Opel Manta GSi: Starting and Running Engine

The Opel Manta is a car model with a certain reputation. Built between 1970 and 1988 in various model types, the Manta was a sports car that was designed for a young target group. However, soon Manta drivers became associated with special stereotypes. They were considered to be rather vulgar and ignorant, wear cowboy boots, speak the dialect of the Ruhr area (German), have a blonde girlfriend who works as a hairdresser and sport a fox tail on the antenna of their car. This stereotype was propagated by 1980ies cult films such as “Manta, Manta” and “Manta – Der Film”. The Manta and its drivers were even “honoured” with their own category of jokes ridiculing their supposedly slightly dim-witted and macho drivers.

This view of the Manta has been changing slowly in the last couple of years. More and more collectors recognise them as valuable collectibles.

In this recording you can hear the engine of a Manta GSi, which was built in 1984, at various speed levels. The recordist was standing in front of the open bonnet of the car.

Sound Recordist: Konrad Gutkowski
Photographer: Konrad Gutkowski