Mike. Posted April 3 Author Share Posted April 3 No advisories since 1986, that is good going, especially when it’s used daily 👍 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Pounsett Posted April 3 Share Posted April 3 5 hours ago, cam.in.head said: excellent and im in the same frame of mind . repair everything as and when it happens and a spring check every year ( mine are used all year round thou) and continuing to be mot tested as well even thou not req . every year a straight pass with no advisories since 1986 Do you own an mot testing station? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cam.in.head Posted April 3 Share Posted April 3 no im an electrician but the garage i use is well known for being fussy. a lot of people wont use it . but i beleive a car should be tested properly and continue to be tested even when over 40 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
611 Posted April 3 Share Posted April 3 21 hours ago, Mike. said: I’ve already looked into this, the Manta is 40 years old in 2025 but there’s a BUT. To qualify for free road tax the car needs to be 40 years old before January 2025, but my Manta was registered new in April 1985 so I miss it by 3 months, so the Manta will be 41 years old before I qualify, but when it does it will be a big saving for sure, road tax at the moment is roughly £190 for 6 months or £345 for 12 months. My driving season if weather is good could be from April to early November but at the moment I’m limited to April to September for my 6 months, roll on the free road tax 👍 Mike When i looked into this for my A series many years ago i think it was when it was produced not registered? As mine was made in January 73 but not registerd until later in the April. Worth double checking if its the manufactured rather than registered date as you might be in luck. I had a list of chassis numbers and the dates and factories that they came out of for the A, so there must be something similar for yours? Andy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cam.in.head Posted April 3 Share Posted April 3 4 hours ago, Mike. said: No advisories since 1986, that is good going, especially when it’s used daily 👍 its a bit of an obsession with me realy. my cars are used all year round on a rotation but never not used for a maximium of maybee 2 weeks and every spring they are pressure washed and put up on the ramps front and back and each corner checked for ANY issues. anything found is sorted straight away .any car shouldnt realy have any advisories as it means that its not being maintained correctly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike. Posted April 3 Author Share Posted April 3 I would totally agree, although I’m only enthusiastic and fussy with the Manta, the wife always notices that anything needing done on the Manta gets done instantly and if it’s the daily driver it’s always left or forgotten about, I struggle to get enthusiastic about the modern stuff. 611, I’ll definitely look into the produced date rather than registered date 👍 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike. Posted June 15 Author Share Posted June 15 went into my garage today and caught a young joyrider trying to steal the Manta, 😂 Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike. Posted June 16 Author Share Posted June 16 (edited) I’ve never quite liked the 3” tailpipe on the Sportex exhaust, I did contact Sportex to see if they produced different versions of the rear box but they said no. I have been looking for years to find a Sebring back box to fit the Manta and luckily enough last week I was able to source and purchase one. I have the original receipt with it as well, purchased in 1990, used for two years and then removed and stored for thirty two years, with the chrome tail pipes greased up and covered. I couldn’t wait to get it fitted, Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. it’s been specifically produced to fit the Manta b gte so I was hoping for a good fit, the only area of concern I had was it had to fit the Sportex system that’s on, Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. I measured up the existing pipework and it was 50mm diameter so the Sebring looked as if it would be just a straight swap over, Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. I did get access to a ramp for an easier fit rather than try lying on my back under the car in the garage, Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. it was a straight forward swap over, I’m delighted with the look of it, I think it’s more in keeping with the age of the car plus the quality of the chrome tailpipes compared with the Sportex one is night and day, Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. very happy with the results. Last weekend at Kildrummy vintage rally I was lucky enough to pick up best in 80’s category, Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. always a nice surprise, Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Edited June 16 by Mike. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessopia74 Posted June 16 Share Posted June 16 Congrats on both🍻👍 That is a nice find. I used to have a single oval on my Exclusive in the 90’s and it was a big improvement in terms of looks to a single round. But I do like twin rounds. Is that length right though? Seems long Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike. Posted June 16 Author Share Posted June 16 (edited) I think the exhaust fits perfectly, it is difficult to take a photograph exactly how it looks, you can adjust the angle of the camera to suit any angle, I’ve tried to be as accurate as I can, the exhaust sits flush with the back of the bumper, the Sportex was slightly back and after a lot of running would stain the white paint on the underside of the bumper, polishing removed the staining, on measuring both before fitting, overall length was 810mm on both, 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. A big improvement over the Sportex 👍 Edited June 16 by Mike. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monaco Blue Posted June 16 Share Posted June 16 1 hour ago, Jessopia74 said: Congrats on both🍻👍 That is a nice find. I used to have a single oval on my Exclusive in the 90’s and it was a big improvement in terms of looks to a single round. But I do like twin rounds. Is that length right though? Seems long Agreed re the oval fitted to the Exclusive's, however the original 86/87 models had a different oval tailpipe from the later 88My Exclusive's. I was told by the dealer at the time that it was an Irmscher system whereas the later models had a cheaper tailpipe. The original did make a lovely burble on tickover. Anyway, that twin tailpipe looks spot-on. It did look long on the original photos, but perfect now! 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike. Posted July 6 Author Share Posted July 6 I attended the Stonehaven R W Thompson rally last Sunday, a good turnout of Vauxhall & Opel cars, the line up, 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. I also managed to pick up a trophy, made by the men’s shed in Stonehaven for the event, 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. the weather stayed fair for the day, rain was forecast but never appeared. The turnout of cars at the show was the biggest I’ve seen that event, we were queuing down the Main Street to get entry into the show ground. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srmrally Posted July 6 Share Posted July 6 Lovely trophy we'll done, lovely line up of cars 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike. Posted August 24 Author Share Posted August 24 As ever I’m always doing small job’s on the Manta, this one is purely cosmetic, not that anyone would notice but it’s just me when I’m under cleaning the car or wheels off to clean the Ronal alloys. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. as you can see the only red paint on the underside is the springs, I’d be happier if they matched with the other components, Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. so I purchased a genuine good used set of Manta GTE springs from Mr Carlos, I sent them off for powder coating, Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. they came up looking new, Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. I'm keen to get them fitted and I’ll post up the results. I am aware that there is new GTE Springs available from online sellers but I believe they still are not the correct ride height for a GTE and leave the car looking like it’s going off road 4x4 kind of look, so I feel that a genuine good used set is the way forward plus it gives me a spare set should I break one. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessopia74 Posted August 24 Share Posted August 24 They sell al lth std height springs, ofc the GTE from factory had a lowered spring IIRC 25mm from original and different shocks. Over the years sadly those options have kind of whittled down to just what is available and they have kind of standardized the parts, understandable I guess. But its looking extremely clean in the well and all nicely matches with the Bilsteins too 😎 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sutty2006 Posted August 25 Share Posted August 25 That is a pearler of a car! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike. Posted October 11 Author Share Posted October 11 (edited) I’ve always liked the Blitz interior, so years ago I was able to purchase two front Recaro seats with the charcoal corduroy fabric in good condition but I was missing the back bench set for a coupe, this set in charcoal corduroy fabric popped up for sale locally, I didn’t hesitate and bought it, Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. then I set about purchasing the Blitz fabric to cover the centres with, I asked advice about sellers on this site and soon the fabric was purchased and delivered, Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. I contacted my local upholstery company and met up with them and discussed the requirements, Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. I picked these up today, 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. of course I couldn’t wait to fit them, it’s so easy to change out the interior of the Manta, Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. it certainly changes the look of the interior when I’m used to looking at the Daytona check Recaros, 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. I intend to keep both sets of seats and swap over from time to time just to change things up, so probably next season as I’m SORN now you will see me sporting the Blitz interior. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Daytona’s safety stored in the house. Edited October 11 by Mike. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metalbasher Posted October 11 Share Posted October 11 Fantastic Mike, stand-out feature and a nice touch to be able to swap when you feel like it. By coincidence I’ve been working on the interior of mine. The tonneau cover and its parts were badly faded to a brownish orange, from its original wine red. I took a chance with a fabric paint and totally chuffed with the result. For fear of sounding like an influencer, the product is Fabricoat, excellent. 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. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessopia74 Posted October 11 Share Posted October 11 Nice stuff chaps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike. Posted October 11 Author Share Posted October 11 Hi Metalbasher, the rear shelf has come up like new 👍 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sutty2006 Posted October 11 Share Posted October 11 SEAT PORN!!!!!! 🥰 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monaco Blue Posted October 11 Share Posted October 11 Very nice! Both sets look superb! Does that mean you have some spare grey corduroy material left over from the centre bits of the rear bench for future repairs to the bolsters should it be required? Rocking horse poo for sure! As you no doubt know, it's no longer available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessopia74 Posted October 11 Share Posted October 11 29 minutes ago, Monaco Blue said: Very nice! Both sets look superb! Does that mean you have some spare grey corduroy material left over from the centre bits of the rear bench for future repairs to the bolsters should it be required? Rocking horse poo for sure! As you no doubt know, it's no longer available. Is that the material as fitted into my Silver coupe Berlinetta seats? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike. Posted October 12 Author Share Posted October 12 Yes I have some material in reserve, i did recover the two bolster’s on the base of the seats both passenger and driver’s entry side as the originals were splitting lower down, it wouldn’t have been seen but if I’m intending to use them I thought I’d better get it replaced all at the same time. The fabric is an exact match and yes it must be a back bench from a Berlinetta Coupe. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessopia74 Posted October 12 Share Posted October 12 1 hour ago, Mike. said: Yes I have some material in reserve, i did recover the two bolster’s on the base of the seats both passenger and driver’s entry side as the originals were splitting lower down, it wouldn’t have been seen but if I’m intending to use them I thought I’d better get it replaced all at the same time. The fabric is an exact match and yes it must be a back bench from a Berlinetta Coupe. That explains the reason why I have been unable to find any then! Damn it. Only need a small section for the bolster repair. I guess I might have to keep an eye out for a scrap seat too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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