The Opel Manta B ran from 1975 to 1988 as one of the few European rear-wheel-drive coupés of its era still in mainstream production. By 1985 the standard model had been on sale for a decade, yet the Irmscher i240 conversion gave it a second wind: a bored-out 2.4-litre inline-four, revised suspension and discreet body enhancements that transformed a capable GT into something genuinely special. Norev's 1:18 die-cast brings that variant to the display shelf in factory-era silver.
The Manta B i240 — Irmscher's Street Weapon
Irmscher Motorsport's i240 package centred on an enlarged 2400 cc engine derived from the standard Manta B unit. The conversion was sold through the official Opel dealer network, giving buyers factory-level backing for what was effectively a tuner upgrade. The Manta B coupé body — 4,390 mm end to end — remained unchanged in silhouette, so the i240 looked understated beside the visual drama of rivals. That restraint is part of its appeal: the engineering was the substance, not the bodykit.
1985: A Classic Nearing Its Last Chapter
With production ending in 1988, the 1985 model year placed the Manta B i240 in its final stretch. That timing makes it historically meaningful — a high-specification variant at the point when Opel was already planning the model's discontinuation. Silver was a period-correct and commercially popular colour choice, consistent with how these cars appeared in road tests and dealer brochures of the mid-1980s. Collectors who lived through that decade recognise the combination immediately.
Norev's 1:18 Scale Model in Die-Cast Metal
Norev produces this 1:18 representation in die-cast metal, the material of choice for replicas where weight, surface fidelity and long-term stability matter. At this scale the Irmscher-specific details — the subtly revised bodywork and the period wheel treatment — can be rendered with the precision that smaller scales simply cannot accommodate. Opel Manta B models in 1:18 remain noticeably scarcer on the secondary market than equivalent models of better-known contemporaries, which reflects both the car's cult following and the limited number of manufacturers who have committed tooling to it.
In the Display Cabinet
The Manta B i240 sits naturally alongside other late-era German performance road cars from the 1980s: the Opel Kadett GSi, the Irmscher Kadett i240, and the Opel Ascona C share both platform lineage and collector context. For those building a themed Opel or Irmscher shelf, this model anchors the coupé line between the standard Manta B GT/E and the Group B-homologated Manta 400 — a different animal entirely. The silver finish also reads cleanly under cabinet lighting, making it a strong visual anchor in a monochromatic or decade-themed display.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Irmscher i240 conversion?
Irmscher Motorsport bored out the standard Manta B engine to 2,400 cc and added suspension and body enhancements. The package was sold through official Opel dealers, making it a factory-sanctioned upgrade rather than an aftermarket modification.
Why does the 1985 model year matter for the Manta B i240?
Production of the Manta B ended in 1988, so 1985 falls in the final years of the run. The i240 in this period is considered one of the most desirable variants of an outgoing model, which adds to its collector significance.
What material is the Norev model made from?
The model is constructed in die-cast metal at 1:18 scale.
Is the silver colour historically accurate for this car?
Yes. Silver was a period-correct colour option for the Manta B i240, consistent with the colours offered through Opel and Irmscher in the mid-1980s.
