Care for a German-built car named after a cartilaginous fish and sold through Buick dealerships … all for nine Benjamins and a carb tune? And no, we’re not talking about the a lederhosen-sporting GNX with sharkskin seats.
Despite never having the “pleasure” to learn how to curse in German while attempting to deal with the innumerable issues that these cars have (remember that Opel is Deutsche-market GM from the storied “Chevette era” of quality control), I do have a perverse fascination with them. The Bay Area is seemingly lousy with Opels of various sizes and shapes, probably due to the low salt exposure (Opels dissolve in salt water like sugar cubes) and large numbers of high-functioning nutcases. (Case in point, the Opel Blitz and Opel Manta I tracked down a while back for DOTSBE). If I had more money than sense, I’d probably have a yard full of rusty Kadetts that I’d occasionally water with a healthy dose of cold hard currency, hoping that they’d eventually sprout into vintage rally cars.
That being said, this Reno-based ’73 Manta is purportedly straight, rust-free, and has good compression. Plus it’s a four speed. Retard the timing or richen the mixture and you might just get this puppy home under its own power. The color is a lot better than the various shades of “crap brown” these cars usually came in, and it’s so cheap it’s essentially begging for a Manta 400 front end and some auxiliary lights. Wunderbar!
Craigslist
(Go HERE if the ad disappears.)
This Manta Will Embed Itself in Your Heart Like You're Steve Irwin
By Alex Kierstein
Jan 20, 2010
Kamil Kaluski 
"Blitz" isn't the most politically correct name for a German car, is it?
I think its "Reich"
Oh no, no its not.
Actually it's SS. Oh, no, that won't do either.
I wouldn't mind rocking the original Opel version. Even in the colors shown in that ad.
Finally! A car you can ride around in with your fake-n-bake girl while looking for black pussy.
Not to be the jerk, but the only way a Manta ray could kill you would be to lay on you. Stingrays are the killers, and that's what Mr. Arkov taught us so many years ago.
I was going to include a disclaimer about that, but the road to Steve Irwin's heart is paved with good intentions. Also, I kind of like the nonsensical nature of it.
Now that I think about it, I wish I'd saved the joke for a 2nd or 3rd generation Corvette …
Just reuse it. No one will notice anyway (I at least will not be bothered to point it out to you).
Finally, a car I can paint red and white, grow a big frickin' beard, and replace the M in the name with an S.
I could be the very first Opel Santa!
You sleigh me
He needs to be reined in.
And when you break down, I can tow you with an Opel Blitzen!
The lack of yellow and black plaid seat inserts is a deal breaker.
Damn straight! Of course I would have settled for blue and green.
Have the guy write you a fake bill of sale for $500, weld in a roll cage, come up with a theme, and you've got a true IOE contender.
Look, I'm all for chopping up all sorts of cars for LeMons happy time fun explosion, but please for the love of god don't cut up or demolition derby a straight Manta!!!
Blaspheme again and it's the raw end of a harshly wielded sea skate on yer noggin!
How about if I did it to an Opel GT? How would you feel about that?
(starts running)
So, I can only cut up or demolition derby gay Mantas?
I am going to Reno for work on Tuesday. If that car is available my girlfriend is gonna be mad ! I am already driving it back to San Diego in my head.
Your first order of business, of course, would be to tie a foxtail on the end of the antenna.
[youtube JLdDqUZ1WtM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLdDqUZ1WtM youtube]
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