Shug Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 And good god its in some state! [:0] Anything is fixable but, well, the pics speak for themselves: Now some good points. Roof is solid. As is rear suspension tops in boot, around sunroof and transmission tunnel seems good. Axle and cross members took the weight of car when jacking with nothing giving way. Bulhead looks good behind whats left of rubber stuff. Battery tray is savable. Doors are held on with nails, not door pins. One door is solidish, and the drivers is possibly redeemable. Only 34k miles! [] Been offroad since 94. I will sort it all, I will succeed, victory will be mine!!!! [] (Your pity and accusations of insanity may now begin! []) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shug Posted June 16, 2006 Author Share Posted June 16, 2006 []your one brave man, i really hope you sucseed[] sunroof seal wanted please help!!!! omoc member 5918 16v i240 hatch (coming soon) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulmanta Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 Do you want a better shell ? seriously, lightly modified, already stripped, needs a few bits finishing but 100% better than that one, you could swop all the bits across from one to the other. E-mail me for details, its not silly money either, in fact it a compete bargain because i need to get it gone as i have no storage space left. 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...
1900SR Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 Boy, you've got a job on. Good on you though, it's great that you're prepared to save a car like that, rather than see it go to the crusher. omoc 5660 Cambridge & The Fens Area Rep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbie Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 Think I would strip it down to the bare shell and just see how bad it is before starting into it, Pauls shell may be a easier option [] http://www.mantamagic.com OMOC N,Ireland Rep id="blue"> OMOC 5706 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulmanta Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 The panels alone to do the red shell up right would bankrupt you if you got them from DR manta. If you tackle it sensibly though there is no reason why you cant have a really nice car at the end of it all, i decided to get two cars and make one good one, i had two reasonable shells though, the trim and glass was what i had problems with. 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...
simon p Posted June 16, 2006 Share Posted June 16, 2006 OMG, that's the worst A Series i've ever seen! and i have seen a few. Listen to Paulmanta, i think he has a point. If you carry on good luck. I hope you succeed, are you going to billing? Suffolk County Mantas. Engine conversions,Customs, Full restorations, paintwork. http://www.suffolkcountymantas.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h0tr0dder_uk Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 I agree with Paul - buy his shell and swap the bits over. you will spend your whole life (and lifes savings) repairing that one. good luck either way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shug Posted June 17, 2006 Author Share Posted June 17, 2006 The car is being kept at the missus's folks so storage isnt costing me. I plan to completely strip it and see what it like. Theres a few local fabricators who will be able to help out I hope, and possibly even enlisting engineering department of local tech college! I've been pondering modification of the whole front end to accomodate a larger engine. I've got time, patience and a mate whose brother is a good welder and a mechanic and can be bribed with whisky! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
entwistlecymru Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 He'll be an alcoolic by the time he's finished. I've seen and owned a couuple of rough Mantas but that has to win some kind of award surely! Good luck! 79 SRB coupe - anyone know what a B230FT is?, 79 Cav saloon - 16v sleeper, 1986 GT/E hatch in red street camo colour scheme, 198? GT/E hatch - building from a bare shell to factory spec Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shug Posted June 17, 2006 Author Share Posted June 17, 2006 No guts, no glory! [] When its restored, and it will be! (a good few years down the line) the sense of achievement will be immeasurable. My own personal everest [] If i do get some stuff fabricated, might be able to get price down and help out others by getting a batch made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulmanta Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 Where are you in the country ? If you need any help or parts found then let me or one of the other A series lads (and ladette, hi Dawn) on here know, we can usually find most things but be warned A series stuff is a bit more expensive than b/c manta parts. Good luck with the project, send me an e-mail with a phone number and i will give you a call about all the bits to look out for and suppliers, i am still doing mine so its all fresh in my head and note book ! 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...
MadamVectra Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 You are a very brave man 10 out 10 all the best to get it sorted MadamVectra Or Should That Be MadamMantaMaddness!! 1972 Manta 1.9 A is Best Dawn W. OMOC 5805 North East Rep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shug Posted June 17, 2006 Author Share Posted June 17, 2006 At the moment I'm comfortable with what needs done. More than enough I can get on with for a while anyway! Its the parts supply I'll be needing the most help with! Got an interesting folder with the car. It has parts/prices list for Manta A in this country. Its an old list so I'm not sure how many will still be about, but its worthy of investigation. I'm sure I saw somewhere I could get 2 outer wings for around 150 quid in UK a wee while back. Of course, I cannae mind where I saw that! I'm going to billing so I'll be over to bend some ears and catch a glimpse of what solid mantas look like! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulmanta Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 For panels/other selected parts try looking through these web pages, but make sure you are sat down, he is pricey but pretty much the only one with the range. http://www.dr-manta.de/ 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...
paulmanta Posted June 17, 2006 Share Posted June 17, 2006 And also have a look at this thread ! that is the shell that is for sale, probably with the wings. http://www.mantaclub.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6464 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...
paulmanta Posted June 18, 2006 Share Posted June 18, 2006 Just re-read my posts and want to say that i am not putting your new purchase down or saying it is not a good deal, just that having done a LOT of Manta re-builds on a semi pro basis i can see that you have a huge amount of work to get that right. All the best with the mission, if you need tech help or help finding parts then you are in the right place. 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...
Shug Posted June 18, 2006 Author Share Posted June 18, 2006 I knew I was in for a mission when I bought one. The scale of the mission was a little* surprising (*understatement!) but I didnt just buy one cos I wanted a Manta to drive, I wanted to build one. No doubt I'll have my moments of hating and cursing it. To enjoy driving a car its not the destination, but the journey. I'm adopting the same attitude to the restoration. I'll appreciate it so much more at the end (or die trying! []) Cheers for all the offers of help from ya all. You may come to regret it! Any spares you spot, keep me in mind. And one last thing, keep a close eye on your A series at billing! [] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welder Posted June 18, 2006 Share Posted June 18, 2006 All the very best with that one mate. I scrapped mine about 10 years ago, wasn't nearly that bad and I've always regretted it. Publicity Officer Frustrated rock legend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 20, 2006 Share Posted June 20, 2006 je-sus! if you get this back on the road mate you should be declared a manta god and have a manta event named after you [] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 21, 2006 Share Posted June 21, 2006 Give the manta fan a chance it may not be as bad as it looks? if he wants to spend the rest of his life restoring the car bit by bit then it's up to him...... All the best mate and hope it isnt so bad. Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stradacab Posted June 21, 2006 Share Posted June 21, 2006 Holy rust-o-rama Batman!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moon Monkey Posted June 21, 2006 Share Posted June 21, 2006 possibly almost as bad as mine!!! lol!![][][] but it's still an A... is it tax free??? B934RJA... soon to be pimped... and evil bay is bad for your health... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shug Posted September 8, 2006 Author Share Posted September 8, 2006 Been at it recently. Plenty of pics but taken with my phone and the cable has been misplaced! Suffice to say, I can guarantee the pics will provide a good wee chuckle! I found clean pure solid metal as smooth as a babies bottom and not a hint of rust on passenger side sill. There is a 2 foot section missing from the same side chassis leg tho! Thought the accelerator peddle was wobbling a little before realising the part of body it was attached to was no longer solid. In fact, you can now see the front tyres from inside car since I removed the kick panels (made of cardboard) Large chunks of filler have been torn out of what looked like solid body. Transmission tunnel is flawless tho. Axles and fuel tank may well be savable. I'd like to end up with more than just a few bits of glass and headlights! Pics will follow when I find the cable for my phone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunman Posted September 8, 2006 Share Posted September 8, 2006 quote:Transmission tunnel is flawless tho. Axles and fuel tank may well be savable. id="quote">id="quote"> If the fuel tank is savable its a miracle[:0], as far as I know they are meant to rot like stink! I can fully understand where you are coming from with this project. Its the sort of madness I'd be at![]. To me the working at the car is more than half the hobby. What standard do you hope to get the car back to? If you want a show winner you will need a fortune spent on it. If you want a usable, presentable car and can do a bit of fabrication yourself and have plenty of time you should be OK. If only parts for these were as easy to get a hold of as MGs and Minis[V]. If what I say can be taken in 2 ways and one of those ways get you angry....I meant it the other way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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