Opel Manta B

[Leyland Lawrence]

I'm back in the market for something old and it can be almost anything as long as it takes me back to 1987 when lego and plans to motorise my sister's tricycle with a Briggs and Stratton 2.5hp was more important than Blackberry emails and fee targets.

 

So, Opel Manta on a V (just before they became a bit plasticy). I know there's a good small club for them but thoughts on the marque and the model from those around at the time would be good.

 

Thanks

 

H

 

 

[HillmanImp]

Rust, rust and more rust. 

 

[fordperv]

^what he said, the earlier you can find the better as the shells were knocked up and stock piled out in the elements so were fucked from day one, try to get a non sunroof model as well the floors will be in better condition.

 

a fun car......... not as fun as a capri though (runs and hides from the omoc)

 

joking aside i like both cars equally

[spike60]

In 1987 I bought a 1981 2.0 SR hatch and was a little miffed to fine the floor was largely missing between the thick underseal  and even thicker sound proofing caused by leaky seal under the pedals. Once we got over this it was a lovely thing, very smart and fab to drive.

[Ghosty]

I know of a late Manta hiding in the back of a place full of caravans, but it's only visible from one of the two railway lines out of the train station nearby... No idea how long it's been there.

 

here

 

Also, you've reminded me of the awful German film Manta Manta...

[NorfolkNWeigh]

I once had a Manta that was completely rotten under the vinyl roof ,in the middle of the roof. And no,it didn't have a sunroof,on the plus side it was waterproof and the rust was far enough away from the upper seat belt mounts that it didn't matter.it was about 6 years old at the time, a lovely 2.0 SR I swapped it for a Commodore 2.8 GSE coupe that wasn't much faster.

[ShiteRider]

My dad bought an 86/87 GT/E coupe (D33 SCP) in 1990 when my parents got divorced, trading in the family cavalier (A531 LBV). I thought it was the shit, especially after it got a peco back box. It was an awsome car and everyone loved it especially my old man.

It got nicked from outside the Railway arms in Ainsdale, christmas '92.........i cried, in fact it still pisses me off now.

My old fella always said he'd love to have another, but i got a new brother instead in '93 which put paid to that.

I'd have rather had a Manta.

[Cavcraft]

Cavalier coupe, if you can find one.

[Joey spud]

 

I owned this honey back in the early '90's.

MOY136P, Opel Manta 1.9sr berlinetta in pastile de turquoise with black vinyl roof.

It was originally a long term test car for either What car or Auto car magazine (cant remember which now) and i had a few mags with the car featured in them.

 

It started life as a 1.9 auto then someone Ford v6 powered it before i bought a scabby 2.0 manual cavalier and swapped the engine and box over and sold the v6 to the banger boys.

 

One car i truely regret selling.

[sutty2006]

Well I best put my 2 pence in.

 

Yes, ROT. Anything with a vinal roof or sunroof will have no floors. The earlier B series model didnt suffer as bad as the later models, mainly due to the fact they were made from better, thicker metal.... but it doesnt stop the rot. My 88 Exlusive hatch lost its floor over the jacking points. However, my 76 B series keeps its original jackin points. Its had lots of welding tho, probably due to it sitting in someones garden for 19 yrs, but non the less, the roof is solid.

 

Sills, battery tray, inner wings, nose cone, rear valance, rear arches, swan necks (chassis) are all comon areas to ROT, anything left after that is a bonus. Ive seen them rot on the transmission tunnel, but only after bodge conversion repairs.

 

The 1.6 engine is pretty hopeless compared to todays standards. The 1.9 and 2.0 CIH engine is a good strong engine.... Ive had 1.8 ohc engines from day one (now sporting a 2.0 16v)....... great engine the 1.8 and easy to work on / get parts for.

 

On the subject of parts, getting the bits you need can take a while unless you can get hold of someone thats got a shed full of spares to sell. Ive been after new door seals since 2007, still waiting.

 

If you get a 1.6 or 1.9 you'll get a 4 speed box, which are good but people tend to do a 5 speed conversion... im hoping to have a 4 speed in mine just to keep it as close to original as poss...

 

Nothin else springs to mind really, I know theres a few manta owners on here (Rob, ive seen you, dont hide!), and there is a great knoledge based forum that can help with problems and related stuff as and when....

 

Heres one of my B series. Paid 60 quid for it..... but spent quite a lot on it now

 

 

And one of my GT hatch, which started life as a 1.8, and is now a 2.0 16valve.

 

 

enjoy

[fordperv]

It was fun digging that b series out of the garden it came from them years back

[andy18s]

My last Manta looked the same as Sutty's above,untill it got stolen whilst i attended the NEC Bike show

It turned up 1 YEAR later at a local breakers,spotted by another member of the OMOC when the guy listed the seats out of it on Ebay

Came back in a right mess and I lost my mojo for the car......

 

[fordperv]

^ fucking wankers need stringing up by their bollocks

[sutty2006]

It was fun digging that b series out of the garden it came from them years back

 

only only needing to fit one tyre to get it tow-able.

 

andy, shame about that one, i remember you had that stereo off me .... did we meet at telford for it?

[andy18s]

Yes Sutty,think you were at a Comic-Con sort of thing? lol

[londonm]

I know of a late Manta hiding in the back of a place full of caravans, but it's only visible from one of the two railway lines out of the train station nearby... No idea how long it's been there.

 

here

 

Also, you've reminded me of the awful German film Manta Manta...

I just clicked 'here' on your post. Wouldn't it be quite pricey and difficult to recover a knackered Manta from a field a few miles south east of Minsk?

[cort16]

I had the chance of a cavalier coupe last year that I didn't take . 2 owners the last from 1984. Kinda kicking myself in the bollocks about it now

[Ghosty]

I just clicked 'here' on your post. Wouldn't it be quite pricey and difficult to recover a knackered Manta from a field a few miles south east of Minsk?

Bugger! The co-ordinates have messed up.

[Pillock]

Bugger! The co-ordinates have messed up.

 

On the plus side, the link given is about 50km east of a town called Slutsk.

 

Mmmm. I likesk te slutsk.

[mat_the_cat]

Wouldn't it be quite pricey and difficult to recover a knackered Manta from a field a few miles south east of Minsk?

 

Mobile phone and RAC card...job's a good 'un!

[sutty2006]

Yes Sutty,think you were at a Comic-Con sort of thing? lol

 

Telford Model Show.