Greek 1986 manta GSI exclusive

[g_gjikas]

Easter 2008.Almost midnight.Hearing a distant tolling bell.I was in my cellar watcing all these boxes with spares for my manta project.I took the big desicion.I was going to restore it.My only friends that cold night were the two just born little cats

[g_gjikas]

That was the car before.A 1986 GSI exclusive in good condition.All my friends keep telling me that there is no reason to restore it as it is OK.But i found out some problems..Bloody manta iron..

I took my 79years grandfathers little truck for the sheeps and carried all big stuffs as bumpers,new manta400 bonnet,rubbers etc,etc

I did a 100 km journey to Athens to a friend of mine who was going to help me a lot with the project.

[g_gjikas]

The car had three major problems.

A very bad 3 piece irmscher rear spoiler,a rotten(it doesnt even exist!) back hood scissor and a big rotten sill part.All repaired and replaced with other very good manta parts i had in my dark cellar

[Atlantean]

I would have thought the Greek climate would be somewhat more friendly to a Mantas metal that that in the British Isles.

Is there much work needed?

[Sutty2006]

Yeah but when it rains there it rains big style......

[g_gjikas]

Atlantean,the climate here is warm enough.From what i have seen in the forum,mantas here are FAR better condition than in Britain.

Sutty yeap there are some rains but don't imagine big stuff.

[Atlantean]

It's not so much the rain that causes all the rust IMO. Cars in the UK rot far faster than they do here in Ireland even though we probably get as much rain, if not more. It is the salt on the roads in winter time that causes the rot. This is something we don't have a problem with in Ireland as our winters are milder and we don't cover the roads in salt.

[g_gjikas]

say it again that!Also in Germany they have the same problem with the salt.

Some other pics

[GTEPETE]

The killers are salt on winter roads and salt air if you live near the sea....

[Bamboo16v]

Great looking manta you have there,,,,, its coming along fine.... Hope your still planning to put them brock rims back on,, they look well!!!!

[g_gjikas]

I am waiting for the new interior now and also for the electrics job to be done.But i am away from my town at the moment and it will take a month to be finished!

Bamboo16V ,of course those brocks will be back BUT with some surprises..

I can't tell more at the moment.

Here are the 55mm jamex springs and my second hand yellow bilsteins.I have sent these to a Bilstein expert in Athens to repair these(oil,valves,stiffer etc..).The front ones are OPEL motorsport from the eighties .I have to paint these and add some new bilstein stickers.

[g_gjikas]

Word of God's power; He said, LET THERE BE LIGHT- He willed it, and it was done; there was light (Bible)...... ............ ..........

[g_gjikas]

[g_gjikas]

[g_gjikas]

Brand new hella number plate lights

The temp sender unit,new GM item.That is the solution fellas if you want to see the water temp gauge working

[g_gjikas]

That was the condition of the roof when we took off that bloody cloth of the roof.That yellow stuff ISNOT rust,but glue!

Some useful stamps...(from original opel stamps)

[garymanc]

looking good george ,i like what you have done with the lighting for the dial's .

glad your gauges now work as well

[g_gjikas]

The tacho is not ready yet,as i am going to place the blue new gauges(you can see these in the pictures).

Gary,all the gauges working just fine and i would like to help you mate cause you told me to change the temp sender unit!Thanks again

[mech]

looking good george!

if you ever need help let me know. i worked as a professional mechanic in the states for many years, and i haven't touched a car in several months now . Plus ive got a alot of time on my hands

[g_gjikas]

Thanks takis.Hope my next project will be an A series manta!

[mech]

Yea, i hope an A series is my next project too

If you see one for sale, please let me know

thanks George.

[g_gjikas]

Car is ready for GOOD now,complete in every section.

[g_gjikas]

[jim nolan]

ooohhhh very nice

lovely pictures & the clear blue sky

nice job !

[Bamboo16v]

Great pics and great looking car,, my manta is similar to yours,, with the brock b1's and paintwork,, imperial blue?? Hope you have plenty of enjoyment out of it,,keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!