Hi Gang…

Today’s story is courtesy of one of our Undiscovered Classics fan in Europe – Luis Alarcos – of Spain.  Luis collects and restores Renault specials including those that were built (or found) in America.  Recently Luis has been looking to acquire a Canadian sports car called a “Manic GT” and has begin learning as much as possible about this rare car built north of our border.  During this process he sent me a few things that are being packaged for shipment to Spain including the subject of today’s story – a 1970 brochure for the Manic GT.  Of course I couldn’t help but share what crossed my desk on our website so away we go 🙂

Manic Brochure: 1969

Page 1: Cover

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Manic…birth of a dream car.  In 1968 a dynamic, young Montrealer called Jacques About only had a dream and a couple of hundred dollars.  But he put the two together and came up with a winner – a sleep 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 Depots, Steinberg & Son, L’Office du Credit Industriel du Quebec 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 square foot plant is set at 120 cars a month but by 1972 an output of 1600 to 2000 cars a year will be reached.

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MANIC…bred for track and traffic.  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 II 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.

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Manic…Well worth waiting for.  She’s got style. The style of a true Montrealaise.  A smooth blend of European sophistication and Canadian guts.  She’s fast and frisky…from 105 to 135 top depending on how you gear her.  But she doesn’t drink much…from 35 to 40 mpg depending on where you take her.

She responds to your every touch…that’s the beauty of rack and pinion.  And she stops on a dime thanks to disc brakes all around.  But she’s a woman.  And like all great women you may have to wait a little while before she’s yours. Be patient. She’s worth every moment of it.

Pages 4 and 5 Combined:

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MANIC GT SPECIFICATIONS

ENGINE

• Derived from the Renault 1300 cc “Sierra” engine
• Rear mounted
• 4 inline cylinders
• 5 main bearings
• Overhead valves, removable wet cylinder sleeves, 1289 cc (78.66 cubic inch) capacity
• Bore 2 and 7/8″ ; stroke 3 and 1/32″
• Pressure fed oil lubication
• Sealed liquid cooling system
• Compression ratio 8.0 at HP 65 / 9.6 at HP 80 / 10.5 at HP 105
• Capacity – cooling system 10 and 1/2 US quarts, 8 and 3/4 Imperial quarts
• Motor 2 and 3/4 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
• 30′ 4″ diameter turning circle

BRAKES

• 4 wheel disc brakes: self adjusting, hydraulic Lockheed: dual system
• Hand brake on rear wheels

DIMENSIONS

• Wheelbase 89 and 1/4″ overall length
• Length: 162 and 1/2″
• Height 45″
• Weight: 1450 lbs

FUEL CONSUMPTION

• 35 to 42 miles to gallon (1300 to 1300S)

SPEED

• 105, 120, 135 mph depending on motor speed

TIRES

• 135 x 15 (options 155 x 13 front) ( 165 x 13 rear)
• Tire circumference (leaded): 72.6″

HEATING AND COOLING

• A large, fast operating heater is standard

ELECTRICAL

• 12 volts – battery 45 amp/hr.

CHASSIS

• Renault R8 reinforced with a tubular chassis incorporating a security arch

BODY

• Fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP)

SAFETY EQUIPMENT

• 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

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Manic…simple to service.  A glance at the Manic specifications will show that while the car is distinctive in design,

Manic
Les Automobiles Manic (1970) Ltee.
P.O. Box 424 Grandby, P.Q., Canada

Summary:

There’s much more to share about this story and I’m hoping to coax Marvin McFalls, President of the Renault Club of North American to help us learn more about this car in future stories here at Undiscovered Classics.  Maybe he’ll share a few photos of his Manic under restoration too.  And thanks again to Luis Alarcos for finding this brochure and sharing it with us for today’s story.  Much appreciated Luis 🙂

Hope you enjoyed the story, and remember…

The adventure continues here at Undiscovered Classics.

Geoff