The MVP Motorsports Nissan GT-R is favorite among the Wraptivo show cars but some of you may not know the man behind the build. His name is Ernie Manansala Jr. and not only was he the point man for the MVP Motorsports GT-R he is also the creator behind various show cars that have receieved national acclaim. We wanted talk with Ernie a bit so you could get to know him a bit better. Check out the interview below!
How did you catch the “bug” and take up cars as a hobby?
My uncle brought me to a VW show called “wateriest” when i was younger and i just wanted to be just like my uncle and have a fast car and something that made people stop in their tracks to look at…
A while back you had a small fleet of Lexus SC cars. Why were you so attracted to the SC?
I loved Toyota Supras but I knew I couldn’t really afford one. Then, one day I was reading a Super Street magazine and noticed the Vertex body kit for the Lexus SC and I was hooked! Later on when I was a marketing manager at NOS Energy Drink I pitched the idea of building the car and that lead to the blue Lexus SC gutted with a full cage, Origin body kit, and Toyota 1J engine. After that build I got into the car show scene and wanted to do something “nutty”. That is when I built a SC300 with a V8 Toyota 2UZ engine, Vertex Ridge kit, Volks wheels, and a slew of Greddy Performance parts. I think the reason why I love the SC so much is that in a way it is a “poor man’s Supra” I can drive it like I stole it, people have no idea what it is, and you can put just about any motor in it and it will still run amazingly! I heart SC’s!
You have built a lot of cars in your time. Of all the project cars you have done do you have a favorite?
I have to say favorite car has to be GT-R I did with MVP Motorsports, RJ De Vera, MotorworldHype.com, Fatlace, and my other partners. It was a family build you know. It was all my mentors and friends helping me gather parts and coming together to contribute to The GT-R. Some people love it and some people hate it and that comes with the territory. At the end of the day we built it for the scene and the GT-R enthusiasts out there. Another personal favorite is my first Lexus SC. My brother mark had a lot to with that car. He influenced me a lot and it’s something I can share with others forever.
Do you have a preference for any type of car? European? Japanese? American Muscle?
Recently my tastes have been skewed towards European cars. My mentor RJ de Vera taught me about looking for quality, comfort, fit, and finish in an automobile and in those aspects nothing beats a BMW my opinion. BMW’s current line is just amazing. The M3 is the ultimate coupe, the 5 series is the business man’s car, and the 7 series is just pure luxury. So BMW’s and other European cars are my preference right but really, I love all cars. I have a Subaru WRX that I love to death. I love the fact that I can beat on the car, drive in all types of conditions, and get sideways whenever I want. Then, there is my Toyota Land Cruiser. I know that thing will get me out of any natural disaster the lord can put me in!
When you do a new project you typically do your own renderings. Is art a passion of yours as well?
Yes, art is definitely a passion of mine. I love to draw and I taught myself how to use Photoshop. Those skills help me helped me a lot when I render my car. I love all forms of art but I especially love the art that comes from nothing but passion.
What did you think about vinyl wrapping a car before you tried Wraptivo?
I have seen it before and I was completely amazed by it. I especially loved the DIY aspect of it. Sometimes I have “DIY weekends” and doing little projects on random items with Wraptivo is one of my favorite activities now. Wraptivo carbon is my all time favorite and I enjoy experimenting with it, and the final outcome always gives instant gratification.
What was your first impression of Wraptivo when you learned of it?
I just couldn’t believe how easy it was to use it. I wrapped my cell phone, my laptop, and my desk! I just wrapped everything I could get my hands on. I was going to try my puppy’s dog collar too, but she was too fast!
What was the first thing you thought when you saw the completed wrap on the MVP Motorsports GT-R for the first time?
“HOLY !@#$%, that is one mean !@#$@ car!” You know, every time I look at it I still feel like the MVP Motorsports GT-R came out amazing. The Wraptivo treatment gives it a style that seems timeless to me.
The GT-R was a favorite among all the wrapped cars at SEMA. What would be the next project car that you would want to use Wraptivo on?
I want a Honda Civic. Yes, I said a Civic! I think that would be the hardest car to build because it is so common and it is hard to be original with it. The Honda Civic is one of the roots of the import scene and I would like to work with a car that has that type of connection to the culture.
Is there any one you want to thank for your success on this project?
Thank you to everyone that helped with the GT-R. It was a lot of work! Thank you to RJ, MVP, my brother, my family, and all my partners and sponsors.
Where can our readers learn more about your upcoming projects?
For now they can check out facebook.com/ernie.manansala. I will also soon start my blog again on emanansala.com and on fatlace.com.
