Dave Stew Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 I owned a 1978 1.9 Berlinetta Coupe in 1983 (when I was 18). Loved it, modded it a bit as much as Sainsburys wages would allow. In 1985 I bought another. My Dad had a brand new 1.8s hatch and I remember the novelty of the five speed Getrag box. Anyway - call it middle age, but I really want a Manta again. This time I want something that has been updated with a modern engine (red top 16v or similar), decent brakes etc. Do these cars ever come up? I bought a Mk2 RS2000 project car in 1992 but never finished it, so know my limitations. Anyway, enough wittering. My everyday car is a Volvo V70 T5 and I am a regular on their forum, so I'm always aware of that awkward first post! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d384 fhv Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 Hi Dave welcome to the forum, these cars do come up now and then, just have to keep looking though. why dont you buy a standard manta and put your t5 engine in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Stew Posted February 24, 2010 Author Share Posted February 24, 2010 Hi Dave welcome to the forum, these cars do come up now and then, just have to keep looking though. why dont you buy a standard manta and put your t5 engine in? Yep, that would be cool, 250 bhp in something virtually half the weight! My first Manta coughed out 95bhp at the back wheels on a ported head, high lift cam, Weber 32/36 DGV and 2" EARS exhaust. But that is digressing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d384 fhv Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 Have you seen the orange manta a on youtube with the supercharged t5 lump? that my tempt you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stradacab Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 My second car was a 1979 SR Berlinetta Coupe. Had it when I was about 21. Loved it and always wanted to get another. Fast forward 16 years and now I own loads now so I know how you feel! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garymanc Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 hi and a warm welcome dave midlife crisis happens to us all and want a car from your youth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsi marc Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 Hi dave just like to say i had a manta berlinneta in 1992 couldnt aford insurance on a gte, remember fitting a child seat to it as my daughter was just born, i bought a gsi hatch last year hence the mid life cris'is, oh and by the way my daughters 18 this year oh dear!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volksdevil Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 Welcome along Dave...You are in the right place for all things manta related Neil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midasmesh Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 Hello and welcome hope you get sorted soon to fill the yearning for a Manta. P.s where abouts are you from.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Stew Posted February 25, 2010 Author Share Posted February 25, 2010 Thanks for all the positive comments. I'm using a phone to post, but when I get onto the PC and try and find some pics of the 'yellow peril'. I live in Nottingham BTW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deanosabby Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 Hi mate and welcome to the forum. I have only been on here since Oct 08 and it is one of the best forums I am on. Mind you can also look out for the Cavalier coupes and hatches as they are pretty much identical to the earlier Manta B's. Here is a couple of pics from us in the north with the cavvy's. This one is mine and this one is Colin's. I hope to have a 2.2 with kent cam, 38dgas, ported manifold and other bits and pieces done fitted next month. Ta, Deano. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Stew Posted February 25, 2010 Author Share Posted February 25, 2010 Yep, they look good - very similiar to my two Bs I had all those years ago, less the single slot nose. hi and a warm welcome dave midlife crisis happens to us all and want a car from your youth Aha, I lived in wet Manchester all my life until three years ago. Your hatch in the sig looks identical to the one my Dad bought in 1983. It was an A reg (A227 SMB - how sad is that to remember) and it was the first new car he ever had. Prior to that he had a 1978 Rekord Berlina HL in seventies orange. Got to drive that too as a 17 year old kid! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irmscher Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 hi i remember most of my regs going back to 1973 now thats sad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Stew Posted February 25, 2010 Author Share Posted February 25, 2010 Here we go, I found a couple of pics. This one is circa Nov 1985, Southport I think. Clock the 80's hair! A couple from Southport beach, the previous yellow 1.9. Post donuts. (I was 19...) Circa summer 1984. Chester, circa October 1984. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manta400john Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 Flash car back then for an 18 year old......cool pictures,got any more? I got my first Manta when I was 20,it was 7 years old. Haven't really been without one since then Good luck in your search for one John. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leon Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 Those 80's pics are great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantadoc Posted February 27, 2010 Share Posted February 27, 2010 Congratulations on 25 years of trouble free Mantas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsi marc Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Hi dave and welcome, like the pics cant remember last time i saw a mk2 cavalier let alone 2 on the same picture marc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadManx Posted March 13, 2010 Share Posted March 13, 2010 Like the pics Dave, your thread echos my one (see Hello from Isle of Man) Good luck with your search, hope you find what you are looking for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rab Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 Hi Dave. Welcome alang,great pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A377 SAS Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 Welcome, Dave. Loving these pics. Same story for me - owned a GTE coupe 20 years ago and now reliving the dream with another one. Call me sad but tonight I'm polishing a set of Ronals while listening to Fleetwood Mac and it could just as easily be 1989! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plumster Posted March 19, 2010 Share Posted March 19, 2010 Welcome aboard, I assume you are in the North West with the piccies. I got my first Manta(ish) car in 1983, I've still got the mutha, maybe time I weighed it in for a nice Ford Ka or something. I'm sure you will find the car your after in the for sale ads on the forum, just keep checking. Have fun, Sam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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