MacHale Manta replica in New Zealand sparks debate among Irish rally fans
Our story last Friday about the ex-Austin MacHale Opel Manta caused plenty of debate online. The original report came from a motorsport site in New Zealand and showed photos of the famous SI 7755 registration.
It was a story too good not to share with Irish rally fans — but since then it has become clear that the real SI 7755 is still in Galway. The car in New Zealand is a full replica, built using the same registration number.
From what we understand, the car is a proper tribute. It even has genuine Irish rally history. But it is not the original MacHale Manta 400. It appears the New Zealand car is Ed Synan’s old Opel Manta 400, which has been rebuilt and given the same famous reg.
The story got people talking about one of Ireland’s most iconic rally cars and Austin MacHale’s legacy. It also shows how popular SI 7755 still is, even decades later and on the other side of the world.
The car is now owned by Derek Ayson in New Zealand. He ran it at the Barry Robinson Memorial Wyndham Rally at the weekend. Ayson said: “Just to clarify, it’s not the genuine McHale A400, but a tribute to that car we imported from Ireland as a competition car in 2020 and rebuilt in New Zealand into a gravel spec rally car running the A400 engine.”
Ayson finished first in class and seventh overall on Sunday’s rally.
So the real SI 7755 is safe at home in Ireland — and the replica is keeping the MacHale name alive on gravel stages in New Zealand./
Just as newspapers and magazines are paid for, digital editorial content will also have to be paid for.
Please subscribe and help us keep this machine running!
It’s only €50 per year – subscribe now
Subscribe to get access
Read more of this content when you subscribe today.
Kerry Motorsport News 