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oldopelguy
oldopelguy HalfDork
3/24/09 9:25 a.m.

Tossing out a couple of feelers to see if anyone is interested. Did the math on another trip to take them back to storage on the farm and it might be a better option to just sell them and take the loss than sped the money on gas to keep them. Both are RWD and have engine bays big enough to take most anything you want to install.

-First is a 1973 Opel Manta coupe. Body's got a few dings here and there but not much rust at all, radiator support was cut for a larger radiator, engine is a GM rebuilt 1900 of as of yet undetermined condition. Interior has been partially stripped, was originally a "Blue Max" custom order with auto trans, sunroof, vinyl top, and corduroy interior, but I think I have most of the missing parts from a regular Manta to go in it. Glass is good. Asking $500 and comes with title. These weigh 2300# with the stock cast-iron drivetrain, and handling is legendary.

-Second is a 1971 Opel Kadett 4-door. One of only 600 or so 4-doors imported during the only year they were imported, you may never see another one. Looks like a 2/3 scale shoebox Nova. Body has some rust along door sills and behind rear wheels and a couple dings here and there. Engine is a high compression 1900 with Weber carb and auto trans, and it runs well. Maybe not something I'd head cross-country at 85mph in, but I drive it all the time and never worry about it not getting me there. Needs paint, headliner, and widow rubber in a bad way, but you should be able to drive it home. Sports BMW 2002 Alpina turbine wheels too, for that extra touch of class. Asking $800 and comes with clear title. Weighs in at 1900# with the cast iron drivetrain, so plenty light even for a 4-door. I drive this all the time, it's a blast.

Lots of additional parts available as well, most anything to finish either or both I have here somewhere. Buy either and I'll include a Miata 1.8L and 5-speed, with everything you should need to run it, for another $300. Installed in either it would drop the weight of the car by 150-200# and double the HP. Free delivery available for the Kadett to Atlanta or Charlotte, further for the Kadett or anywhere for the Manta for gas $.

bigwrench
bigwrench Reader
3/24/09 9:30 a.m.

Pics???

oldopelguy
oldopelguy HalfDork
3/24/09 9:36 a.m.

I'll see what I can do about getting a few pics up and hosted this evening, and probably just post over in the classifieds if nothing else. I can e-mail them to anyone interested this evening as well, just drop me an e-mail.

jwdmotorsports
jwdmotorsports Reader
3/24/09 9:47 a.m.

Man, I've always wanted an Opel Manta.

I'm going to be over your way in May. I'm seriously thinking I need to swing by and check out your collection. You seem to always have cool stuff for sale.

oldopelguy
oldopelguy HalfDork
3/24/09 9:51 a.m.

You have no idea, seriously, no idea.

HeavyDuty
HeavyDuty New Reader
3/24/09 4:10 p.m.

Wow, pics of the coupe to george406 AT hotmail.

I really shouldn't. I don't know if I can. But I want to. I may be moving in to a bigger shop so I may as well start looking at something else to take up space...

dean1484
dean1484 GRM+ Memberand Dork
3/24/09 4:15 p.m.

Where are you / the cars. The Kadett plus Miata goodness would be a hoot!

93celicaGT2
93celicaGT2 Dork
3/24/09 4:25 p.m.

Isn't the Manta the car that the Volvo twincharged MantaRay is based on?

oldopelguy
oldopelguy HalfDork
3/24/09 7:27 p.m.

The Manta is the basis for that car, and they are awesome handling cars as-is.
Manta pics HERE Kadett pics HERE

96DXCivic
96DXCivic Reader
3/24/09 9:10 p.m.

Nice. If I could sell my Midgets, I would love to buy that Manta. I don't suppose you would want to trade.

oldopelguy
oldopelguy HalfDork
3/25/09 10:22 a.m.

I'm thinking it might be even tougher to move 3 Midgets than two opels, so while my location is still in flux I'll have to pass. No titles are a big downer too. Between what you've got and the 1.5 Midgets I've already got we could certainly get a couple of running and driving Midgets back on the road, though.

914Driver
914Driver Dork
3/25/09 11:41 a.m.

$800 for a Manta AND Miata gear?

I hate you. That's just wrong. I can do SC in 13 hours.

oldopelguy
oldopelguy HalfDork
3/25/09 11:51 a.m.

And if you still had those race wheels we could totally work them in for a swap too, Dan. And yes you can do here in 13 hours, I did it once while I was living in Ballston Spa....

Seriously, this is a sunroof Manta with the small bumpers. The most desireable combination of all the Mantas. Sure it'll need some work, but that $800 puts you well on the way to a heck of a challenge car or excellent daily driver.

I've also got a set of Miata daisies that will fit on with included small spacers on the front (or enlarging the center hole) that I'll toss in with a couple sets of aged racing tires for another $75 as well.

ultraclyde
ultraclyde New Reader
3/25/09 12:05 p.m.

I pulled a 2dr Kadett out of a guys yard several years ago - exact same year and color, but it was a 4speed. the engine was seized and it would have taken almost $1500 just to make the brake system functional, but man it was a cool little car. I always wondered what one would be like in running condition. I ended up giving it away for free to a someone in a near-by town that is an opel fanatic. I posted it on the OpelGT forums at the time - OldOpel you may have seen it there.

It's a shame I don't have the scratch to get the four door....

914Driver
914Driver Dork
3/25/09 2:27 p.m.
oldopelguy wrote: And if you still had those race wheels we could totally work them in for a swap too, Dan. And yes you can do here in 13 hours, I did it once while I was living in Ballston Spa.... .

Forgot all about those wheels, I still have them.

oldopelguy
oldopelguy HalfDork
3/25/09 3:51 p.m.
ultraclyde wrote: I always wondered what one would be like in running condition.

You're welcome to come take it for a spin and find out. I might even bring it down to a autocross in Atlanta sometime this summer.

Trades for something smaller than a whole car might be considered. The goal is to not have to make another whole trip with the 2-car trailer wa more than it is to raise actual cash.

EvanB
EvanB GRM+ Memberand Reader
3/25/09 3:58 p.m.

How about a trade for two 73 Suzuki GT250s (one in pieces)? I would be interested in the Kadett

96DXCivic
96DXCivic Reader
3/25/09 4:09 p.m.

Are there any parts you need for your Midgets that you might be willing to trade for the Manta?

oldopelguy
oldopelguy HalfDork
3/25/09 5:48 p.m.

If the bikes have titles, both motors run, and you show up on my doorstep with them the Kadett is yours.

I'd rather keep the Manta than the Midget, really, but no one seems to be buying $300 Midgets with weird fiberglass body kits right now either.

thewelder
thewelder New Reader
3/25/09 5:53 p.m.

Where are the opels at. Might be interested if they are not to far away. Chad

oldopelguy
oldopelguy HalfDork
3/25/09 5:55 p.m.

Pickens, SC, 29671 for these, though I have 7 more in SD....

EvanB
EvanB GRM+ Memberand Reader
3/25/09 9:11 p.m.
oldopelguy wrote: If the bikes have titles, both motors run, and you show up on my doorstep with them the Kadett is yours...

Well they both have titles but only one runs. I don't have the time to make the 9 hour drive anyway though, it was a long shot.

friedgreencorrado
friedgreencorrado Reader
3/26/09 8:45 p.m.

Is it true that a set of pop-up pistons for a Chevy 350 will go straight into an Opel 1900 motor?

Gook luck with the sale..one of my buddies in high school had a Manta, and I've liked the Opels of that era ever since. Of course in my HS days, "that era" was only about 5 years previous..

oldopelguy
oldopelguy HalfDork
3/27/09 9:52 a.m.
friedgreencorrado wrote: Is it true that a set of pop-up pistons for a Chevy 350 will go straight into an Opel 1900 motor?

No, but if you stroke the crank a bit and bore the heck out of it flat-top 305 pistons will go in and you end up with a 2.4L. I'm actually working on a ford/opel hybrid myself right now, 255 v-8 pistons on Pinto rods on the opel crank should b 1.95L with longer rods than stock.

friedgreencorrado
friedgreencorrado Reader
3/28/09 12:40 a.m.
oldopelguy wrote:
friedgreencorrado wrote: Is it true that a set of pop-up pistons for a Chevy 350 will go straight into an Opel 1900 motor?
No, but if you stroke the crank a bit and bore the heck out of it flat-top 305 pistons will go in and you end up with a 2.4L. I'm actually working on a ford/opel hybrid myself right now, 255 v-8 pistons on Pinto rods on the opel crank should b 1.95L with longer rods than stock.

Sweeeeet! A 2.5ltr in a Manta would a real giant killer. I wish I could take the blue one off your hands and try that little piston trick for myself. And the longer rods on the 2ltr you're building sounds like it'll be the Torque God of 4-cyl when you're done with it. What do you do to get the heads to breathe?

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