manta was intended to take on the world's rally stages with rear wheel drive, a Cosworth developed 2.4-litre engine, lightweight construction and dramatic flared bodywork.

By the time Opel's new weapon was ready to compete, however, Audi's Quattro had already demonstrated the advantages of four-wheel drive and the Manta was fighting against the inevitable tide of technological progress.
The Manta 400 proved immensely popular with spectators and competitors alike, its evocative soundtrack, rear wheel drive chassis and unmistakable silhouette making it a firm favourite on British and European stages.

In the UK, the Andrews Heat for Hire car of Russell Brookes with Mike ...