Belkits 1/24 Opel Manta Grp. 5

[Pettersson]

This is another project I started last year. I've had this idea grinding in my head since I picked up this kit. The idea is to build a Group 5-ish Opel Manta using the Belkits kit. The inspiration comes from the Scandinavian version of Group 5, Super Saloon, from the 80's mixed with the German STT series (Spezial Tourenwagen Trophy). There was one particular Opel Manta racing in Sweden that looks as pretty as a jewel. But since a fellow modeller in Sweden is already buling a copy of that car, I decided to go for a fantasy build of something that could have raced in the early 80's.


I got professional help from my daughter to cut the body


Fender flares and rear wing removed.


The idea is to use the fantastic Monogram IMSA Mustang as a donor since I had afew of them in my stash.


Some more parts I'm going to use.


Preparing for a rear wing.


Making of the rear wing. I don't remember the origin of the wing itself, but I think it came from a radio controlled car I had as a kid.


Test fit...


Mocking up the fenders. I had to fill with styrene and make new wheelhouses to achieve the correct stance and wheelbase.


The donor!


The Monogram Mustang lacks the level of details I want for this build, so I start making some changes.


And a quick mock-up to let you know what my goal is.

This was from my first month of building during january 2019. More to come!

[potsie]

Very cool idea and nice progress so far.

[Pettersson]

Some more pictures when modifying the body etc.




























Adding some air vents.




And also on the rear end, to fill the gap between the stock fender and the flares.



Next update will focus more on the chassis, stay tuned and thanks for looking!

[stratos75]

Nice progress!

[Pettersson]

I started building the a-arms for the front suspension.


I have never used math this much while building model cars as with this project...




Since the donor is the Zakspeed Mustang, I'm also looking at the Ford Capri Grp.5 for inspiration and reference since they are the same car under the skin. I'm thinking this Manta was built by a former Zakspeed employer that used a lot of Capri/Mustang parts thanks to being a good friend of Peter Zakowski. Or something like that




I did some new inner panels for the doors, just for a change.

And some more mock-ups:







Took some time to measure where the front wing should be placed.






After spending alot of time to align the different parts I cut the front end off.




This way I can either remove just the bonnet, or the whole front end.


Test fit of the roll cage supplied with the IMSA Mustang kit.


Again, I wanted to do something else than measure, test fit, modify, measure, test fit etc. so I started building some parts I need later. This is supposed to be a catch tank.


Test fit.

My main inspiration is a Manta that raced in Sweden in the early 80's (and it raced well into the 90's, too) as I mentioned earlier. This car had a BMW (!) M88 engine from the M1, as the Super Saloon regulations allowed more freedom to try and keep the costs down. Unfortunately, with me being born 1985 I didn't have chance to hear it live with straight pipes and no noise restrictions. But I can close my eyes and dream about it . I was either going for a V8 or an inline-six, to try and keep it period correct. I decided to go for the M88, it's such a beautiful engine.


I didn't have any M1's in my stash so I took the engine from a Fujimi BMW 635 that's been looted for parts before. I did a few modifications to try and make into a poor man's M88.


Made a new sump since this will have a dry sump system. I used 2,5 mm aluminum wire to make the exhaust manifold. First time trying this type of material.



And after bending some more...




Next up, time to build more engine parts

[iliasbass]

quite interesting!!!!

[afxracing]

Impressive work.

[Pettersson]

Thanks, I'm happy you like it. So far I'm having such a good time building this out of my head and not a replica.

I started painting the chassis and did some mock-ups while test fitting parts








Modifying the valve cover a bit


Scratch building new parts


Built some new parts and a new intake manifold. The part in the middle is the dry sump pump


And after some paint and detailing




Wheels painted and assembled


I had problems finding material for the intake throttle bodies. Evergreen strips were too soft etc. But I found some Lego that worked perfectly! This material could be thin enough. I drilled it to make hollow, and than glued thin styrene strips as fuel injectors






After some paint and assembly. I just love air intake trumpets


The fuel lines were a pain to assemble...


Started bulding the front suspension


I modified the hood with some new air vents




And ending this update with some mock-up shots. It's not yet standing on it's own wheels (only the rear does), still got some work to do on the front suspension. But I save it for the next update.

[Nissanmotorsport]

Looks great

[Pettersson]

Some more fun scratchbuilding




















The parts from the donor kit was lacking details, so I wanted to build my own parts








Modifying windows and making new ones




Time to build headlamps etc that will be fitted to the chassi and line up with the removable front section. This required a fair bit of patience and measurements






It felt great during the final assembly of the chassis and engine etc. All hoses, wires etc. that needed to be "hooked up"






Body is being prepared for paint, next update will reveal the colors and livery

[afxracing]

Coming along very nicely.

[racer1]

nice work,so far

[Mech@niC]

What a amzazing subject!
a Manta group 5, W O W

[Nissanmotorsport]

Amazing project, I love it

[JesusM]

wow....big and great project!! Well done!!