Manta Muffler Mobile

[scrapman]

Opel's can come in all forms. The tail lights gave this one away last weekend in Springfield, MO. I spotted them across the parking lot and suspected the worst. I have seen this "Car" many times over the past years sitting at a muffler shop. Under the galvanized outerwear sits a chop top Manta enduring the ravages of the elements. I think it rates right up there with the ugly duckling.

Rick

http://www.opelgt.com/photos//data/500/IMG_1737.JPGhttp://www.opelgt.com/photos//data/5...s/IMG_1739.JPGhttp://www.opelgt.com/photos//data/5...s/IMG_1738.JPGhttp://www.opelgt.com/photos//data/5.../IMG_17413.JPG

[opelnut10]

At least they are getting some use (Rolling Billboard) out of this manta instead of curshing it and making razor blades with it. While it is not pretty I think the intent serves it's purpose. If you stop there and talk to them, maybe they have some spare parts laying around that they want to get rid of. You never know where these things will turn up, Someone on this site found one on top of a building or some such thing, and robbed some birds out of a good home everyone sees these cars in a different light, one man's junk is another man's good used parts

[yellaopelgt]

Those are some weird looking rims!!!!
Joe

[BQS4]

Originally Posted by yellaopelgt Those are some weird looking rims!!!! Joe

Joe;
Those look like American Racing "Vector" type mags, they're actually pretty good looking. But, that's just my opinion.

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by BQS4 Joe; Those look like American Racing "Vector" type mags, they're actually pretty good looking. But, that's just my opinion.

They do actually look a little better at a different angle. They are an older style so some may not appreciate them as much as some of us old folks.

Harold

[manta73wi]

Rick, Good ID on the car...very interesting, but a shame that the interior has decayed so much! It looks the car was even a '71-'73 Rallye based on the early style console, tach, steering wheel, screws left under radio where gauge pack were, fog light switch on the dash, and black door panels. What a way for a Rallye to end up!! BTW, I like the wheels, too!
-Jeff W

[scrapman]

It is at least a pre-1973 model due to missing the outer airvents. It's an automatic so I don't think it's a rallye. Irregardless, it's pretty much toast. I talked to the shop manager next day. No extra parts and not willing to consider any parts removal (if there is anything worth salvaging.) It was rusting pretty good from what i saw. The windshield might have been salvagable. Tried to swap one with a small amount of de-lam fog on it, but he would not even consider it. Strange you should mention the bird house, that's my parts car. Got it off a pole at a local car dealer. Pics in my members album.
I hope this isn't a pattern. Would be nice to come across an Opel in drivable condition for once. I've seen pictures of a a coupel of opels with similar if not the same wheels and they do look sharp on a Manta.

Rick

[opelnut10]

Originally Posted by scrapman It is at least a pre-1973 model due to missing the outer airvents. It's an automatic so I don't think it's a rallye. Irregardless, it's pretty much toast. I talked to the shop manager next day. No extra parts and not willing to consider any parts removal (if there is anything worth salvaging.) It was rusting pretty good from what i saw. The windshield might have been salvagable. Tried to swap one with a small amount of de-lam fog on it, but he would not even consider it. Strange you should mention the bird house, that's my parts car. Got it off a pole at a local car dealer. Pics in my members album. I hope this isn't a pattern. Would be nice to come across an Opel in drivable condition for once. I've seen pictures of a a coupel of opels with similar if not the same wheels and they do look sharp on a Manta. Rick

Well it was worth a stop anyway, now you know what is there and what he will get rid of, while is zilch. You seem to have a knack for spotting Opels in odd places and in verious states of customization. At one time when I was working on them on a regular basis and we were buying up parts cars, I could spot one sitting in a back yard, driveway or on a lot at 45 MPH while on patrol in the Police Car Of course I never tried to buy one while on the City's time

[Gordy]

Doing that work on the poor Manta looks extremely EXHAUSTING! I wonder if he wears a muffler when driving it since there is no roof?