BoXXerRACE Posted June 21, 2014 Share Posted June 21, 2014 After spending most of this week on the Harwich to Esbjerg ferry watching wheeler dealers (one of the only shows on the telly not in Danish) i decided to get to work on my hatch this morning and seize the good weather. I initially though the job would involve a new radiator, a bit of rewiring on the back end, rear arches and some minor patching beofre being sent to be re-sprayed, all within my capabilities. The car has been under a tarp on my drive since i took it off the road last October when it's mot expired and was still drivable, but when i went to take the front seats out this morning my knee went straight through the passenger floor... So the carpets came up and revealed a real horror show. This is way more work than I’m able to do on my own with the tools that i have, so... Would anyone here like a free hatch? I love this car to pieces and typing this is genuinely breaking my heart as I’ve owned her since i was 19. It would be great if someone on here would take her away and either use her for parts to breathe new life into another manta, or give her the attention and expertise she really deserves and I’d rather let her go free to one of you guys than scrap her. As an incentive she has 5 pretty new tyres on and the alloys are in great condition, so that’s your petrol paid for right there. The sportex exhaust is about 3 years old and so are the Holden lamps. She also had new Spax suspension fitted about 6 years ago along with an engine rebuild and gearbox refurb. Now for the downside. I live near Whitley Bay next to Newcastle upon Tyne (hence the rapid rot), which I know is about 200 miles north (and south) of most of the OMOC member base. Please PM me if you’re interested… I’m off to have a beer in her and have a little cry… 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted June 21, 2014 Share Posted June 21, 2014 Yet another free Manta! I would love this but just don't have anywhere to put it and because it's a project I simply don't have anywhere to store it either. Really really wish I could get this off you, I would give you some money for it anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoXXerRACE Posted June 21, 2014 Author Share Posted June 21, 2014 Cheers Jack, I'm in the same boat, if it can't be done on my driveway it can't be done. I wouldn't say no if someone offered me money for her, but i'd rather she went to a good home / cause. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pat Posted June 21, 2014 Share Posted June 21, 2014 surely theres someone in your neck of the woods that would be able to weld her up?, is it just the floor or chassis too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Autocrosser Posted June 21, 2014 Share Posted June 21, 2014 Hi John, how soon would you need it shifted? Cheers Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoXXerRACE Posted June 21, 2014 Author Share Posted June 21, 2014 Hi Craig, She's sat on my drive since october and isn't in the way of anything, so i could wait. But i'd like to see her go sooner rather than later, just for my emotional health lol. first come first served. The rot looks prety terminal Pat, i could have patched flat bits myself, but the sills are like swiss cheese and i don't know anyone who would work for a bottle of stella and and a pat on the back round my area. I did have quite a healthy repair budget for her at the end of last year which could have paid for a pro to do the work. But i decided to spend half of it on a Discovery to use as my new daily driver and a trailer so i could move it around for free. The Disco blew up not long after i bought it and i sold the trailer to try and fix it, but to no avail. Once the Disco started to eat into the remaining Manta money i got shot of it and the rest has been frittered away on my other half's insistance that our house need's to habitable (who needs a working oven / fridge / Television anyway?). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted June 21, 2014 Share Posted June 21, 2014 Hi John, Can I ask what exactly does the Car need to get it back on the road? It looks like it has great potential in the first picture you posted, the wheels look in very good condition. If I had a rented garage somewhere I would snap this up from you in a heartbeat and make sure it got back on the road. Jack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Autocrosser Posted June 21, 2014 Share Posted June 21, 2014 Hi Craig, She's sat on my drive since october and isn't in the way of anything, so i could wait. But i'd like to see her go sooner rather than later, just for my emotional health lol. first come first served. If it's not away in the next couple of weeks John I'll come and get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiney_norman Posted June 21, 2014 Share Posted June 21, 2014 Wow, really sorry to hear this mate. Hope it goes to a good home, and I hope you get to Billing again in something! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoXXerRACE Posted June 22, 2014 Author Share Posted June 22, 2014 Cheers Rob, I Know if i lived round you lot James and Daz would be camped on my front lawn until it was fixed lol. a lot of people have been asking exactly what needs doing so this is what i've told them: The stuff i knew it needed when i took it off the road: New Radiator Rear arches New Fuel tank A fair bit of work on the nose cone New Fuel lines Rear light cluster wiring needs looked at (old cardboard PCBs are on their last legs and could do with replacing) Passenger side wing could do with replacing as its a bit creased, got it close to what it should look like but it still doesn't look right to me. New boot lid pistons A good scrub underneath and undersealing A paint job Front air-dam needs a more aesthetic mounting method that the 10mm bolts that hold it in position at the moment. What i discovered yesterday: Driver and Passenger side floors are rotten through to the chassis which doesn't look too clever either, especially bad around the jacking points and both sills are almost completely gone. i can't get underneath it to see just how bad the rot is, but if the inside is any indication it will be pretty bad. It needs stripped to it's shell and shotblasted essentially. the back half is fairly solid once you get past the doors though. Ive also looked at the 2012 billing photos and i think the birds have been at my radiator since then, because i can't remember it being this bad, doesn't leak though : Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted June 22, 2014 Share Posted June 22, 2014 As I said already on the forum I would love this Manta and this would be a great way to get my first one. But after reading what it needs I don't think I even have enough money to fix it up and it's Mainly the re spray that keeps me from being able to have the option at least of having it. Also I suspect there is a lot of interest already on this one and perhaps it will be better going to somebody who has the option of putting it back on the road? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon p Posted June 22, 2014 Share Posted June 22, 2014 Can I come and get it next Weekend? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Findlay Posted June 22, 2014 Share Posted June 22, 2014 I will pick it up if simon fails to pick up. 07775916778 Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sutty2006 Posted June 23, 2014 Share Posted June 23, 2014 Put me third in please, got trailer waiting to collect. 07738910361 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gt/e paul Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 such a shame when you hear stories like this. I really feel for you mate that's very sad. I hope it goes to a good home and can get sorted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoXXerRACE Posted June 25, 2014 Author Share Posted June 25, 2014 Hi guys, Car has now found a new home and is going to where i always wanted her to go, shame my name won't be on the V5... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 Glad it's gone to a good home and hopefully it will be gleaming again in no time. Jack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YOPANEWSHAM Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 Hi John, Did your manta go? In Blyth and looking for a manta for a project car and free us ideal. Last manta I had was C33OTY GOLD HATCH it was my life. Lol. Looking to apply my skills in resurrecting a classic and a passion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blitzi Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 tbh ive seen worse being repaired bud its just a manta with the usuall rust spots its a shame we cant get panels like the fordy boys can as there wouldnt be a problem repairing cars like this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 tbh ive seen worse being repaired bud its just a manta with the usuall rust spots its a shame we cant get panels like the fordy boys can as there wouldnt be a problem repairing cars like this To be fair if you're willing to hunt for them in Europe you will find most panels are available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blitzi Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 i know what you are saying bud but when i priced floor pans for one of mine it was working out around£600 for both sides so i setteled for a universal floor pan at £40 done the job but a lot of cutting and fannying around ones for a ford would be around £100 for both from express panels u would think somebody over here would make them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoXXerRACE Posted July 4, 2014 Author Share Posted July 4, 2014 Where were you last week Yopanewsham? If i knew you were that local we could have started a team effort... oh well. Anyway your gold hatch wasn't a 1.8 GTJ was it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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