'74 Manta project

[wagonfetish]

Here's my Manta as it is before restoration. Looks I'll be spending some time on the headlight wiring...

I want to hear your comments and suggestions!

http://www.opelgt.com/forums/album.php?albumid=65

[Gordy]

Looks like a great find...a good solid start. AC is nice to have as well. Going to keep the car all original? Keep us posted!

[tomking]

I'll say! Great car to begin with. Good Opeling.

[Aardvaark]

Good looking Manta. Is that the ARA ac system?

[jlthunder]

Very Nice Manta. You can probably get the tachometer from someone here and replace that blank on the dash. Or you can get the Clock if you don't like the tach.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

[DennisGardiner]

Yes, concur excellent starting point.

It also appears the seats have already been reupholstered as well as a new headliner installed.

The A/C very much looks to be a ARA system. Definitely not the GM system as I have one in my Manta.

The burned wire you have in the picture showing the back of the passenger head lights goes to the passenger fender side marker. Looks like a hard short to ground the way the wire is burned.

All in all you have a great starting point. The hardest part to get,... if you do not have will be the door panels.

[David McCollam]

As everyone said, you've got the basic makings of a good car. If you need parts, or a wiring harness/replacement glass, let me know. I have a stockpile of Manta parts in my garage.

That is an ARA underdash AC unit. Does it still work?

Good luck on the project.

Dave

[wagonfetish]

Thanks to all of you for your input!
I do plan on keeping it mostly stock, with the exception of a GT steering wheel and an outside chance of some wider rims, yet still fitting the look of an Opel from this era. Any ideas?

As far as the a/c goes, idk what kind it is or if it works. I'm waiting to repair the wiring before connecting a fresh battery (and then changing all fluids before cranking).

My G'rents did have the upholstery redone around the turn of the century (always wanted to use that phrase in relevant terms) and yes, I do have the door panels in the garage along with the missing window.

Anyone have upload-able wiring diagrams?

[oldopelguy]

Anyone have upload-able wiring diagrams?

There's already a set in the photo gallery.

Wiring Diagrams

[RallyBob]

Thanks to all of you for your input!
I do plan on keeping it mostly stock, with the exception of a GT steering wheel and an outside chance of some wider rims, yet still fitting the look of an Opel from this era. Any ideas?

I'm partial to widening the stock later model 4-spoke wheels. They look 'stock' but not quite....

These are 9" wide and powdercoated silver, then I hand-painted the black inset area with POR-15 chassis black (satin).

[opelbits]

Hey Bob-

Tell me that isn't a 13" Mickey dogbone on that wheel! Is the wheel 14 or 15"? Did the wheel spider fit into a stock rim or is it a custom made rim?

[Mike Preble]

PM me as I might have a complete wiring harness for a Manta. My wife would like for me to decrease my stockpile of parts.

Mike

[RallyBob]

Hey Bob-

Tell me that isn't a 13" Mickey dogbone on that wheel! Is the wheel 14 or 15"? Did the wheel spider fit into a stock rim or is it a custom made rim?

13" Mickey Thompson 'I'-block Sportsman tires. Unfortunately they're discontinued, and I got probably the last set early this year. It's a 13" x 9" rim, with the stock Opel centers welded in place to my specs (backspace).

[manta73wi]

Hey Steve, Nice Manta! Looks like you have a really nice starting point for your project. The fact that this car was your Grandparents' Opel makes it even better. As for wheels, you may want to keep watching this site, Craig's List and eBay for period wheels. I was recently able to get a set of 1970s German Ronal R1 aluminum wheels for one of my Mantas. Although they're not much wider (5.5"), I think they'll really set off the car nicely and are much lighter than the stock steel. Enjoy your Manta - they're great driving cars.
-Jeff W

[David McCollam]

If anyone needs a Manta wiring harness, if Mike doesn't have one, let me know. I have two or three in my stockpile.

Wired Up!

Dave

[OpelGT-de]

Good looking Manta .
Straight rust free rockers w/o waves and parallel door gaps close to the factory gaps, original paint (it seems so) , etc.. .,
are an evidence for a great restoration base .
If the body is OK, all other parts are available for reasonable money if you have time and not the slightest hurry.

[wagonfetish]

Good looking Manta .
Straight rust free rockers w/o waves and parallel door gaps close to the factory gaps, original paint (it seems so) , etc.. .,
are an evidence for a great restoration base .

Vielen dank!
The car was repainted almost 10 years ago to match as closely to the original farb as possible and has been kept under a cover since.
Ich habe vielen Deutsch vergessen...