Neil
Supporter
The original Mirage prototype ("MANTA 1"?) was built by Manta Cars when they were located in a facility in Costa Mesa, CA. Unfortunately the factory was destroyed in a fire which also burned that prototype. The original car can be seen in a brief scene in the movie "Gone In Sixty Seconds" and in this old photo (below) taken probably by Tim LoVette. The wheels appear to be American Racing Torque-Thrust magnesium instead of the Jongbloed Modular Wheels they used on their later prototype, MANTA 2, which was built in their new shop in Santa Ana, CA. Otherwise little was changed from the original. Of course, MANTA 2 was red with "Shaky Jake" pin striping and they added rear-view mirrors atop its front fenders.
This car was first introduced to the public at Riverside Raceway, CA in 1973 during practice for the Can- Am race. A crashed Lola was loaded onto a trailer but the car on that trailer- covered by a tarp- had to be rolled off to make room for the Lola and after the tarp was removed, everyone in the paddock came running to look at this car. At that time, a strong rumor had been circulating about a new "street McLaren" that was soon to be introduced, so everyone naturally assumed that the Manta Mirage was this rumored McLaren. Brad LoVette, who had been the crew chief for the Lola was also owner with his brother, Tim, of Manta Cars, in Costa Mesa, CA. He explained to the assembled multitude that it was not a McLaren, but it was his prototype for a kit car that his company would soon be selling. NOBODY believed him and everyone left- firmly convinced that they had gotten a glimpse of the phantom car from NZ.
This car was first introduced to the public at Riverside Raceway, CA in 1973 during practice for the Can- Am race. A crashed Lola was loaded onto a trailer but the car on that trailer- covered by a tarp- had to be rolled off to make room for the Lola and after the tarp was removed, everyone in the paddock came running to look at this car. At that time, a strong rumor had been circulating about a new "street McLaren" that was soon to be introduced, so everyone naturally assumed that the Manta Mirage was this rumored McLaren. Brad LoVette, who had been the crew chief for the Lola was also owner with his brother, Tim, of Manta Cars, in Costa Mesa, CA. He explained to the assembled multitude that it was not a McLaren, but it was his prototype for a kit car that his company would soon be selling. NOBODY believed him and everyone left- firmly convinced that they had gotten a glimpse of the phantom car from NZ.
