bris jas Posted October 4, 2017 Posted October 4, 2017 I have been meaning to start this thread sometime ago but never got around to it. So here goe's! Bought the car in March this year from one of the guys on here. I didn't see it before purchase but was given a good description so i took a chance. Pretty much as expected apart from a few (as always) sections that hide away under carpets and behind wings etc. Its a 1986 GTE, 3 owners from new, 98k genuine miles. I managed to track down the 2nd owner who had the car from 1988 until earlier this year when it first changed hands. He had it on his drive way since its last MOT in 2005, nice chap and luckily had all MOT's from 1989 until 2005 and believe it all not they were all done at the same garage D&R Services, Arley. I was really after a coupe to convert to a 400r but when this one turned up it was so original i couldn't do it so i am restoring to original. Even the spare wheel was still new and unused! Every clip was in place etc etc.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. First job was to completely strip the car and put it on a spit Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. You know when the chasis is shot when you jack up the car and the jack goes up but the car doesn't move! 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 can go on showing lots of pic's of rust but i guess we've all seen rust although maybe not as bad as this one? So first job was to replace both chassis legs, making sure the car was secure and supported. I won't explain the process of welding up the the legs as there are a couple of links on the forum to show this. I got them from Eckhard in Germany, quality is second to none and highly recommend his Chassis legs. More to follow as seem to of run out of space? 7 Quote
bris jas Posted October 5, 2017 Author Posted October 5, 2017 First job was to remove N/S leg and rotten floor including jacking point.Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. I bought a pair of floor sections from Retro Power. As the chasis legs come in 3 sections i had to weld them together before fitmentProject images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Being 2 outer sections and 1 inner strengthener, only issue was they weren't long enough so i had to sleeve the rear section and extend further. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Leg in place now and subframe bolted on to make sure all lined up, although this was a little bit of a headache as the O/S leg was completly rotten and missing so lots of measuring off different parts of the body. Floor just offered up at this point to make sure leg fits where it should. Then floor back out to finish off welding up the chassisProject 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. Onto the O/SProject images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. TBC 5 Quote
Danny D114BCW Posted October 5, 2017 Posted October 5, 2017 What a fantastic build! glad to see you are well on with the car. Its a rare car and well worth saving! looking forward to seeing more pictures of this build. Quote
zublet Posted October 5, 2017 Posted October 5, 2017 Wow that some impressive work there, looking forward to following this build with interest! Not many people would have the hanging ones to take one on with that level of rust, well done. Quote
Danny D114BCW Posted October 5, 2017 Posted October 5, 2017 Glad you rate the chassis legs too from Eckhard as i met him and bought a set off him at the VBOA meeting this year. Quote
Snowy Posted October 5, 2017 Posted October 5, 2017 Can I ask did you just slot the new chassis rails into the front section and make them line up with the existing back section? Quote
bris jas Posted October 5, 2017 Author Posted October 5, 2017 Yes thats pretty much exactly what i did, with these legs the inner strengthener section is longer than the outer so it allows you to did this. Once in i drilled 3 holes on both sides so i could plug weld through and then seemed welded around the whole of the leg (3 sides). 1 Quote
Kevin Abbott Posted October 5, 2017 Posted October 5, 2017 Very nice work, great pics.. Been at that point soooooo many times Quote
bris jas Posted October 5, 2017 Author Posted October 5, 2017 (edited) Ok so onto the O/SProject images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. As i didn't show this properly before this is the sections of chassis leg, i have tacked together the outer parts. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. So again as the other side i removed the leg and part of the floor, as you can see lots more work to do on the inner wing but left this in place for the time being as this will add a little strength to the shell with the leg missing. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Ok so leg in and subframe in as well, at least this time i had the other leg to measure against so all square and fitting. Now both legs are in and finished i can remove more of the rotten metal, believe me there is quite a lot to say the least!Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. So now the car is the right way up i decided to concentrate on the O/S, so cill off, inner wing off, wing mount off, washer bottle section gone etcProject images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. I welded the jacking point in first so as to give a little more strength, remember to change over the jacking eye as the one it comes with is to small and are jacks won't fit(thanks to James for that info). Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Inner wing section, wing rail and washer bottle section cut out. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. TBC Edited October 5, 2017 by bris jas 4 Quote
TheRealExile Posted October 5, 2017 Posted October 5, 2017 Great work, wish I had half your skill level! Quote
Snowy Posted October 5, 2017 Posted October 5, 2017 4 hours ago, bris jas said: Yes thats pretty much exactly what i did, with these legs the inner strengthener section is longer than the outer so it allows you to did this. Once in i drilled 3 holes on both sides so i could plug weld through and then seemed welded around the whole of the leg (3 sides). Ok. I will take a picture of a genuine chassis rail as they aren't straight. They have a slight kink as they come up and over the bulkhead Quote
Kevin Abbott Posted October 5, 2017 Posted October 5, 2017 When it is in this condition and you are putting more strength in it, make sure you add some box section between the jacking point and a post bottom as they aren't connected at the factory and it gives the bottom of the a post better location and strength See here 1 Quote
bris jas Posted October 5, 2017 Author Posted October 5, 2017 Thanks for the comments guys. Kevin thanks for mentioning this, i have already gone past that point and i did strength the jacking point to the lower point of the pillar as you mentioned, i was surprised they weren't joined at the factory though. 1 Quote
Kevin Abbott Posted October 5, 2017 Posted October 5, 2017 The bottom of the B post isn't connected either and that's what the seat belt mounts to 2 Quote
bris jas Posted October 6, 2017 Author Posted October 6, 2017 (edited) Washer bottle section first Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Little bit of bending and hammering and came up with this Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Cleaned up the area before i offered it up Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Couldn't find anymore pic's of that so jump forward to install of the new inner wing to A post section that i bought from Retro Power, a quality part. I had to fabricate a few more areas before moving onto the wing rail. Every area inside and out is treated to Hydrate 80 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. Onto the outer light surround 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. Cut away all rotten metal and fabricated a new section Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Just to recap i started this build back in April so don't think i did all this last night! Edited October 6, 2017 by bris jas 7 1 1 Quote
Danny D114BCW Posted October 6, 2017 Posted October 6, 2017 Ha Ha what you didn't do all this last night! Honestly its nice to see workmanship like this especially on a manta! all credit to you, I will be undertaking the chassis leg job on my car this winter. This build is going to be epic. What are your plans with the car? Quote
bris jas Posted October 6, 2017 Author Posted October 6, 2017 Thanks, plan is to keep it. Always wanted a nice GTE. 1 Quote
MANTAMAN Posted October 6, 2017 Posted October 6, 2017 I have seen Manta's this rotten before, but they usually end up scraped for parts, your doing a geat job, being able to mash metal on a small scale i am particulary impressed with your washer bottle tray. There is something so very satisfying about welding in fresh metal to a car, when this is Manta is complete you be able stand back, admire it and say to yourself ' Yes, i did that ' 1 Quote
Kevin Abbott Posted October 6, 2017 Posted October 6, 2017 Most coupes now are worth restoring no matter the condition. Good ones are selling for 10k and will only go up in value. That is why my brother and I do not sell cars as projects anymore I despair at the coupes I have cut up in the past or stood upon in scrapyards Hindsight would make me a rich man 3 Quote
MANTAMAN Posted October 7, 2017 Posted October 7, 2017 1 hour ago, Kevin Abbott said: I despair at the coupes I have cut up in the past or stood upon in scrapyards But the long term space this would require would be difficult to find, ideally undercover to stop them deteriorating to basket case state. I've only ever cut up two hatches and they were both in a desperate state but i have picked parts off many Coupes in scrap yards back in the 90's, i wished then i could have taken them home and stored them, i knew then one day there would be only a limited number left and everyone would want them. 1 Quote
bris jas Posted October 7, 2017 Author Posted October 7, 2017 I agree they are worth saving and will only increase in value. To be honest though once i stripped this car down and stood back and looked at how rotten it was i had thought no not again! I have 3 other Mantas, but i recently restored a Firenza Droopsnoot 1976, if this Manta is bad that was a basket case but all finished know and as Ian mentioned i do stand back and look at it and admire what i have achieved (full build on DSG forum. Reg KSJ 973P). All you guys that have done these projects know what we mean! So on with the build. Now that the front corner is done i then moved backwards a long the O/S. Complete cill was removed, rear arch and part of the inner and rear floor sectionProject 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. Firstly i fabricated a piece to repair the floor section Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Outer cill is welded on and i had to repair the section of the inner cill behind the b post, there are 3 different sections that meet here so a lot to rebuild. (sorry couldn't find a picture of that which is annoying) 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. 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. New arch fittedProject images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. TBC 4 Quote
zublet Posted October 7, 2017 Posted October 7, 2017 Beautiful work there Jason, I too need to get my rear arches replaced so it's nice to see some pictures of it being done 1 Quote
Paul Barrett Posted October 7, 2017 Posted October 7, 2017 Cracking fabrication. Having seen your droopsnoot with my own eyes this one will be a stunner! 1 Quote
CRAZYDAVE Posted October 7, 2017 Posted October 7, 2017 19 hours ago, Kevin Abbott said: Most coupes now are worth restoring no matter the condition. Good ones are selling for 10k and will only go up in value. That is why my brother and I do not sell cars as projects anymore I despair at the coupes I have cut up in the past or stood upon in scrapyards Hindsight would make me a rich man Youre making up for it now I love this thread amazing build!!!!!! 1 Quote
bris jas Posted October 10, 2017 Author Posted October 10, 2017 Ok so O/S finished with all nice clean solid metal. Onto the N/S! Firstly removed all of the floor that was rotten along with part of the wheel arch section and inner wingProject 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. Again floor section from RetroPower, it comes a lot larger than the piece i cut down to use so if your floor has gone wider and about 4" longer it would still fit. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Just rested in place so i could start fabricating the arch section as i needed to remove it a couple of times to make panels fit better. Making sure all edges were clean and treated i offered up the new inner wing to pillar section again from RetroPower.A few tweaks and it fits spot on. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. I could then weld the floor in and finish making a section for the inner archProject 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. Next its onto the battery tray! 4 Quote
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