mantadoc Posted May 3, 2015 Share Posted May 3, 2015 Looking Good Mate , You`re Garage is Perfect , I`m Working Outside My garage (umbrella when raining) and my fire extinguisher (water bottle) when not using the MIG Co2 as one (circa 2006) I am all for someone getting a Manta into a reasonable condition and using it, Heck i even went to Billing in my red 1800 hatch 'Britney' complete with replacement white doors !!! White doors! I would have been glad of white door, luxury, Daily drive looked like this for a few years Point being Mantas are for using, good to see another on the road back to the erm road. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MANTAMAN Posted May 3, 2015 Share Posted May 3, 2015 Mantadoc, this Manta really appeals to me, i like a car that appears on it's last legs but underneath is structually and mechanically sound. My Carlton has areas of different coloured paint where i have reversing the addvance of the tin worm, colleages at work say "when are you going to get a modern car?" i say "it is a modern car, it has pnumatic tires and electric lamps!!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantadoc Posted May 3, 2015 Share Posted May 3, 2015 colleages at work say "when are you going to get a modern car?" i say "it is a modern car, it has pnumatic tires and electric lamps!!"I used to have similar, people saying how does my car pass an MOT when there's does not. I answered "Because you bought a pretty car based on a shiny coat of paint and mine has a floor". 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldwheels Posted May 3, 2015 Author Share Posted May 3, 2015 Well I have not updated for a while but the work has been still going on, since purchasing the Manta it has been decided that we shall be moving house 12 moves in 25 years of marriage, in the past this has meant the sale of the Manta not this time her indoors has said it stays and will be transported Well sutty you considered it are you glad you did not purchase it Jack the restoration is ahead of this post but other things keep getting in the way Mantadoc as I have said to old to work outside and to wet in Cornwall good on you this is bodywork in a small garage some primer and a quick wash thanks to other half then a thorough dry small repair to roof all masked all painted I realise that I am asking a lot doing this in my garage but a full professional re spray is well out of my reach so here goes 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
611 Posted May 3, 2015 Share Posted May 3, 2015 Nothing wrong with a small garage :-) I painted my A series in mine quite a few years ago and it lasted for about 6 years before it showed sigs of needing work and am doing a full restore in it again. At least its dry and a bit warmer! Looks like yours is starting to come together now! andy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted May 3, 2015 Share Posted May 3, 2015 It is really taking great form and it is look fab! You have done this Manta justice and its so good to see it all painted, well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MANTAMAN Posted May 3, 2015 Share Posted May 3, 2015 the restoration is ahead of this post So we will see this Manta at Billing in July??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sutty2006 Posted May 4, 2015 Share Posted May 4, 2015 Well sutty you considered it are you glad you did not purchase it In a way, yes. Got too many old opels to get back on the road. It would have ended up waiting in line with the rest of them haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldwheels Posted June 7, 2015 Author Share Posted June 7, 2015 Well we are still working down here in Cornwall, thanks for all the comments and encouragement Few repairs to do in the boot Lots of grinding thank goodness for the mig Paint to stop more rust As the house has sold I was under pressure so the respray is going to be a bit of a rush it may have to be revisited in the future The joys of a small garage Respray in stages Nearly there 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MANTAMAN Posted June 7, 2015 Share Posted June 7, 2015 That looks really good, if someone were to inspect it very closely then they might be able find fault but that looks fine to me. Immportantly It's another Manta back on the road and in a very presentable condition. And dare i say it.... done in time to make an appearance at Billing?? go on, you know want to !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldwheels Posted June 9, 2015 Author Share Posted June 9, 2015 Thanks Mantaman, the respray leaves a lot to desired but this was always going to be a budget rebuild and a garage that is less than 8 feet wide did not help, that is my excuse anyway as I said it can be revisited at a later date, as for billing I will be moving house soon so not really possible, also I would like it to be finished to a better standard before it is shown to the experts. Respray complete, bonnet finish not so good needs a large tin of filler I think I wanted a 400 bonnet but could not find a s/h one new £250 + answer buy a 400 fibreglass skin Remove skin from dented bonnet Trim around the edge Some more trimming and lots of Tiger seal Some paint More paint In the past I had a fibreglass 400 bonnet fly up on me I now have the looks of 400 Bonnet with all the security of steel frame plus original hinges, lock and safety catch and half the price 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
®evo03 Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 (edited) Nice touch, how did you get a 400 skin? Cars looking pretty sweet, very big transformation. Well done, now go and enjoy! Are you putting red graphics back on? Edited June 9, 2015 by brady Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MANTAMAN Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 (edited) also I would like it to be finished to a better standard before it is shown to the experts. Do not be worried about this, because you have done such a good job with so little in the way of facilities in such a short time you will get much more respect than you'd imagine, and it does not matter if your Manta is not perfection, it really does look good now it's all back together and immportantly it is another Manta back blasting along the Highways of the UK. I had a Manta once that was resprayed Black, i did the wheels exclusive style, silver rims but used the same black paint as the bodywork for the centers, this really worked well, makes the wheels look bigger, i decided to leave all the decals off it because it looked so good plain, i wish i had a quid for everyone who asked me what car it was !!! Now you can enjoy the (Opel) fruits of your labours !!! Edited June 9, 2015 by MANTAMAN 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted June 19, 2015 Share Posted June 19, 2015 I have read your project again and when I saw it painted I thought it looked very good. Sure it won't be a professional job but it looks highly presentable and if I had done this all by myself I would be hugely proud. Well done on bringing this Manta back to life. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldwheels Posted June 25, 2015 Author Share Posted June 25, 2015 Thanks for the kind comments and mantaman thanks for the ideas, good idea with the wheels, the bonnet came from Smith and Deakin and I felt not bad for a fibreglass panel. Well six months of hard work, some of it rushed towards the end but it was all worth it :) Yes a MOT Certificate the car has been unused for 10 years MOT tester had to adjust the headlights and bend the locking tabs over on steering rack bolts, three advisories small chip in windscreen, cracked nearside door mirror and small cut in one tyre, now its on the road, well almost it got very hot during the test so another radiator was needed. new s/h radiator thanks to spiney_norman and OMOC Forum new and old Bonnet fitted 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MANTAMAN Posted June 25, 2015 Share Posted June 25, 2015 Great news that it has a MOT and is back on the road and in record time, it really is a shame that you won't be at Billing, you deserve a special award for doing so much, with so little in such a short space of time. ( Never in the field of Manta restoration has so much been done, so quickly by so few etc !!) One the subject of the black centered wheels i found this picture - Who is that very young man?? this must be at least twenty years ago at Billing before i started camping there all weekend ( always clashed with the big Duxford Airshow weekend which myself and father helped at on saturday ) Also in the picture with the grey hatch is my sister (you have a.... SISTER, Obewan's failure is complete) i did the wheels the same way with that Manta which i think may have even worked better than my black Manta. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldwheels Posted June 27, 2015 Author Share Posted June 27, 2015 Thanks Mantaman for the encouragement and the picture, may well copy that idea in the future, careful masking needed I think. Well before going any further I thought I should get the vax machine out and freshen up the interior Not looking to bad in the photo but was very dirty Much better 10 years since it has been on the road apart from MOT only just up the road, So I decided to stay close to home in case of problems, enjoy some Cornish countryside and the sunshine and take some photos A bit of variety Cornish engine house Yes I am proud, only problem my MANTA was accused of being a F--D CAPRI :angry: Wish it was a special stage 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MANTAMAN Posted June 27, 2015 Share Posted June 27, 2015 great pictures, which part of Cornwall were they taken? i do know Cornwall quite well as i have been on holiday there many times. You'll have arrange a visit to the Cornish Manta Sanctury at Crowlas and show Paul Newport your efforts, you may even get a glimps of one of his secret projects through a gap in door.... This Manta so reminds me of the coupe i had, no identification, not having any lettering on the Manta does not break up it's lines, really shows the shape at it's best. When i was driving my plain coupe i would have liked a quid for everyone who asked me what it was !!! and yes there were plenty of people who thought it was a For... Fro... Fo... Crapi !!! Are you sure things like moving house are more important than enjoying a weekends P!55 UP, sorry i mean car show at Billing !! i would really like to see this Manta and i'm sure several other people on here would as well, and no it would not disgrace itself, this finnish is more than presentable. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldwheels Posted July 2, 2015 Author Share Posted July 2, 2015 Thanks Mantaman, pics were taken at Carn brea, just up the road from where I live, 2 mile outside Redruth its a local landmark the castle is now a restaurant. Re Billing I would like to have a close look at some of the great cars in the club, but with an imminent house move it would be to much. After its first run out there was a few problems Running very hot, When I changed the Radiator the cooling system was full of very rusty water, I removed all the hoses and flushed with a hose, not good enough still ran hot decided to change water pump, now I can see why the good and bad Went for a 10 mile run no problem now runs nice and cool. Fuel gauge not working Glad it is not a modern car other problems which will have to be addressed 4 very worn Shocks would like some uprated ones A couple of very noisy tappets on tickover when hot A brake conversion, need some Audi discs. Very noisy fuel pump perhaps due to using Mini exhaust mounts as original ones knackered also I had to remove the damper so do need one of those Heavy steering, probably old age, perhaps a power steering conversion in the future Being a boy racer at heart, ( an old one my wife would say)I would like a larger bore exhaust just to give the car a little more character Then a more powerful engine 150 bhp would be perfect So I have lots of plans now where is that lottery ticket Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Abbott Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 (edited) Nice work, it looks great It may be worth sticking a new voltage reg in while the dash is out if you haven't done it? Edited July 2, 2015 by Kevin Abbott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MANTAMAN Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 I know that end of Cornwall very well, i have stayed at Penzance, Carbis Bay, The Towens and toured all over the area. You are not far from The Cornish Manta Sanctury at Crowlas with it's head keeper Paul Newport (paulmanta on here) you might be able to visit at feeding time !!! Though that water pump looks groty it is all there and should have still been moving the water. perhaps taking everything apart dislodged a partial blockage, still a fesh pump doesn't do any harm The noisy tappet could just need addjustment, it should be hydrolic tappets in this age of Manta, they need setting with the engine running, the best trick is to use an old rocker cover with a slot cut into it, maybe Paul Newport has a cover already modified, take some beers along and ask him nicely !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 Looks fab and very presentable, yet another Manta on the road! Considering what state it was in to what it looks like now. Love the 400 bonnet! Want one for my Hatch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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