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Topic starter
30/11/2023 9:22 pm
Built on Bill Mitchell's personal '58 XP-700 concept car, the XP-755 "Mako Shark" was more of a teaser for the C-2 Stingray which was already in the works. The big surprise in the industry was under the hood with their Mark 1 ZL-1 427 cid V8 replacement for their 409 race engine. The car was designed by Larry Shinoda and the shark motif including the paint scheme came from Mitchell's pride and joy Mako Shark trophy that hung on his office wall - a memento of his recent Caribbean vacation. Originally under a double bubble top, in the following year it was discarded. Its successor, the Mako ll was basically a teaser for the C-3 debut. Both are still housed in GM's museum. Model by Franklin Mint.
30/11/2023 11:11 pm
Great photos, this is a model I just never got interested in.
John Merritt
South Lyon, Michigan - USA
Tony Perrone reacted
01/12/2023 12:04 am
Terrific images of this great Chevrolet dream car ! The color really is spectacular. I have this one in 1/18 from MotorMax and it also displays quite well
Tony Perrone and David Green reacted
01/12/2023 7:33 am
Not to everyone's liking. We Corvette collectors had to have it though to keep the collection whole. The old story went that Bill Mitchell was insistent that the paint job of the car exactly reflect the deep blue-to-white gradient of the real shark. Time after time the paint guys failed and Mitchell was furious. They finally succeeded by matching the FISH to the car - they painted the shark when Mitchell was out of the office long enough for them to steal it and paint it to match the car.
01/12/2023 8:13 am
@perrone1 Tony, interesting story about the shark being painted to match the car. Like you, my Corvette collection wouldn't be complete without this model. Nice pictures and writeup Rich.
01/12/2023 9:18 am
My Corvette collection wouldn't be complete without this model. Nice pictures and writeup Rich.
+1 !!
01/12/2023 9:26 am
Rich again great photos. I have this one along with my Corvette Collection.
Rich Sufficool and Tony Perrone reacted
01/12/2023 4:59 pm
Not to everyone's liking. We Corvette collectors had to have it though to keep the collection whole. The old story went that Bill Mitchell was insistent that the paint job of the car exactly reflect the deep blue-to-white gradient of the real shark. Time after time the paint guys failed and Mitchell was furious. They finally succeeded by matching the FISH to the car - they painted the shark when Mitchell was out of the office long enough for them to steal it and paint it to match the car.
so hang on! How many of them held the shark down while the others painted it??
Tony Perrone reacted
01/12/2023 5:02 pm
Not to everyone's liking. We Corvette collectors had to have it though to keep the collection whole. The old story went that Bill Mitchell was insistent that the paint job of the car exactly reflect the deep blue-to-white gradient of the real shark. Time after time the paint guys failed and Mitchell was furious. They finally succeeded by matching the FISH to the car - they painted the shark when Mitchell was out of the office long enough for them to steal it and paint it to match the car.
so hang on! How many of them held the shark down while the others painted it??
Rumor at the time was that they had renowned surf fisherman John Barry come by and wrestle it into submission. He apparently did it using just one- arm!
Tony Perrone reacted
01/12/2023 5:03 pm
Not to everyone's liking. We Corvette collectors had to have it though to keep the collection whole. The old story went that Bill Mitchell was insistent that the paint job of the car exactly reflect the deep blue-to-white gradient of the real shark. Time after time the paint guys failed and Mitchell was furious. They finally succeeded by matching the FISH to the car - they painted the shark when Mitchell was out of the office long enough for them to steal it and paint it to match the car.
so hang on! How many of them held the shark down while the others painted it??
LOL!
01/12/2023 5:04 pm
Not to everyone's liking. We Corvette collectors had to have it though to keep the collection whole. The old story went that Bill Mitchell was insistent that the paint job of the car exactly reflect the deep blue-to-white gradient of the real shark. Time after time the paint guys failed and Mitchell was furious. They finally succeeded by matching the FISH to the car - they painted the shark when Mitchell was out of the office long enough for them to steal it and paint it to match the car.
so hang on! How many of them held the shark down while the others painted it??
Rumor at the time was that they had renowned surf fisherman John Berry come by and wrestle it into submission. He apparently did it using just one- arm!
He is a legend known for doing just that!
01/12/2023 5:06 pm
Not to everyone's liking. We Corvette collectors had to have it though to keep the collection whole. The old story went that Bill Mitchell was insistent that the paint job of the car exactly reflect the deep blue-to-white gradient of the real shark. Time after time the paint guys failed and Mitchell was furious. They finally succeeded by matching the FISH to the car - they painted the shark when Mitchell was out of the office long enough for them to steal it and paint it to match the car.
so hang on! How many of them held the shark down while the others painted it??
Rumor at the time was that they had renowned surf fisherman John Berry come by and wrestle it into submission. He apparently did it using just one- arm!
He is a legend known for doing just that!
Ok I guess that explains what happened to the other arm?
Tony Perrone and Jack Dodds reacted
01/12/2023 5:08 pm
@perrone1 The other arm you ask about? Word has it he was busy signing autographs for the GM boys with his free hand at the same time! True story....... How he remains so modest is amazing!
Tony Perrone reacted
01/12/2023 5:10 pm
@perrone1 The other arm you ask about? Word has it he was busy signing autographs for the GM boys with his free hand at the same time! True story....... How he remains so modest is amazing!
OK got it! thanks Jack!
Tony Perrone reacted
02/12/2023 6:35 am
LOLOLOLOL!!