In 1987 my father (Harry Shephard) purchased the car from C.A.R. developments.

He then turned the car into a Grp. A Manta to full F.I.A. international spec, with a C.I.H. injection engine. The car carried “Nottingham” sign writing in green letters on white paintwork – to promote tourism to the city for the sponsor Nottingham City Council. It even had a robin hood on the bonnet! It also gained KCH 906 registration number at this time.

He competed on several local rallies in ‘87 and ‘88, but then progressed to the Lombard R.A.C. Rally in 1988. The event started in Harrogate that year in 3” of snow, but unfortunately the manta sheared its GM crown wheel and pinion and went no further than Chatsworth.

Then in 1989 Harry competed on the Welsh International rally as a for-runner to the 1989 Lombard Rally starting in our hometown of Nottingham. This event turned into a disaster as when hurtling down a hillside in Margam forest the brakes overheated causing a roll at a fast left hander. The manta was severely damaged but not in need of a re-shell as the roof was intact. However the car was rebuilt at the time but was garaged for several years.

When I reached 17 in 1993 I persuaded dad to get it finished off!

We decided to swap out the Manta rear suspension and weak axle for a strong Ford (sorry Mr Opel) Capri 3.0 unit with Escort mk2 grp. 4 type set-up and 5 linked it into the manta shell.

The brakes were similarly swapped for more powerful Ford Cosworth units and 4 pot callipers were used instead of the standard GTE items. The fuel injection system was also changed, after problems, for Dellorto carbs, but the C.I.H. engine was retained. The car was re-sprayed in Red and was entered into a single venue event at Manby Lincs. in August 1994 with me at the wheel and Dad co-Driving.

Since then I have competed in the same Manta on 34 rallies, with only 5 retirements!,  in the East Midlands on events like The Dukeries Rally, Premier Rally, Robin Hood Rally, North Humberside and The Tour of Lincs. Rally.

In 1999 the car received a power boost with a new engine based on the 2.4 Frontera unit and gained a Ford 5 speed Tran-x close ratio gearbox.

To date the car is still going strong despite it’s age (with a lot of help from the Mig welder!!) with the most recent result 61^st overall, from 150 starters, on this June’s Dukeries Rally in Sherwood Forest.

Specification Sheet - Opel Manta KCH 906:

1^st registered 1^st April 1976 (oldest B series still running?)

Engine:

2.4 CIH (Frontera based) Engine, Big Valve Head, Vernier pulley, Kent 244 rally cam, Twin 45 Dellorto carbs. Output 175 B.H.P. @7000rpm.

Transmission:

Special QR Alloy bellhousing, AP Paddle clutch, Ford Sierra 5 speed Gearbox, Straight cut, close ratio Tran-ex gear kit.

Special propshaft (based on Capri 3.0 unit).

Axle & Suspension:

Ford Atlas axle (Capri 3.0 Unit) with Quaiffe Lsd Unit, 5 Linked (4 links plus panhard rod) based on Group 4 Ford Escort Mk2.

Coil over rear Bilsteins 2 ¼ inch springs 150 to 225 lbs Springs.

Front Standard Manta (strengthened wishbones and Nylon Bushes).

Front Bilsteins with 750lbs springs from P.M.C. Small diameter (9mm) anti roll bar (reduces understeer).

15” wheels, 6” wide for forest 7” for Tarmac, Dunlop Rally Tyres.

Brakes:

Front: Austin Princess (AP type) 4 pot callipers with Ferodo DS3000 pads, Sierra Cosworth 2wd Discs (modified) on manta hubs.

Rear: RS Turbo MK1 Front Vented Discs and Single pot callipers Mintex 1144 pads.

Hand brake: Hydraulic fly off handbrake with mechanical cable back-up.

Safety:

Full Sd rollcage with diagonal, Sparco Corsa bucket seats, Luke 4 point Harnesses, Sump Guard, Battery isolator, Fire Extinguishers plumbed in.

KCH 906 - RALLY RESULTS