cam.in.head Posted January 1, 2021 Share Posted January 1, 2021 nice one . do you remember the spoof " i wanna be elected" rock song . mr bean collaboration in the 90's ? i had the "vote bean" sheet in my cavs rear window at the time. raised a few smiles and peeps. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike. Posted January 24, 2021 Author Share Posted January 24, 2021 (edited) I took the Manta out of winter hibernation today so I could fit the OMOC round window stickers I purchased from the club shop, Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. it was nice and sunny but bitterly cold, Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. the Manta is completely useless even with the small amount of snow she was skating around, how people coped with these back in the 80’s as a daily driver in the winter must have been a nightmare, Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. still, she looks the part, even when there is snow on the ground. Back into hibernation in the garage, CTEK battery conditioner connected up and breathable car cover on 👍 Can’t wait for spring! Edited January 24, 2021 by Mike. 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monaco Blue Posted January 24, 2021 Share Posted January 24, 2021 7 minutes ago, Mike. said: how people coped with these back in the 80’s as a daily driver in the winter must have been a nightmare, It was just the way it was back then when the majority of cars were RWD. Before the 80's, the only Ford FWD car was the Fiesta and Vauxhall/Opel had no FWD cars until the Mk1 Astra and equivalent Kadett. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanMc Posted January 24, 2021 Share Posted January 24, 2021 I frequently carried bags of sand and gravel in the boot to give a bit of extra traction in the late 80’s/early 90’s Of course that didn’t do much for the steering though lol 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessopia74 Posted January 24, 2021 Share Posted January 24, 2021 49 minutes ago, IanMc said: I frequently carried bags of sand and gravel in the boot to give a bit of extra traction in the late 80’s/early 90’s Of course that didn’t do much for the steering though lol Snap, although I used concrete blocks, but it carried a lot to make it work 😁 Would still rather have oversteer in a car than a FWD understeer, however I could never give up 4wd now I had it for so long in winter. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-400 Posted January 24, 2021 Share Posted January 24, 2021 Hi Mike, nice pics! Now you know why we painted our tanks white in the winter, those red army guys never saw us. About the handling, we were used to it. As Ian wrote some weight in the boot. This is me some years ago in Germany, will never do it again: Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Salt kills your car... 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
®evo03 Posted January 24, 2021 Share Posted January 24, 2021 3 hours ago, Monaco Blue said: It was just the way it was back then when the majority of cars were RWD. Before the 80's, the only Ford FWD car was the Fiesta and Vauxhall/Opel had no FWD cars until the Mk1 Astra and equivalent Kadett. Probably skinny tyres helped, minors, cortinas, old toyotas and datsuns etc, its funny seeing bmw, merc, drivers loose it now! Not so smart looking now, eh! Absolutely useless, Saying that fwd drivers aint much better, momentum is key, even if it is sideways. Carried three bales of compost or woodchip, cheap in the winter, useful in the summer! I remember passing a bmw, stuck on a 1% gradient, completely sideways in a manta, running 9 inch ats, momentum is key, sideways is still going forward! Usually get at least two to three months of winter driver training a year. Its not as if snow is a shock! Or we wont ever experience it, young drivers should be put through a skid pan, as part of their test, while facebooking, instagramming, putting on makeup, being an influencer? While drifting their BMW like a champion. 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessopia74 Posted January 24, 2021 Share Posted January 24, 2021 I did my test and passed in snow, the reverse around a corner was a challenge. I had convinced myself after that I had failed and was pretty mad at the examiner for making me do it in the particular location that had had zero traffic . I obviously passed, and the comments of pdf the examiner was quiet amusing at the end. He could not believe I did not give up or hit the Kerb haha 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike. Posted March 29, 2021 Author Share Posted March 29, 2021 Up to my local garage today for service, engine oil, oil filter, air filter and changed gearbox oil, then put a new MOT on it, sailed through as I expected, Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. now ready for the nice spring days ahead 👍 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessopia74 Posted March 29, 2021 Share Posted March 29, 2021 Excellent stuff Mike, what oils did they recommend to use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike. Posted March 29, 2021 Author Share Posted March 29, 2021 The oils he says are specifically for Vauxhall’s, here’s the gearbox oil, don’t know what he put in for engine oil but I could always ask if you wanted, Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessopia74 Posted March 29, 2021 Share Posted March 29, 2021 Np mate, just curious as oils have come a long way since the 80s Castrol 😂 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The General Posted March 29, 2021 Share Posted March 29, 2021 I use GTX Magnatec in the engine. It gets changed every 3000 miles so that is good enough. It is a good oil though. GM oil Only in gearbox. There is a reason, it works! Never ever use anything else if you value your gearbox. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cam.in.head Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 cavaliers and vivas were and are still good in the snow but then the viva tyres are only 155 wide and the cavaliers 185 so a better chance than later mantas on lower profile. when my dad worked for telecom he used a ha van all around the yorkshire dales and never got stuck once.possibly helped again by the thin tyres and all the gear in the back ! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessopia74 Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 2 hours ago, cam.in.head said: cavaliers and vivas were and are still good in the snow but then the viva tyres are only 155 wide and the cavaliers 185 so a better chance than later mantas on lower profile. when my dad worked for telecom he used a ha van all around the yorkshire dales and never got stuck once.possibly helped again by the thin tyres and all the gear in the back ! In winter I just used to load my boot with concrete blocks, never had a issue. However would not want one as daily through the winter now. 😬😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny D114BCW Posted March 30, 2021 Share Posted March 30, 2021 On 29/03/2021 at 21:55, Mike. said: Up to my local garage today for service, engine oil, oil filter, air filter and changed gearbox oil, then put a new MOT on it, sailed through as I expected, Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. now ready for the nice spring days ahead 👍 This car looks 👌🏼 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike. Posted April 1, 2021 Author Share Posted April 1, 2021 I put 12 months road tax on today and took the Manta out for a run, a beautiful sunny day for it, nice and dry roads, clocked up 200 miles. With the time changing last weekend it’s noticeably lighter for longer already in the evenings, these photos were taken roughly 8.45pm, Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. this photo is right on the north east coast in Scotland in a small costal village called Pennan, where they did some filming for the movie Local Hero, although I haven’t seen it myself, but the scenery is beautiful, Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trooker Posted April 1, 2021 Share Posted April 1, 2021 Looking fantastic Mike, beautiful setting 👌 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisb Posted April 6, 2021 Share Posted April 6, 2021 Both cars look stunning, Not biased at all, but i have a Golf R as a daily driver alongside my Exclusive coupe, Awesome cars. Love every minute of driving it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike. Posted May 8, 2021 Author Share Posted May 8, 2021 It has taken me five years to source original GM/Opel side skirts for my Manta, the rear arch sections were always the originals in very good condition but the straight sections that came with the car when I bought it were broken beyond repair. The only option I had was to buy Smith and Deakin fibreglass ones which were ok but I felt were slightly flimsy, noticeable when I was washing and polishing, plus I knew that they weren’t original so this week I booked my Manta into Gray & Adams bodyshop to get them prepared, first fitted, sprayed and final fit to the Manta. The originals are more solid, more detailed in shape and I’m happy with the results. Out for a run up to Banff in a beautiful evening, didn’t get home till 11pm, then into the garage for a wash, bodywork, inner wings, wheels then underneath the car with a chamois leather, finished at 12.30am, Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. while out on the roads near Fraserburgh, in my rear view mirror was an A reg Escort RS 16i, it looked smart, beautiful evenings always bring out a few classics. 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Pounsett Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 Absolutely stunning 🤩 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
®evo03 Posted May 8, 2021 Share Posted May 8, 2021 Lookin braw! Really enjoying evening times, little to no traffic out and about, early sunday morning blasts on the bike! Great to see you are getting use and enjoying, fair play! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike. Posted May 14, 2021 Author Share Posted May 14, 2021 (edited) Polar white coupe’s are like busses, you never see one then two come along together. met up with another local OMOC member who’s manta was fresh out of restoration today and he dropped in past, big thank you to Douglas for taking the time out of his busy day, Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Went for a short run, they looked great out on the road together 👍 Edited May 14, 2021 by Mike. 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-400 Posted May 14, 2021 Share Posted May 14, 2021 Nice fotoshoot, they look as twins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sutty2006 Posted May 14, 2021 Share Posted May 14, 2021 That garage looks like a show room! Cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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