JAP 353L - 1973 Manta A 2.0l 16v

 

Owner: Gareth Henson

I have the car since April 2004 and I’ve been changing it ever since. Ran it with standard 1.9s running gear for first 5 months and changed the wheels interior and cleaned up the engine bay in that time too.

 

From Sept 04 to Nov 05 Antonio (A&M conversions) & John (John Hardman Engineering) did a lot of work on the car, converting to 2.0 16v Calibra engine with QED throttle bodies and DTA engine management. 5speed ‘B’ gearbox, sport clutch and shortened ‘B’ propshaft. 4 2 1 sport manifold, 2 ¼” custom pipe to stainless back box (loud as…!!!).  The radiators from Antonio’s high quality, mega powered Turbo Manta ‘C’. Swirl pot and both pumps are in the boot with braded hoses running inside the car. Carlton 2.2 Calipers, braided hoses and vented discs. KYB gas shocks with uprated custom springs all round.

 

Still have a lot to do on the interior mainly the dash and door cards. Some of the bodywork needs attention and I also have to fit a replica broadspeed spoiler, roof scoop and increase cold air intake to the throttle bodies
I’ve changed the grill, for the simple reason that no one else has bothered! Not that it needed changing I just felt the need. The result I’m very happy with although there is still a couple of stainless plates to make. The main effect I wanted was the side view, it looks so cool with the open space between the edge of the nose and the top of the bumper. The number plate will be cut down and mounted along the bottom left side of the spoiler, so it doesn’t hide the over all shape of the front end.

 

Been back on the road since Nov 05 and is quite a hand full. Plan to upgrade to Spax shocks later in the year and fit a pedal box to improve braking. The brakes are a lot better but the car has over 3 times the power so I have to take extra care. Great to overtake in and takes off nicely but it’s a fine line between acceleration and just lighting up the back end!

 

Will be out and about this year, so if anyone knows of any shows I should attend please let me know: I'm well out of touch!!!

 

gaz350ci@manta73.wanadoo.co.uk

 

You guys have some really amazing Mantas and your dedication to getting it to the standards I see is just mind blowin! I’d take my hat off if I had one!

I dream of the day I get the bodywork to the standard of Robbie or Paul Holtoms cars, but I only have one soul and that well gone!!!

 

Thanks for looking have a good yearJ