1980 Manta Mirage Supercar Heads to Auction
A 1980 Manta Mirage, a rare American mid-engined kit supercar, is set for auction with Mecum in late September.
A 1980 Manta Mirage, a largely forgotten American mid-engined supercar, is scheduled for auction. The car will cross the block with Mecum in late September.
Founded by brothers Brad and Tim LoVette, Manta Cars of Costa Mesa, California, introduced the Mirage in 1974. The company offered it primarily as a kit for home assembly, though turnkey cars were also available. According to the source, Manta produced about 1,000 kits and completed cars before closing in 1986.
The Mirage was designed as a street-legal car inspired by Can-Am race cars. Its styling drew directly from the McLaren M8B. The car used a tubular steel spaceframe chassis cloaked in a lightweight fiberglass body.
Specifications and Build Details
Finished examples weighed approximately 1,900 pounds. The car featured independent suspension and unique two-piece doors. The lower sections flipped forward, while the upper sections opened gullwing-style. The entire roof panel was removable.
Kits shipped without a drivetrain, leaving builders to choose their own engine. Chevrolet small-block V8s were the most popular choice. The company's sales materials, preserved on its old website, called the finished product "a rare thoroughbred in a world of conventional sports cars" and claimed highway fuel economy of 25 to 28 mpg.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Introduction Year | 1974 |
| Typical Curb Weight | ~1,900 lbs |
| Common Engine Choices | Chevrolet 327 or 350 V8 |
| Body Material | Fiberglass |
| Chassis Type | Tubular steel spaceframe |
| Door Configuration | Two-piece, with gullwing uppers |
Hollywood and Cultural Appearances
The futuristic design of Manta cars led to numerous film and television appearances. A Mirage was featured in H.B. Halicki's 1974 film Gone in 60 Seconds. The company's biggest screen moment came from the Manta Montage model, which was modified to become the "Coyote X" for the TV series Hardcastle and McCormick from 1983 to 1986. A Montage also appears briefly in the 1991 film Highway to Hell.
The Auction Car
The specific 1980 Manta Mirage heading to auction is finished in red with black accents and a tan interior. Its power comes from a Chevrolet 350 cubic inch V8. The engine is equipped with a tunnel-ram intake and dual four-barrel carburetors, with exhaust routed through tubular headers. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a 4-speed manual transaxle.
The interior is fitted with VDO instrumentation and a Grant steering wheel. The car rides on Weld Racing aluminum wheels. Given the car's low weight and potent V8 configuration, it promises significant performance.
Manta also developed other models. The Montage, introduced as a more affordable option, used a Volkswagen Beetle floorpan. A later Montage-T model used a custom spaceframe and a mid-mounted GM V6. The source notes that a prototype for a 1955 Corvette reproduction was also built but never reached production.
