Tough day...might have made a dumb choice.

[owdlvr]

The car was posted up on BringATrailer.com a couple of days ago, got the contact info and called the owner. I'm not an Opel diehard, by any stretch, but I have a big thing for classics. The Manta's are more rare then hens teeth in North America, and a Rallye version (gauge pack, flat black hood, different gearing) is just icing on the cake.



The photos the owner emailed me, and the asking price of $1500 almost seemed too good to be true. It's been stored for the past few years, and I was going down knowing that engine issues put it up on blocks. Only other major issue is the battery tray rot, which is common and a structural issue which is a @#$%! to repair.



Drove down to take a look (3hrs) and wished I could bring it home. A few chips and poor touch-ups detract significantly from the driver's side, and the factory flat black hood has been repainted gloss black at some point. I figured Blake at Northwest Auto Salon in Seattle could fix those two issues...beyond that the car is as it left the factory. I've never seen a car with 97,000 miles on it look so clean and original.



Having said that, when it came to negotiate on price there was no movement and my gut just told me no. I like the car, quite a bit, but it didn't grab me so hard I had to have it. I'm already regretting walking away, but at the same time I know my gut reaction when it comes to vehicles is always correct. I had my price I was willing to pay (which was damned close to asking) but at some point you just have to stick to it.



Dumb mistake? Maybe. But it's done.

I guess the white bug really will get it's big motor now...

-Dave

[Geoff]

I'd roll that in a heatbeat! Where was it located?

[egspot]

Love the original Opel (specially at that price) but I think you made the right choice.

[owdlvr]

Car is located in Mount Vernon, WA.

Here are the issues I saw upon viewing it:

- Battery tray issue is significant. On a Manta, battery tray rot is usually an instant pass as it's structural (think shock towers and you've basically got the idea). The only reason to consider it on this car, is because the rest is essentially perfect. Dash, interior, electrical and much of the engine bay needs to come out for a proper repair.

- Driver's side of the car likely needs a repaint to match the wow factor of the rest of the car. It has 3 or 4 chips that are penny or half-penny sized and touched up with a poor match. The rest of the car is so good, it just drops the impression so much. Imagine Geoffs car with a penny sized chip 3" behind the driver's door handle.

- '74 had big aluminum 5mph bumpers. The mounts are completely different from the Euro versions. Euro bumpers are 600GBP plus mounts, and fabrication. Removing the US bumpers leaves a row of holes in both the front and rear end that detract from the look, and would require filling and repainting to properly repair.

- I fit, but just barely. Head touches the headliner.

- Motor issues are likely to be a timing chain that is off by one tooth...but the buyer is taking a chance. So, for me at least, I would consider this as a shell with donor motor only. Try finding a 1.9L Opel engine in North America ;-)

- A car needs to grab me, and say "bring me home". The Manta, wasn't screaming loud enough.

I had a price in mind, and a price I was willing to pay after seeing the above. We couldn't meet...so I guess the Frose brothers get another order for engine parts!

-Dave

[Lanny]

Opel 1.9?? Geoff has a small displacement 50's vintage engine waiting for something..

[Geoff]

I think I'd need some stiffer springs for that engine