The Manta 400 was first shown as a concept at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1981. The car did not yet have the flared wheel arch and was externally similar to the road car, but it was designed purely as a competition car. According to FIA regulations for the approval or homologation for Group B, a small number of the car, originally set at 400, needed to be produced for the normal market. The Manta 400 was intended as the successor to the successful Ascona B, production of which ceased in the summer of 1981. The technology and tuning parts of the Ascona were transferred to the Manta 400. Thus the basic model received a 144 bhp 2.4 liter engine jointly developed by Opel and Cosworth, so that in the sports parts range Opel offered tuning kits that would increase the capacity of the engine to over 250 bhp. The widened, beefy Opel version with GFK mudguards and Ronal wheel rims was first shown at the IAA in September 1981. The 400 went into series production in the following month. In addition the customer could choose between a narrow body and the familiar wider IAA version, which latter was most often ordered. Plexiglas and Kevlar body parts reduced the weight of the Manta 400 to just 960 kg. In May 1983 the approval was issued for Group B. By 1984, in agreement with the FIA, a total of 245 of the Manta 400 had been built. Die cast details: Engine hood and doors can be opened; and Steerable front wheels.
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