Taste the Steel of the Manta by Greg Walker

To feel the steely embrace of the Manta is a thrill.

The torsional wraparound strength of the Manta's monocoque shell is sturdy and strong. Shielded from the harsher environs of our climate the interior is insular, rigid and detached. Only the sure footed feel of the Manta keeps one informed of the progress made.

Each undulation is felt through the highly geared rack and pinion equipment and allows for a safety margin of error when rubber sometimes defies gravity. Gas shocks give a firm yet gentle damping without juddering and jarring the occupants within.

Standard exhaust note is quiet not harsh. On tickover, only the rhythmic and muted thud, thud, thud is heard from the rear oval tailbox. All is well with Manta, all is well with those within.

Encapsulated inside this time capsule, with the engine delivering its fair quotient of power, noise levels allow for Manta conversation within. Sliding back the neat steel sunroof, one could imagine that the roar of wind emitted by the open gap was a 757 cruising at 550mph on its way down to the sunny Mediterranean Sea at a ceiling of 35,000 feet.

In fact, we were once delayed at Stanstead Airport for a short while when it was, bing, bong, "Hello, this is Captain Walker here, if you look out of the starboard windows you will see the Red Arrows lining up for take off." What a sight to remember as one by one, headlights blazing, they soared and roared away into the early morning summer blue sky.

Then it was, bing, bong, "Apologies for the flight delay, free drinks compliments of Britannia Airlines are available at the bar." Naturally mine was a large Southern Comfort on the rocks.

Then sweet dreams of foreign Mantas in far flung lands and distant shores.

Greg Walker (Jun '96)

Would you like to see more of Greg Walker's poetry?

All content © OMOC. The OPEL trademark is registered to General Motors.
Click here to contact us