1973 Motion Manta Ray GT is the White Whale of Corvettes

As the last known Motion Manta Ray Corvette heads to the auction block, we look at the ultra-rare, ultra high-performance car. 

There are many fascinating chapters in Corvette history. One very cool but lesser-known contribution to the epic is the 1973 Corvette Motion Manta Ray GT. Nearly-extinct, the 1973 C3 was the work of tuners Baldwin-Motion. This 1973 Corvette Motion Mantra GT is the last surviving example of only three built. And if you’ve got deep pockets, it is headed to auction.

Swimming With Sharks 

The 1970s, and the resulting C3s of that era, could be best defined as swimming with sharks. And definitely just not because of the style. When it made its debut in 1968, C3s were challenged with keeping up with changing trends while retaining its distinctly Corvette roots. This led to a generation that is often regarded with a mixed bag of reactions.

As Corvettes gained considerable muscle car attributes; it strayed further away from the C2 Sting Ray and the C3 Mako Shark II concept designed by the legendary Bill Mitchell. In 1969, Mitchell once again delivered a stunner in his 1969 Manta Ray concept car. Offering an L71 427/435 and L88 in a 1968 ‘Vette was a decided departure from Mitchell’s earlier work.

Loco Motion

Meanwhile in Long Island, Joel Rosen was taking his experience as a racer and rodder and putting it to work tuning cars. Rosen’s Motion Performance partnered with Baldwin Chevrolet to build and sell race-ready performance cars directly from a dealer. This partnership became Baldwin-Motion, a team that would build some truly hell-raising Motion Corvettes.

In 1973, Motion built 3 Corvette Manta Ray GTs. Of the three Manta Rays built, two were powered by 454 V8s paired to a four-speed manual transmission. One was wrecked soon after it was completed, and the other 454 Manta Ray was never heard from again. The third, and last of its kind, is this 1973 C3 Motion Corvette.

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Powered by a more friendly 350 V8 and featuring a Turbo HydraMatic automatic transmission, the Manta Ray makes 425 horsepower. Motion’s retro design was clearly heavily influenced by Mitchell’s original concept.

Unlike any other Corvette, it has 14 bodywork changes compared to a stock C3. This includes the big-block hood, fender flares, exposed head lights, red-over-black paint scheme, chrome Hooker Headers and side pipes, air conditioning, aluminum wheels, and more.

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Frankly, we think it is a stunner. Motion really understood performance, and these cars are the right amount of aggressive without taking from its inherent Corvette DNA.

Motion’s Manta Ray GT has the clean, crisp lines we associate with Bill Mitchell; but it also is given a jolt of adrenaline reflecting the muscle that lies beneath.

Also, the unique Corvette was signed by Joel Rosen himself. “Mr. Motion” met the previous owner at a car show and spoke with him about the Manta Ray.

“You’ve got a very, very rare and valuable car,” he told the owner; prompting the man to carefully restore using period-correct details.

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If you are looking to own this unique Corvette, Mecum has it on the docket at the upcoming Indy auction starting May 14. Start your engines.

Photos: GM Heritage; Mecum

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