1951 Studebaker Manta Ray

In the early 1950s, General Motors introduced their Buick LeSabre Concept Car. It had a futuristic body design that was clearly influenced by aircraft styling and engineering. It was constructed of aluminum and lightweight cast magnesium and was used by the company as a rolling engineering laboratory. It had fuel injection, a chrome molydenum frame, a rain-activated folding top, a jet-like air intake, and prominent tail fins.

The Buick LeSabre Concept inspired the birth of another concept, the Manta Ray built by Glen Hire and Vernon Antoine of Whittier, California. This was a tremendous endeavor and would consume over 4,000 hours of work to complete. Both individuals worked for the North American Aviation Company in the engineering and design department of the guided missile and jet aircraft divisions. Using a backyard garage as their workshop, they sourced a 1951 Studebaker Commander to serve as the basis for their concept. The stock body was removed and replaced by a three-seater roadster body made entirely of fiberglass, molded in 14 sections. The Studebaker engine and drivetrain were retained, the frame side rails were shorted by three inches, the taillights were from a Lincoln, and the bumpers were custom-made from Hudson parts. The fuel tank filler neck could be found concealed behind the center tail light. The exterior was painted a metallic golden color. The interior featured Stewart-Warner instrumentation with a Plymouth speedometer arranged around a 1953 Lincoln steering wheel.

There were plans to create additional examples of the car, but only one would ever be built.

by Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2016