Drag Racing Mantas........

[layindoor]

Does anyone else here drag race a Manta, or have any pics of some? Here are a couple of pictures of mine, It has a full tube chassis, and a 540 cubic inch big block chevy, it has been a best of 8.56 @ 157mph in the quarter in street trim (full exaust, all lights work, tags and insurance on it too.....lol)

[jeff denton]

That is extremely awesome! Please put lots of pictures (details of how it's built) in the photo gallery. I want to see more.

[calvin]

well it won't do it in the quarter mile but am working on breaking one forty with slightly improved 1.9. That looks like it is a lot of fun to drive. Corners are pesky I bet though.

[layindoor]

Yeah, its a whole lot of fun, but corners do suck....lol I'm in the process of building a new one now. I'm building another 74 Manta, I'm gonna try and run some quick 16 and outlaw Street races with it. This car will be capable of running in the low 7's in the quarter, and if I can come up with some more money for a 632, it will be into the 6's. I'll take tons of pictures of the building of it. It will be an all chrommolly chassis, 4-link rear, strange struts on the front and some 16.5X33 inch tires on the rear. And the cool part is the rockers only sit 4 inches off the ground, and it tucks all the tire under the rear. Should be a cool car, I'm gonna try and build it as the Worlds fastest street legal Opel manta, Thats why I was ondering if anyone know of any others out there.

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by layindoor Should be a cool car, I'm gonna try and build it as the Worlds fastest street legal Opel manta, Thats why I was ondering if anyone know of any others out there.

Lots of GT's have been built as drag cars, but not many Mantas. For an even stranger choice, check this car out: http://www.opel6070club.com/asconaET/index.htm
I believe that since it's been updated the car is well into the 8's, and the car is still Opel-engine based and considered 'road legal' in Finland.

I've only seen about 4 drag race Mantas including yours though!

Bob

[jeff denton]

Neato. I admire your ambition and your "dare to be different" choice of autos.
I did drag racing too but found asphalt oval track stock car racing to be much easier, less expensive and more competitive. Even more "politically almost acceptable" somehow hereabouts... My Opel is Speedway GT, see it in Photo Gallery under "J".
At gt.com you can find some really bad 1/4 mile GTs, and another is being brainstormed presently both on and off this site by myself and another member so far. Its build will be seen here a lot when it actually begins in earnest, the plan so far seems to resemble almost Pro Stock style, as far as I can tell.
May I offer one little bit of advice? If you're following another recent topic you may notice it isn't exactly encouraged here to so radically alter a perfectly good restorable Opel. If you start with what the purists agree is pure junk that could otherwise never run again you may find better acceptance into this extremely talented, wise, and helpful Opel family.
Some of us have the abilities to create something out of what others need hauled away, you appear to be one of them!
I think most of this site is about keeping running Opels alive, there isn't much technical help here about building a car like yours but there will be lots of interest and encouragement if everybody likes it. Racing threads here involve cars that are still mostly all Opel, extensively modified yes but major components are actual Opel based. Some of us are extremely into it, one is probably the world's foremost expert, myself I know very little about these funny little cars but have managed to build one to be used in the sport I have loved for years. One thing I have to do yet while I can still stand up unassisted is run something at Bonneville, maybe someday...
Hope to see you here often, and good luck!
Oh, my! That is one wicked little blue wagon you showed us, Bob.

[layindoor]

[quote=jeff denton]May I offer one little bit of advice? If you're following another recent topic you may notice it isn't exactly encouraged here to so radically alter a perfectly good restorable Opel. If you start with what the purists agree is pure junk that could otherwise never run again you may find better acceptance into this extremely talented, wise, and helpful Opel family.
Some of us have the abilities to create something out of what others need hauled away, you appear to be one of them!
QUOTE]


This car was built 20 years ago, by my dad, and was bought as just a shell that someone had gutted. The new car I'm building actually has 5 different cars making the body. I've just saved useable parts from cars that people said were junk. The quarter pannels are almost all new (I work with metal alot) and the rest of the body has came from wrecks and junkers. I realize that it is not a true Opel, because of it only having the Opel shell, but it is also only one of my 5 Mantas. and the only one that is this heavily modified.

[jeff denton]

Excellent! I'm sure everybody here will approve!
There's a manta in the junkyard a few miles north of my house that somebody should grab. Fairly trashed but hardly any miles on the new engine, they say. Not rusty as far as I can see. It was supposedly complete when I saw it three months ago. but it was on top of a stack three cars high, I couldn't see inside at all.
Price was $125. If you need it let me know, I'll take the engine and trans.

[v6transplant]

Very cool and very rare to see a Manta into a drag car.

Looking forward to seeing more pics.

[layindoor]

Originally Posted by jeff denton Excellent! I'm sure everybody here will approve! There's a manta in the junkyard a few miles north of my house that somebody should grab. Fairly trashed but hardly any miles on the new engine, they say. Not rusty as far as I can see. It was supposedly complete when I saw it three months ago. but it was on top of a stack three cars high, I couldn't see inside at all. Price was $125. If you need it let me know, I'll take the engine and trans.

i'd buy it if I was closer. how much would it cost to ship a car to Ohio? I'm always looking for another Opel project.....lol

[Itsa '70 GT]

I ditto the cool Manta drag car! What class are you running out there? I'm the guy that has been in collaboration with Jeff Denton on my Super Gas GT. I just got back in from a car show and talked to several chassis guys, as I'm at that stage of construction myself. If you could post some construction/chassis pics, as suggested by Jeff, that would be terrific and help us other "gassers" not be so intimidated by the construction of these 1/4 mile monsters! Thanks for coming along on the Opel Drag Racing ride!

Bill

P.S.: Have you come across Dave Barrett who campaigns a '70 Gt in Super Gas? I just know he's from the eastern part of Ohio...

[layindoor]

Originally Posted by Itsa '70 GT I ditto the cool Manta drag car! What class are you running out there? I'm the guy that has been in collaboration with Jeff Denton on my Super Gas GT. I just got back in from a car show and talked to several chassis guys, as I'm at that stage of construction myself. If you could post some construction/chassis pics, as suggested by Jeff, that would be terrific and help us other "gassers" not be so intimidated by the construction of these 1/4 mile monsters! Thanks for coming along on the Opel Drag Racing ride! Bill P.S.: Have you come across Dave Barrett who campaigns a '70 Gt in Super Gas? I just know he's from the eastern part of Ohio...

No, I'm not sure if I've heard of him, but I'll take tons of pics, and post all of them along the way.

[Rionart]

That is one sweet looking Manta!
It was just last year I removed 4 Manta's from Ohio,....Cleveland to be exact.
Well, I removed 2, a friend took the third, and the fourth met an ugly end in the yard it where it was for sale.
John Mills used to circuit race a mean red Manta, can't remember what class he raced, but he was an Ohio resident...he had a pile of parts and a couple of spare shells. I think he moved on to a mazda??
There were pics around a while ago of a really nice black drag Manta...unfortunately doing a barrel roll half way through the quarter...big ouch!
Anyway, welcome to the group....a nicer bunch of lunatics (oops, I mean Opel enthusiasts ) you will not find.

[layindoor]

Originally Posted by Rionart That is one sweet looking Manta! It was just last year I removed 4 Manta's from Ohio,....Cleveland to be exact. Well, I removed 2, a friend took the third, and the fourth met an ugly end in the yard it where it was for sale. John Mills used to circuit race a mean red Manta, can't remember what class he raced, but he was an Ohio resident...he had a pile of parts and a couple of spare shells. I think he moved on to a mazda?? There were pics around a while ago of a really nice black drag Manta...unfortunately doing a barrel roll half way through the quarter...big ouch! Anyway, welcome to the group....a nicer bunch of lunatics (oops, I mean Opel enthusiasts ) you will not find.

yeah, the black one was my dads car, He built that one, and I got this one. That car was only a year old when that happened. I'm actually using part of the shell of that car, with a new roof and front end and stuff. I'll try to find the pics of it. We actually have pics of it rolling over, the photo guy was at the end of the track that day, but there kind of depressing to look at if you know what I mean.

[onebadopel]

I am glad to see I am not the only one drag racing opels on this site. Well working on it anyway. Opels are awesome looking as drag cars, and always get lots of attention. I am in the early stages of building a chromoly tube chasis, all steele, full stock (as much as possible) interior 69n GT. I would to see as many chasis pics as possible of others to compare with our design.

[Phoenix]

Just ran into this site with a bunch of pics of Drag Mantas.

[scrapman]

Great Pics and discussion. Manta's are indeed rare as a drag car but look great. I'm sure they would get plenty of attention at the track.

In case anyone is interested in trying to build a drag car, I have a pre-74 Manta sitting in my storage that I would be glad to sell. It's only a shell. No engine, tranny, interior, glass and is missing most anything of use. I rescued it from a pole above a local car lot where it served as a pigeon roost for over 20 years. Couldn't stand to see it go to the crusher. Pictures as it was when I got it in Scrapman's album. Since getting it, I've pulled a number of parts for use or to sell.

If your interested, drop a PM, we can discuss.

Rick

[layindoor]

Originally Posted by scrapman Great Pics and discussion. Manta's are indeed rare as a drag car but look great. I'm sure they would get plenty of attention at the track. In case anyone is interested in trying to build a drag car, I have a pre-74 Manta sitting in my storage that I would be glad to sell. It's only a shell. No engine, tranny, interior, glass and is missing most anything of use. I rescued it from a pole above a local car lot where it served as a pigeon roost for over 20 years. Couldn't stand to see it go to the crusher. Pictures as it was when I got it in Scrapman's album. Since getting it, I've pulled a number of parts for use or to sell. If your interested, drop a PM, we can discuss. Rick

PM sent....

[yellaopelgt]

Not a Manta...but came across this today on Craigslist....Do my eyes decieve me or is this a GT????Anyone remember this car if it truly is a gt???
ONE OF A KIND STREET LEGAL FUNNY CAR AND ALTERED BODY
Joe

[opelenvy]

Originally Posted by yellaopelgt Not a Manta...but came across this today on Craigslist....Do my eyes decieve me or is this a GT????Anyone remember this car if it truly is a gt??? ONE OF A KIND STREET LEGAL FUNNY CAR AND ALTERED BODY Joe

I don't want to take it any more off thread, but I googled and found this
Race Ads | For Sale: 70 OPEL FUNNY CAR STREET LEGAL 2 BODIES TRADE


"$17,950.00
70 OPEL FUNNY CAR STREET LEGAL 2 BODIES TRADE


LOOKING FOR THE PROJECT OF A LIFETIME? THIS IS ONE OF THE WILDEST STREET DRIVEN CARS EVER ASSEMBLED. THE BRAINCHILD OF AN OHIO STREET RODDER, THIS MACHINE FIRST APPEARED AT NATIONAL STREET ROD ASSOCIATION MEETS IN THE MID SEVENTIES AS THE FLIP TOP 1976 OPEL GT FUNNY CAR "MOODY BLUES". IN 1978 AND 1979, THIS SAME GEARHEAD WAS DROPPING JAWS AT THE STREET ROD NATIONALS IN A '23T ALTERED. IT WAS IN FACT THE SAME CHASSIS WITH TWO DISTINCT BODIES. THROUGH THE YEARS, DISPLAYED AT NUMEROUS STREET ROD AND HOT ROD SHOWS. IN RECENT OUTINGS, THE OPEL WAS AWARDED 2ND PLACE HONORS IN THE FUNNY CAR DIVISION AT 2005 AND 2006 WORLD OF WHEELS.

IN 1978 HOT ROD MAGAZINE RECOGNIZED A GROUP OF HARD CORE SUPER STREET PIONEERS DUBBED THE "WILD BUNCH". THIS GROUP WAS DEDICATED TO PUSHING THE ENVELOPE OF PERFORMANCE TO THE LIMIT- BUILDING BARELY STREETABLE GROUND POUNDERS, BLOWN, INJECTED, EVEN SOME EARLY TURBOS, AND RUNNING THEM ON THE NATION'S BOULEVARDS. THE ROOTS OF TODAY'S PRO STREET MANIA CAN BE TRACED DIRECTLY BACK TO THESE FIRST "GO FAST GUYS". THIS IS ONE OF THOSE PIONEERING VEHICLES. ALTHOUGH IT HAS BEEN STORED FOR A LONG TIME, THIS STREET DRIVEN FUNNY CAR/ALTERED IS STILL A NATIONALLY KNOWN PIECE OF STREET MACHINE HISTORY. FEATURED ARTICLES IN POPULAR HOT RODDING, HOT ROD, POPULAR HOT RODDING YEARBOOK, ETC.

NOTE-PLEASE READ THE AD CAREFULLY SO THERE ARE NO MISUNDERSTANDINGS OR CONFUSION. EVERYTHING IS SOLD IN ONE LOT AS A PACKAGE DEAL. IF YOU READ THE AD AND VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS, IT WILL BE CLEAR WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE. IT IS A PROJECT CAR- ALL THE HARD WORK HAS BEEN DONE. THE PACKAGE INCLUDES ENGINE-REBUILT AND INSTALLED, COMPLETE ROLLING CHASSIS, BOTH BODIES, AND EXTRA PARTS. ALSO INCLUDED ARE ALL THE MAGAZINES THAT FEATURED THE CAR. EACH SECTION WILL BE EXPLAINED CLEARLY IN THE AD. AGAIN, IT IS CURRENTLY A PROJECT THAT DOES NOT MOVE UNDER IT'S OWN POWER. A TRUE CAR GUY WILL SEE THAT THE PACKAGE IS NOT ALL THAT FAR AWAY FROM BEING COMPLETED. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A CAR TO JUMP IN AND TURN THE KEY, DON'T BID ON THIS CAR. IF YOU HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR A "ONE OF" TYPE STREET MACHINE, A WELL KNOWN HISTORICAL VEHICLE, AND AREN'T AFRAID TO JUMP IN AND TURN SOME WRENCHES, PLEASE READ ON.

EXTERIOR- Both bodies are fiberglass and still in the original lacquer finishes from back in the seventies. Note- the software would not allow me to load the auction unless I specified a number of doors, so I had to put in a number- obviously, neither body has doors. The Opel body was custom formed by the Ohian- lengthened 15" in the cowl area, chopped 6", and flared at all four fender wells. Body is in remarkable condition for it's vintage. Finish also still in great shape- you will see in the photo there are some minor shrinkage cracks on both rear wheel wells. Custom Blue Lacquer paint with marbelized anodizing and custom graphics. Look carefully at the graphics- this method hasn't been applied in decades. Old school painters refer to the method jokingly as "Smoke Wrench Graphics". In actuality it is a procedure that requires the utmost skill. After base paint and color graphics were applied, a smoking cutting torch was transversed across the graphics, then the whole finish was sealed. Stock front and rear bumpers. Chevy Vega grill. Corvair Monza headlights. Opel tail lights. Chevy Nova turn signals. Front and rear spoiler. Simpson parachute. Chrome four point bracing rod holds body in the raised position for display. See photo of extra parts- hydraulic body lift is included with the car but is not installed. The Opel earned second place honors is the Funny Car category at World of Wheels in 2005 and 2006.
The altered body is also finished in Custom Blue Lacquer. The same custom graphics were applied to the body. Look at the magazine picture of the altered. The radiator cowl and front dual wing go with the car. The mid and rear wing, and front wheel fairings do not. Quality of body and finish is equal to that of the Opel.

DRIVETRAIN- 1958 Chrysler 392 HP Hemi. Engine is a complete long block that was fully rebuilt 6 years ago and never run. Complete internally. Complete heads installed. Custom fabricated Zoomie Headers. Moon fuel tank. For display purposes at World of Wheels, the engine was mocked up with a blower, belt, etc. The GMC 6-71 blower, intake, all front pulleys and hardware, and the Enderle Bug Catcher Hat are included. The blower case only is mounted on the car. The internals are in the photo of the parts and are included. There is no fuel delivery system with the car- just the hat. Cross Flow Corvette radiator and cooling fan not installed but included. So to summarize, you have a complete rebuilt Hemi that you may have to do some work on before you fire it and a blower that will need rebuilding. You will have to install a fuel delivery system of your choice, as well as some miscellaneous plumbing and wiring. You will also have to plumb the cooling system. There is a bell housing, but no transmission. Again, the software forced me to enter a trans type, but there is none. In the parts photo, you will see a driveshaft included that bolted up to the original Clutchflite trans. Original chromed Olds narrowed differential with 4.56 gears and Henry's Axles. Chrome wheelie bars.

CHASSIS- Custom fabricated 1 3/4" tubed chassis. 110" wheelbase. Front straight tube axle, dropped 4". Anglia front spindles. Four Link Split Wishbone- Koni coil over shocks. SPE steering. No front brakes- it's light- don't need them. Rear suspension is ladder bar with coil over shocks. Hurst/Airheart Dual Spot rear disc brakes. Recent full Funny Car cage- will accomodate large driver. Padded racing seat with harnesses. Mini steering wheel. Fuel and brake hardware. Drag star 15" front wheels with Skinnies. Centerline rims Goodyear 32x14.5x15 slicks on rear.

This Hot Rod offers many interesting possibilities. For an immediate thrill, it can be trailered to World of Wheels, Good Guys, etc. as is and shown. If you complete the project, it can be shown or raced as either a Funny Car or Altered. Or you can form your own "Wild Bunch" and drive it on the street. As to value of this piece of history, start adding up the package components- vintage rebuilt Chrysler Hemi, two vintage fiberglass bodies in complete paint, tube chassis with all the right front and rear component