A new sports coupé for just over 4000 euros?
DM 8528, that's around 4300 euros today, and for that you got a brand-new Opel Manta with gorgeous styling in 1972. Well, the 1.2-liter S-engine certainly didn't ensure victories on the Nürburgring, but it got you from A to B and consumed a manageable amount of petrol.
What can you get for 4300 euros today in comparison? Certainly not a sports car suitable for families, not even a Smart. It might have been enough for a Tata Nano, but those are not sold in this country. The entry-level price in the Manta class today is more likely to be around EUR 15,000 to 20,000 (or the equivalent in Swiss francs).
Of course, we don't want to deprive our readers of the text of the advertisement for the picture above:
"There are people who look behind the elegant Mantas and cast sad glances into their wallets. These people should pay a visit to the Opel dealer. There you will find a Manta with a lively 60 hp, 1.2 liter S engine that has everything that makes the Manta stand out: the exemplary chassis, the reliable brakes, plenty of space and lots of comfort.
It is the youngest of the sporty, fast Mantas. With which you start to enjoy driving. For hours on end.
Because it combines the Manta qualities - recognized by experts - with its main advantage:
value for money. In everything: purchase price, taxes and economy ..."
Those were the days!
