Erol Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 Hi all, I have just managed to purchase a Manta A which is in need of restoration with my father. It came up for sale just at the right time so we went for it. The car is a 1972 1900 model in a Bronze colour with Vinyl roof. The car is one family owned and has 53,000 miles from new with full service history. The car has been sitting on a drive for the past 14 years which has lead to the dreaded rust and it seems like the moss found the body work very habitable. Our intention with the car is to fully restore the car to better than original whilst keeping it as original as possible ( I hope that makes sense). This is personally my first Manta of any sort, but my dad had a few back in the 70's and he has had most of the Opel and Vauxhall cars during the 80's and 90's like the Ascona, Cavalier's, Monza's, Senator's, Royal's, Commodore's, Astra's, Chevette's, etc... As I am new to these, I will have a lot of questions for everything to do with Manta A's and what would be the best direction to take each mod. So if anyone has some Mint bits for sale, or advice to restore mine to mint or time to say, please drop me a PM. Thank you for reading, and Ill try and get some pics up soon. Cheers, Erol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plumster Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 Howdy & welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 Hello there welcome to the club I think you will find it very useful and informative especially as you are doing a full restoration. Richard 'Manta Again' sprung immediately to mind when you have lots of questions about Manta A's Dont think there are that many A Series Mantas left according to a recent topic on here, I personally sat in my very first A Series this year and it felt huge inside! The seats felt very big as if they were armchairs. I am glad that this Manta A is in good hands and will be put back on the road again as like I said before are a bit thin on the ground now. All the best with the restoration, Jack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stradacab Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 Welcome along Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smiffy220 Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 Welcome to the club. We saw that A come up for sale, it certainly looks like it needs a lot of work. Well done for taking the challenge on and good luck with the resto. It might help to share where in the country you are, as there may be people local to you who can help. And do consider joining up too, this clubs invaluable for parts and advice for keeping mantas on the road. All the best, Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 (edited) Welcome to our club, as I don't think anyone could take on the restoration of an A without the help of this club. What part of this planet are you? Oh! and by the way I hope the restoration of your father won't be to painful Edited November 24, 2014 by Julian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRAZYDAVE Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 I hope the restoration of your father won't be to painful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erol Posted November 26, 2014 Author Share Posted November 26, 2014 LOL Julian, that is one resto I would not get into. Thank you very much guys for the welcome. I myself live in Winchester, but I'm using my fathers garage for the car who is based in Enfield, London. So if anyone is local and could help out, that would be greatly appreciated. At the moment I have another car to prep and sell in order to finance this build. So it may take me a little time to get started or even give the Manta a wash, which it greatly deserves Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 I bet that I am not the only one waiting to see some photos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MANTAMAN Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 Hello and welcome. i too saw this Manta addvertised and commented at the time that at first glance it appeared to be too far gone but then step back and look what you have, The rusty panels can be repaired and increasingly thanks to European suppliers replaced, paint is available easy. mechanicals are shared with several other cars so are not difficult to get, What you cannot find very easy is trim and fittings, this car looks complete so the difficult aspects of the restoration of a Manta A might not be much of a problem. like others i look forward to photo's of it's 'before' state, then photo's as the project progresses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erol Posted November 26, 2014 Author Share Posted November 26, 2014 So I guess some photos are in order... How do I load up pictures on these posts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erol Posted November 27, 2014 Author Share Posted November 27, 2014 I hope this works, 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erol Posted November 27, 2014 Author Share Posted November 27, 2014 One thing I do need to sort out on this sooner rather than latter, is a Key. Is there a way to get a key cut for the existing locks and barrel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erol Posted November 27, 2014 Author Share Posted November 27, 2014 Hi guy's, I have also started a post in the Projects section. I thought it best before I get moved across. See you there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 (edited) Would I be correct in thinking that these are the "before" photos and the " after" photos will be posted at a later date? I wish you the very best Erol Edited November 27, 2014 by Julian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shug Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 Its not rusty. It has character. Its not rotten. Its airy. Its not seized. Its robustly secure. Its important to look at these tings in the right manner 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erol Posted November 27, 2014 Author Share Posted November 27, 2014 Cheers Shug, I'll keep reminding you that Julian, these are kind of the "Before I left to go home with the car" and the "After I got back with the car" pics. We literally had to roll it of the truck, push it into the garage, and lock up to get somewhere else. I've not touched it or even washed it since then, just been on the web trying to plan and get ideas for what to do to the car. Its so original, I feel it needs to stay this way, but with mods that make it better than when it was new. With the hope of bringing it upto the 21st century (famous last words) Any mods recommended, that would suit this car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shug Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 Brakes! Either carlton 2.2 discs and calipers (bolt right on but not always easy to find) or audi 80 discs redrilled, with calipers from a 256mm front disc vauxhall (i.e astra's, early vectras, some cavaliers) other options are available but those 2 are the most popular. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapierdave Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 Hi Erol Welcome to the forum I reckon just giving it a good pressure wash will make it look better, although that might blast a few holes here & there As for what way to go with it i say original but with subtle mods i.e. lowered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne ingham Posted November 28, 2014 Share Posted November 28, 2014 Hi Erol Wellcme the club ,you have Billy big balls. If I go home with that car no chance of having a quite life.Hope you do well a post pics of the work you do cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robah Posted November 29, 2014 Share Posted November 29, 2014 Cheers Shug, I'll keep reminding you that Julian, these are kind of the "Before I left to go home with the car" and the "After I got back with the car" pics. We literally had to roll it of the truck, push it into the garage, and lock up to get somewhere else. I've not touched it or even washed it since then, just been on the web trying to plan and get ideas for what to do to the car. Its so original, I feel it needs to stay this way, but with mods that make it better than when it was new. With the hope of bringing it upto the 21st century (famous last words) Any mods recommended, that would suit this car? Good to see another Manta saved and enthusiast as well Welcome to the forum, there are plenty of A series buffs on here to assist with your project and plenty of us to watch your progress and to help as much as we can. Maybe look at fitting a GTE CIH engine and 5 speed box. I know some people have managed to keep the interior normal gear stick in place to keep it looking normal, just modified the linkage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erol Posted November 29, 2014 Author Share Posted November 29, 2014 Thank you guys, All of the suggestions have been noted and I will look into them further. Robah, the GTE engine was one of my original thoughts till I got the car home. With the car only being 53k from new and with original engine, I am thinking to keep this engine but have the crank and flywheel lightened and balanced and maybe do something with the head or fit a later head if easy enough. I'm trying to think of which Carb set up to go for Webber 32/36 or single Webber/Dellorto 40/45. I am shying away from twin carbs as I really can't be bothered to be tuning them all the time after all the work to get this back on the road. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sutty2006 Posted November 29, 2014 Share Posted November 29, 2014 Welcome! you're in good hands here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickfrad Posted November 29, 2014 Share Posted November 29, 2014 Congratulations and welcome to the club Erol, I'm with the keep it original and work with what you've got brigade. You've got plenty there to keep you busy,with getting it sorted and back on the road. Maybe some minor improvements if needed along the way. Good luck and remember "We all like photos" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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