73 manta restoration saga

[manta73wi]

Andrew,
Signal red is a nice red - probably closer to the Ferrari red than Gaurds Red. Check out the following for Manta colors:
http://www.opelgt.com/photos/showgallery.php/cat/3052

I believe the Curtiss' Kadett is Flame Red:
http://www.opelgt.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/9937

Signal Yellow and Chrome Yellow are really close as far as I can tell. The example car for Signal Yellow in the above link is currently owned by Vicky Gage, and that color looks great in person as well as in print. The photos you listed are Signal or Chrome yellow. The lighter yellows were used on Kadetts. Rallye Gold is a much different color - sort of the color of butterscotch pudding. I didn't much care for Rallye Gold, but after seeing Don McLean's GT, the color has grown on me. Fire glow, the color of my '75 is really orange, with just a touch of red, but most certainly orange.

I like the idea of using an original Opel color, but in the end, do what makes you happy!
-Jeff W
'73, '74, & '75 Mantas

[blitz74]

Thanks Jeff! Those pics are really helpful. I see what you mean about Rallye Gold, it doen't look so great in that picture.

[Mike Preble]

Sorry about the size of the photos. Go to my photo gallery and you will see the construction of the car.

Mike

[blitz74]

Originally Posted by Mike Preble Sorry about the size of the photos. Go to my photo gallery and you will see the construction of the car. Mike

Ah, ok gotcha. Wow, that sure is a RED red. Looks pretty good. Thanks for sharing!

I guess I'm leaning toward Signal Red, but I still have time to decide... It's hard to choose!

[David McCollam]

First let me tell you that red is the most expensive color to purchase due the number of pigments involved in the manufacture of the paint. Second, it is the most prone, in most, cases to fading. I had two GT's in red and they faded like crazy. It looks good for a while, but it will fade.

Third, there is no "Signal Red", only blue, yellow and green. The Rallye Gold is not the greatest of colors, but it sure holds against fading. It was a very popular color on the Mantas for some reason. The Manta in the photo in the previous post is close to being Signal Yellow, but not exactly. I built that GT/E look alike and it was repainted prior to sale. The actual color is one from the 2002 Dodge Viper. The original color was, you guessed, Rallye Gold.

Good luck with your restoration.

Dave

[blitz74]

Originally Posted by David McCollam First let me tell you that red is the most expensive color to purchase due the number of pigments involved in the manufacture of the paint. Second, it is the most prone, in most, cases to fading. I had two GT's in red and they faded like crazy. It looks good for a while, but it will fade.

Yep, I am aware of these facts and they are definetly both part of my consideration. I do plan on taking good care of the paint (waxing it, etc) but I do understand that it is more prone to fading.

Originally Posted by David McCollam Third, there is no "Signal Red", only blue, yellow and green.

Maybe there was no Signal Red in the US, but I think it was one of the colors in Europe. According to this color chart, Signal Red was a '74 color. Oddly enough, the color code (529) is the same as Flame Red from '73. Also according to the PPG database (scroll down to the bottom), GM Europe had a color called Signal Red from 1971-1979, with code 529. So the color did exist, but maybe it was just in Europe.

[Manta72]

Color aside, what have you decided on your motor?

[booeman]

check my photos album for pictures of my 71 coupe, color is 508 JJ 751. the afore mentioned chart calls it cardinal red. it also says it was available only in 73/74.

[David McCollam]

Sorry for the oversite on my part. You are correct. The color was available outside the US accroding to the paint codes in the Manta/Ascona A book I have on their development. It may have been available under another code in the US, but not referred to as a "Signal" color.

Dave

[blitz74]

Thanks everybody, I now have a better idea of what the colors look like. Now I am actually starting to lean towards Signal Yellow with black SR stripes.

Originally Posted by Manta72 Color aside, what have you decided on your motor?

The motor situation is still on hold as we are waiting to hear back from Todd once again. My dad keeps calling and leaving messages, and once in a while he'll get the assistant, who says we're on the top of the list... and that Todd has something really nice for us... and that he'll call us back for sure... but of course he never calls. It's been a giant p.i.t.a. dealing with him and all I can do is hope that we'll get some kind of useable motor soon. I'll keep you all updated if/when this situation progresses.

[4speed]

That yellow colour is also one of my favourites!!!
In my opinion the yellow enhances the back flow forms of the manta, and the round backlights (more then the red colour).
It’s a nice choose.

[BQS4]

Originally Posted by blitz74 The motor situation is still on hold as we are waiting to hear back from Todd once again. My dad keeps calling and leaving messages, and once in a while he'll get the assistant, who says we're on the top of the list... and that Todd has something really nice for us... and that he'll call us back for sure... but of course he never calls. It's been a giant p.i.t.a. dealing with him and all I can do is hope that we'll get some kind of useable motor soon. I'll keep you all updated if/when this situation progresses.

I have a NICELY RUNNING 1.9 that I have no current use for. $150 for it and you can drop it in NOW and drive your Rallye

[Manta72]

Sounds like a good deal for Blitz74!

[blitz74]

Originally Posted by BQS4 I have a NICELY RUNNING 1.9 that I have no current use for. $150 for it and you can drop it in NOW and drive your Rallye

Wow, that's a good offer. I will let you know if we need it. Thanks!

[blitz74]

Well, today I have some good news on the engine situation.
We've been talking with Opels Unlimited and they've offered to take back the 2.0 (plus a little cash) in exchange for a brand new high performance engine. All I know currently is that it's an overbored 1.9 block (not sure what the current displacement is though) with high compression pistons. We got the attached pictures today. Anyone know anything about those pistons? Interesting design. However I'm a little worried about the head we're using. We already put a bunch of money into rebuilding the stock 1.9 head to stock specs... I'm wondering that with a performance engine like this, surely we should at least get bigger valves, if not make other modifications to it? Anyone have any ideas on this?

Anyways I guess I shouldn't have been so harsh earlier when talking about O.U., they've been helpful and fair with the whole thing, and this should be a killer setup. I'm definetly looking forward to dropping this engine in.

[soybean]

Ask them for the block nos. and a picture of it. I'd also ask how much it is overbored. The stock bore is 93mm and the 2.0L is 95 mm. The 1.5 L pistons had the valve notch reliefs in them too. To me it looks like the 70 High Comp engine I just carried to the machine shop which was stock to be bored to 95 mm (2.0L), and I believe they had the reliefs too. I may stand corrected, as I haven't seen this block in over 6 months. This machine shop isn't the quickest in the world. Jarrell

[namba209]

I would suggest before you assemble this "new' engine, dissasemble it and "mic" it. Just to be sure all the tolerances are correct, also if you're gonna put bigger valves in your head, make sure you have the right clearances too.

[Manta72]

They look like standard flat top pistons, similar to the ones used in European models. This should yeild compression of around 9.3:1 and can make some good power.

[blitz74]

Well, I got a nice surprise yesterday - the seats are done! I decided on black Naugahyde (fake leather) and kept the same basic pattern as the original cloth seats (the only big change was making the headrests flat). They've got new foam and burlap, and freshly painted springs. I really like the texture of the Naugahyde, and the foam feels nice! You can tell just from the pictures that these are going to be really comfortable.

The door panels are the same material, but they're on hold because the original cardboard backing was shot. So we managed to get a good one off the passenger side of the parts car, and we're making a trip to the junkyard on Monday to see if we can get a good driver's side panel off the Manta there.
We will still need to make the decorative wood strips that go over the door lock and across the panel, but I think that's about it.

Body situation:
Still working on the lower quarterpanel patches on both sides. Welding and grinding.

Engine situation:
The old engine we sent back should reach its destination tomorrow, then it will need to be inspected to verify our damage claim, and then we should be getting the new engine relatively soon.

That's all for now, might take a couple pics at the junkyard tomorrow (it's a yellow car!)

[2 Fast 4 U]

Originally Posted by blitz74 Well, I got a nice surprise yesterday - the seats are done! I decided on black Naugahyde (fake leather) and kept the same basic pattern as the original cloth seats (the only big change was making the headrests flat). They've got new foam and burlap, and freshly painted springs. I really like the texture of the Naugahyde, and the foam feels nice! You can tell just from the pictures that these are going to be really comfortable.

Seats are indeed looking very good, did you do it your self

Originally Posted by blitz74 The door panels are the same material, but they're on hold because the original cardboard backing was shot. So we managed to get a good one off the passenger side of the parts car, and we're making a trip to the junkyard on Monday to see if we can get a good driver's side panel off the Manta there.

How are you going to renew the door and rear panels??

Originally Posted by blitz74 We will still need to make the decorative wood strips that go over the door lock and across the panel, but I think that's about it.

I would like to know how you are going to make them!!

Keep up the good work!!!