Post by ferrari512s on May 30, 2014 22:54:56 GMT -5
The XP-755 concept car, also known as the Mako Shark, was designed by Larry Shinoda under the direction of General Motors Styling and Design head Bill Mitchell in 1961, as a concept for future Chevrolet Corvette production cars. (How does Chevrolet come up with these alpha numeric code names? Like was there a XP-754 or XP-753 and why can't I locate this concept list)?
In keeping with the name, the streamlining, pointed snout, and other detailing was partly inspired by the sleek, fast-moving short fin mako shark. The '61 Corvette tail was given two additional tail lights (six total) for the concept car.
The concept was inspired by Bill Mitchell's 1959 Stingray racer XP87 which also inspired the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray.
A widespread story has it that Mitchell had an actual mako shark mounted on the wall in his office, and ordered his team to paint the car to match the distinctive blue-gray upper surface gently blending into white underside of the fish.
After numerous attempts to match the fish's color scheme failed, the team hit upon the idea of kidnapping the fish one night, painting it to match their best efforts on the car, and returning it to the office. Mitchell never realized the difference and pronounced himself pleased with the team's duplication on the car of nature's handiwork.[1]
The Mako Shark was a tremendous success on the auto show circuit. In fact, it's been noted just how closely it resembles the design of the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette. You could say this is the twin cousin!
A lot of the Mako’s design elements made it into production. But the Mako Shark concept wasn’t the only fish of its kind at General Motors. There were several other fish from the ocean.
The XP-755 Mako Shark I concept car was used in Season 2, Episode 6 of the Television series Route 66 that aired in October 1961.[2] Does anyone remember that show today? You probably remember these concept cars though.
General Motors supplied most of the vehicles that were driven in the series.[3]
In this particular episode, the main characters in Route 66, Buzz and Tod drive a 1961 Corvette.
But another character, Prudie Adams drives a very exotic looking XP-755 Mako Shark I with a double bubble top and side exhaust pipes.
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Source
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mako_Shark_%28concept_car%29
www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z1865/Chevrolet-Corvette-Mako-Shark-I-XP-755.aspx