Like many of Chevrolet’s concepts of the era, the Mako Shark II enjoyed time on the show circuit and was reborn a few years later with styling updates – and a new name: Manta Ray. It debuted in 1969. Transforming the Mako Shark II into the Manta Ray included the addition of a front spoiler was added, changes to the grille and the “side pipe” exhausts were redesigned. The rear design changed, too, with a flying buttress-style appearance replacing a series of horizontal slats behind the rear window. The “new” Manta Ray also received a ZL-1 427-cubic-inch big-block V-8 engine.
