GTREA Posted April 2, 2014 Author Share Posted April 2, 2014 Did a few test panels today to see if I should paint the entire car Straight off the gun, I will cut back and polish tomorrow Guard did not come out quite as well but will cut and buff ok 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenny dock Posted April 2, 2014 Share Posted April 2, 2014 This car is gonna be crap........not jealous at all. ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTREA Posted April 3, 2014 Author Share Posted April 3, 2014 Hahaha Yeah don't worry the car looks rubbish in real life....the amount of time I need to spend editing the photos in photoshop before I upload them to make the car look good for you blokes is unbelievable 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opelmantagsi Posted April 3, 2014 Share Posted April 3, 2014 always good to get some practice in before the plasma cutter comes out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTREA Posted April 5, 2014 Author Share Posted April 5, 2014 Yes my mates not happy I painted the bay before the engine goes in, but I don't care if it gets damaged, I got a few aerosol cans mixed up to fix up any scratches etc. Once the motors in its staying in! Little more work today Bonnet painted Quite a few imperfections....but compared to what it was, it will do just fine I rubbed back a guard and buffed, I was going to do more but my only buffing pad flew off the machine 1/2 way thru the first guard and into my asshole neighbours back garden!....I will not see that pad again, so I finished by hand, still came out alright for now. Also tidied up my now strengthened suspension arms. I went with an alloy look as I like it against the black underside of the car, the gearbox and engine will be the same colour......the engine crossmember will be chassis black. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTREA Posted April 9, 2014 Author Share Posted April 9, 2014 (edited) Brakes arrived today 297mm Holden Commodore, straight fit. Should lock the fronts up no problem now haha, Commodore Left, Manta Right Calipers Manta, Volvo (girlock), Commodore And the last test, clearance to the rim Plenty. Heavy barsteds though, and the Gemini bearing (the larger one) which is supplied with this kit does not fit, you need to use the Manta one, which I did for photo purposes here, will need to source some new ones before I fit up for real. The smaller end bearing is the same. Edited April 10, 2014 by GTREA 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiMarco Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 Looks amazing mate you are doing one hell of a job keep up the good work. Hope to see it at billing . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTREA Posted April 9, 2014 Author Share Posted April 9, 2014 (edited) Now accepting donations for billing Looks like photobuckets down till the end of the month again Maybe try the direct link http://s1227.photobucket.com/user/gtrea/library/Opel%20Manta?sort=3&page=1 Edited April 9, 2014 by GTREA 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapierdave Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 If you turn up at Billing your welcome to join the South Wales & West guys for a beer or five & a donation of 20 AUS $ from me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiney_norman Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 Seconded! We in the SW+W section seem to have a history of taking in strays, the more the merrier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opelmantagsi Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 (edited) interesting breaks conversion yeah you need to sort out that photofucket shit Edited April 10, 2014 by opelmantagsi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTREA Posted April 10, 2014 Author Share Posted April 10, 2014 (edited) Ironically it's the manta keeping me from billing!....it's taking all money ATM Just a local solution to the problem Derek. Being commodore based means pads are plentiful and cheap and the fact it's a direct fit no pissing about appealed to Track width is increased 5mm per side so hopefully no issues there Yeah screw it I paid the $30 for a year to upgrade my photobucket account Edited April 10, 2014 by GTREA 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTREA Posted April 20, 2014 Author Share Posted April 20, 2014 Slowly slowly catch the monkey Cannot progress to much until I get my front cross member back from a mate whom is doing some welding on it Painted the whole car, bar the doors as I ran out of paint. Bonnet did not work out to well few small reactions and a few small dents I never noticed previous, will sort out later. Fitted up the fuel system including a Walbro GSL392 pump. I went to fit the boot carpet that came with the car today......and well I could'nt!....please tell me this is not Manta Boot carpet and I am not indeed stupid! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiney_norman Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 I remember seeing that advertised as a Manta boot carpet on ebay over here a while back. It's not even for a hatch, don't know what it is but it ain't Manta! Previous owner probably bought it by mistake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stradacab Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 That is not Manta boot carpet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTREA Posted April 25, 2014 Author Share Posted April 25, 2014 (edited) Good!, I thought after all the thinners I have inhaled lately it had effected my judgement I went down and bought some plush pile black carpet, and will make my own In other news I got my engine crossmember back after a mate had cut down the Bump stop cones for me. So I can now start reassembling the whole car. Crossmember in and Brakes fitted I had to space the caliper out using an M12 washer, otherwise all went smoothly........thought id fly thru this but it still took me all day! Finally the cars a roller again, so I push her out for a bit of a wash. Tomorrow I will get it rubbed back and buffed, then I think I best clean the garage!! Edited April 25, 2014 by GTREA 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRAZYDAVE Posted April 25, 2014 Share Posted April 25, 2014 Well done i've really enjoyed all your posts The car looks great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiMarco Posted April 25, 2014 Share Posted April 25, 2014 This is looking brill mate keep up the good work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian Posted April 25, 2014 Share Posted April 25, 2014 (edited) Is that the ring spanner you have been looking for? On the bottom bolt/nut F/N/S shock!!! 3rd pic. I went for a visit to Vauxhalls many years ago, 1960s, and watched the Wyverns on the production line, and that's what your photos remind me of, more modern, I know, but NEW! As I said before. You are doing a great job of that car. Edited April 25, 2014 by Julian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTREA Posted April 29, 2014 Author Share Posted April 29, 2014 Hahah no I think its just an optical illusion Julian, its just part of the upper wishbone Starting to put the rear half of the car back together Not to sure about the red tail light surrounds.....what is the significance of the red?....were'nt some models black?....I think I would prefer black. German Tyre pressure placard 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smiffy220 Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 This is looking a fantastic build. I even had my wife interested in your pictures and build the other night, and she is never normally! Re the rear lights. The earlier B models like yours and mine had the red surrounds on the rear lights. It was the later models that had the black light surrounds. It's going to come down to personal taste. It you want to keep it looking as authentic as you can, then keep the red. But if you want to bring it more up to date and modernise it as much as you can, try and obtain a black pair. The reds are rarer and not so easy to come by though! Dave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenny dock Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 My lights are red, didnt know that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapierdave Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 Problem with the red surrounds is that they get sun bleached & fade. Although i like original on a car i think the black surround rear lights would look nice against the sapphire blue paint. I like the fact that in spite of the mods being done you are keeping the chrome bumpers & brightwork, so many people have tended to mod older two slot "B's" & tried to make them look like the later face lift "B's" by removing the chrome bumpers & side rubbing strips. Have you decided on the interior yet, are you going original or a later interior ? By the way awesome project & interesting to follow, keep the updates & pics coming. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Barrett Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 looking great! I too like the fact you are staying with the bright-work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTREA Posted April 29, 2014 Author Share Posted April 29, 2014 Dave hit the nail on the head regarding the tail lights, the red is chalky and faded looking, especially noticeable against the new paint. Going black would mean it would look 'fresher' I love all the brightwork i wouldnt have it any other way I am just so thankful this car was 100% complete, all the bright work is in really good condition considering the cars age and the condition the car was in itself! Except the wheel arch trims which are to far gone, I have some 10 mm self adhesive chrome trim coming to replace them. The Berlinetta badge as well as some of the rubber bump strips are going to have to be held on with double sided adhesive tape, I got the best stuff I could find, but am still worried they may blow off! Interior will be 100% original, it is in fantastic condition 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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