PassMeTheGun Posted June 4, 2007 Share Posted June 4, 2007 Huzzah! Picked myself a 400r up at the weekend! Drove from Dunfermline to Swansea with a trailer on Saturday took 10hrs, slept for 6, picked up the car (about 30mins) then drove for another 9 1/2 hours smiling all the way! Its a GTJ with a 2.0 and twin 48's, full OMP cage, seats and harnesses and a fly-off handbrake. It sounds utterly ridiculous when started. The plan is to prep the bodywork for a respray, finish off the wiring and hopefully get it on the road to catch the last of the summer. Fingers crossed! Does anyone know of any history regarding this car? I know its been in Wales for a while. Pass me the gun and ask me again.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shug Posted June 4, 2007 Author Share Posted June 4, 2007 quote:Originally posted by PassMeTheGun Does anyone know of any history regarding this car? I know its been in Wales for a while. id="quote">id="quote"> In a lake in wales by the look of it [] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ OMOC #5988 hmackay at opel-manta.com I hae a few guid reasons for drinkin’ And yin juist entered ma heid If a man canna’ drink while he’s livin’ Hoo the Hell can he drink when he’s deid! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PassMeTheGun Posted June 4, 2007 Share Posted June 4, 2007 yeah, it'll be getting a bit of a wash before I start. It'll come up braw like a shiny penny* *may not be trueid="size1"> Pass me the gun and ask me again.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 4, 2007 Share Posted June 4, 2007 where abouts in swansea was that one and why is it that a yellow manta coupe is all the rage? My 400r V8 was bloody yellow now its white and dusty, but near completion. Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PassMeTheGun Posted June 4, 2007 Share Posted June 4, 2007 It was in Pontardawe Gary. It's not going to stay yellow for long! It'll be white or black when its finished not sure which yet. Pass me the gun and ask me again.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MantaMad Posted June 4, 2007 Share Posted June 4, 2007 That will keep you busy for a while - good to have another Manta doing the rounds in Fife. David OMOC Member 420 http://www.mantamad.fsnet.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PassMeTheGun Posted June 4, 2007 Share Posted June 4, 2007 Has anyone reskinned a fibreglass 400 bonnet on top of the original bonnet frame? I'm thinking thats the way to retain the original curve but the fibreglass one has a ford sierraty fibreglass frame bonded to it and i don't was to crack the bonnet when I remove it. Where are you in Fife Mantamad? Pass me the gun and ask me again.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MantaMad Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 I am in Pittenweem David OMOC Member 420 http://www.mantamad.fsnet.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick-Manta Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 quote:Originally posted by PassMeTheGun It'll be white or black when its finished not sure which yet. id="quote">id="quote"> Personally I'd go for black as most people with the 400 bodykit go for white to keep it as close to a real 400 as possible. I find with cars (especially mantas) it's nicer to have something a bit more unique. White probably would be the sensible option as it hides imperfections in the bodywork and it should cost a little less to have done than black. If you do go for black, the wheels may look a bit odd unless you get them done in alloy paint or something. Dispite it's initial appearence this looks like a great car and an enjoyable project, so I hope you're happy with it given the distance you travelled to get it. As it's a B-series, fingers crossed, there won't be too much welding and that rally interior is rather smart too! though a tin of engine laquer might not go amiss[] Are those Webers or Dellortos? http://www.myspace.com/rick_manta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 I remember that car from about 20+ years ago when it was a standard b series GTJ, we have relatives who live in Broadmead, Sketty, just outside Swansea, and allways used to see this car parked opposite the end of this road outside a house, I had a B series 2.0 SR hatch at the time, my first manta, CYX 882V, anyone know where it is now? chrisb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PassMeTheGun Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 Yeah, I was thinking about black and keeping the wheels white with white 400 decals, could be a bit weird though. I've also heard there's a whole lot of kawasaki green going cheap nearby and my budget is pretty tight so that may be in with a shout. There's been a ton of welding already done when the previous owner started rally prepping it so it's mainly going to be sanding and filling the tatty bodywork. (I've stripped and laquered that cam cover already!) The carbs are webers BTW. I've been told its the ridiculously rare twin binnacle manta![] and another less blurry photo... Cheers Chris, do you remember if its always had that sunroof?, it's not steel so i'm assuming it's been added later. Pass me the gun and ask me again.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
entwistlecymru Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 Whereabouts in Broadmead was it Chris? I've got a couple of accquaintances around West Swansea (Sketty/Killay/Dunvant) with Mantas. They may remember the owner. Where in Pontardawe did you pick it up from PMTG? Again I know of at least 2 Mantas men down that way who may know some history. OMOC #5826..... 79 SRB coupe - 'interesting project', 79 Cav saloon - 'another interesting project', 1993 Senator 24v. Yakshimash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiney_norman Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 My Grandad lives on Broadmead, used to have a white Cav GLS Sportshatch years back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PassMeTheGun Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 Don't know where exactly the bloody sat-nav took me there (via a ridiculously tight one-way street) coming from swansea I turned left a bit at a petrol station over a bridge, hard right on a roundabout then hard left on the next one. There were speedbumps if that helps. The guy was called rhys and is a biker (bright red hair). Pass me the gun and ask me again.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PassMeTheGun Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 here's some (not hugely original) ideas for the paint courtesy of photoshtop. What's yer thoughts? Pass me the gun and ask me again.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick-Manta Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 Out of the pics the last one is in my opinion is the better. Even better, again my opinion only here, would be gloss black all over[]. I guess it completely depends on what you're actually looking for in the car, wether you want it to be a close 400 replica or an original looking headturner would really dictate what sort of paintjob you should go for. http://www.myspace.com/rick_manta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 seems a shame to 400 a GTJ as those things are seriously rare. OMOC 5885 1800GT Hatch Daily Driver GTE Exclusive Coupe SORN'd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PassMeTheGun Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 it was converted years ago by the previous previous owner, probably around 95-6 ish. I wouldn't have converted a GTJ myself but the damage was aready done. Seems all the more solid for the early base though. Gloss black was considered but (a) its more expensive. ( it would show up the (not perfectly) blended arches and © the guy doin the respray has lots of white kicking about. Hurrah for budgets! Pass me the gun and ask me again.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robah Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 quote:Rick-Manta Rank - Senator United Kingdom 576 Posts Posted - 10/06/2007 : 14:49:59 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Out of the pics the last one is in my opinion is the better id="quote">id="quote"> I would have to agree with this aswell. Good luck with the project.[8D][8D] Rob robah@btinternet.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PassMeTheGun Posted June 14, 2007 Share Posted June 14, 2007 Cheers guys, Progress so far: I've stripped and smoothed both rear quarters (the 400 kit was blended by someone good at reading but not so good with braille) Sanded, painted and seam-sealered the headlamp bowls. Welded patches on the floorpan, b-post and battery tray (I learned to weld last night!) Replaced the leaking tank-fuel pump pipe Bled the brakes Sripped and de-rusted the passenger door Hammerited the cam cover (its now red) Hopefully sorting out a respray within the month [] cheers, Pass me the gun and ask me again.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick-Manta Posted June 14, 2007 Share Posted June 14, 2007 Smart! What welding gear are you using? I've wanted to have a crack at learning to weld a while ago but never got around to it. I was going to buy a gasless mig welder for £130ish from B&Q. I would have painted the rocker cover myself! [][][] Hope the respray comes along mate. http://www.myspace.com/rick_manta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PassMeTheGun Posted June 14, 2007 Share Posted June 14, 2007 its a fancy snap-on welder I've borrowed from my neighbour (who welds for scotland) but he assures me the wee migmate ones are just as good for hobby users. I'd get one with the gas attachments tho, it makes a helluva difference. I may need to invest in one myself soon. I was surprised at how uncomplicated the welders actually are inside. I borrowed his auto-darkening mask too, it's the dogs b***ocks! I'm pretty sure there's witchcraft involved though [8D] Pass me the gun and ask me again.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h0tr0dder_uk Posted June 14, 2007 Share Posted June 14, 2007 In my mind its always best to buy the best welder and helmet you can afford. I started with a clarke 150te which does the job but might change it for a better one soon (cost £195). I also used to have a cheap auto darkening helmet that cost me £40. However now I'm getting a bit more ambitious I have had to buy a decent tig welder (£750) and a better auto darkening helmet (cost me £100 but rrp is £300!!!) - its amazing how much easier it is to weld with the better helmet. Also its much better to buy decent welding gas (like argoshield) rather than cheap co2 - makes your welds much nicer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PassMeTheGun Posted July 19, 2007 Share Posted July 19, 2007 muahahaha! Progress! I've replaced the drivers door with a later GTE door I got from Mick (cheers Mick!) which came off of the totalled GTE coupe ---> http://www.mantaclub.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=11405 Bought a exclusive rear bumper and infill from Sutty (cheers Sutty!) Done a whole lot of sanding and filling and finally got the first layer of 2pack primer on it! Excuse the pish photo... Thought that it'd be ok spraying the car without a mask because it was outside, how wrong was I? Me and two of my mates were off our t*ts within 15 mins, full fat milk soon sorts you out though [] cheers, Pass me the gun and ask me again.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bendy Posted July 19, 2007 Share Posted July 19, 2007 looks like you have awhole lot less work to do than i do! Im not looking forward to fitting the kit at all[] I like the hydraulic handbrake though, can you pass an mot if you have a hydraulic handbrake with a lock bar and no cable operated handbrake? Im thinking it would be so much simpler if converting to rear discs[?] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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