Cars and bikes I’ve come across in my travels

[Alzero]

A nice Lotus Elite having its levels checked in the hotel parking lot before the drive home on Sunday morning.

 

[Gerald]

Nowt wrong with the Manta from a mechanical aspect, plane jane GM product.
As mentioned before they have a negative image in Germany, mostly credited to owners in the 1980's.
Today a good example fetches a good price if offered, the A Manta being more sought after.

 

[Alzero]

For folks like me who are unfamiliar with Mantas:
An A Manta

A B Manta

 

[Alzero]

IMHO, the A is from that period when GM design was at the height of its powers, turning out crisp, clean shapes with no need of ornamentation. The c-pillar is very reminiscent of that of the second generation of Corvair, the pillar is thicker, but the window shape is the same.

 

[The Sock]

I thought, at the time, that the Manta (A) was a handsome looking car, particularly from the rear quarter. Much more attractive than the contemporary Capri. The 1.9 GTE was quite sprightly for its day. If any Broadspeed TurboManta still exist, I'd happily drive one, today.

50 Years of the Opel Manta A | ViaRETRO

When I was looking to buy my first car back in 1979, I really, really wanted an Opel Manta A. I loved the purposeful forward-leaning front end (echoes of BMW’s “sharknose”), the wide but narrow grille (a contradiction, I know, but I know what I mean) housing a twin-headlamp set-up, the smooth...

viaretro.com

 

[rowdypat]

IMHO, the A is from that period when GM design was at the height of its powers, turning out crisp, clean shapes with no need of ornamentation. The c-pillar is very reminiscent of that of the second generation of Corvair, the pillar is thicker, but the window shape is the same.View attachment 82368

Are they rear engined like a corvair also?

 

[Gerald]

Opel was a GM product at the time most of the body shapes derived from Detroit design.
Did a Vauxhall badged Manta exist? Seem to remember a UK made budget Chevelle, very similar to the B Manta.

 

[Gerald]

Are they rear engined like a corvair also?

No, front engine with rear wheel drive. Ask a Kadett B owner how many K's they drove with a howling differential

 

[Alzero]

No, that’s why the Manta pillar is able to be thicker with a more sloping rear glass. This is even more exaggerated on the B Manta.

 

[chrisk]

He was quite the driver winning 13 Grand Prix between the wars, Nevertheless he was very fast in a time when mistakes meant death or serious injury.

That explains everything

 

[pf1]

Opel was a GM product at the time most of the body shapes derived from Detroit design.
Did a Vauxhall badged Manta exist? Seem to remember a UK made budget Chevelle, very similar to the B Manta.

The Vauxhall Cavalier Mk1 Coupe was more or less the same as the Manta

 

[The Sock]

Popped to Ryka's for a breakfast bap and saw this 1976 Yamaha RD500. Yes, it's a four-cylinder.

 

[Charley]

Spotted near the Fischereihafen, Bremerhaven. The sun has finally paid a visit and the locals love to drive their classics in the sun.
Also seen was the DKW below and I've added it as it's also a product from the 4 circles conglomerate.

 

[Exmoor beast]

Every days a school day!

 

[Alzero]

I did not know that there were personalized plates in Ireland!

 

[Charley]

Unusual Citroën car I spotted on my travels yesterday. I'm not into cars enough to know what it is but thought it sufficiently different to interest folks interested in this thread.

 

[The Sock]

A small selection, seen in Brighton, on Sunday

 

[Gerald]

You've come across a Citroen SM. Maserati engined beast of the 70's.
Real fun to work on

 

[Alzero]

It combined the simplicity of French Hydraulics with the reliability of a Maserati engine. Best of both worlds really……

 

[Alzero]

I never knew there was a Morris badged Cooper S.