15k: Cool Kitten: 1977 Manta Mirage
The Manta Mirage was a low volume car built in Costa Mesa, CA from 1974-1986 in the style of a McLaren M8 CanAm race car. The Mirage was featured prominently in low budget Hollywood films in the day, first as one of the 48 cars stolen in HB Halicki’s 1974 Gone in 60 Seconds and went by the code name Annie and later in the 1975 Death Race 2000. Find this 1977 Manta Mirage
for sale in Santa Monica, CA currently bidding for $10,200 reserve-not-met with 3 days to go.
The Mirage is technically a kit car because Manta Cars supplied in parts to the customer and it was up to the buyer to use this assembly guide (from Mantacars.org) to build his Manta. Power was usually a small block Chevy, but it was up to the buyer to assemble and figure out a way to register the beast. This way the Manta could avoid all sorts of emissions requirements, crash tests and a myriad of other regulations concerning production vehicles as mandated by the Dept of Transportation.
This Mirage is powered by a Chevrolet 350 cubic inch small block V8 mounted behind the driver and in front of the rear wheels. It should not be confused with VW flat-4 powered cars like the Fiberfab Aztec, as the Mirage tipped the scales at 1900 lbs and could be easily built with 400 horsepower. Keeping it away from telephone polls and Police impound lots will be a constant battle.
The early Mirages used VW front suspensions (which is basically a nice way of saying the steering system from a Roman ox-cart), but later cars like this one had Mustang II rack-and-pinion setup. The Mirage also used the rear suspension and transaxle from a Chevrolet Corvair as well as the tail lights from a Chevy Van.
The Manta Mirage only appeared for a few seconds on screen in the original Gone in 60 Seconds, but it was the only kit car in the film.
A pair of Manta Mirages were used in the 1975 film Death Race
2000 (…which was a big disappointment when the actual year 2000 rolled
around and were weren’t living in a Death Race world. Granted, David
Carradine and Sylvester Stallone are psychopaths hell bent on the destruction of innocent lives, but the rest of Ib Jørgen Melchior’s vision of a dystopian future has not come to fruition. You can watch the entire Death Race 2000 movie on youtube here.
See a better way to re-live your Death Race 2000 or Gone in 60 Seconds fantasies? tips@dailyturismo.com
Image credits; ebay, imcdb.org
Wow, this is one of the cars I used to fantasize over, way back when, I remember the turn key option. I'd have to go and see if I could locate one of my Kit Car's magazines to find the original asking price though. This does look somewhat interesting, but those door hinges are awfully big and right up front for all to see. Interesting car car, it would be fun to see what it drives and handles like.
Cheers….JeffH
Sweet car. The interior looks really cool. Bet it is a unique drive. I wonder how the corvair transaxle can hold up to the torque of a small block, though.
Isn't the Corvair transaxle shared with the Pontiac Tempest and it came with a few V8 power options?
Yes, I believe you are right. There are quite a few Corvair V-8s running around out there, too, and they seem to hold up.
As a former Manta Mirage owner I can tell you a lot about how the Corvair transaxle held up. The transaxle is actually the Mirage's weakness. On many cars the transaxle housing itself would crack. There were heavy duty plates that strengthened the housing which many owners installed. The 2nd downfall is the transaxle is flipped upside down…so the ring gear isn't properly oiled. On my car this was resolved by installed a small oil pump that pour oil on to the ring gear. The 3rd..and biggest problem with the Corvair transaxle is the central driveshaft. It was 2-pieces…in inner shaft and an outer shaft. The inner shaft was only 5/8" in diameter at it's thinnest point and was famous for shattering. To make matters worse, these shafts were custom made for the Manta (an inch longer than stock) so if you grenaded your shaft you would have to be very lucky to find a replacement. I personally had a spare, but never had to use it.
I want to purchase ASAP.
I raced a real McLaren M8E and lived. I am only living driver who lived.
Please call 419-960-4705
Chuck
Please reply. I will purchase for what you need.
smithcha@roadrunner.com
419-960-4705
Anonymous; I have emailed you about my show winning Mirage, registered, licensed, insured in Ca. 30K invested, all best parts, ten years reconstruction, custom built transaxle, engine, etc. May sell after first of the year due to health issues. fisheye
Bet that would be an interesting ride. one things for sure, the mid mounted v8 is better for traction and weight distribution than it would be if it were in front, like the Jamaican kit car my father owns with a 327 vette motor in front. that thing will go sideways if you mash it, even with 50s on the back!