OPEL MANTA A: PORSCHE 924 DEVELOPMENT MULE
von Opel Owners' Register of Malaysia, Donnerstag, 28. Oktober 2010 um 15:40 ·
When
Porsche was developing the 914N (924, the 914's replacement) in 1972,
they first fitted the entire 924 drivetrain and suspension into a used
BMW 1600 in April 1972.The intended running gear was adapted to the car.
VW-Audi's LT 4-cylinder engine fitted with a carburettor, developing
95bhp was installed. This BMW was code-numbered 914N, meaning 914
successor. It went onto the rolling road in October and tests on noise,
air-flow, engine cooling, transmission efficiency and emissions were
completed.
Shortly thereafter they added an Opel Manta
to their test mule fleet. Designated W1, the Manta had the full
924-specification underfloor including the MacPherson-strut front
suspension and VW Super Beetle derived, torsion bar suspended
semi-trailing arms at the rear.
Brakes,
discs at the front and drums a the rear came from VW's parts
department, as did the rack-and-pinion steering, door handles, switches
and various other small items. Noteworthy in the test-mule Manta is the
Bosch fuel-injected 2-litre engine powering it, rated at 125bhp.
In
this fashion, the Porsche 924 floorpan, powertrain, braking and
suspension systems were tested in the Algerian desert, racking up nearly
ten thousand kilometres, disguised all the time, as an Opel Manta A!
Porsche 924 Prototype Production- Production: 8+6- Production date: 1972 to 1975
Notes
- The EA425 project was initiated in January 1972.
- EA425 was created by Porsche but owned by Volkswagen.
- In 1974 EA425 was intended as the successor of the Audi's 100 Coupé S.
- In 1975 Porsche become the responsible manufacturer of the 924 the successor of the 914.
- A modified BMW 1600 or 2002 (914N or V1) in April-October 1972.
- A modified Opel Manta (W1 or V2) October 1972.
- Later another Manta (V3) had the complete 924 underbody, and was tested 6000 miles in the Algerian desert.
- First 8 prototypes were built for testing from June 1973 to 1974.
- 6 prototypes were built corresponding to the final design.
- 56 pre-production 924s built at Neckarsulm October 1975 to December 1975.
- About 100 pilot-build cars, full production started in November 1975.