simon p Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 As a few of you will know, i first started to build my Manta back in '99. It went through a few changes during the next few years. Once I started my own business in 2004, it kinda got neglected so I thought it was about time I got out of the barn it was stored in and get it re-done for this year. I'm aiming to have it finished for the summer(famous last words) but i do have a lot going on right now so we'll see. This is it looked in 2001 where it won best of show at Billing. NASC show in Ipswich where it won 'best modern hotrod' i was well pleased with that as it was a national show and it up against all types of cars, some with big budgets. It was it's last show outing. 2004..... .....and how it arrived back to me recently, oh dear!! Hopefully, with everything else thats going on, i'll be able to fit it in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manta Nut Posted January 10, 2010 Share Posted January 10, 2010 Simon I'm sure it will be car with a number of 'one off' modifications. Will give you a call to book my car in, so put some time aside for mine!! hows the move going? Adrian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Barrett Posted January 10, 2010 Share Posted January 10, 2010 bit of elbow greaseand that will be better than ever im sure, very inspirational car btw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbie Posted January 10, 2010 Share Posted January 10, 2010 Looking forward to this one Simon, I'm sure it will be a cracker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bendy Posted January 10, 2010 Share Posted January 10, 2010 I remeber this vividly being in Total vauxhall, only being 26 years old now it was one of the cars that made me realise just how cool the A series can be, ive often wondered what happened to it, amazing how quick they can get in a mess! Cant wait to see it back up to scratch i love that car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon p Posted January 10, 2010 Author Share Posted January 10, 2010 Nearly stripped down now, just the prop and hand brake to take off then it's off to the blasters. I'm quite suprised how good it still seems to be but we will see. The IRS axle was designed and built by me back in 2002. It uses a Senator LSD diff and stub axles, everything else was custom made. When I sprayed the wishbones, I hung them on the washing line..... I was not popular. The coilovers will be replaced with air shocks, as will the front. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Barrett Posted January 10, 2010 Share Posted January 10, 2010 dont hang about!!! liking the rear end. i think im going to end up doing the same as cant seem to setlle on anything, especially handling decent power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickB Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 Great looking car back then, amazed it could be allowed to get in to the current condition but look forward to seeing it finished. Spurs me on to get out in the garage despite the wretched snow we've got. Mick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanMc Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 Blimey!, could'nt you have just washed it instead! Nice car - good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon p Posted February 4, 2010 Author Share Posted February 4, 2010 Back from the blasting yesterday. Revealing lots of work to do. It's suprising how much rot was there that i hadn't seen, even after i stripped to a shell. Next job is to get it into the bodyroller and see what it's like underneath. I'll be getting stuck into this in the evenings next week. Nothing new here. Near side rear qtr. rusted through under the rear window trim. Old repair, but see how its rusted around the newer metal. This is why i always chase a hole right through to very sound, original steel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon p Posted February 18, 2010 Author Share Posted February 18, 2010 Managed to squeeze aa few hours in recently Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Barrett Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 loving the detail pics, can i ask simon that chassis leg how did you clean it up prooir to re-skinning it, looks well pitted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon p Posted February 19, 2010 Author Share Posted February 19, 2010 loving the detail pics, can i ask simon that chassis leg how did you clean it up prooir to re-skinning it, looks well pitted Cheers mate, the chassis leg was in very good condition otherwise i would have replaced it too. IT does look ropey though. I cleaned it up with a course wire wheel to remove all the loose rust then i gave it liberal coating of rust converter this also leaves a coat of anti corrosion protection on it too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Barrett Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 which one do you use? been looking at the bilt hamber stuff seems like the real mcoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon p Posted February 20, 2010 Author Share Posted February 20, 2010 which one do you use? been looking at the bilt hamber stuff seems like the real mcoy I use Dinitrol Converust RC900 http://www.frost.co.uk/item_Detail.asp?productID=9008&frostProductName=Dinitrol%20Converust%20RC900%20(400ml)&catID=28&frostCat=Rust&frostSubCat=Dinitrol&subCatID=35 Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upk Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 (edited) well this is one thread i am definately going to enjoy! seems ironic, nearly 4 years ago i started my stripdown and was reading a manta a article in total vauxhaul, seems we have come full circle simon, watch out for next months TV!! All the best mate kev Edited February 21, 2010 by upk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon p Posted July 10, 2011 Author Share Posted July 10, 2011 Been a while since i updated this thread. My car's been sitting quietly in the corner for sometime now while i worked on customers cars. I've now decided it's about time i crack on with it again, i've finally got most of the parts together, just need a gearbox. My plan is to have it at Billing next year but we'll see how it goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adz the stig Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 just read it all to catch up with this. that was a bonnie car! (loved the alloys in the first two pictures) i would have said she just needed a good clean but i cant believe how much rust there can be hiding away like that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monzta Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 Fantastic car it has acutally served as a big inspiration to my own A series project (using those big rims etc). Great car, look forward to following the progress Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon p Posted July 12, 2011 Author Share Posted July 12, 2011 Fantastic car it has acutally served as a big inspiration to my own A series project (using those big rims etc). Great car, look forward to following the progress Glad it spured you on. Seems we have a similar taste in wheels too Hers are some of the of parts i've gathered, including some NOS window rubbers all the way from Houston, Texas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monzta Posted July 14, 2011 Share Posted July 14, 2011 I´m sure it will be a jawdropper when you get done Btw what size rims and tyres did you have on it (the black ones look the biggest?) and what modifications did you do to the inner arches to make them fit ? Look like they are 18 or 19´s ?? I am very curious about this as i plan doing 19" rears on mine and either 18 or 17 in front but in same design (like the chip foose cars). But i really want that big rear wheel running all up under the arches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon p Posted October 14, 2011 Author Share Posted October 14, 2011 I´m sure it will be a jawdropper when you get done Btw what size rims and tyres did you have on it (the black ones look the biggest?) and what modifications did you do to the inner arches to make them fit ? Look like they are 18 or 19´s ?? I am very curious about this as i plan doing 19" rears on mine and either 18 or 17 in front but in same design (like the chip foose cars). But i really want that big rear wheel running all up under the arches. Only running 17's anything bigger and the wheel is to big for the arch. They look out of proportion also, if you want it low, you'll have clearance issues with the top of the inner wheel arch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon p Posted October 14, 2011 Author Share Posted October 14, 2011 Now got my A Series into one corner of the workshop to work on over the winter. Interior should be different. The tubes are just a frame to make a new buck to make a mould to then make the new dash. It won't be there in the finished car. Wheels match the steering wheel Lots and lots to do over the winter, loads of custom fabrication too, i've got loads of ideas. Should be ready to compete in Europe end of next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon p Posted October 27, 2012 Author Share Posted October 27, 2012 Well it's been a while, far to much work so i've neglected my Manta massively. Anyway, i have gave myself time recently to do a bit. It's moved on bit from these pics now. The plan was a full stock resto but lowered, 16v redtop with custom interior but i got a bit carried away. Gonna have to IVA it now. The tube is a mock up, it's inplace of the rear axle currently being built. I needed something in place to allow me to fabricate the new rear chassis/floor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantadoc Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 Going Pro-Street eh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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