TrevorH Posted June 13, 2023 Share Posted June 13, 2023 Hello everyone, I just joined and looking forward to using the forum to help with a Manta restoration that I have just started with no prior knowledge of the cars ! A Friend and I purchased the 1985 Manta GTE that has not be used since 1994 and in need of a fair bit of work body and mechanical. The car has only had one previous and seems to to mainly complete. A few pictures attached Trevor 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike. Posted June 13, 2023 Share Posted June 13, 2023 Looks like a great project, good luck with the restoration, easy enough cars to work on and plenty of help and advice on here, possibly a big advantage that nothing is missing and it’s a complete car. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRealExile Posted June 13, 2023 Share Posted June 13, 2023 Welcome aboard, nice find....looks a decent base to start with, how is the underneath? Jacking points swan necks, chassis rails? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metalbasher Posted June 13, 2023 Share Posted June 13, 2023 Hi Trevor, nice to see another Manta in line for some TLC. Where are you based? Paul B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-400 Posted June 13, 2023 Share Posted June 13, 2023 Welcome over here Trevor, succes with the restoration Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Posted June 13, 2023 Share Posted June 13, 2023 I see your in Northamptonshire so local to me. There's a few of us in Northampton / the Midlands. You should pop along to our monthly area meeting (3rd Friday of the month) also an absolute must is the main VBOA show at Sywell (local to you) in July. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sutty2006 Posted June 13, 2023 Share Posted June 13, 2023 Welcome along Trevor! Looking forward to updates, a nice silver coupe always looks great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrevorH Posted June 13, 2023 Author Share Posted June 13, 2023 2 hours ago, TheRealExile said: Welcome aboard, nice find....looks a decent base to start with, how is the underneath? Jacking points swan necks, chassis rails? Okish , Sills , bottoms of doors, below the washer bottle and above the headlights are the worst bits. Hard to tell with the swan necks I guess they rust from the inside but they took a lot of abuse getting the bolts for the subframe out 🙂 Attached is a picture of the intter wing and front swan neck where I had to cut a bolt to get the subframe out Trevor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Pounsett Posted June 13, 2023 Share Posted June 13, 2023 Welcome @TrevorH . Nice to see lots of photos before the restoration and posting your progress on here gives you a great record of what you’ve achieved and gives us the opportunity to offer helpful advice like “I wouldn’t have done it like that” 😂 You are in the right place too - Northamptonshire members are friendly, experienced and have a good support network. So what are your plans? A faithful restoration or restomod and anticipated timescales? There’s a chap on here seems to complete one every 3 months, not mentioning any names 🤪 Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
®evo03 Posted June 13, 2023 Share Posted June 13, 2023 Nice complete restoration project, and welcome 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Barrett Posted June 13, 2023 Share Posted June 13, 2023 Welcome Trevor, nice starting point there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulmanta Posted June 13, 2023 Share Posted June 13, 2023 (edited) That looks like a great project, some parts are harder to find than others but this site is a wealth of knowledge and spare parts hoarders. Just pop a post on her if you need anything and I'm sure one of us will have it or know about it. Are you going to go to the big manta/opel/vauxhall show at Sywell in July ? that's a good place to pick up parts ! All the best Paul Edit, be really really careful around that rubber covering on all the heater boxes, its unobtainable now. hairdryer and waxoil on a paintbrush softens and restores it but be gentle. Edited June 13, 2023 by paulmanta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrevorH Posted June 13, 2023 Author Share Posted June 13, 2023 I hope to get the car fully stripped to go to Nottingham for dipping next week just finished the underside tonight, I am hoping to do a restoration rather than a resto mod. I need to see what the engine is like , it now turns over with a spanner on the crank, gearbox seems ok but he diff sounds a bit rough when turned over by hand. Most stuff survived being taken apart hardest parts were the bolts that hold the seats to the floor followed by the subfame bolts and front bumper. The front windscreen seal looks a bit unique so I guess that needs saved . Can I assume the stuff like , wheel bearings, Bushes, Brake Parts and Engine Gaskets are available ? I will get to Sywell in July as it is more or less on my doorstep 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
611 Posted June 13, 2023 Share Posted June 13, 2023 (edited) 31 minutes ago, TrevorH said: I hope to get the car fully stripped to go to Nottingham for dipping next week just finished the underside tonight, I am hoping to do a restoration rather than a resto mod. I need to see what the engine is like , it now turns over with a spanner on the crank, gearbox seems ok but he diff sounds a bit rough when turned over by hand. Most stuff survived being taken apart hardest parts were the bolts that hold the seats to the floor followed by the subfame bolts and front bumper. The front windscreen seal looks a bit unique so I guess that needs saved . Can I assume the stuff like , wheel bearings, Bushes, Brake Parts and Engine Gaskets are available ? I will get to Sywell in July as it is more or less on my doorstep I have a few links on my blog for Manta parts (mostly of the links are to A series pages) but most of the companies do stuff for the GTE as well. https://www.theopelproject.com/opel-manta-a-series-parts-links/ www.edelschmiede.com is a very good one for parts. Hope it helps a little to give you and idea of what you can get . Andy Edited June 13, 2023 by 611 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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