You did a GREAT job putting this together! Tim Lovette was my father; he recently passed away and my family really misses him. It was nice to see some of these old pictures, some clear back to the original shop in Costa Mesa. We often wondered what happened to the showroom Manta after the company shut down and I'm so glad to see it's been restored and taken care of. Thank you. I wish my dad were still around to see this - he would have really enjoyed this! I can't thank you enough for doing this.
Scott, I'm glad to hear from you but sad and disappointed to hear that your father, Tim, passed away. I met him back in the late Seventies or early Eighties when Manta Cars had moved to their new facility in Santa Ana. I had met Brad earlier, back in 1973 at Riverside when we were racing in the Can-Am series. I have a few pictures that you may want to have copies of. Give me a call at 520-784-313 two and if you let me know your e-mail address , I'll send you copies of the photos or maybe I can post them on Dropbox.
I’m glad this car survived! The Manta was based off a Lola T163 Can-Am car. Not a McLaren. The fire also destroyed a Lola T-70 & was started by a faulty battery charger. The Lola coupe body was elsewhere & survived. I believe the Lola was one of the two AIR (American International Racing) Lola’s.
The Lola and McLaren were very similar-looking Can-Am cars. "Form follows function" as the saying goes. I have 4 black & white photos of that T-70 in their shop.
Great video. Miss that car. If I remember the story correctly it was the only kit car to every grace the cover of Hot Rod magazine & Brad would stand on the roof of the car to demonstrate how strong it was. I was friends with Brad Lovette & helped him race at SCCA events back in the late 70's... I was just 18 years old the time. Sheesh! Unfortunately he passed away at a young age due to a racing accident.
Thanks, I think you are right about the HRM covers. I met Brad when he was crew chief for a Lola practicing for the 1973 Riverside Can-Am. Unfortunately he was killed in his Formula Ford at Continental Raceway in CO later in the '70s.
Thanks, Stuart. I wish I'd taken far more pictures during the restoration so I could have added more detail. For example, The car was originally built with front air shocks so that its front end could be raised up to clear driveways, etc. I retained the air compressor and air tank but it now powers a set of air horns from a US Army "Duce and a Half". (2 1/2 ton truck). Since I didn't have pictures I left that out.
When I took my Mirage to a car show years ago, the president of our club guided me back into a space for the show. As I got out he said "That aint no VW engine!" I said "Nope. It's a 327 out of a 65 Vette." I've got to get mine back together and back on the road. That car stopped traffic every time I took it out. Most common question I'd hear from people passing by was "What the hell is that thing?" At one cruise night I parked and a guy walked over and knew right away what it was. Said he hadn't seen a Mirage in years.
Nice restoration. I can't imagine building a car with no instructions, sounds like a lego nightmare. Would be great to see this at at the next Tucson Classic Car show!
Thank you. I did bring my black Mirage, the "Werewolf" to last year's Tucson Classics Car Show. It is a really nice show. Here it is at Bonneville last September: ruclips.net/video/bW1PV_TcSxM/видео.html
@@user-fm7ed3sz4h I remember! It isn't often I encounter someone who knows much about aviation at car shows. Most people just look at the shiny stuff.🙂
The early Mirage bodies had beautiful fiberglass. They made Corvettes look crude by comparison. Later ones were not as nice but still better than most kit cars.
Hello I've done mods myself had problems finding proper spring strength springs cutting down springs, and upgrading brakes I always had problems finding proper master cylinders to have good pedal and good brakes and not having a axle lock up , finding proportion valves that work to, so many issues when doing the mods I've done , and spend time and money wow the money I've blown lol , current project adding a rear engine to Chevrolet Ventura van to make it dual engine but looks normal, sleeper , just a thing I guess can't leave anything alone
@@neilalbaugh4793 Neil, it's been my dream to own one going back to when I was 16 years old. I just need to find one rough enough to buy for $10k... :(. I got close a couple of times but they had sold before I could scoop them up. Maybe next year :)
@@garykish8951 I hope you find one, Gary. They are out there and show up now and then. Windshields are not too easy to find so one with an intact windshield would be best.
Neil, I have been a fan of these cars for years, and have often wondered what happened to this specific car. So glad to see it has survived and is in good hands! If you ever decide to sell it, let me know!!
Fantastic video Neil, loved every moment of it. Such a gorgeous example of a Mirage. Would you say that the curved interior mirrors are more or less effective than externally mounted mirrors on posts?
The curve mirrors are far more effective than the fender mounted mirrors. With the fender mounted mirrors it was difficult to see what was coming up behind
Just curious but what is the timeline for your ownership of this car? I see some pics that look like they were taken quite a few years ago (car appears shiny) then the video ends with what may be current pics and the car looks quite faded. Do the older car show pics show a previous owner. BTW, thanks for posting the build of your black car ... I had been wondering how you'd made out at Bonneville.
Harry, some of the photos are ones that Manta Cars (probably Tim LoVette) took for magazine articles, advertising, and their Mirage brochures. Those were primarily 35mm color slides but some were color negative film. a few were black & white negatives. After I restored the red Mirage I drove it on the street now and then and entered it in a number of local car shows. The car looks faded in the later photos because it had been in inside storage all the time I was building the black one. I had rolled it out of my garage to re-arrange things and I decided that I'd take a picture or two. I had not even washed it. Its gel coat still looks good when it is cleaned up- even though it is 45 years old. Thanks for watching!
@@jprichards1205 Phoenix is a large city so I assume there must be custom/hot rod shops that could do a restoration. It might be expen$ive, though. Why not do it yourself?
Ed, there was a fellow that had a quantity of windshields custom made few years ago. Maybe someone will know of a source. 1/8" Lexan has been used successfully in many race cars.
You did a GREAT job putting this together! Tim Lovette was my father; he recently passed away and my family really misses him. It was nice to see some of these old pictures, some clear back to the original shop in Costa Mesa. We often wondered what happened to the showroom Manta after the company shut down and I'm so glad to see it's been restored and taken care of. Thank you. I wish my dad were still around to see this - he would have really enjoyed this! I can't thank you enough for doing this.
Scott, I'm glad to hear from you but sad and disappointed to hear that your father, Tim, passed away. I met him back in the late Seventies or early Eighties when Manta Cars had moved to their new facility in Santa Ana. I had met Brad earlier, back in 1973 at Riverside when we were racing in the Can-Am series. I have a few pictures that you may want to have copies of. Give me a call at 520-784-313 two and if you let me know your e-mail address , I'll send you copies of the photos or maybe I can post them on Dropbox.
I’m glad this car survived! The Manta was based off a Lola T163 Can-Am car. Not a McLaren. The fire also destroyed a Lola T-70 & was started by a faulty battery charger. The Lola coupe body was elsewhere & survived. I believe the Lola was one of the two AIR (American International Racing) Lola’s.
The Lola and McLaren were very similar-looking Can-Am cars. "Form follows function" as the saying goes. I have 4 black & white photos of that T-70 in their shop.
Neil- GREAT JOB!! this is by far the most informative and best Manta video I've seen!! Great background music as well!!!
Thanks for making it!!
Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Great video. Miss that car. If I remember the story correctly it was the only kit car to every grace the cover of Hot Rod magazine & Brad would stand on the roof of the car to demonstrate how strong it was. I was friends with Brad Lovette & helped him race at SCCA events back in the late 70's... I was just 18 years old the time. Sheesh! Unfortunately he passed away at a young age due to a racing accident.
Thanks, I think you are right about the HRM covers. I met Brad when he was crew chief for a Lola practicing for the 1973 Riverside Can-Am. Unfortunately he was killed in his Formula Ford at Continental Raceway in CO later in the '70s.
The video does a terrific job of illustrating the story/journey!
Thanks, Stuart. I wish I'd taken far more pictures during the restoration so I could have added more detail. For example, The car was originally built with front air shocks so that its front end could be raised up to clear driveways, etc. I retained the air compressor and air tank but it now powers a set of air horns from a US Army "Duce and a Half". (2 1/2 ton truck). Since I didn't have pictures I left that out.
When I took my Mirage to a car show years ago, the president of our club guided me back into a space for the show. As I got out he said "That aint no VW engine!" I said "Nope. It's a 327 out of a 65 Vette." I've got to get mine back together and back on the road. That car stopped traffic every time I took it out. Most common question I'd hear from people passing by was "What the hell is that thing?" At one cruise night I parked and a guy walked over and knew right away what it was. Said he hadn't seen a Mirage in years.
Yes, the three most common questions are:🙄
1. What is it?
2. How fast will it go?
3. How much did it cost?
Very cool 👍
Nope! It ain’t no VW! Thank you for showing it!
You are welcome.
Very nice video Neil and informative.
Thank you, Joel.
Nice restoration. I can't imagine building a car with no instructions, sounds like a lego nightmare. Would be great to see this at at the next Tucson Classic Car show!
Thank you. I did bring my black Mirage, the "Werewolf" to last year's Tucson Classics Car Show. It is a really nice show. Here it is at Bonneville last September:
ruclips.net/video/bW1PV_TcSxM/видео.html
@@neilalbaugh4793 Yes, I saw the Werewolf. I was the kid in the blue pcc aviation shirt.
@@user-fm7ed3sz4h I remember! It isn't often I encounter someone who knows much about aviation at car shows. Most people just look at the shiny stuff.🙂
@@neilalbaugh4793 by they way I would love to become a intern to learn a thing or two from you, that is if your looking for a extra hand.
@@user-fm7ed3sz4h Maybe you could visit us in the near future?
The Quality of the bodywork was amazing. They were delivered in gelcoat, no paint needed!
The early Mirage bodies had beautiful fiberglass. They made Corvettes look crude by comparison. Later ones were not as nice but still better than most kit cars.
Nicely done sir,
Thank you, Ron.
Hello I've done mods myself had problems finding proper spring strength springs cutting down springs, and upgrading brakes I always had problems finding proper master cylinders to have good pedal and good brakes and not having a axle lock up , finding proportion valves that work to, so many issues when doing the mods I've done , and spend time and money wow the money I've blown lol , current project adding a rear engine to Chevrolet Ventura van to make it dual engine but looks normal, sleeper , just a thing I guess can't leave anything alone
I'm not even finished watching and it's already the best documentary on this incredible dream car.
Thank you, Gary. With 400 horsepower and only 2200 lbs, it's a fun drive!
@@neilalbaugh4793 Neil, it's been my dream to own one going back to when I was 16 years old. I just need to find one rough enough to buy for $10k... :(. I got close a couple of times but they had sold before I could scoop them up. Maybe next year :)
@@garykish8951 I hope you find one, Gary. They are out there and show up now and then. Windshields are not too easy to find so one with an intact windshield would be best.
Great video, I’ve been looking to get my hands on one of these for a while
Thank you. Keep looking, they are out there.
Neil, I have been a fan of these cars for years, and have often wondered what happened to this specific car. So glad to see it has survived and is in good hands! If you ever decide to sell it, let me know!!
Thank you, John. I'll keep your offer in mind.
It is now available for $30K.
Nice Job Neil !
Thank you. Now if this virus would go away we would have some car shows to go to...
Awesome video!
Thanks, Gary. Check this one out too:
ruclips.net/video/XUAYETAsdL0/видео.html
De toute beauté.
Merci beaucoup, Yvon!
Great job on the video👍🏻
Thank you, Kirk. I'm still a novice at creating videos. Check out my other ones.
noice!
Fantastic video Neil, loved every moment of it. Such a gorgeous example of a Mirage.
Would you say that the curved interior mirrors are more or less effective than externally mounted mirrors on posts?
The curve mirrors are far more effective than the fender mounted mirrors. With the fender mounted mirrors it was difficult to see what was coming up behind
Just curious but what is the timeline for your ownership of this car? I see some pics that look like they were taken quite a few years ago (car appears shiny) then the video ends with what may be current pics and the car looks quite faded. Do the older car show pics show a previous owner. BTW, thanks for posting the build of your black car ... I had been wondering how you'd made out at Bonneville.
Harry, some of the photos are ones that Manta Cars (probably Tim LoVette) took for magazine articles, advertising, and their Mirage brochures. Those were primarily 35mm color slides but some were color negative film. a few were black & white negatives. After I restored the red Mirage I drove it on the street now and then and entered it in a number of local car shows. The car looks faded in the later photos because it had been in inside storage all the time I was building the black one. I had rolled it out of my garage to re-arrange things and I decided that I'd take a picture or two. I had not even washed it. Its gel coat still looks good when it is cleaned up- even though it is 45 years old. Thanks for watching!
Hi Neil, I own 2 of these beautiful cars in great condition. Any suggestions where I can get them restored in AZ?
Where are you located, JP?
Phoenix
@@jprichards1205 Phoenix is a large city so I assume there must be custom/hot rod shops that could do a restoration. It might be expen$ive, though. Why not do it yourself?
Anyone know where I can get a windshield for mine ?
Ed, there was a fellow that had a quantity of windshields custom made few years ago. Maybe someone will know of a source. 1/8" Lexan has been used successfully in many race cars.
So do you also still have the black one??
Yes, I still have both- the black one (the race car) and this red one (the street car).
Is anyone making these bodies now days?
No, unfortunately. Manta Cars went out of business in about 1986 but you can find them now and then on eBay, Craigslist, etc.
@@neilalbaugh4793 you would think someone would be up for making a set of molds.
@@lawrenceveinotte Some folks are interested in doing that but we'll see if it happens. -Neil
Contact Charley Strickland at Strickland Racing. He is building an aluminum chassis and getting ready to furnish Mirage bodies.
327 about 60 horsepower not 400
This is a Chevy small block 350 with ported 186 heads; it has about 400 BHP.
60hp, you better stop smoking that stuff