The desire to make a special version of a sporty Opel A Manta was a challenge that Popke was happy to take on. When you mention the name Irmscher to an Opel enthusiast, they immediately think of tuning, but also of body kits and stickers that make the Manta even more impressive.
Opel A Manta replica Irmscher
In 2008, Popke decided to build a replica of the Irmscher in a color of which only one was originally made. After an extensive search he found a beautiful bodywork; not perfect in the blue paint, but in excellent condition. With this Opel A Manta in the Irmscher version, he wanted to pay tribute to a special era in Opel's automotive history. Within a few months, Popke managed to create a rear spoiler, modify the front spoiler and make a divisible bumper.
Disappointment as a motivation
Popke: “The story actually started even earlier. The original Irmscher was for sale in the German magazine Opel Scene Flash. Unfortunately, I was not the first interested party and I missed the opportunity. However, this disappointment gave me the motivation and enthusiasm to build one myself. Now when I look at the old photos of how the car came to me and see the final result, I still feel a tingle of excitement. I am simply in love with the timeless design and beauty of this Opel A Manta. Why I wanted to make a replica? I'll keep that answer to myself!”
mancave
The Opel A Manta has a place in Popke's man cave, next to his other steel pride. Psychologists sometimes say that men need their own place to be themselves and to devote themselves to their favorite hobbies. Popke is the perfect example of this. Every wall in his shed is covered with posters, old license plates and vintage oil cans. The cozy corner where he receives friends for conversations about cars is nearby. In short, the car hobby stands for pure fun!
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That's just cool.
You have “folder=original” and original as in “the only one”.
This is the last one, and doesn't it fit in perfectly with the times?
Spoilers, skirts, wide rims, beautiful image of the era.
When I was young (late 80's or so) an acquaintance of ours had 20 or 30 of those A-manta rays.
Parked here and there.
I think they were all shot due to his private problems.
With today's knowledge . . . .
This is part of that time; nice halucinating colors🙄!
I also drove an A-Manta myself… at the time I thought these kinds of modifications were downright ugly… and now, more than 40 years later, I still think so. The A-Manta is typically a car that does not need these kinds of adjustments. I realize that this is of course my personal opinion and that others may think very differently about this... and of course that should be possible.
Beautiful Manta Popke, maybe a nice article for the club magazine, you know my email address.
Regards,
Marco
Can I say that I -don't- like it?
I used to drive those old A Manta's, beautiful lines that, in my opinion, are destroyed by the extended fenders.
Not my car.
I hope Popke has a lot of fun with it, that's for sure.
I had the Capri competitor. I don't know about the Manta, but widened and pimped Capri's are much less sought after than the original ones from the factory.
But of course you don't buy a classic car to quickly sell it again.
In any case, a nice result after all that hard work.
Very beautiful this Manta-A “Irmscher-Tribute” to describe it that way.
Beautiful work by Popke.
And the engine compartment is also neatly maintained.
I love that! Compliments!!