This is a extremely rare kit car built in 1975. It is called a Mantis and was designed and built by Loring design in Oregon. It is one of only two made. It is based on a full length VW beetle chassis and powered by a stock 1600 dual port VW motor with dual 40mm Kadron carbs that actually gives it very peppy performance. It is very lightweight and doesn't drive or sound anything like a VW. It is currently titled and licensed and is completely ready to drive. This car is extremely low, total height is around 37-38" tall!! I'm about 5'9" and fit in it fine, some of my taller friends have ridden and driven it and did fit but had to make an effort to scrunch down in the seat. It would be possible to modify the seats to make more head room but it is fairly tight for a tall person as is.

 The motor and gearbox are used but in very good condition. Starter is near new, generator near new (12v) 200mm clutch is fairly new. 18" MSR rims and EVO Z tires are near new. The motor leaks a little oil (it is a VW after all) and occasionly the clutch chatters from a standing start which I'm fairly sure is a problem with the boden tube and not the clutch itself, pretty easy fix just never got around to it. Engine access is extremely good as the entire rear of the body can be easily removed. It has a very nice sporty sounding custom exhaust. The brakes work fine but there are a few squeeks and groans occasionally. The body is in overall excellent condition, paint is high quality and fairly fresh (I believe it is Dodge Viper yellow) there are a few nicks and scratches and touch ups but overall it's very nice. The Interior is also in very nice condition. it is very comfortable to sit in and you feel like you could sleep in it because it is so reclined. It has a pretty decent AM/FM CD player. Two speed self parking wipers, all lights, turn signals brake lights work great. It has a 3 tone air horn that you can switch from solid tone to sequintial musical tone via a dash switch.

The dash panel is very simple, There is one instrument a speedometer that does work (although I think it reads a bit slow) and oil pressure, generator and turn signal indicator lights and that's all. No other gauges. It has a new spun aluminum fuel tank. You can check the level of fuel with a simple dip stick, there is no fuel gauge.

Title shows make as 1975 Mantis, not kit car or assembled etc.

The windshield is in perfect condition. It is from a Karmann Ghia so isn't imposible to find should it ever require replacement. 

 You can see a video of it driving on you tube at :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZo97n20LR8

 Please keep in mind that although this is a very nicely built ready to drive car it is an old homebuilt VW based kit car and as such is a bit crude in some ways, There is no heat or defrost, no doors or roof, no handbrake, no spare tire. I would consider it along the same lines as a Lotus 7 or other kit built car designed for driving pleasure or sport more than a practical vehicle. many aspects of its construction are very simple and crude by production car standards, having said that I have driven on some fairly long trips even in the rain at times and it has never let me down and has always been a blast to drive. You'll get plenty of attention and questions when driving it. I have a lot of history and info on this car. It comes with a super rare loring design brochure, This car is the actual car pictured on the brochure. I have spoken with Dave Loring the designer and original builder of the car and have some history and correspondence to share with the new owner.

I recommend and encourage an inspection by appointment before bidding or purchasing. the car is located in Granite Falls, WA near Seattle.
Buyer is responsible for shipping if required, I will help in any way possible.

 I realy hate to part with this car as I have realy enjoyed it but simply have way to many cars and not enough space.
I am happy to answer any questions. I do reserve the right to end the auction early should I make a sale elsewhere.