Opel commodore A

[Paulbarrett]

Here we have one of my latest acquisitions, a 1968 opel commodore A. Having had a fair few Opel mantas now and still have, when this came along for sale on another forum I really wanted it.
The deal was struck and I went I pick it up a few weeks later.

 

[Paulbarrett]

I’ve been cracking away at getting it roadworthy for the restoration show at the NEC end of March.

I have rebuilt completely the rear brakes. Sourcing parts for this thing is difficult with the model specific parts.
I managed to use Opel mant tear drums re drilled to the correct 5x120 PCD. Sourced some NOS rear shoes, rear cylinders are the same as Opel manta.

Fronts I’ve had to skim the old discs. Rebuilt the front calipers with new seals and bleed nipples, repainted and a mate blasted them up. Had the hubs blasted too to install new bearings.

 

[Rrobson]

Good luck with the impending restoration!
The old man had a black manta gte back in the day. Unfortunately like most cars of that ear it succumbed to rot and subsequently got rid. I do t remember it as I was so young but I’ve seen photos. Quite a nice looking car for the day!

 

[Paulbarrett]

The steering was vague too.
So I’ve rebuilt one side of the situation for now. New pivot bearing sources from Portugal. Removing the old one was an ****, installing wasn’t so bad.
New rod ends sourced and part matched with an Alfa GT.

 

[Paulbarrett]

Good luck with the impending restoration!
The old man had a black manta gte back in the day. Unfortunately like most cars of that ear it succumbed to rot and subsequently got rid. I do t remember it as I was so young but I’ve seen photos. Quite a nice looking car for the day!

I have x2 A series manta, a GTE exclusive that’s near finished now for the summer. A couple shell too. I do like an old Opel.
But this commodore is the icing on the cake as it’s so much rarer.

 

[roofman]

Are they Turbovec wheels? used to get them in the popular 10x15 American fitment..great restro btw

 

[pedrobedro]

A friend of mine had a yellow Ascona, nice car at the time.

 

[frank horton]

I got parts for an NSU from Egypt....dont laugh.....
Greece and N Africa etc are also good for the old car parts...

 

[Paulbarrett]

Are they Turbovec wheels? used to get them in the popular 10x15 American fitment..great restro btw

Yeah, it came with two sets. 15s on it but they are tired. And a new set of 14s so I’ve source some new tyres as it needed some and fitted them for now.

 

[Paulbarrett]

I got parts for an NSU from Egypt....dont laugh.....
Greece and N Africa etc are also good for the old car parts...

Like what you you like mate, I get ripped all the time from family and friends for buying old rusty bangers, until they find out their value has doubled in a few years lol.

You are correct have got quite a few bits from Greece.

 

[Paulbarrett]

A friend of mine had a yellow Ascona, nice car at the time.

Flat nosed manta. I had an ascona voyage briefly. A two door estate, basically a manta A series. It’s being restored now, very rare car only 3 known left in right hand drive.

 

[Blobber]

Nice, I did wonder what happened to this, are you going to keep the front end or put it back to origional? I do have the parts microfiche for these if you need any part numbers

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Here we have one of my latest acquisitions, a 1968 opel commodore A. Having had a fair few Opel mantas now and still have, when this came along for sale on another forum I really wanted it.
The deal was struck and I went I pick it up a few weeks later.

View attachment 388462

Did you get a Daisy with it? (I could have posted a much more revealing pic but thought better of it)

 

[Paulbarrett]

Nice, I did wonder what happened to this, are you going to keep the front end or put it back to origional? I do have the parts microfiche for these if you need any part numbers

I like the front as it goes. Not a fan of stock front end.
I will be doing something with it in the future Jen it gets some proper attention but for now it all stays.

I have the English translated big manual already for it which is a rare thing.

 

[Paulbarrett]

Did you get a Daisy with it? (I could have posted a much more revealing pic but thought better of it)

View attachment 388508

I wish, I’ll get the GF to dress up!

 

[Bullet2012]

Always fancied one of the Opel GT , sort of corvette styling

was one for sale at the London classic show, in the barn find collection. luckily (or not) SWMBO was with me and she had a firm hand on the wallet.

 

[Paulbarrett]

Always fancied one of the Opel GT , sort of corvette styling

View attachment 388516View attachment 388517View attachment 388518View attachment 388519

was one for sale at the London classic show, in the barn find collection. luckily (or not) SWMBO was with me and she had a firm hand on the wallet.
View attachment 388523

On my list next lol, tiny little things but share a lot with manta A series parts wise so it’s a win win

 

[Bullet2012]

On my list next lol, tiny little things but share a lot with manta A series parts wise so it’s a win win

wanted one since I was a 17 year old apprentice and we had one in for a service, probably helped that the lady owner had legs that seemed to never end.

 

[OJCar]

A friend of mine had a yellow Ascona, nice car at the time.

Ex GF had a yellow Ascona.
It gave its life to save ours when attacked by a double decker bus in Glasgow.
( Ascona with 4 adults and a teenager was pushed 42 meters sideways, rear axle ripped out, by a double decker bus who was "doing less than 30mph" officer, when he came through a red light ).

Nice resto your doing.

 

[stuvy]

Always fancied one of the Opel GT , sort of corvette styling

View attachment 388516View attachment 388517View attachment 388518View attachment 388519

was one for sale at the London classic show, in the barn find collection. luckily (or not) SWMBO was with me and she had a firm hand on the wallet.
View attachment 388523

I started work with a chap that had a customer who wanted his homemade pick up turned into a targa version

Got over half way there and left over money
Was gutted to not see it finished

Only pics I have of it

@Paulbarrett are you keeping the general paint scheme it looks great in those colours