The Bizzarrini Manta is a concept car which was presented to the public in 1968.

Built from Bizzarrini parts, the Manta was one of Giorgetto Giugiaro’s first independent designs as an independent consultant. He used it to promote and launch Ital Design in Turin.

The Manta is remarkable as it was built up from an ex-Le Mans racer and it is one of the first cars the world to use a triple seat arrangement.

The body designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro in the so-called one-box style is considered to be groundbreaking for the design of later mid-engine sports cars. According to the manufacturer, the frame and chassis come from a Bizzarrini P538, the engine is a high-volume eight-cylinder Chevrolet Corvette engine and had already raced at Le Mans.

It s a 5.359cc OHV V-8 Engine with four weber 45 carburetors producing an estimated 400 HP at 5400 rpm. All connected to a 5-speed ZF manual gearbox

Bizzarrini designed the P538 racing car which was only used in two competitions. Only four P538s were built up to 1968, one of which was destroyed prematurely. Giugiaro took over the chassis in the summer of 1968. In 45 days, the specialist Autocostruzioni S.D. created the show car, which was not roadworthy at the time.

Even by today’s standards, the Manta’s dimensions are astounding: the car is 4.13 metres long, a full 1.86 metres wide and just 1.05 metres high.

The Manta was painted in a light green with orange highlights, which attracted even more attention. Later, the car was repainted silver and then red and presented to an astonished audience in the US.