This is great! I'm all for more classic Opel content in YT. I'm a fellow Opel enthusiast from Finland, and I've owned several RWD Opels from the 60s, 70s and 80s. At the moment, my only Opel is a '72 Ascona 1.9S. Keep up the good work!
@@AndrewDoesCarStuff you just have to put a jack under it. Then loosen the panhard bar and shocks. When you then lower the jack, the axle will swing below, you can pick the springs out easily.
@@Boerharms_Manta Yeah, that's what I did. Video of that is coming soon. The issue was when I had to move the axle into my shed and couldn't use anything to roll it, so had to lift and carry it a few feet. That sucker is heavy.
Nice work you do and a beautiful car, can't wait to see more! I owned nearly an identical Chrome Yellow '73 Manta Rallye which I bought brand new when I was 17. I even remember my original CA plate# - 935HBV. Have regretted selling that car to his day. I never lowered my car but did upgrade the shocks, first with "Mulholland" brand units which gave better handling but destroyed the ride quality then went straight to Konis which gave me the handling I was looking for and spared my kidneys on the ride side. Upgraded the tires to 285 radials on wider American Racing wheels and finished it off with a Monza brand free flow exhaust. Can't forget the mandatory period options of cocoa fiber floor mats and Bolder windshield tint strip. 🙂
Thank you! There's much more to come on this project, I've been working away and trying to figure out the best way to split it up into "episodes." I'm hoping that the ride won't be too harsh when I'm done, but I'm sure the difference will be pretty significant. Very cool that you had a similar car, there aren't many around anymore.
..that's a cool car...there was a guy in my neighborhood when i was a kid that had 2 white ones..don't know why he had 2 but they looked nice....this was in the late 70's...i never saw another one. ,ps,..you look like you could be the fourth Hanson brother from the movie Slap Shot.😃😃
Just found this video. Very cool! My brother had a 1973 Manta in high school. It had a Buick V6/4bbl/auto with a ford 9" rear. That was a monster. So much fun. Great looking car you have. I'd love to find one for myself.
That sounds fun! I'm not smart or brave enough to try different engines or drivetrain components, but keeping original stuff does help retain the car's value I suppose. More to come soon(ish)!
@@AndrewDoesCarStuff B manta is pretty similar in the rear, but the front setup is different. its got the dampers on top of the upper arms, instead of inside the springs. some other small things aswel, like the front swaybar setup. and the lower arms are way beefier
My grandparents bought my Aunts manta’s new from the local Buick dealership in 1973 or 4. One was white & other was powder blue. Must’ve been automatic transmission’s. P.S their big brother my Dad bought my Mom a 69 candet GT. 4sPd. Knowing she couldn’t drive a stick. A neighborhood family friend had a Cadet in around 1977 it was powder blue also, but not the cooler Manta.
Those end pieces are very difficult! I had to cut them in half. I finally tackled this in Episode 5, here is a shortcut: th-cam.com/video/2ukgvdK3y2c/w-d-xo.htmlsi=_FXDDeIGxS_DTvhK&t=1076
Yes, the car was originally a Luxus, so I kept those badges. Added on the Rallye badge because I thought it looked cool, and the car is increasingly turning into a sort of Rallye tribute.
@@AndrewDoesCarStuffRight, looking at one shot of the interior, I did see the wood grain insert Luxus passenger side door card. But those interiors only came in maroon or blue. I am readying my dads very original and rust 1973 free Manta Rallye for possible sale. Right now the Weber 32/36 DGV is being rebuilt and all the vacuum lines are being replaced. The car requires a great amount of effort to turn the front wheels when at low speeds. When you refurbished the steering rack what did you do? The car needs a lot more too. Among other things, getting the A/C, heater/defroster blower fan and rear window defroster working again. It is a bit of an electrical nightmare with the turn signals flashing at twice the rate they should. I'm figuring the flasher is the culprit. Oh, how did you apply/replace the Rallye stripes on your car? Back in 1979, during a repaint, my dad bought the factory stripe kit that the body shop promptly botched when they applied it. That kit has long been unavailable except in Europe. Thanks, Paul
![Rear Axle Removal & Undercarriage Detailing - Opel Manta A Suspension Upgrade [EP. 2]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/_ltZMNLDysc/mqdefault.jpg)
![Rear Axle Removal & Undercarriage Detailing – Opel Manta A Suspension Upgrade [EP. 2]](/img/tr.png)
![Front End Overhaul! 1973 Opel Manta A Suspension Upgrade [EP. 5]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/2ukgvdK3y2c/mqdefault.jpg)
Nice work, that car has coolest body lines.👍
Thanks Mike! I concur 😎
This is great! I'm all for more classic Opel content in YT. I'm a fellow Opel enthusiast from Finland, and I've owned several RWD Opels from the 60s, 70s and 80s. At the moment, my only Opel is a '72 Ascona 1.9S. Keep up the good work!
Thanks!
Way cool! Always loved the Opel Manta! Haven't seen one on the road in years! A true unicorn!
Thanks! Its uniqueness is part of why I enjoy it so much.
rear suspension is going to be a walk in the park, its super easy
All except for the part where I try to lift the rear axle by myself and hurt my back. But that's another story...
@@AndrewDoesCarStuff you just have to put a jack under it. Then loosen the panhard bar and shocks. When you then lower the jack, the axle will swing below, you can pick the springs out easily.
@@Boerharms_Manta Yeah, that's what I did. Video of that is coming soon. The issue was when I had to move the axle into my shed and couldn't use anything to roll it, so had to lift and carry it a few feet. That sucker is heavy.
@@AndrewDoesCarStuff yeahh lol! that thing is pretty much a solid cast steel part. When you've got a buddy to help you, it wouldve been better I think
Nice work you do and a beautiful car, can't wait to see more! I owned nearly an identical Chrome Yellow '73 Manta Rallye which I bought brand new when I was 17. I even remember my original CA plate# - 935HBV. Have regretted selling that car to his day. I never lowered my car but did upgrade the shocks, first with "Mulholland" brand units which gave better handling but destroyed the ride quality then went straight to Konis which gave me the handling I was looking for and spared my kidneys on the ride side. Upgraded the tires to 285 radials on wider American Racing wheels and finished it off with a Monza brand free flow exhaust. Can't forget the mandatory period options of cocoa fiber floor mats and Bolder windshield tint strip. 🙂
Thank you! There's much more to come on this project, I've been working away and trying to figure out the best way to split it up into "episodes." I'm hoping that the ride won't be too harsh when I'm done, but I'm sure the difference will be pretty significant. Very cool that you had a similar car, there aren't many around anymore.
..that's a cool car...there was a guy in my neighborhood when i was a kid that had 2 white ones..don't know why he had 2 but they looked nice....this was in the late 70's...i never saw another one. ,ps,..you look like you could be the fourth Hanson brother from the movie Slap Shot.😃😃
I've heard that one before, even though I haven't seen the movie!
@@AndrewDoesCarStuff LOL!...i see you finished the car..great work!
Just found this video. Very cool! My brother had a 1973 Manta in high school. It had a Buick V6/4bbl/auto with a ford 9" rear. That was a monster. So much fun. Great looking car you have. I'd love to find one for myself.
That sounds fun! I'm not smart or brave enough to try different engines or drivetrain components, but keeping original stuff does help retain the car's value I suppose. More to come soon(ish)!
I was wondering how to do chassis of
My Manta B, i have the answer !
Wonderfull vid !
Thanks man 🙏🏼
Thanks! Interesting that the B is so similar. Just means the A was ahead of its time. More on this project coming soon!
@@AndrewDoesCarStuff yes quit similar.
I’ll tell you how is it when i will be
On 🤘🏻
@@AndrewDoesCarStuff B manta is pretty similar in the rear, but the front setup is different. its got the dampers on top of the upper arms, instead of inside the springs. some other small things aswel, like the front swaybar setup. and the lower arms are way beefier
My grandparents bought my Aunts manta’s new from the local Buick dealership in 1973 or 4. One was white & other was powder blue. Must’ve been automatic transmission’s. P.S their big brother my Dad bought my Mom a 69 candet GT. 4sPd. Knowing she couldn’t drive a stick. A neighborhood family friend had a Cadet in around 1977 it was powder blue also, but not the cooler Manta.
Nice! This Manta was handed down to me from my mom, who is the 2nd owner since the 70s. It was originally silver.
id go with short Koni dampers and 60mm lowering springs its what i have on my Manta B, they're amazing
I'm looking forward to feeling the difference when it's all done!
I want to hear about how it rides after the work you did? Small improvement? Vast improvement?
I'll definitely give my impressions when it's done! I think it's going to be pretty significant, just hoping it won't be too hard.
Hallo, ich hätte da mal eine Frage? Bei 5:15 min, wie werden die Gummis Entfernt?
Those end pieces are very difficult! I had to cut them in half. I finally tackled this in Episode 5, here is a shortcut: th-cam.com/video/2ukgvdK3y2c/w-d-xo.htmlsi=_FXDDeIGxS_DTvhK&t=1076
@@AndrewDoesCarStuff Thanks
The Rallye badge on the trunk lid goes to the right of the Manta script. I don't know what you have there now, a Luxus badge?
Yes, the car was originally a Luxus, so I kept those badges. Added on the Rallye badge because I thought it looked cool, and the car is increasingly turning into a sort of Rallye tribute.
@@AndrewDoesCarStuffRight, looking at one shot of the interior, I did see the wood grain insert Luxus passenger side door card. But those interiors only came in maroon or blue. I am readying my dads very original and rust 1973 free Manta Rallye for possible sale. Right now the Weber 32/36 DGV is being rebuilt and all the vacuum lines are being replaced. The car requires a great amount of effort to turn the front wheels when at low speeds. When you refurbished the steering rack what did you do? The car needs a lot more too. Among other things, getting the A/C, heater/defroster blower fan and rear window defroster working again. It is a bit of an electrical nightmare with the turn signals flashing at twice the rate they should. I'm figuring the flasher is the culprit. Oh, how did you apply/replace the Rallye stripes on your car? Back in 1979, during a repaint, my dad bought the factory stripe kit that the body shop promptly botched when they applied it. That kit has long been unavailable except in Europe. Thanks, Paul
I say lower it and for any reason you don’t like it you can always go back with a simple polyurethane spacer
I'll hang on to the old springs just in case :D