When GM revealed the Mako Shark II concept car in 1965, many Corvette fans expected much of the dramatic styling to make its way to the next generation Corvette. While the concept did influence the ’68 Corvette’s design, it was very conservative compared to the concept. For John Silva, the design lacked much of the appeal of the original concept car, so he created his own Mako. With the help of Joel Rosen at Baldwin-Motion, his design would come to life as the Motion Maco Shark. This 1968 Motion Maco Shark has been parked in a rural barn for the past 30 or so years, but is headed to the auction block next month at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale Auction.
Most Maco’s were owner installed body kits, but one could order a complete car from Motion. This one appears to be one of the cars built by Motion and has exceptional fit and finish. It is powered by its original 390 hp 427 cui V8, which has a few Motion parts on it. Motion was known for its high performance Corvette modifications, but sadly this one wasn’t order with all the bells and whistles.
This Maco looks to be in good condition and has only seen 50,000 miles since new. The auction preview doesn’t offer much information about its history, but hopefully the previous owner can shed some light on it. The Scottsdale Auction is always a great way to kick off a new year and it should be a fantastic chance to see a wide variety of cars. If you’re in the area January 13th-20th, stop by and check it out.
I seem to recall that the only thing you could see with the outside mirrors on the original Mako were the enormous rear fenders.
It looks nice and sanitary, and given its rarity it should sell easily at the B-J auction. But….I like my performance cars to have a more ground-hugging stance. There’s way too much space between the wheel tops and the flares at both ends. I am wondering whether the body is correctly mounted on the frame, or whether there are over-thick spacers between the two.
OTOH, the rear is the best feature on the body, and a real improvement on the regular C3 body…….but then again, my favourite US street car is the C2 Coupe.
Body sits way to high. Do someone do an off road conversion?
too high
I well remember the concept Mako Shark. I really thought that was going to replace the Corvette as we knew it but when I saw the ’68 Corvette at the GM new car showing in September ’67, I was a little disappointed. Of course the new look of the Vette rubbed off soon and I got to like it as well but the Mako Shark was still the best.
So does this mean that Barn Finds will now be doing commercials?
At first glance, I thought the high body was to allow off roading or monster truck derbys. Way too high – looks like it was frightened by something. Kman
This barn… must not have been so primitive.
It does seem a bit high. I have a 68 was a big block, but now justa sm. block. so it is a little high too, but not like this one. Still nice to see a real motion car.
Had this been stored in the Bat Cave I wouldn’t have been surprise. It does not have one redeeming quality………………….bad taste to the tenth power.
Eeeww. It looks like a Hot Wheels car.
having owned the Balwin Moray GT AND a Motion Maco customer car, this appears to be a John Silva Short Tail Car, not a Motion Car but indeed a very cool car nonetheless
Absolutely right, John Silva was the original designer and maker of the molds for the Mako. There’s more to the story that I won’t go into here. but John built the car and others were copies molded from his bodies
Ahh, some one knows the truth!!!
Love that its a REAL motion car, but Barfit-Jackoff is a joke to me.
RE: the body stance, there are various websites that you can get to by Googling ‘Motion Maco Shark’ or ‘Maco Shark Motion body’ that show photos of these cars with Motion bodies. The stance of these cars varies quite a bit. Some are like the car in this feature, with lots of space between the tire tops and the flares, and other equally well cared for cars have a low stance, with not much room between the tire tops and the flares.
You know, Maco fans, I don’t think any of the comments on stance were intended to annoy anyone. I am not an expert on these cars and I would welcome some comments on why these cars seem to vary so much in their stance.
Does anyone who knows about the differences in the stance of these cars have anything to contribute ?
I’m not a designer of customs, just an old gearhead. I remember the Mako, and might have seen it in a show years ago. From the first time I laid eyes on it I thought the wheel wells were too tall. Then after seeing The ’68 when it came out, and it is my fav vette btw. The Mako looks like they just pinched in the fenders at the top, front and back. The hood is way down below the fenders. I’m not a fan of the new wheel designs now days, but if ever I saw a car that needed a set of 20’s it is this one. Merry Christmas to all. -peace-
John Silva was the creator of the Maco period. When he built his cars, the front springs had a coil and a half cut from them so the car did not sit so high. When you don’t cut the springs you get a car like the one featured here. The guy on the right is John Silva and the picture was taken by me at a Chevy Dealer in Cambridge, Mass., back in 1972.
Rear view of the car.
no kidding? Good to know
I hope you purchased that one out of porter!
The very first couple of makos John built, I did the interior work for him. Bill,s kustom auto upholstery. Salem mass.
Retired now, still do some jobs.
Boy, let me tell you, John was a character.
interesting about the coils, that makes sense, here is a photo of my old Maco
thank you, that’s good information
The good old days of Porter Chevrolet!!
I always thougt that Joel Rosen didn’t keep records of which cars he built or wouldn’t talk to anyone about if a persumed motion car was really a motion car. So is there some kind of paper work with this car ? I don’t see any mention of it. Or am I wrong ??
Stance is easily changed folks. I like this car, and I seldom like anything overly customized. I guess I just see the progression of a 67. Am I missing front end shots somewhare? I only see 3 here and at the B-J auction link
I agree with you on the progression Craig, I loved the 63 from the first time I saw it. I really can’t get it out of my mind cause there is a guy here where I live that has an original paint ’63 sitting in an open garage with no protection. He bought it new but just lets it sit there with boxes all over it. I saw the mako before the ’68 so it’s kind of diff for me. I defiantly see the ’67 in there but after the ’68 came out I thought it had more ’68 in it. Always thought the ’68 should have had the back glass like the ’67. -peace-
NOT SURE IF I KIKE IT OR NOT.IF GIVEN TO ME I WOULD TAKE IT BUT DON’T THINK I WOULD SPEND A LOT TO BUY IT.I HAD A JET BOAT WITH A MOTION MOTOR IN IT.IT HIT 92MPH ON THE WATER.SCARED THE S><T OUTTA THE GUY I HAD WITH ME. WISH I WOULD HAVE KEPT THE MOTOR WHEN I SOLD IT
All show, no go. More of a 1970s muscle car than a road terror from the 1960s. Too bad the original seller didn’t spec this Shark out with a hi-po Motion engine.
Also, all that air underneath the wheel wells makes me wonder if someone replaced larger wheels on this car? Or updated the suspension? A red flag for sure…
John Silva invented the maco kit and it was when he teamed with Motion after that did it become famous but look around, Silva sold more turn keys and parts than motion ever did, motion was just the famous name.
The stance or too much air over the top of the front tire was always a sore thumb with the mako kit a design flaw in my opinion, this threads car even has too much air over the rear tire, while the old school way might have been taking a coil and a 1/2 out of the front spring that just killed ride and handling many correct ways to lower the car to get the wheel wells to look better but really a little body work would not hurt,
I also own a maco kit.
Hey Bats, that wouldn’t be short for Bataglia would it
I talked to a Bataglia that painted cars for Joel “BAT” Automotive back in the day
cool stuff for sure
I Know Of A Original MACO / Silva Been Sitting For Over 4? Years 427 Holley 3 Barrel 4 Speed Sits A LITLE Lower Tilt Front End The Hood Has Chevrons ? Molded Hood
can i have it?
Here’s the ULTIMATE 1965 Mako Shark-II replica car, from Switzerland! http://www.corvettereport.com/hanspeter-bohis-reborn-1965-mako-shark-ii-corvette/
I sold my front end to a fellow making a mako that will be a stunner as far as In the USA goes.
I recently found a YouTube video with Hanspeter Boehi unveiling his one-of-a-kind Mako Shark-II re-creation and updated my above post…
http://www.corvettereport.com/updated-hanspeter-boehis-reborn-1965-mako-shark-ii-corvette-video/
Be prepared to be STUNNED! – Scott
That’s a long story, sometimes I think I should write a book. I’m jack, this is my Facebook page(one of them) john labored for years mocking up and modifying his molds to resemble that prototype he’s saw back in 1965 at an auto show while he inturned for ford. his labor created what you see here: I truly believe it looks better that the GM prototype. So crisp and sharp! John died in 1996, I met at a Boston World of wheel in march of that year. Humble as he was he played down that motion took mold off his finished cars. They had a deal that went south, this was the result. I know so much more. “Ultimateshark@comcast.net” may name is jack, I believe I can answer most of you questions… < God speed my friends.