73 Manta After-Market Wheels

[JeffreyC]

Can anyone give me a manufacturer of after market wheels that fit this car. The stock wheel are rusted badly and I am doing a slightly modified restoration so I'm looking for something a little different.

[BQS4]

Originally Posted by JeffreyC Can anyone give me a manufacturer of after market wheels that fit this car. The stock wheel are rusted badly and I am doing a slightly modified restoration so I'm looking for something a little different.

Most wheel makers now are not going by model makes, i.e., 71-75 Manta A, 71-75 Ascona A, etc. What they're doing now is "making" a wheel or wheels to YOUR specs. But, to simplfy it quickly, 13X6 and 14X6 RWD 4 x 100mm bolt circle application wheels will fit without much trouble, it when you get to 15" that it get's tricky and you have to be careful of the "backspacing" There are a few threads and a lot of info to be found here on the site, use the search feature and make the right decision.

[neuropel]

Most places will come up empty if you're looking for wheels for an Opel Manta. Instead, look for fitment for a '77-'83 BMW 320i.

Todd K.

[stock77]

I just finished looking at wheel options for my wife's 75 Ascona. The above advice is correct. You won't find too much by searching for Opel wheels.

Either try a BMW search, or look for wheels that are 4x100 with offsets that depend on the width/backspace. Basically you are looking for a non-front wheel drive offset. The wider the wheel the lower the offset you will need.

If I am not mistaken the stock backspace of a Manta/Ascona is about 4.2 inches. You want to try to stay close to that so that you don't get rubbing on the inside. Obvously you can't go too wide or you will run into clearance issues on the outside, not to mention wear and tear created by super wide/super low offset wheels.

Various wheel manufacturers calculate offset slightly differently and some just list backspacing. So you'll need to double check fitments.

As for manufactures of wheels that fit:

There are actually a few to choose from depending on budget.

ATS, BBS, HD (American company), various circle track wheel makers, Superlite, Panasport, etc. You can also search for various "old-school" Japanese car wheels as many of them were rear wheel drive applications. Here are some options:

Superlite wheels: classic racing style available in many sizes and offsets: VTO Performance Superlite Catalog Superlite Catalog

American seller of ATS wheels and many other german wheels, etc: Tunershop - tuning - chromfelgen - tuev eintragungen - tuning chromfelgen - zoll felgen

HD Wheels has some wheels that migth work on an Opel:
09 site temp EACH WHEEL RSB

Eurostopusa sells BMW applications:
EUROSTOP USA

Sportmax wheels are low cost replicas of various retro styles:
XXR 002 Old School JDM

Panasport wheels are a little more expensive:
Panasport Wheels

Expensive wheels Work Equip:
Work Wheels :: Products :: Equip

There are many Work wheel replicas out there:
Drag Wheels Drag Wheels. Extreme Alloys. | Welcome

Axis wheels (Oldschool & OG San) Axis Wheels - Staggered wheels, Axis Super Hiro, Axis Halo Pinstriped wheels, Axis Oldskool, Axis Gravity, Shine, Axis Hiro, Axis Reverb, Axis Penta and Matrix. 15 inch Scion wheels, Staggered wheels for 350Z, Infiniti G35, BMW 5 series.

There are other sources for wheels including ebay and other forums:
Search ebay for BMW 2002 or 320, there are also BMW 2002 and 320 forums you can find classifieds.

VW Vortex Forums have a 4x100 wheel section in the classifieds with various low offset wheels for sale here and there.

I could probably think of more, maybe I'll post more if I can remember.

Please note that not all of the listed wheels may be a perfect fit or come in every size you may want. I just searched for a bunch of potential options from 13-15" in size.

[ephillippe]

The panasports look pretty cool, kind've like a poor man's minilite wheel you see on lots of british cars...I might have to check that out.

[stock77]

Yeah, Minilite (the original), Superlite and Panasport are all similar in style. The only problem is that Panasports cost as much as Minilites.

Superlites are cheaper for the most part.

[opelwasp]

A Manta should be able to use any front wheel drive offset rims in the 4x100 pattern. The GT must use rear wheel drive offset. If you us a rear drive offset on a manta you risk scrubbing the tires in the wheel well and ripping chunks of the tread off.

[stock77]

In general, FWD offsets are anywhere from 30-45+mm. If you went with a say 15x7 wheel in a 40+mm Honda offset, you would definitely be looking at more backspacing than stock thus reversing the problem to the inside. It could clear, but I am not sure.

A stock 75 Ascona wheel is 13x5.5 with a 37mm offset. That comes out to about 4.2" of backspacing. Generally speaking, aftermarket wheels are likely going to be 6-8 inches wide. As an example, 13x7 Ats Classic wheels have an offset of 20mm. That comes out to 4.28" of backspacing. It is about 1.4" more to the front of the wheel.

Also, given what I have seen on the wife's 75 Ascona, I would feel pretty comfortable going with 1.4" more wheel to the outside.

Offset is relative to how wide a wheel is and how much backspace and clearance to the fender is available.

The attached picture shows an ascona with ats wheels. It doesn't appear to a rubbing problem. Also those same wheels are TUV approved in Germany for Opel Ascona/Manta.

Obviously it is just a characterization to say FWD or RWD offsets, since it really deopends on car and/or wheel. I just wanted to clarify my points.

[opelwasp]

OK if one uses 13" wheels there may not be a problem. But if you use 15"+ you will have a rubbing issue. I had 15x7 RWD on my 73 Manta and it tore up the sides of my tires.

[BQS4]

Originally Posted by stock77 In general, FWD offsets are anywhere from 30-45+mm. If you went with a say 15x7 wheel in a 40+mm Honda offset, you would definitely be looking at more backspacing than stock thus reversing the problem to the inside. It could clear, but I am not sure. A stock 75 Ascona wheel is 13x5.5 with a 37mm offset. That comes out to about 4.2" of backspacing. Generally speaking, aftermarket wheels are likely going to be 6-8 inches wide. As an example, 13x7 Ats Classic wheels have an offset of 20mm. That comes out to 4.28" of backspacing. It is about 1.4" more to the front of the wheel. Also, given what I have seen on the wife's 75 Ascona, I would feel pretty comfortable going with 1.4" more wheel to the outside. Offset is relative to how wide a wheel is and how much backspace and clearance to the fender is available. The attached picture shows an ascona with ats wheels. It doesn't appear to a rubbing problem. Also those same wheels are TUV approved in Germany for Opel Ascona/Manta. Obviously it is just a characterization to say FWD or RWD offsets, since it really deopends on car and/or wheel. I just wanted to clarify my points.

I have 13X6 ATS Classics on my 75 Sportwagon. I'm running 205/60R-13 Falken Radials and I have no rubbing issues.

[neuropel]

With the wider wheel/tire combos such as 15x7 wheels with 195 or 205 series tires, you will need to trim the front valance panel slightly for clearance when turning. On the rear, you may need to roll the fender lips (outer fender well) up for clearance. These are both very slight body mods, but critical if you want to use anything much wider than stock. Even 205/60/13 tires will rub the front valance panel on a manta when turned full lock.

[deaner]

Originally Posted by opelwasp OK if one uses 13" wheels there may not be a problem. But if you use 15"+ you will have a rubbing issue. I had 15x7 RWD on my 73 Manta and it tore up the sides of my tires.

The diamater of the wheel has no effect on rubbing. The width and offset does, as does the size of the tire. I have 15x7 et 20 wheels with 205x50 x15 tires on the rear of my Manta and have no rubbing, it's close and I had to roll the fenders.

[75 wagon]

I run 15x7 with a +15 offset with no problems on my 75 sportwagon.
Konig (rewinds) Check their website. Less than $100 each.

Originally Posted by deaner The diamater of the wheel has no effect on rubbing. The width and offset does, as does the size of the tire. I have 15x7 et 20 wheels with 205x50 x15 tires on the rear of my Manta and have no rubbing, it's close and I had to roll the fenders.

[deaner]

Originally Posted by 75 wagon I run 15x7 with a +15 offset with no problems on my 75 sportwagon. Konig (rewinds) Check their website. Less than $100 each.

What size tire? The et 15 is very workable with the right tire. Just as a note about my above post, my Manta is lowered about 1 1/2 inches with Mattig springs and Bilstien shocks, and rides a little harsh.

[75 wagon]

Dunlop 205/50 R15 Front and back. Can rotate them to last longer.

Originally Posted by deaner What size tire? The et 15 is very workable with the right tire. Just as a note about my above post, my Manta is lowered about 1 1/2 inches with Mattig springs and Bilstien shocks, and rides a little harsh.

[ghcoe]

Figure I would post here as to not start another thread on wheels.

I am looking to put some larger wheels on the Ascona to have a larger tire variety to choose from. It appears that the 15" wheels have the most tires to choose from over the 13" and 14" wheel sizes. I have done a lot of reading on how to determine wheel sizing and offsets.

So as from what I have read here is that the 1975 Asonca wheel is a 13X6 with a +37mm offset. I am looking at a wheel in a 15x6.5 with a +40mm offset. I would like to run a 205/50R15 tire. This would be close to the original tire diameter, but of course be wider for grip.

So my theory is that the 15x6.5 is 1/2" wider. The +40 (about a 1/4") offset would nearly center up the wheel in relation to the hub over the stock wheel. Am I missing something here? Should this work? Anyone running this combo?
Thanks, George.

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by ghcoe Figure I would post here as to not start another thread on wheels. I am looking to put some larger wheels on the Ascona to have a larger tire variety to choose from. It appears that the 15" wheels have the most tires to choose from over the 13" and 14" wheel sizes. I have done a lot of reading on how to determine wheel sizing and offsets. So as from what I have read here is that the 1975 Asonca wheel is a 13X6 with a +37mm offset. I am looking at a wheel in a 15x6.5 with a +40mm offset. I would like to run a 205/50R15 tire. This would be close to the original tire diameter, but of course be wider for grip. So my theory is that the 15x6.5 is 1/2" wider. The +40 (about a 1/4") offset would nearly center up the wheel in relation to the hub over the stock wheel. Am I missing something here? Should this work? Anyone running this combo? Thanks, George.

The stock 1975 wheel is 13 x 5.5", with a 4.75" backspacing.

A 15 x 6.5" wheel with a 40 mm offset should have about 5.324" of backspacing. This would place the inner rim flange .574" more inward compared to stock, and the outer rim flange .426" further outward. So you will actually have less of a scrub radius than stock, but actual vehicle track width is decreased slightly (rim centerline-to-rim centerline dimension).

[ghcoe]

Thanks for the quick response.

So I take it as it will not rub anywhere except for the usual front valance trim that you would need to do with a 205/60R13? I would be keeping stock height, but would want the suspension to cycle fully without rubbing. Just want more grip on the road and and less tire sidewall for turns, but staying near stock wheel diameter. Plus there are a ton more tire options in the 15" size.

Thanks, George.

[cadence]

I was planning on getting these in 15" as a play on the original opel wheel.

http://www.jlbmotorsports.com/rims/maxximpics/435_s.jpg

Buy Maxxim Rims, Maxxim Helium rims, Muteki Lug Nuts: JLB Motorsports

http://www.mantaclub.org/archive/manta_pictures/sr.jpg

they have them in 15x7 with a 15mm offset. from what i have seen they should fit please chime in if you have tried this combination.

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by ghcoe So I take it as it will not rub anywhere except for the usual front valance trim that you would need to do with a 205/60R13?

It shouldn't rub, but the condition of the swaybar bushings seems to affect this almost as much as the wheel width. Bushings that are old and deflect a lot will allow the tire to clear the lower valance while driving forward, but in reverse they will move around and the wheel/tire can do some damage to the sheetmetal!

[ghcoe]

I will be replacing the bushings as well. Just trying to get a list together so when the time comes all the info is there. Thanks for your help. George.

[GoinManta]

Might want to try these:

Tunershop - Wheels - 13 inches - tuning - german wheels and tires - spacers - coilovers

The ATS Classic were used on the Manta TE2800

[ghcoe]

Looking to run the 15" for more tire selection and lower side wall, but still stay with the original tire diameter. Also something easy to clean. Hate little crevices and hard to reach areas on a wheel. Rivets are the worst!