Manic... birth of a dream car. In 1968 a dynamic, young Montrealer called Jacques About only had a dream and couple of hundred dollars. But he put the two together and came up with a winner a sleek prototype GT that turned everyone's head at the 1969 international Auto Salon in Montreal.
But Jacques About hadn't been dreaming about just another good looking car. He wanted a Canadian designed car that had a low production cost, that was economical to run and that was sold and serviced through an existing network. A car that could compete with the European imports and win.
With a little help from his prototype Jacques convinced a group of Canada's wisest investors that he could do it. These include Placement Bombardier, International Capital Inc., Caisse Des Dépôts, Steinberg & Son, L'Office du Crédit Industriel du Québec and the Canadian Government who invested a total of $1,500,000. Jacques About has remained President, Chairman of the Board and major shareholder. A year later he had a factory in Granby. A factory that's turning out Canada's first production car - The Manic G.T.
Although Manic looks like an expensive custom-crafted automobile it is actually priced in the most reasonable bracket. It gets up to 40 miles per gallon. And it's sold at selected Renault dealers and is serviced through all Renault dealers. Initial production at the 60,000 sq. ft. plant is set at 120 cars a month but by 1972 an output of 1600 to 2000 cars a year will be reached.
Engine
Horsepower (kw)
Automatic Transmission (sp)
Racing is in Manic's blood. In fact, the first member of the family, the MANIC-GRAC still holds the Formula C record at St. Jovite. Now Manic returns to racing with the Manic PA Il Group 6, the first Canadian car in international competition. It's not just for the sport of it, but also to subject innovations and improvements to the rigors of racing; to test new concepts and designs in a prototype sportscar; to develop on the track what will help you on the highway. That's what Manic's bloodlines are all about.
Racing is in Manic's blood. In fact, the first member of the family, the MANIC-GRAC still holds the Formula C record at St. Jovite. Now Manic returns to racing with the Manic PA Il Group 6, the first Canadian car in international competition. It's not just for the sport of it, but also to subject innovations and improvements to the rigors of racing; to test new concepts and designs in a prototype sportscar; to develop on the track what will help you on the highway. That's what Manic's bloodlines are all about.
Engine Derived from the Renault 1300cc “Sierra” engine. Rear mounted. 4 in-line cylinders. 5 main bearings. Overhead valves, removable wet cylinder sleeves, 1289cc (78.66 cu. in.) capacity. Bore: 2½”; stroke: 3⅓2”. Pressure-fed oil lubrication and liquid cooling system. Compression ratio: 8.0. Power: 65 HP (9.6) (10.5) (80) (105). Cooling system capacity: 10 U.S. quarts / 8 Imp. quarts. Engine oil capacity: 5 quarts including filter. Fuel tank: 8 gallons.
Transmission Single plate diaphragm-type clutch. Fully synchronized 4 speeds (5-speed gearbox available).
Suspension Individual coil springs and shock absorbers on all four wheels. Anti-roll torsion bar at the front.
Steering Rack and pinion. Turning circle: 30’4” diameter. Brakes: 4-wheel disc brakes, self-adjusting, hydraulic Lockheed dual system. Hand brake on rear wheels.
Dimensions Wheelbase 89½”, overall length 162½”, height 45”, weight 1,450 lbs.
Fuel consumption 35 to 42 miles per gallon (1300 to 1500S).
Speed 105, 120, or 135 mph depending on motor speed.
Tires 135 x 15 (options 155 x 13 front, 165 x 13 rear). Tire circumference (loaded): 72.6”.
Heating and cooling A large, fast-operating heater is standard.
Electrical 12 volts. Battery: 45 amp/hr.
Chassis Renault R-8 floor reinforced with a tubular chassis incorporating a security arch.
Body Fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP).
Safety equipment Built to U.S. Federal standards. Lap and shoulder safety belts. Back-up lights. Direction signals. Side flashers. Back-up hydraulic system for brakes. Universal joint on steering column.
A glance at the Manic specifications will show that while the car is distinctive in design it is constructed almost entirely of standard parts, parts readily available at any Renault dealer or service centre. As for the very few special items (none are part of the running gear) Manic guarantees delivery anywhere in North America within 24 hours. You can't ask for more than that. The one truly unique feature of the Manic is its fiberglass body. A body that won't rust. A body that is made of a laminated lyasil net so it's shatterproof like a safety windshield; more shock absorbant than metal and, on an average, 30% less expensive to repair than a metal car.
Fiberglass is Manic's business. If it can be made out of fiberglass we can make it. Whether it's the cockpit shell for a precision flight simulator or a rugged truck bed, we're the only company in Canada that can handle the product from initial structural design all the way to mass production. Manic is more than an automobile manu-facturer. We have already entered the industrial anti-corrosive field and we will continue to develop and expand and other areas. It is the development of this potential that will continue to make Manic a solid, dynamic company in the future.
