Joey o'shea
How did you get into rallying?
My interest started as a young child, my uncle Ger rallied a Mk2 Escort and dad did a few events with him, but the car was stored in our shed, so petrol fumes and gear oil smells were an everyday pleasure; the bug had bitten. When I was about 12 years old, we got our first Manta, after which dad and I rallied several over the years. The weekly hit of Plum Tyndall's RPM rally reports on tv fuelled my passion even further, so I grew up watching and rewatching episodes on VCR tapes.
What is it you do for a living?
I am a secondary school teacher specialising in Construction Studies, Graphics, Design & Communications Graphics, and Woodwork. I often have been asked why I did not become a metalwork teacher considering my interest in building and restoring rally cars, but teaching Construction was my first love.
You're well known for the Manta's that you own, tell us about the Billy Coleman example and why you chose that particular livery?
it was my first Manta build, acquiring the car in 1998, so the main reason it was never prepped to rally spec was that it had been left as original as possible (except for the 400 kit). As a teenager I intended to put it on the road with the cheapest tax and insurance, so I chose not to modify any of the mechanical components but finish her aesthetically as a copy of Billy Coleman's 1984 Circuit of Ireland (and 1984 Tarmac Championship) winning Manta 400 LIJ 9869. A plain white Manta looks good, but a 400 in rally colours was always my dream, and with Billy being one of the most iconic Irish drivers amongst a whole host of my rallying heroes, I chose to spray on the DOTI stripes and decal it to match the '84 COI. In the intervening years I was lucky to have the opportunity to restore the bodywork on Bertie Fisher's DIL 9482, and the broken bonnet from it went onto my Coleman replica after a lot of fibreglass repairing. Since then, I have managed to acquire over 50 famous rally driver and co-driver signatures from local to World Champion heroes.
What is the spec of your Rothmans Manta, and how long did it take to build?
My dad and I bought the car in 2003 when I was in my 20’s but didn’t get started on the build until 2019 when the Covid lockdown enabled me to work on it steadily for a period. The shell was prepared to 400 specifications as much as possible with the following features:
A Safari spec Grp4 radiator with silicone radiator hose kit, 2 turn quickrack, C20XE with Coscast head, oil cooler, 400 airdam with aluminium oil cooler air scoops, and brake duct scoops, genuine 400 aluminium sump guard and carrier, Bilstein shocks, Powerflex polybush kit.
I also have Manta heavy poundage tarmac springs, Manta 400 5stud front hubs, Trx front rims and Ronal racing rears with Michelin rally slicks. Braking is provided by APRacing Metro 6r4 front calipers with vented discs.
I removed the old engine bay bulk by fitting a rally heater box replacing standard heater matrix. The 400 roll cage with engine bay extensions to the cross member, front shock mounts which have been turreted, and new chassis legs and sills replaced during restoration were welded in as well as rear arch rolled sheet metal extensions. The chassis was modified to take 400 top arms for the 400 axle, with 400 rear axle setup plates and trailing arms. While the welder was active, a bespoke pedal box with brake balance bar and adjustable knob was fitted. I installed a 400 spec co-drivers aluminium footrest, 400 style Kevlar seats, FIA fire extinguisher, and firestick for added safety.
I sprayed the car and the Rothmans stripes to save costs, and the decals came from a source that restored Henri Toivonen's RM16 car. A 400 dayface and Dzus clipped light pod, 400 bodykit, 400 genuine bonnet with deep frame, and Engelmann rally mirrors give added authenticity. My C20xe with Coscast head has twin 45 Weber carbs, 4-2-1 competition exhaust manifold, Sportex exhaust system, and competition Nodiz ECU.
To assist with the quickrack and thick tyres I fitted a Corsa B power steering unit, genuine Mota Lita Manta 400 wheel restored, a 400 spec dash with Porsche style Opel rally rev counter and push button start. To finish it all off I have a Terratrip ARC tripmeter (ex-Russell Brookes), CB radio & aerial, works Terratrip 2 way radio, ex Bertie Fisher 400 kevlar seats, Sabelt 6-point rally harnesses, rally intercom system, and 400 Ascona door cards.
The Commodore/Manta 400 rear axle with Atra GTe front callipers and disc brakes fitted on the rear provide great braking power. In the rear I have an aluminium bulkhead, twin Facet fuel pumps, a Matter style wheel holder, battery holder, and oil dry sump reservoir in the boot, as well as a 400 aluminium tank cover and fuel filler. Some nice little touches such as a genuine 1983 RAC event plate, old German style number plates to match 1983, 400 style rear bootclips and a host of 1982/83 Opel season memorabilia including Terry Harryman's Rothmans rally suit, cap and bag complete the build. It has been out and enjoyed this last two years!
Was it difficult getting the parts?
Usually, Manta parts were tricky to find, but a lot of German websites now supply NOS or good quality reproduction parts such as Edelshmiede, Altopelhilfe, Dr. Manta, to name a few. 400 style components can be sourced from several rally preparation companies such as Tost Motorsport, Erwin Peters, Pat Laracy, etc. Some parts I got manufactured locally in Ireland when I could not source them. Being able to model components on 3D using SolidWorks (which I teach for Leaving Certificate DCG) was helpful.
I hear you have a special chauffeur later this year?
I have the legendary Jimmy McRae bringing me for a leisurely spin around County Down in September in the Deja Vu event. Jim was lined up to take part in Deja Vu Waterford last year with me, but a family emergency meant he had to withdraw., Being a very obliging gentleman, he has agreed to drive my Rothmans car this year. While it was originally on Henri Toivonen number 2 doorplates, a quick change of decals for this event means it now represents the RHD 400 Jim drove on the 1983 RAC and very courageously brought to the podium, finishing 3rd in that WRC rally. I just hope I can do him justice reading the road tulips! To explain to non-rally people just how much it means to me to have one of my childhood heroes driving my car, I tell them it is like having Tiger Woods use your golf clubs and have you caddy for him at a prestigious tournament.
Will you be building another car?
Yes indeed! I have acquired a LHD Manta shell in mint condition to build into another 400 and intend to go all out with this one again, in fact I have a lot of parts ready from my other builds, so I may possibly do a LHD colour scheme for a change, perhaps the Guy Colsoul Bastos colours.
Did you ever consider competing in the sport?
When I was young, I competed in mostly local tarmac rallies but gave it up after a crash in Lismore Forestry rally where I broke and compressed several vertebrae following a high-speed collision with a tree! It never stopped my love for the sport though, and I have continued to build Mantas since. The cost to compete is now the most prohibitive factor for me unfortunately, entry fees, tyres, fuel, repairs, etc... I usually take part in the Deja Vu events, and the Opel Vauxhall Club of Ireland runs across Ireland with my Mantas.
Finally, is there a modern car you'd like to reproduce one day?
I would love to build a modern WRC homage in honour of Craig Breen, Citroën, Hyundai or Ford, maybe when I retire! To build a rally car they say you need time, money and patience, and I am afraid all three are all worn thin at the moment! My love for rallying means I could have an endless list of cars to build and enjoy!
