New silly shite. Beetle based buggy.

[PiperCub]

Don't really know shit about different kinds of beach buggies but you'd have thought dubbers would have a serious hard-on for this type of thing yet (as Mercrocker points out) there seems to be little interest from them. 

 

Well bought though, could see one in my front garden to tinker with and annoy my more snooty neighbours. 

[Pillock]

Most dubbers have spunked all their savings on their bus or beetle so can't afford another car. A buggy is crap as a sole means of transport!

 

Also, many buggies look awful. Anything that's not on a shortened chassis for a start.

[Lankytim]

Looking at ebay I actually think these things are a bit overpriced. In some cases they're more money than a similar beetle and you can't really use them in crappy weather (although I will)

 

I've always been a fan of Beetles and their derivatives but I find the whole "scene" that goes with them a massive turn off. These buggies swerving all the associated shite that goes with aircooled VWs is a bit of an added bonus I recon.

[eddyramrod]

The colour is Marinogelb.

 

I'm not a fan of beach buggies though, the only one I have ever driven was truly dire.

Of course it was, they're an air-cooled Beetle in a fancy dress. 

Having said that, (and everyone knows I'm no VW fan) I can't remember when or even IF I last saw a Mantaray, so well done Tim.  This being Autoshite, it had to be the bloke furthest from any kind of sea that bought a beach buggy!  I'm looking forward to the (re-)build.

Re the exhaust: have you thought of using motorbike cans?

[HMC]

Great purchase, always reminds me of this...

Aka you are Steve McQueen, always wanted one myself.

[PhillipM]

Don't really know shit about different kinds of beach buggies but you'd have thought dubbers would have a serious hard-on for this type of thing yet (as Mercrocker points out) there seems to be little interest from them. 

They'd have to do some work and get their hands mucky. That's scary to most of them.

 

I might have an old exhaust back from when our buggy had a VW motor in it, I'll have a rummage around, can't remember if it got sold or not.

[barefoot]

Here's a cheap n cheerful exhaust for a type one engined buggy.

 

https://www.vwheritage.com/ac2513373-dual-cannons-empi-black-with-out-heat-new-de-[4]

[barefoot]

Don't really know shit about different kinds of beach buggies but you'd have thought dubbers would have a serious hard-on for this type of thing yet (as Mercrocker points out) there seems to be little interest from them. 

 

I'm unsure why you think that.

http://www.midlandbuggyclub.co.uk/aboutus.html

I appreciate that the all conquering camper is dominant at the mo, but there's always been a lot of enthusiasm for buggies and rails and all sorts of off roading.

[overrun]

Class! Mantaray started the whole Bug floorpan based beach buggy thing, did they not?

[Roobarb]

Only car... that'll be fun then

 

I used a Westfield as my only transport for a year and a bit. It got old driving with a towel on my legs in wet weather. That did have an optional heater in it (two speed fan - the works).

 

You're going to find the straight line handling interesting at speeds of around 50mph. The super light front end and short wheel base becomes a little twitchy and has to be corrected a lot. If you are used to more modern machinery like most 70's cars, this could get a little wearing after a while on anything but the shortest (20 miles or less) trips.

 

Great fun on a sunny day when you're just doing 30mph around town though.

 

I'm still bloody envious though!

[purplebargeken]

Cor!

[DodgeRover]

I've had a few goes in a Nova Beetle kit car and it was pretty dreadful. The worst aspect was the atrocious visibility due to the enclosed cockpit and very low seating. I'm hoping this will be more fun to scoot about in before I invariably have to sell it on.

Tickets 28 and 41 please

[barefoot]

Class! Mantaray started the whole Bug floorpan based beach buggy thing, did they not?

 

 

No, Meyers Manx.

[tooSavvy]

I'll try my best. May have to do without the women or the beach though. Sunny weather too.

Just call it your LGBT gt, if anyone asks

 

TS

[matty879]

have you got it yet.

[Lankytim]

It arrived yesterday! I'll chuck some pics up in a bit. Is there anyone in Barnsley that can pick up and hold onto a pair of wheels for me?

[Mally]

I'm an hour from Barnsley, but will collect and hold them if no one closer offers.

Where do you live?

[matty879]

It arrived yesterday! I'll chuck some pics up in a bit. Is there anyone in Barnsley that can pick up and hold onto a pair of wheels for me?

wouldnt mind coming to have a nosey.

[Roobarb]

There's some pretty ace hardcore buggies out there.

A manta ray would be the coolest of the cool!

Can't wait for your pics!!!

[Lankytim]

I'm an hour from Barnsley, but will collect and hold them if no one closer offers.

Where do you live?

 

I'm in Stoke, so I'm not much further than you! I'm not desperate for them TBH but it would be handy to have these rims. 

 

 

Anyway, here's some piccies of the "landed Mantaray"

 

 

Even Mrs Lankytim cracked a smile

 

I've had it running but a sticky throttle cable and an autochoke that I just cant figure out means that it can be a bit of a faff to keep it going. According to the engine number it's a 1300. Seems sweet enough, the rusty exhaust blew itself full of holes so I'm deffo cruising for a replacement. One of the Opel Manta A rear lights has fallen out and needs to be epoxied back in.

 

The dash needs to be replaced with something I can get my legs under. Plus the existing dash looks like it was originally a dressing table at one point.

 

Also came with another pair of banded early beetle wheels to match the fronts. They all need blasting, painting and new tyres. Unless I find a cheap set online. Missed out on a set of replica early Porsche style buggy wheels last week for £50, they even had tyres, GAH!

 

The bolt that holds the N/S shock absorber top mount to the chassis has sheared off and needs welding, but apart from that it all looks pretty good underneath. Needs a good coat of dinitrol though.

[Lankytim]

wouldnt mind coming to have a nosey.

 

Come round one evening!

[Roobarb]

Sweet!!!!

Edit: good to see a happy other half. Mine often has a very different expression when my projects arrive...

[matty879]

Come round one evening!

certainly will tim,nos 1-59 please

oh the rear lights look like mk1 cortina,im sure theyre not manta a,please correct me if im wrong

[Mally]

I'm in Stoke, so I'm not much further than you! I'm not desperate for them TBH but it would be handy to have these rims. 

 

 

 

I live Littleborough, we are racing at Stoke 27 August.

Maybe someone can get them closer to me?

[Lankytim]

certainly will tim,nos 1-59 please

oh the rear lights look like mk1 cortina,im sure theyre not manta a,please correct me if im wrong

 

Actually, looking at Google, I don't think they're from either!

[matty879]

maybe mk1 cortina with modded lenses,certainly the right style

[DeeJay]

Look like BMW 2002.

[matty879]

Look like BMW 2002

looks like you are corrrect,i was looking at early skyline stuff.well spotted

[PhillipM]

I can't find the old exhaust from the 2.1, must have sold it with the engine. I do have the one from the rotary motor though....so all you need to do is stick an RX-8 motor in there and your exhaust is fixed

[AMC Rebel]

Look like BMW 2002.

 

Pah! I had these down as the rear lights from a Plaxton Elite.

 

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwj9k-r4gdfVAhXGKlAKHcUsCU4QjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcommons.wikimedia.org%2Fwiki%2FFile%3APennine_Plaxton_Elite_OWR_266K.jpg&psig=AFQjCNERv7Xe8XslwpmUBqzUywS0rrJBPg&ust=1502809993394650