My Manta Project

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My Manta Project

Postby 249 Dave Mc » 05 Dec 2012, 12:50

Here are some pics of the Opel Manta I bought as a rolling shell which was fitted with a 3 ltr 24v Senator engine,I was going to put it into the projects page but couldn't find it so the next best page I thought was here.

Here is what it looked like when I first bought it
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Typical Manta roof,It was severely corroded around the sunroof so the previous owner decided to cut the rust out and put a panoramic sunroof in
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the previous owner was going to paint the car red so he had already done the engine bay
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A short video of what it sounds like
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I then decided I was wanting to put a quad spotlight pod onto the car which had to be moulded into the original front panel
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All the panels then painted off the car
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Refitted to make sure everything matched up
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Then the work really began,first we stripped the front end off then I decided it would be better to paint it white so my next job was to remove the engine and box and all the front suspension and start again under the bonnet.
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Under the bonnet was then done in Polar white but I thought it looked to yellow so yet again another colour change to brilliant white
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Re: My Manta Project

Postby 021 Chad » 05 Dec 2012, 12:59

Looks like it'll be a great Manta 400 rep when it's done. The shell looks in good condition to start with.
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Re: My Manta Project

Postby 249 Dave Mc » 05 Dec 2012, 13:15

Yes the shell is a good one, the lad I bought it from had 4 sitting when I went up to see what he had, I went to see an exclusive that was actually ready to use but when I saw the 400r i decided to opt for that one. A lot of the hard work had already been done so it was half the battle as what had been done to it was exactly what I would have done to any other one I bought. :D
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Re: My Manta Project

Postby 001 Neville » 05 Dec 2012, 20:11

Posted here or the Members Garage is fine, Dave.

Looking good in the white - not big on the previous streaked paint finish :wink:
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Re: My Manta Project

Postby 249 Dave Mc » 05 Dec 2012, 22:55

Lol I have had a few comments about that.
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Re: My Manta Project

Postby 168 Derek S » 05 Dec 2012, 23:01

What a car....the ultimate Opel icon.

good idea on the roof, the factory sun roof was not one of Opel's best engineering efforts.
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Re: My Manta Project

Postby 249 Dave Mc » 06 Dec 2012, 07:59

The idea the lad had sound okay Derek but in reality it wasn't going to work as the frame he had made for the glass would only be capable of using 2/3 mm polycarbonate glass and it would probably flex and crack, The frame would have to be capable of using 5mm glass but this would give me too many steps from the roof to the top of the glass and when they cut the glass it would leave a white cutting mark so I then decided :idea: it was to get a new roof instead.
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Re: My Manta Project

Postby 001 Neville » 06 Dec 2012, 11:01

... or you find a Webasto fabric sunroof? :lol: Alf had a new fabric roof made for his Commodore B, but not exactly appropriate for a rally car though!
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Re: My Manta Project

Postby 249 Dave Mc » 06 Dec 2012, 12:13

Quite like the webasto roof if it is done well but I thought just get a good roof without a sunroof and gie the panel shop more work and money, In the end results you will agree that was the bast option to go for. :D
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Re: My Manta Project

Postby 249 Dave Mc » 06 Dec 2012, 12:21

Here are a couple more of the panel beater starting on the roof

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Whats left of the roof I got after the skin was removed.
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different car with now a full non sunroof roof fitted
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Re: My Manta Project

Postby 020 Brad » 06 Dec 2012, 20:41

haha, well played.

I like these retrospective build threads where things have already happened before they are even spoken about. Or are you just super productive?
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Re: My Manta Project

Postby 021 Chad » 06 Dec 2012, 21:40

I'm giddy over those wheels, pure class.
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Re: My Manta Project

Postby 001 Neville » 06 Dec 2012, 21:42

249 Dave Mc wrote:Quite like the webasto roof if it is done well but I thought just get a good roof without a sunroof and gie the panel shop more work and money, In the end results you will agree that was the bast option to go for. :D


You did right, Dave, on your Manta.

But the sunroof (webasto or britax?) looks right on Alf's Commodore. From this ...
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to this....

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Re: My Manta Project

Postby 021 Chad » 06 Dec 2012, 21:44

What do you use a sunroof for in the UK?
Washing the interior?
Transporting grandfather clocks?
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Re: My Manta Project

Postby 001 Neville » 06 Dec 2012, 21:48

021 Chad wrote:What do you use a sunroof for in the UK?
Washing the interior?
Transporting grandfather clocks?


:lol: Believe it or not, it is not always raining in UK! The car looks pretty cool with roof open - just can't find any pics at present. Needs a wind deflector on the leading edge to reduce the buffeting.

A sunroof usually leaks less than a convertible - except for the Mantas where they are a real issue!
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