Photo: Autosport Designs
Designed by Jason Castriota and handcrafted by Bertone, what used to be called Project M was once planned for limited production. The Mantide should’ve spawned 10 units worldwide, but nevertheless, the Corvette ZR1-based bespoke supercar remains a one-of-one affair.
The Bianco Fuji example in the photo gallery, complete with charcoal and red accents, comes with a six-speed manual and 10,000 miles on the clock. That’s not a lot for a small-block V8 like the LS9, the Gen IV with 6.2 liters of displacement and an Eaton supercharger. In addition to the ‘Vette, this engine is also found in the HSV GTSR W1 and Equus Bass 770.
Unveiled in 2009 at the Shanghai Auto Show, the Mantide is listed for sale by Autosport Designs “for immediate use and touring pleasure.” Tested at the Nardo facility in Italy, driven up the hill at Goodwood, freighted to the USA in 2009, and shown at the Pebble Beach festivities of 2009, this fellow here has seen places and faces in no fewer than three continents.
The original color of red was changed at some point after returning to the East Coast to Autosport Designs to Bianco Fuji, and given the exclusivity of the front-engined supercar, it suits the Mantide rather well. Originating from the ancient Greek language, the word Mantide is a reference to the praying mantis. The exterior design, however, is inspired by aerospace icons such as the Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk and F1 aerodynamic principles.
Testing at Nardo confirmed the blistering performance of the ZR1-based build, namely 218 miles per hour at the top end and 3.2 seconds from a standstill to 60 miles per hour. More aerodynamic than the ‘Vette thanks to intricate carbon-fiber trickery designed in the wind tunnel, the Mantide doesn’t feature any notable mechanical changes over the donor chassis and powertrain. American guts, Italian styling, what more could you want?
A lighter car than the ZR1? The Mantide is allegedly 250 pounds lighter than the ZR1, thank you! On the downside, visibility is worse and getting in the car could prove troublesome for plumper adults.
Unveiled in 2009 at the Shanghai Auto Show, the Mantide is listed for sale by Autosport Designs “for immediate use and touring pleasure.” Tested at the Nardo facility in Italy, driven up the hill at Goodwood, freighted to the USA in 2009, and shown at the Pebble Beach festivities of 2009, this fellow here has seen places and faces in no fewer than three continents.
The original color of red was changed at some point after returning to the East Coast to Autosport Designs to Bianco Fuji, and given the exclusivity of the front-engined supercar, it suits the Mantide rather well. Originating from the ancient Greek language, the word Mantide is a reference to the praying mantis. The exterior design, however, is inspired by aerospace icons such as the Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk and F1 aerodynamic principles.
Testing at Nardo confirmed the blistering performance of the ZR1-based build, namely 218 miles per hour at the top end and 3.2 seconds from a standstill to 60 miles per hour. More aerodynamic than the ‘Vette thanks to intricate carbon-fiber trickery designed in the wind tunnel, the Mantide doesn’t feature any notable mechanical changes over the donor chassis and powertrain. American guts, Italian styling, what more could you want?
A lighter car than the ZR1? The Mantide is allegedly 250 pounds lighter than the ZR1, thank you! On the downside, visibility is worse and getting in the car could prove troublesome for plumper adults.
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