Exclusive Opel Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 Two into one will go. My old green Exclusive kindly donated many parts for my other Manta, including doors, wings, hatch and interior. The white one was free (thanks dad) Picture of the engine bay before any work was done.That is a 2.2 engine. Battery tray. The black stuff you can see IS underseal! It took an age to remove but did preserve it well. Apart from welding near the inner wing, it was basically sound. I made up a new raised bit for the bonnet release cable so it doesn't sit in water. More underseal.More time to remove but sound underneath. Amazing what a clean and a bit of paint can do. The wing tops are nut and bolted on using plated brass items. Previous work here I decided to redo. Although basically sound, didn't look right, so I cut it out. New sections made up and welded in. That area is a pig to do because it tapers in towards the front and isn't just flat. The front scuttle was solid except for the ends. So decided to repair rather than replace. Good as new. Wing replaced. A good clean and new parts makes all the difference. (The bottom one if you haven't guessed!) Mmmm... This doesn't look to bad.. Okay, it's a bit more crusty this end. B******S! holes and lots of filler. Eighteen inches needed to be replaced on the sill. A bolted on jacking point! Start of the welding marathon. The inner sill part replaced (and welded to the jacking point). I could jack the car up on this piece alone. One piece of home-made sill. Time to start on the wheel arch. I thought, I'll make my own sections up. Never again! Lower back quarter. What the ****! The inner part was cut right back upto the swage line thats inside and from end to end and then replaced with one single piece. The outside I used a modified coupe repair panel I had. More work. It was easier to remove the whole of the filler area and replace with new. Getting there. The hole for the filler neck was a bit tricky because it's offset. I must have spent about two hours measuring my brothers Manta one up. I took measurements from what was left of mine as well. I had no idea if it would fit until it was finished and ready for the tank to go on. The effort paid off and was spot on. I have done away with the original rubber-and-water- trap-gommet and gone for a simple grommet. Starting to look like a car again. Fuel flap with rubber seal. The other side wasn't much better (this side was done first). More welding, cutting, grinding.... You've all been there. More paint - more new parts. New drums, pipes, cylinders, shoes. Uprated springs. Three of the four original ones were broken. I didn't know at the time but a spring broke (a loud bang was all I heard) going over a speed bump when I was in Hemel a couple of years ago and a long long way from home. The car felt the same so hoped it wouldn't collapse in a heap going down the motorway but it was okay. The petrol tank is in fantastic condition still. It had two small patches several years ago. After I cleaned the old paint off there was very little surface rust. A couple of coats of undercoat and topcoat with a good coat of cavity wax as well, it should last. Before you ask, no the car isn't on the paint tin. Just had to take the glass out of the hatch to repair a small hole in the corner in an otherwise excellent hatch. I seem to finish one job then find two. One day soon it will be finished. I want it for the summer! I'm fed up with driving a car that's warm, quite, reliable, starts every time. I miss the uncertainty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 Frankly, that lot is inspirational. Well done! Cheers, Joe. Help me Kenneth. I'm carrying a heavy load and I don't want to spill it on the floor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 Good effort there, shows rotten cars can be saved!! My Black Coupe is about as bad as that and the same at the front footwell corners too, given me inspiration to get on with it...[8D] Mick OMOC 5924 1980 Black Berlinetta Coupe, 2.0 SRI Project 1984 Silver GT/E Coupe, Road Rally Car 1980 Cavalier 1600 GL, Slammed Retro Cruiser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 You can't of done all that work, looking at your finger nails!!!!! Very nice job, I bet you were in tears at times! I know there are some jobs like that waiting for me when the MOT runs out in Sept. AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! Gaz Never, ever, bloody anything, ever!!!!! http://www.manta73.zoomshare.com http://www.sonsett.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 looking good, what engine is the 2.2 from? 87 White Gt/e exclusive coupe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exclusive Opel Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 I do wear gloves a lot when working on the car, just the disposable latex ones. Have got through several boxes. As for the engine, it's from a Carlton ('84 I think). The drivers side of the car was the worst side. If I had known it was this bad I might not have gone ahead with it. My dad first brought the car back in 1988 as a wedding anniversary present for them both as it was the type of car they both wanted as me and my brother now had our own cars but unfortunately two years later I lost my mum to cancer so that was reason enough to keep going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbie Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 Thats a mega amount of time and effort you have put into the car so far, she was well rusty [] http://www.mantamagic.com OMOC N,Ireland Rep id="blue"> OMOC 5706 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrCarlos Posted February 7, 2006 Share Posted February 7, 2006 That work all looks fantastic - I have the outer arches to do on mine after the chassis rails....hope I can make as good a job of it as you! Carlos[] 1984 "C" Coupe Red Top 16v - B623RWW OMOC Member#5937 Free me!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robah Posted February 8, 2006 Share Posted February 8, 2006 Well impressed with work done, everybody who puts these projects on the forum give me enthusiasm to get my car body etc in good working order.and that nothing is impossible when you are determined to get the job done. I have finally got my car in to a workshop space to start on the bodywork, chasis etc, so hopefully soon my work will be progressed on the forum too. Rob Membership No.5890 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opel2000 Posted February 8, 2006 Share Posted February 8, 2006 Rear arch sections eh?[xx(] I'd rather do 10 chassis rail repairs than one rear arch, absolute pig to get right. I done 2 of these last year very similar to yours Exclusive Opel, then found I had to do approx one third each side of the Hatchback I got. So when I read your comments that go with the pics I knew exactly what you were on about. Hope you're feeling proud Exclusive Opel, you deserve to be after that work, very impressive feat you've performed there V8 'B' series Manta coupe. SEH 'B' series Manta Coupe. CIH 'B' series Manta hatch (daily drive) soon to be turbo'd. http://www.customsolutions.me.uk perhaps one day then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MantaMad Posted February 8, 2006 Share Posted February 8, 2006 Enjoyed the photos and the quality of the work is amazing, nice one. David OMOC Member 420 http://www.mantamad.fsnet.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exclusive Opel Posted February 14, 2006 Share Posted February 14, 2006 Thank you for all the kind words, makes it all worth the effort in the end. Couple of more pics. The hatch is now done. A couple of small insignificant bits and a small rust hole. Chopped out the rust and let in new metal. Why is it always a corner! I stripped the paint off to the bare metal on the lower half of the hatch and was amazed to find no other rust, even on the edges [^] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welder Posted February 15, 2006 Share Posted February 15, 2006 Nice work Sir! Very impressive. That should last you a good few years now with the quality of that work. look forward to seeing it at Billing. I want to be an enigma, or do I? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plumster Posted February 15, 2006 Share Posted February 15, 2006 Excellent Smithers [] That's not grey, I'm a natural blonde. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 15, 2006 Share Posted February 15, 2006 the photographs are very good,really nice shots.i wish i had done that with mine now.impressive work shows what can be done with a little effort and a lot of time http://www.sitevendor.net/mysite2530/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h0tr0dder_uk Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 Thats some really good metalwork there - and a really rusty manta. Unfortunately a lot of them are in that condition now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 Well done!! The work on the rear jacking points / arches looked worse than any I have done, like the other guy said I would rather do chassie rails than rear arches. Your mum would be proud![][^] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exclusive Opel Posted June 15, 2006 Share Posted June 15, 2006 Thought it was about time I done an update on mine. Both sides are now resprayed with just the bonnet and bumpers to do. Red and white Mantas, very patriotic! Really pleased how this back corner has turned out, considering I had to replace most of the lower half inside and out. Back lights are now in along with the infill panel. I thought I would give colour coded handles a try. How to hang a door yourself.(felt like using it on myself sometimes when things go wrong!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opel2000 Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 That is looking really most splendid. Not done much white paint spraying, but the bit I did try was actually quite tricky, not that easy to see just how wet I was actually getting the paint, excellent work there Exclusive Opel. I'd be very proud of myself if I was you. http://www.customsolutions.me.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulmanta Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 That is looking very nice indeed, The door hanging method looks familiar, in my old workshop i had a similar method, now i am on an industrial estate there is usually a hand to be found somewhere. Its pics like these that keep me going with my fleet of projects. I have always been here, I have always looked out from behind these eyes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 Excellent. Can't beat a white GTE. post Roanoke OMOC 5885 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
i240 Dan Posted June 18, 2006 Share Posted June 18, 2006 I love the your project section on this site, it really does lift your spirits when you get back from a hard nights work on your car feeling like the work will never end to see the brilliant results members are getting with their cars. I hope mine looks this good when it's finished. Dan Member: 5612 http://www.mantaclub.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6321 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bamboo16v Posted June 18, 2006 Share Posted June 18, 2006 Amazing work,,,,,,,, impressive..... Great pics and another one saved.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exclusive Opel Posted June 18, 2006 Share Posted June 18, 2006 Thanks for all your kind words, it really makes it all worthwhile. One thing I will say is white paint + digital photos are very forgiving! Probably looks better than it really is. I'm glad to say the back is now finished all by a few spots of underseal to apply and hang the rear box. Heres a shot of the petrol flap open. Note the absence of the original grommet and replaced with something more simple and less likely to trap water. Adding the rubber seal on the flap had an extra bonus because it stops the flap from going in to far. Rear bumper now painted and fitted and yes I have opted to keep the fog light in the same place. All lights worked first time as well! I had forgotten how noisy the rear washer pump is when empty. The corners of the bumper are a bit of a close fit. Also sprayed the underneath of the bonnet today which was fun...not. Not the easiest thing to spray. Looks good in the photo (see previous comment) but is a bit ropey. All the inside of the rear quarters, arches and rear have had a good dose of wax as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exclusive Opel Posted October 29, 2006 Share Posted October 29, 2006 Another update on this one. Engine all in now and running. A couple of bits to screw back on, some more wax, bleed the brakes, paint the wheels and fit new tyres, fit decals, a couple of square inches to spray and some other odds and sod's still left to do (note to self - tighten the fan nut up)! I wouldn't describe it as perfect, just tidy. Here's some more pics: This is the size of garage it was all done in. A shot with my brothers 1.8 OMOC 5866 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.