Back in 1962, the new-for-1963 “C2” Corvette design had been finalized. Bill Mitchell in GM Styling wanted a special car to tour the show circuit and had Larry Shinoda work on the project, later known as the XP-755 Mako Shark. This relatively standard 1965 Corvette has received some fiberglass modifications to partially resemble the XP-755 and is now for sale as an incomplete project here on eBay. It’s located in Long Beach, California, and has an initial bid placed of $25,000 as I write.
Here’s a picture of the XP-755 from a similar perspective. The real car has a lot more detail, including delicate bumpers, shark-like fins, and prominent side pipes. The car also features a very distinctive paint scheme reminiscent of a shark.
Sorry about the fuzzy quality of this period picture, but I thought it was cool to show Mr. Mitchell standing next to both the car and the front end of a shark to note the similarities.
Let’s get back to the car for sale. Apparently, the cosmetic nose modification was completed prior to the current owner’s purchase of the car. They state that while the previous owner said the car had been raced, I see little to support that other than tow brackets attached to the front of the car in some of the pictures. The seller was looking for a car to refurbish and use as a cruiser and weekend show car, but now they are after another Corvette and are selling this one to enable that purchase.
The car as sold is equipped with a removable hard top but no soft top. It appears that the rear styling has not been modified. The rear of the XP-755 was considerably different from the standard C2 body shell, with a third set of rear lights and additional shark-like vents in the lower rear quarters. I suppose one could modify this car in a similar way, but I’m guessing it’s more likely that the front appearance is returned to stock. What would you do if the car were in your driveway?
We’re told that this is the original 327 and that the rebuilt engine will be reinstalled in the car prior to auction completion. The original transmission is also included, although it’s not stated what type of transmission that is. One of the pictures in the ad shows a manual transmission bell housing, so it should be either a three-speed or four-speed manual. Do you want to catch this “Shark”, or would you throw it back? Let us know in the comments!
Will the mechanic be using a Sawzall while installing that engine?
ah Grasshoppa , you have learned well.
As Stacey David would say “Purdy cool” .
OK so I restored a 72 Roadster with a similar Shark nose like this . I gotta say that the parts and labor got way out of hand quickly and this being a Mid-Year
{that’s what us Old-school guys call them} the front end parts are going to cost you bigtime, Just Sayin remember that Old song “When The Shark Bites ”
see link attached https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8iPUK0AGRo
This ’65 may have a relatively low initial price, but restoring it would be very expensive. Just having a good shop do body and paint repairs would cost at least $40,000. Then you have interior, brake, tire, and trim expenses.
I can’t see putting that much money and/or time in a factory blue/black low-option car. But you may feel differently.
If the modification wasn’t poorly designed and poorly executed I’d say leave it alone. Jerry’s right. Going in price with what’s left to do to make a real car out of it isn’t worth it.
He must have used the “How To Take A 1965 Corvette And Ruin It” manual.
Jerry is correct. Good body work on old Corvettes is very difficult to get done today as very few people can do it correctly. Just buy this car and drive it.
If you read the text in the auction the seller states that it was a “bar find”. Makes perfect sense.