Jetvision Marvel - When people think of classic cars from the 1950s, images of gleaming chrome and rounded fenders often come to mind. Yet, tucked away in automotive history is a truly unusual creation that defies convention: the Manta Ray. This car isn’t just another retro showpiece—it’s a bold experiment in design, shaped by the daring minds of Glenn Hire and Vernon Antoine in Whittier, California. Both men worked in the jet aircraft division at North American Aviation, and they didn’t just borrow ideas—they transformed them into a car that looked as though it had flown straight off a futuristic runway.
The original 1951 Studebaker Manta Ray, built by Glenn Hire and Vernon Antoine, featured a metallic gold lacquer finish.(Picture from: Hemming Daily)
The Manta Ray drew heavy inspiration from the era’s concept cars, particularly the 1951 GM LeSabre, which influenced many visionaries of the time. But Glenn and Vernon weren’t content with imitation; they wanted a car that was both radical and sleek. The result was a fiberglass-bodied Sport Custom that immediately stood out with its low, aggressive profile.
The 1951 Studebaker Manta Ray appeared in a white ivory pink finish at the 2016 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.(Picture from: Motortrend)
Measuring just 40 inches in height with a 112-inch wheelbase and tipping the scales at only 1,000 pounds, it was a compact powerhouse of creativity. The car retained its original 1951 Studebaker V8 engine and chassis, emphasizing style over speed, although the frame side rails were slightly shortened by three inches for a more refined stance.
The 1951 Studebaker Manta Ray featured a cabin with Stewart-Warner instruments and a Plymouth speedometer housed in a cone-shaped steering column, topped by a 1953 Lincoln steering wheel.(Picture from: ConceptCarz)
Every detail of the Manta Ray was carefully considered. Its bumpers were hand-formed from Hudson parts, while the taillights were sourced from a Lincoln, blending pieces from multiple manufacturers into a cohesive, futuristic look. Inside, the cabin featured Stewart-Warner instruments and a Plymouth speedometer mounted within a cone-shaped steering wheel housing, topped with a 1953 Lincoln steering wheel.
The 1951 Studebaker Manta Ray retained its original V8 engine and chassis, emphasizing style over speed, while its frame side rails were shortened three inches and the bumpers were hand-formed from Hudson parts.(Picture from: ConceptCarz)
Practicality was cleverly hidden beneath the flamboyance: although the car had no deck lid, the seats could tilt forward to allow storage, and the gas tank filler neck was discreetly placed under the center taillight. The original finish was a metallic golden lacquer, highlighting every curve and contour of its avant-garde body.
The 1951 Studebaker Manta Ray featured rear taillights sourced from a Lincoln, blending parts from multiple manufacturers into a futuristic design, with the gas tank filler neck discreetly hidden beneath the center taillight.(Picture from: ConceptCarz)
Over time, the Manta Ray’s colors evolved, most notably appearing in a white ivory pink at the 2016 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, though the exact reason for this transformation remains unclear. Ownership has shifted as well, most recently resting with D.E. Lacer from Junction City, Kansas. The car’s journey includes a fascinating trade made in 1959 by his father, L.L. “Peanuts” Lacer, who exchanged it fora 1952 Morris, a 1952 Volkswagen, and a 1953 Packard through Bob Yeakel, a prominent Los Angeles auto dealer of the period.
Even decades later, the Manta Ray stands as a testament to mid-century creativity, merging jet-age inspiration with automotive ingenuity. It’s not just a car—it’s a rolling piece of art, a bold statement from the minds of Glenn Hire and Vernon Antoine, and a vivid reminder that in the 1950s, imagination often raced ahead of practicality.*** [EKA [09062016][15042022] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTORTREND | HEMMINGS DAILY | KUSTOMRAMA]
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Even decades later, the Manta Ray stands as a testament to mid-century creativity, merging jet-age inspiration with automotive ingenuity. It’s not just a car—it’s a rolling piece of art, a bold statement from the minds of Glenn Hire and Vernon Antoine, and a vivid reminder that in the 1950s, imagination often raced ahead of practicality. *** [EKA [09062016][15042022] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTORTREND | HEMMINGS DAILY | KUSTOMRAMA]
