Jump to content

1984 'b' Opel Manta Gt/e Hatchback For Sale


Jack
 Share

Recommended Posts

I feel gutted for you Jack. All this time waiting for a Manta to cherish and then you find this. It doesn't look too bad, have you taken it to be assessed by any one who restores cars? I know its heart breaking but don't let it get you down. It looks a bargain. If only you could prove you had been sold a dud.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi there, yes I have had it assessed twice and yesterday was the final nail in the coffin for me. There is no other way to look at it other than it's a big labour job to fix it. If you chucked about 2 grand at it bringing the price up to just under 3.5k you could have a lot of work done to it and maybe could sort the underneath out for that. Looking at it that way 3.5k for a solid Manta Hatch doesn't sound bad to me but it's the other things on top of the rust to fix, bushes, bearings, missing drop links, fuel pipes, gearbox issues etc etc. It's a big bill to put right. Don't be too gutted my Manta ownership isn't over by any means I am getting another one ;)

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi there, yes I have had it assessed twice and yesterday was the final nail in the coffin for me. There is no other way to look at it other than it's a big labour job to fix it. If you chucked about 2 grand at it bringing the price up to just under 3.5k you could have a lot of work done to it and maybe could sort the underneath out for that. Looking at it that way 3.5k for a solid Manta Hatch doesn't sound bad to me but it's the other things on top of the rust to fix, bushes, bearings, missing drop links, fuel pipes, gearbox issues etc etc. It's a big bill to put right. Don't be too gutted my Manta ownership isn't over by any means I am getting another one ;)

 

With the age of these cars pretty much everyone you buy now is going to fall into one of two categories;

 

  1. Rotten - in need of work
  2. Restored

We wont talk about the elusive barn find, stored forever in perfect conditions and needs light work to get back on the road. They do exist, but are very rare.

 

So if you want another one why not keep this one and get it done. Then you will know you have a good car? If you buy a restored car make sure you buy it from someone you know and trust or you will end up back where you started.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I understand what you mean and knew for a fact that these kind of comments would start rolling in as soon as I put it up but the fact is I cannot afford it. It isn't as black and white as a project or a minter. Also I would like to try out another Manta at some stage rather than having one for ever although I like that idea too. The underside of my car is basically not far from scrapyard material and in the near future will be. There is no way I can get it through the MOT and no way I could entertain the costs invloved. If I can't sell it then I may just enjoy it until the MOT runs out, go to Billing in it and then see what can be done once it's parked up with no MOT. I will see what happens I guess...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you Julian, it was certainly not sold honestly thats for sure and that's why I have priced it low because the beauty is skin deep, it's a very tired Manta but I am not at all surprised. It's a 30 year old car and that's what I keep reminding myself and others that criticize it unnecessarily. Manta's started to rust when they were still relatively young and that's only down to the way they were put together and the overall design etc. The fact that it looks very good makes it more of a shame on how bad it is and it won't last another summer as it sits. I have learned from this experience and when I get my second Manta I won't buy without taking someone with me who knows them inside out. But more importantly I don't regret it at all, a typical story of a young man buying the car he has always wanted with love in his eyes giving no regard to the true condition and I regard it as an important step to take and a good way of learning a big lesson but in the meantime loving and enjoying his car despite the horrors. Just needs a loving home and she will be fine.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Jack, so sorry to hear about this mate, thems the breaks at times. Had similar happen to me with a modern, ended up being a money pit and sooner or later you need to cut your loses and let it go. Wish you luck in your search for your next Manta. Don't give up or get dis-heartened mate.

Hope someone can buy yours and get it sorted. It looks a nice project for someone.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the responses and I am not disheartened I am happy that I know the true condition of my car. I will be coming to billing anyway obviously it's a great car show and I don't want another Manta just yet I want to enjoy a different car for a bit any I am getting another one later, love an earlier SR. It would be a lot easier not having one as a daily driver, having a garage and using it as much as possible in nice weather is the way to do it, keeping it out of british winters.

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sorry to hear this but I think you have the right attitude, from the list you posted above I think its a good idea to sell up and aim for a better car to keep for longer term.

 

If you have not sold the car by Billing then bring it anyway, pop a for sale sign in it and maybe someone who is much more able and has time and the tools to sort it might buy it.  Billing is a big market place for GM guys and Girls. 

 

Failing that, go and offer your self into slavery as a permanent tea boy/apprentice with the guys at RetroPower, they would transform this Manta into a work of art in short order ! 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Good luck with the sale.

2 months ago I would of been interested in it but now I have my secret project.

Some people don't like the hatch.

I really like them.

It now takes a lot to keep a manta on the road and to restore one properly takes either a time commitment over years or a mortgage at a restorers.

I bought my first exclusive coupe in 1994 and it was a 1987 D reg irmscher coupe.

It needed welding at 8 years old and the lacquer was peeling.

To have one today is a luxury and I hope they won't go the way of the Mk 1and 2 escorts being a car only for collectors.

Mantas are supposed to be driven hard, just like jimmy did

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks Paul and Kevin I feel as if I have definitely made the right decision as keeping one in good condition to use as a daily driver is a difficult thing. With parts being hard to come by and the issues that keep showing their head on top of the natural problems of rust on the underside. Mine is a typical example of a classic car that has been dressed up to look good to sell but in reality in poor condition and if no interest I will have to drop it's current price as I am getting a new car very soon and won't be able to keep the Manta. I will think about bringing it to Billing if it is still sat there it still has an MOT non the less so still legal to drive but I will be stuck with it come september time. I am already starting to feel less stressed about not having a Manta because it's definitely been hard for me to upkeep it. It is still a better car than when I first bought it so at least I have done what I can with it with and hopefully pass it on to someone who can put it right.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The pictures of the sills are from years ago when it was up in Scotland. The way the car looks now is the photos at the very top. It is complete and not stripped

 

As it would help with the sale do you have any pictures of the bad areas as they are now??

 

Thanks

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just to let anyone know I am open to any kind of offers because I think this is going to be hard to sell and I need it to go as quick as possible to make a space for my next car. Because of my situation there is a good chance I will take alot less than the asking price as I realize that it will take some intensive work with a welder to get this through an MOT.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Honestly, if this was a rough Coupe I would have bought it for what you were asking already. 

 

I have two coupes already, buying this as a possible future project or spares car would be great but If I am backing up parts for mine I need a coupe not a hatch. Also, I just spent out on another big project and this has left me low on time and funds.

Edited by paulmanta
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think this is well worth the money and i just feel so sorry for you Jack knowing how excited you were about your first Manta. :( Best of luck with the sale.

 

Its part of the learning curve, my first Manta was a total pile, every time it rained my feet got soaked because of the bulkhead rot and the outer sills were made of filler.  I ran it until it ran out of MOT and swopped it for a Capri, sold the capri two days later for a decent profit (after I had cleaned it) and bought my GTE, that was back in the very early 90s and the GTE was only around 6 years old when I had to weld up the chassis legs to MOT it !

 

Jacks right to move onto a more solid car, this way the dream stays alive and is not tainted by a money pit.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Its part of the learning curve, my first Manta was a total pile, every time it rained my feet got soaked because of the bulkhead rot and the outer sills were made of filler.  I ran it until it ran out of MOT and swopped it for a Capri, sold the capri two days later for a decent profit (after I had cleaned it) and bought my GTE, that was back in the very early 90s and the GTE was only around 6 years old when I had to weld up the chassis legs to MOT it !

 

Jacks right to move onto a more solid car, this way the dream stays alive and is not tainted by a money pit.

I agree Paul a better one will be more enjoyable :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

Update: My old Manta 'B49 DUX' was bought by two members who are fixing it up. I had a message back from them saying that it was basically a death trap which just adds to the shame of it all really. Very valuable lesson learned on my part though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...