Breaking Point

[vikesman101]

I have been restoring cars for some time now as a hobby but over the last few years it grew into more then that. I speak only for myself here, but it kind of stopped being fun for me, and all of my own projects keep getting put on hold. So I closed my door to any outside work for the time being. I make one notable exception, I will still help fellow Opelers out. But the time has come for me to get back to my own projects, I keep helping others get their cars off to car shows and I don't have a single car ready.... This is about to change, I am wrapping up a few loose ends and then back to the Spyder project.... FINALLY
As for the discussion on here, I personally have learned tons from many who regulary post on here. I modeled my Spyder somewhat on Keiths fine work on Dallas Spyder. I also have followed JBs work with great interest. I think maybe there is room for everyone and no matter how our processes differ it seems to me that the end result almost always justifies the means.

Tom

[opelspyder]

My situation is similar to yours Tom, I have no more of my own projects, as I am too busy working on everyone elses. I was going to retire "you could say" last year, but too many big jobs came up this year, and I just cannot pass on the work. I sure am eyeballing a 60 Caravan though, I just know it would be a while before it ever saw me working on it
Keith

[blancojp]

Originally Posted by vikesman101 I have been restoring cars for some time now as a hobby but over the last few years it grew into more then that. I speak only for myself here, but it kind of stopped being fun for me, and all of my own projects keep getting put on hold. So I closed my door to any outside work for the time being. I make one notable exception, I will still help fellow Opelers out. But the time has come for me to get back to my own projects, I keep helping others get their cars off to car shows and I don't have a single car ready.... This is about to change, I am wrapping up a few loose ends and then back to the Spyder project.... FINALLY As for the discussion on here, I personally have learned tons from many who regulary post on here. I modeled my Spyder somewhat on Keiths fine work on Dallas Spyder. I also have followed JBs work with great interest. I think maybe there is room for everyone and no matter how our processes differ it seems to me that the end result almost always justifies the means. Tom

Tom for me is the other way around, shop comes first and toys second.

I inherited the shop in 1986 and been working with the guys since then to perfect a methodology which is beneficial to our customers. My personal cars are done when there is nothing customer related to do and the convertible shows it. I do not advertize, nor do I promote our activities, however I always have a place full of cars to restore. I do believe there is room for everyone that desires the work, we need as many as possible. I myself would not mind doing a few Opel cars in the future but for now, Opels are my hobby and my shop will continue to be dedicated to other classic automobiles.

I have shown many times what I can do, both you and Keith have done so as well. I believe for the comparison statement to be validated, is for Jim to post a sample of a vehicle he is restoring.

We all have shown the steps taken and the work performed, Jim is now your turn at bat!

[OpelJim]

I am not going to get into a contest with anyone

Usa Opel and Opels Forever have been restoring Opel cars for a combined 38 years

Jim Petzold 26 years Opels Forever, and Usa Opel 12 years (15 years restoring them 12 years in business)
That is all we do, Opels

I thought all you did was Opels too so in that respect we do not do the same work as you do, I agree.

I will work on an album of restorations we did and post them here as soon as if and when I can find time

All the best to all

Jim M

Originally Posted by blancojp Tom for me is the other way around, shop comes first and toys second. I inherited the shop in 1986 and been working with the guys since then to perfect a methodology which is beneficial to our customers. My personal cars are done when there is nothing customer related to do and the convertible shows it. I do not advertize, nor do I promote our activities, however I always have a place full of cars to restore. I do believe there is room for everyone that desires the work, we need as many as possible. I myself would not mind doing a few Opel cars in the future but for now, Opels are my hobby and my shop will continue to be dedicated to other classic automobiles. I have shown many times what I can do, both you and Keith have done so as well. I believe for the comparison statement to be validated, is for Jim to post a sample of a vehicle he is restoring. We all have shown the steps taken and the work performed, Jim is now your turn at bat!

[opelwasp]

Originally Posted by OpelJim I will work on an album of restorations we did and post them here as soon as if and when I can find time

That would be SWEET, I can't wait to see that.

[OpelJim]

Originally Posted by opelwasp That would be SWEET, I can't wait to see that.

Just found some time so there are a few pics there now
Got many more to upload but have to stop now
Enjoy !!

Jim

[opelspyder]

Getting back to Dave's breaking point, here are some pics of the rest. Phoenix, unfortunetly unless someone else owns a GTE that is yellow in the states, this will not be it. This is going to be just a Rallye with a GTE front spoiler. The car is ready for wetsanding/polishing, and then get assembled. I will put a stripe on it and then the hood and fenders on the top will be blacked out, along with part of the engine bay. Here are pics

[opelspyder]

Here are a couple more

[Phoenix]

I just always want to play devil's advocate.

[David McCollam]

Thanks for all of the comments on the Manta. It's always good to know that there is a level of interest in a project.

In brief, to answer the question about two gas caps-I have seen a multitude of Mantas with the aftermarket Gates gas cap in lieu of the original or something that someone located to keep the inlet covered. Rather than lose one and not have a correct replacement, I opted for a spare. I had 5-6 unpainted NOS gas caps around. No one wants the regular caps, so I figured, why not have a spare. As mentioned, having one ensures you will never need it.

The color is Rallye Gold as Keith indicated. It looks a bit bright in the photos, but I don't know if I have ever seen an original Opel paint job that had little fade. Possible exception, a 13,000 original mile, Signal Yellow Manta from New York. The car was garage kept by the original owner. It had very little fading.

Costs aside, Keith has done a great job. This Manta shell is probably as nice as any out there, including some in original condition. It has a working factory sunroof and should be fully operational and road ready by Christmas. It continues to be an adventure, but I look forward to the end of the story.

[opelspyder]

Well there was a misunderstanding of the firewall. I was under the impression that the fire wall mat was going to remain in place, but now I understand that it wasn't wanted and the firewall to be painted. So we decided to paint it black with all of the hood and fenders. But then I got to thinking of how I didn't think it would look all that great, so I went with another method. I bought UPOL's tintable truckbed liner and added 10% of basecoat to it so it would match. I like the way this product hardens up, and I feel it looks a lot better than leaving the mat or painting it black. The reason I went this way, was it was too late to sandblast the entire firewall, so it didn't have to be too smoothed out. Doors and fenders are polished and the doors hung. Undercoated the fenders and the front end
Keith

[opelspyder]

The 1974 Rallye Manta is going to its next destination, for this point I have completed the car. I did it a lot cheaper than I quoted, it came out about 4 times better than I expected, and with a few more things added like nicely painted wheels and driveline, Dave should have one of the nicest Mantas around. The stripes were a pain to align and situate, took alot of the day. But it needed them, as it really helps. I don't really like installing stripes until all the car is together due to weight in the doors, so I have allowed for that. I used the SEM Hot Rod Black kit for the hood and fender paint, it matches the stripes perfect. Harold will be picking it up tonight, so this is the last from me for a while on this project. What does everyone think??????
Keith

[opelspyder]

More pics

[krewzer]

You should be very proud of the work you've done. I think the car is beautiful!

Wes

[opelspyder]

I just relized when enlarging the pictures that the side stripes look twisted and crooked all along the sides, its putting off a weird glare, so be assured they line up quite nicely
Keith

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by opelspyder The 1974 Rallye Manta is going to its next destination, ... Harold will be picking it up tonight, so this is the last from me for a while on this project. Keith

I arrived home safely at 2:00AM this morning and think the car did also. I had to back the trailer into the barn this morning as it was starting to rain and there was a threat of hail. Yes, Allen I was back up before 7:00.

Harold

[OpelJim]

Very nice work

Jim

[BQS4]

Keith;
Excellent job, but, and this is just my personal opinion and knowing Dave like I do and with all that is going in the car, I realy wish he had gone with the European GT/E scheme, like Todd Kirby did, but, it's a beautiful job nonetheless

[saxybiker]

Originally Posted by hrcollinsjr Yes, Allen I was back up before 7:00. Harold

Ouch, I'm guessing that's why we night-owl, musician types don't tend to stay on a farm schedule!

Allen

[opelspyder]

Gene,
Unfortunetly Dave did not have plans on doing the GT/E stripes, as he provided the stripe kit and such, no other plans but to keep it a Rallye
Keith

[vikesman101]

Keith

As always..... AWESOME!


Tom

[David McCollam]

Well, this morning my 1974 Rallye went on a transport to be delivered to Tennessee. The second half of the "Breaking Point Manta" saga is set in motion. The running gear, electrics, trim and interior of that car will go onto/into the Breaking Point shell Keith painted. I suppose that in a few months, there will be a complete car from the two that stand separately at the moment. It will be interesting to see the results all in a single vehicle! I will now depend on Harold for updates.


Dave

[newman27]

Originally Posted by David McCollam Well, this morning my 1974 Rallye went on a transport to be delivered to Tennessee. The second half of the "Breaking Point Manta" saga is set in motion. The running gear, electrics, trim and interior of that car will go onto/into the Breaking Point shell Keith painted. I suppose that in a few months, there will be a complete car from the two that stand separately at the moment. It will be interesting to see the results all in a single vehicle! I will now depend on Harold for updates. Dave

The car looks great Dave and I'm sure you're excited to take the next step. When you are finally driving the car, it won't be the "Breaking Point" Opel anymore because you'll be having too much fun with it to care what you spent!

Best wishes!

Matt

[neuropel]

The car is looking great! Kudos to Keith for an excellent job - be sure to post pics when the car is complete!