MANTA Kit Cars were a build it yourself alternative to the boring smogged down production cars of the 70's, or a costly sports car. Produced in Costa Mesa CA from 1973 - 1986, the MANTA (later called the Mirage) was not only bad and sleek, they were fast. The info and pics below are from a brochure I saved from the 70's.  

The Manta was a replica of the Can Am 7 (Canada American Cup) race cars. Can Am rules were, anything and everything goes, including engine size! These cars are also referred to as a Mc Laren, because the Mc Claren race team dominated the sport for years. The Manta repli-car was a natural for the street because of its unique 2 person seating arrangement and will be remembered as one of the finest kit cars ever made. ~ P. Usle

TECHNICAL DIMENSIONS AND DETAILS

LENGTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160"
WIDTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75”
HEIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39" AT 5" RIDE HEIGHT
RIDE HEIGHT .. (GROUND CLEARANCE) ADJUSTABLE
WEIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.900 LBS. DRY WITH
                                                     SMALL BLOCK CHEVY
FRONT SUSPENSION . . . . . PRE 1966 VOLKSWAGEN/
                                       LATE VOLKSWAGEN OR/GHIA
STEERING ASSEMBLY. PRE 1966 VOLKSWAGEN OR
                                                                       LATE GHIA
RADIATOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . MANTA CUSTOM CORE OR
                                 CHEVY CORVETTE CROSS FLOW
HEADLIGHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . VOLKSWAGEN
BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER . . . CHEVY TRUCK DUAL
CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER . . CHEVV TRUCK DUAL
PEDAL ASSEMBLY . . . . . . . . . . . . CUSTOM BUILT OR
                                               PRE 1966 VOLKSWAGON
WINDSHIELD WIPER ARMS . . . . . . . . .. . MANTA CARS
WINDSIELD WIPER MOTOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LUCAS
BATTERY . . . . . . . . . . . 7 "WlDE 10" LONG x 81/2" TALL
TRANSAXLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1965 - 1969 CORVAIR
REAR AXLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1965 - 1969 CORVAIR
REAR SPRINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1965 - 1969 CORVAIR
REAR SHOCKS. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1965 - 1969 CORVAIR
TRAILING ARMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1965 - 1969 CORVAIR
BRAKE & BACK-UP LIGHTS . . .. .1965 - 1969 CORVAIR
TAIL LIGHT LENSES . . . . . . . . 1972 - 1974 CHEVY VAN

Updated tail lights (above) are an improvement over louvered rear

For more information: Check out Manatcars.com

EXTREMELY RIGID TRUSS TYPE TUBE CONSTRUCTION OF 2" AND 1-1/2" SQUARE MILD STEEL TUBING OF 065 to .093 WALL THICKNESS MOTOR MOUNTS FOR 265 - 400 CU. IN. SMALL BLOCK CHEVY AND 289 - 302 CU. IN. SMALL BLOCK FORD. BIG BLOCK CHEVY/FORD AND VARIOUS V-6 COMBINATIONS CAN BE USED WITH MODIFICATIONS. GAS TANKS ENCLOSED INSIDE FRAME FOR EXTRA PROTECTION.

                                                      BODY
HAND LAMINATED FIBERGLASS BODY OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY MATERIALS AVAILABLE. THE CUSTOMERS CHOICE COLOR IS IMPREGNATED IN THE FIBERGLASS FOR AN EXTREMELY DURABLE AND BEAUTIFUL FINISH. BY FABRICATING THE BODY IN SEVERAL PIECES, WE ARE ABLE TO CONTROL THE FIT AND STRENGTH TO A DEGREE NEVER BEFORE POSSIBLE, PLUS THE ADDED ADVANTAGE PARTS REPLACEMENT IN CASE OF DAMAGE. THIS ALSO MEANS ABSOLUTELY NO EXPOSED FIBERGLASS IN THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. ALL INNER PANELS FINISHED IN LUXURIOUS TEXTURED
FIBERGLASS.

Actor Daniel Hugh Kelly drove a Manta Coyote in the TV show Hardcastle and McCormick. Model kit of the Coyote above.