Just A Car Guy
Cool things with wheels since 2006
Thursday, November 12, 2026
just a cool photo
Is there a legal way for the government to use the photo of a person, without their permission, on license plates and registration? Puerto Rico is certain they CAN, and had Roberto Clemente on their license plate. His sons took their case to the Supreme Court
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Larry Bell's donation in 1947 of the Bell Model 47 helicopter (registration NC-3H, serial number 5) to the Burgard Vocational High School Aviation Department in Buffalo, New York to train future helicopter mechanics.. The 5th Bell Model 47 ever built, one of the oldest surviving Bell helicopters in the world.
the 'Bangert Manta Ray'
The 1955 Bangert Manta Ray was the second car that Noel Bangert built and offered to the public. It's styling was inspired by the 1954 Buick Wildcat II show car.
The purpose of the open wheel wells was to create a larger cooling area for the front brakes.
Three race cars were built and two of these exist today. One on a Kurtis Kraft chassis and one built on a custom tube chassis
Noel Bangert was a man of many talents, from car designer, automotive styling critic and later, Hollywood producer.
His marriage to Tippi Hedren (1964 – ’84) and growing career in the movie business certainly did.
Following his car design days, Bangert changed his last name to Marshall, and is perhaps best known as the executive producer of the 1973 horror blockbuster The Exorcist.
https://www.undiscoveredclassics.com/forgotten-fiberglass/lost-car-bill-freedmans-bangert-manta-ray-race-car
https://silodrome.com/bangert-manta-ray/
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/restored-1956-bangert-manta-ray-the-embodiment-of-forgotten-fiberglass-to-debut-at-amelia-island/
Tuesday, November 10, 2026
it's easy to spot the people who are native to So Cal, and those that moved here... the natives feel cold at anything under 80 degrees. Those of us that moved here are shirtless over 65 degrees - Both are facing the camera in this photo
Bill Freedman's Bangert Manta Ray Special at the Riverside Raceway Half Mile Drags

















































