Opel Manta shines on return visit to Lakeland Motor Museum!

An iconic 1980s Opel Manta which starred for many years as an exhibit at the Lakeland Motor Museum in Cumbria has made a return visit after undergoing an incredible restoration.

The 1987 Manta was on show at the museum from 2010 until 2020 when it was sold by the family who owned it to an enthusiast from Staffordshire who’d spent five years looking for the car of his dreams!

Paul Hammonds with his lovingly restored Opel Manta at the Lakeland Motor Museum.

The sale came about by pure chance – when prospective new owner Paul Hammonds saw the modern classic in the background on the TV show Salvage Hunters which was visiting the museum! He immediately contacted staff there and was eventually able to buy the Opel from its owners when as its loan spell at the museum came to an end.

“I used to have a hatchback Opel Manta when I was 21 and always wanted the coupe version,” says Paul who is from Leek in Staffordshire. “I couldn’t afford one back then but it was always my dream car.

“All those years later I saw the Lakeland Motor Museum’s exhibit on the television and got in touch with them right away! They kept my name on record for two years until the family who owned it decided to sell. I was delighted!”

Pictures taken during the restoration process

Now, Paul has completed an extensive restoration programme which saw the Manta stripped back to a bare shell before being painstakingly put back together.

“There was quite a lot more rust than I had expected but it’s been sand blasted, welded and re-painted,” says Paul. “All the nuts and bolts have been zinc or chrome plated and it's fully roadworthy again.”

It still has the original 2 litre fuel injected engine installed which had only done 33,000 miles since new.

“I said all along I would bring it back to show everyone at the museum when I had completed the restoration,” says Paul. “I assured them it would be going to a good new home – and I hope the restoration proves that!”

Chris Lowe, Curator at the Lakeland Motor Museum, says: “Paul has done an amazing job! The attention to detail is incredible and I can honestly say it is one of the finest restorations I have ever seen.

Paul (centre) meets up with Chris Lowe, Curator of the Lakeland Motor Museum (Right) and Bill Bewley, Director at the Lakeland Motor Museum (on the left). Interior of the Opel Manta.

“The whole car now looks as if it is brand new and on the showroom floor! Innumerable parts have been blasted and plated – even the original stickers in the windows have been scanned and reproduced. It’s a stunning job!”

The Opel will now be displayed at classic car shows around the country.

“I’m a member of the Opel Manta Owners Club,” explains Paul: “It is surprising how many members saw the car when it was on display at the Lakeland Motor Museum!

“It was brilliant to get it back on the road after an 18 month restoration. It’s a lovely car and so comfortable. I will never get rid of it!”

The Opel is locally registered having been bought from new from a garage in Warton near Carnforth in Lancashire.

The Lakeland Motor Museum has a unique collection of 30,000 exhibits including 140 classic cars and motorbikes, all carefully assembled over 50 years. Nestled in the scenic Leven Valley it is open seven days a week.