GMC Posted April 25, 2010 Share Posted April 25, 2010 (edited) Hello all, Bought this Manta in 2004 as a future project......it's a 86,000 mile 1 owner GTE Coupe with a full Opel service history. After lying in my garage for the last 6 years, the restoration is underway. I'm not rebuilding it to concourse, but as a 'weekender'! Here's the story so far. Enjoy; Presumably the last time it was on the road? This is me picking it up back in 2004.....in Essex (I drove from Glasgow, collected it and drove straight home - 730miles!) The inside suffered after years being cooked up in a barn! And so, the journey back to Scotland begins We had some fun on the long drive home! 6 years on (Feb 2010) I've started stripping it Out comes the anchor!!! (to make way for the red top) The dreaded welding!!! (the front end was pretty decent, the rear had suffered though) This is one the N/S/F chassis leg Out comes the spare wheel well (new one sourced from Dr Manta) And a new wheel arch And of course a real valance Thanks to Chris & Alan for helping with the welding!! and of course Stu for helping strip the car (sorry Stu, it's the only pic I could find!!) Front suspension & steering refurbished (new ball joints, bushes etc) and back together Entire floorpan wire brushed and body schutz Front brake upgrade (Carlton 2.2 vented disks & Cavalier GSi calipers) And off it goes to the paint shop (Saturday 24th April) I'n not expecting it back for a month or so, that'll give me time to start the Red top rebuild. Standby for pic's! Edited April 25, 2010 by GMC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan Posted April 25, 2010 Share Posted April 25, 2010 Looks like you have a few real friends there mate,nice when you can all band together.And the manta looks good as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stradacab Posted April 25, 2010 Share Posted April 25, 2010 (edited) Nice set of pics and back story, keep us updated. Edited April 25, 2010 by stradacab Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keith1200 Posted April 25, 2010 Share Posted April 25, 2010 Very nice It's a long trip picking up a motor from the south (did it twice). Looking forward to more picture's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devil Fish Posted April 26, 2010 Share Posted April 26, 2010 Nice find, and resto. Look forward to seeing it painted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeyRules Posted April 26, 2010 Share Posted April 26, 2010 I love threads like this!! Great work so far, and i'll watch this with interest! What colour? Keeping it White or fancy a change? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantadoc Posted April 26, 2010 Share Posted April 26, 2010 Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMC Posted April 26, 2010 Author Share Posted April 26, 2010 (edited) I love threads like this!! Great work so far, and i'll watch this with interest! What colour? Keeping it White or fancy a change? Kepping it Polar White. For me, it was my favourite Manta - the GTE Coupe in white (except 200's & 400's of course!) Keeping the std Ronal wheels also, the only change will be the 2.0 XE, twin headlamps, 400 boot spoiler and 200 decals. Thanks very much for all your comments, they genuinely are appreciated. I'll keep the pic's coming, although they will slow down as baby nr is due in 6 weeks!! Thanks again, Gerry Edited April 26, 2010 by GMC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigchap Posted April 26, 2010 Share Posted April 26, 2010 who,d of thought you would finally get the resto underway! we have all been at him over the years saying it would never happen. 3 years ago i (naked guy in pics) stripped it for him and then got it all welded,sills and the such like. got it back and what did he do, put it straight back ih the garage for the next 3 years. nice to see its finally getting done,but its still no mk2............ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMC Posted May 6, 2010 Author Share Posted May 6, 2010 I've now dug out the engine and spent an hour stripping it tonight.......... Hopefully this will be fitted soon!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMC Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 Stripping the block bare allowed it to be cleaned properly - all the years of impregnated oil gone!! I've now received my new big end & crankshaft bearings, piston rings & oil pump etc, etc ready for the rebuild. Big Wing sump ready & waiting........ Once I've rebuilt the bottom end, I'll do the same with the head Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keith1200 Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 Coming on nice dinna dump the auld engine/gearbox! always handy to keep or for selling on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMC Posted May 18, 2010 Author Share Posted May 18, 2010 While passing yesterday, I dropped into see Kenny my spray painter......see pics below; Things are looking great, what a difference having just been prepared for paint! He's hoping to have the shell completed for Friday and concentrate on all the panels next week. Assuming all goes to plan, I'll post a few pic's of the painted shell over the weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMC Posted May 19, 2010 Author Share Posted May 19, 2010 Not only the car is getting painted..........I gave the block a good coat of black hammerite last night! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul1393 Posted May 19, 2010 Share Posted May 19, 2010 Whilst rebuilding my engine I found Nitromors paint stripper a great produce to clean all the black deposits from the engine and parts. After a liberally coating the inside of the block and all the parts in stripper and agitating with a stiff brush, than washing with cold water all parts came up looking like they had been in a tank of chemical cleaner! Next stage is to wash the block especially the bores with hot water with added washing power, then blow dry with an air line. Keep at the bores until spotless. Use a white cotton cloth to dry them. If the cloth is still picking up dirt from the bores you need to repeat the washing until the cloth comes out clean. Paul Holtom OMOC 412 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMC Posted May 19, 2010 Author Share Posted May 19, 2010 Thanks Paul, good tip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMC Posted May 22, 2010 Author Share Posted May 22, 2010 (edited) It's back Remember this 4 weeks ago............. and this.......... Well here it is today, hard to believe it's the same car. The panels are all being painted next week. (to be honest, the pictures don't do it justice. Had to take them with my phone as my camera was elsewhere. The finish is 1st class!!) . all thanks to Kenny's skill & expertise Anyone looking for bodywork in Scotland (or anywhere!), I'd highly recommend Kenny. He's painted a number of my cars over the years....my rally car......... my (old) Cosworth....... + others. His website address is - http://kennylaird.com/ don't just take my word for it, here's another one of his creations........ or just google Kenny Laird for countless other pictures. Thanks Kenny! Edited May 22, 2010 by GMC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeyRules Posted May 22, 2010 Share Posted May 22, 2010 Wow she looks stunning! It must be a great feeling to now have a solid shell, all painted up, and ready to put back together! Just think about how you'll feel the first time the engine starts on its own accord... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
czwh42 Posted May 23, 2010 Share Posted May 23, 2010 (edited) Nice work GMC Just think about how you'll feel the first time the engine starts on its own accord... One of the best feelings in the world when an engine starts after a rebuild and the oil pressure is reading as it should. Edited May 23, 2010 by czwh42 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMC Posted May 23, 2010 Author Share Posted May 23, 2010 (edited) Another couple of pictures taken today...... Comparing the car colour to the wheels, you can see how much the old paint had faded. Need to send the wheels of to the refurbishers! It'll be a pleasure working in this engine bay I completed my bottom end rebuild today - new big ends & ARP competition bolts, main bearings, oil pump, water pump & piston rings Next job, the head!! Edited May 23, 2010 by GMC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keith1200 Posted May 23, 2010 Share Posted May 23, 2010 (edited) Very nice GMC What shade of white did you use? It looks like a 'newer' exclusive white than polar white which is bit more 'creamy' sort of white. The painter has done a brilliant job Cheers, Keith Edited May 23, 2010 by keith1200 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMC Posted May 23, 2010 Author Share Posted May 23, 2010 Hi Keith, Definitely Polar White (E452). I'm sure it'll fade slightly through time, but I agree it's very white - but I love it!! Price around the £2k mark. Bear in mind that includes the prep work which, as anyone will be aware takes the time. Given the prep required when it went to Kenny, and the finished product, I'm delighted! If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keith1200 Posted May 23, 2010 Share Posted May 23, 2010 (edited) Your painter has done a braw job very iconic Manta will be braw to see it (at one of tthe scottish shows) All the best keep the picture's coming Cheers, keith Edited May 24, 2010 by keith1200 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMC Posted June 18, 2010 Author Share Posted June 18, 2010 (edited) Not much been happening in the garage recently, all due to a certain young lady being born Both mum & baby are well! Anyway, here's a brief update; I've now collected all the panels from the paint shop, and they are looking superb!! I know the picture look as though the panels have been thrown into the car but fear not.....they were all carefully placed their for safe keeping while I concentrate on nappy changing for the next few weeks! Now that the bottom end is rebuilt, I've started on the head To be on the safe side, I carried out the SBD recommended oil pick up pipe modification and got the cam cover and timing belt cover powder coated Anthracite Grey. How good does this look.....I love it!! This may well be the last post for some time, but I will be back!! Thanks for looking, GMC Edited June 18, 2010 by GMC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irmscher Posted June 18, 2010 Share Posted June 18, 2010 doing a brilliant job there any more progress or pictures ? what is the mod on the pick up pipe :thumbupsorry just realised you have a new baby congratulations .i was too busy looking at the pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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