Corvette Model Gallery
Mako Shark I
1961
First there was the XP-700, a car built for GM design chief Bill Mitchell, then came the XP-755 which was then redone as the Mako Shark I. Design was by Larry Shinoda who will forever go down in Corvette history as the designer of the 1963. The Shark had been styled and painted to resemble a Mako Shark that Mitchell had caught off the coast of Florida. An oft told story is that Mitchell had ordered the car painted to match the colors of the fish but when that was impossible his staff quietly borrowed the mounted fish and repainted it to match the car. While the styling was a stand-out it clearly was the color scheme that made this car. Starting with dark blue upper surfaces it faded to a lighter blue on the sides and finally white on the bottom half.
During its long history the car has seen a variety of changes. It originally sported the all glass top from the XP-700 and the interior from a ‘61, except for the non stock steering wheel that had ben a present from Enzo Ferrari. It has also been fitted with several engines including a turbo charged 427 for the 1962 New York Auto Show. The present kit by AMT does an excellent job of portraying what the car currently looks like. To be more accurate the dash and upper door halves should be wood grain, the door bottoms silver and of course the kit external colors are a modified version of the real scheme.
Nearly 40 years after its creation the Mako Shark I still attracts attention at the Corvette Museum and whenever it is taken out for display. For the model kit review Mako Shark I.
The model:
Felice built this Mako Shark I show car from the AMT snap kit.
Paint is Testor's Model Master Copenhagen Blue 2703, fading to
chrome silver and clearcoated with Future floor wax.
He changed some assembly procedures in order to eliminate the
seams. The suspension was lowered a bit for the right stance.
Model Car Garage photoetch set added the finishing touch to this
model.
If you would like to contact Felice on this model his e-mail address is: felilaura@cantv.net
Page updated 01/08/03