1971 Opel Manta Rallye First Freeway Drive

My friend Ken takes his '71 Opel Manta Rallye on the freeway for the first time since buying it.
I've done a ton of work on Ken's car, and it's good to see it behave on its' first real drive!

[@fredhannum4015]

Oh, I love it. The 1971 opel was the Car And Driver 'Car of The Year', and the first car I owned. I bought it in 1976, for 700 dollars cash, with 100K miles. I drove the hell out of it until 1983; when the differential locked up. I was on Long Beach Blvd, and it squeeled to a stop. I wish I kept it, I miss it. You never see them anymore, but it was a great Car. Mine was Rallye RED with flat black hood and stripes.

[@goratgo1970]

Ah, the 'ol familiar trans. whine when coming to a stop...
Nice going, had a '74 Rallye years ago near there in Roseville that I drove up when I moved here to Seattle area & got around 31mpg. Sold it, now have a '74 Luxus & '75 Sportwagon. Bigger deal I see is the dealer installed A/C, does it work? And surprised the gauge cluster is still down with A/C, I have the '71-'73 vertical cluster (I think it's Euro. option?) that goes between driver door and inst. panel., but can't use it on mine because of the side vent. Some rallye's have LSD rearend as well as higher ratio. Maybe help Ken with muffler install? Thanks for posting, always nice to see one on the road!

[@MilkCrateGarage]

The ARA AC does work! I found a place that had some R12 and it didn't leak out and the more we ran it the better it worked.
I think the GM AC systems used the A pillar Rallye cluster, I've never actually seen one in person though. Let me know if you'd like to part with it!

[@HobbyMoose79]

Looking good there old man, did your forget the 10/2 for your hands. you got a mean engine better hold that wheel. tight. awesome looking car.

[@MilkCrateGarage]

Thanks! I'll let my friend know.