Photos: Dave Wolin
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| Owner |
C.R. Cacho |
| Location |
Puerto Rico, USA |
| email |
citadel@caribe.net |
| Web Page |
n/a |
| Year |
1974 |
| Car |
Mirage |
| Color |
milano red uppers and black skirt |
| Builder |
Dave Wolin |
| Chassis Type |
Tube |
| Chassis Number |
MC0086 |
| Engine Make |
Chevrolet |
| Displacement |
350 ci |
| Transmission/Transaxle |
- |
| HP |
400 bored |
| Front Suspension |
- |
| Rear Suspension |
- |
| Steering |
VW |
| Interior |
Vinyl |
| Notes |
This is my Mantarossa: The acceleration is astounding. 0 -60mph in less than 5 secs. Top speed I ran it so far is 137 mph. For a car weighing a mere 1900 lbs, it has great stability although I will put in a high rear wing. Starts and runs like a new Corvette. There is no power steering. The wheels are alloy 8 x 15 on the front, 10 x 15 on the rear, on Rally GT 50 Goodyear's. Paint is original gel coat in renewed condition after much scrubbing with GS27 and an orbital. No T top (I am looking for these, any one?). Dash and instruments are Autometer. Switches and fuses are mounted to aluminum panel next to front fender on driver side, so any road water gets in there and causes havoc. I had to rewire all lights and signals, and still working on them (every now and then a fuse is blown). Windshield is SAE safety glass but there is no wiper pump (also looking for one, any one?). Vinyl upholstery is not original, but matches well. Brakes are VW disc in front and Corvette / Corvair in rear with new cylinders and pads. Suspension components are brand new. Ground clearance is adjustable as the shocks are air adjustable from inside the car. Seats two people but I guess the designer should have designed a roomier hip and leg area. Cooling system uses a custom built R&C radiator with dual fans on the front. I will also put in a 6" intake and some rear end 10" fans to keep the engine well cool in this hot PR weather.
The car story is as follows: Mr William Maedel, of CA, bought the Manta kit for $3498 in Dec. 20, 1974 as his own Xmas gift but could never complete it. When he died ca. 1980, the unfinished car was put into a storage warehouse, wrapped in plastic and still in its original shipping boxes, until Dave Wolin purchased it from the estate. He finished the car last year, ran it for a few months and placed an add on Ebay, I guess as some kind of market test. That is were I saw it in May, 2000 and swapped it off Dave's garage. It was fully complete except as noted and except for some vandalism when it arrived on port in San Juan. As is, this car is a neck-bender. Everyone has a question about it as it is such a rarity in Puerto Rico. It style is as contemporary as any although this one is already 26 years old tomorrow and looks as good as any other 26 year-old babe in black hosiery and a flaming red dress. Happy birthday, Ms. Mantarossa!
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| Former Owners |
Dave Wolin |
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