Junction City

The Manta Ray was built by Glen Hire and Vernon Antoine of Whittier, California, sometime between 1951 and 1953. Inspiration came from Harley Earl's 1951 GM LeSabre concept car. L.L. Lacer of Junction City bought the car in 1959.

Junction City was known as an Army Town. John Moore lived there in 1968, and in 2022 he told Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama that it was a real hot rod town. "With all the Soldiers at Fort Riley with regular paychecks, they were looking to own hot cars and the car dealers were more than happy to do business. By 1968, I was a 10-year veteran car spotter. No foolin', I Never saw a '66 on up Chevelle 2dr that Didn't have a 396!!!. If you can locate a town with a population of 14,000 that contains THREE Superbirds, let me know. When the California contingent of Soldiers arrived, things got colorful. Topping the list of real live Cal Customs was a car that the locals referred to as "The Jet". It was a '65 Comet Caliente with a full-blown Metalflake panel paint job in many bright colors. And, it was inspired by the Gassers...Straight Axle and jacked up SO high that, and I really checked this out, the bottom of the Body was level with the top of the tires! A friend told me that watching the guy go over railroad tracks was hilarious, and time-consuming."

Sport Customs of Junction City, Kansas

The Manta Ray

Citizens of Junction City, Kansas

L.L. Lacer