Old topic again...
I believe another factor in the inflated numbers is EGO. People liked to be viewed as prolific.
On August 20 2002, I talked with Joel Rosen on the telephone about some Maco issues---current pricing for the Maco & Manta Ray kits that he STILL sells).
He told me flat out that he made 3 Maco's and 1 Manta Ray (Ray Pennington). Those are different numbers then I've seen in magazines.
BTW---Here's a picture of outside Silva's shop.
[edited September to August]