She is a 1988 GTE Exclusive in Monaco Blue, which I purchased around April 2002 with 66k on the clock.

I am only the 3rd owner from new, and the car is also now on its 3rd registration number! Originally registered on a private plate, it was changed to A10 MOC (A1 OMOC) in the early 90s. Whilst good for a show car, this made the car appear older than it actually is & I have recently sold the plate to Adrian Cox whose car is also featured in the gallery. She is now registered as E646 BKM.

The car was in fairly good condition when I purchased it and required little in the way of work other than some welding to the underside. Otherwise, she's pretty tidy and the interior is almost pristine.

I bought the car as I was looking for a something which would double as both a practical road car & which I could also use to compete in sprints. I have always had a soft spot for mantas since watching the Circuit of Ireland from the roadside in 1984, and I have navigated one in road rallies before.

In my first season of sprints this year (2003) the car has finished 3rd in class in the Association of Eastern Motor Clubs Sprint Championship.

Rob Thompson