Difference between revisions of "Corvette Mako Shark (concept car)"

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The '''Chevrolet Aerovette''' is a [[concept car]] created by the [[Chevrolet]] division of [[General Motors]], beginning life as Experimental Project 882 (XP-882). It has a mid engine configuration using transverse mounting of a V-8 engine. Zora Arkus Duntov's engineers originally built two XP-882s during 1969, but then [[John DeLorean]], Chevrolet's general manager, cancelled the program because it was impractical and costly.  
{{Unreferenced|date=October 2008}}
{{otheruses4|the car|other uses|Mako}}
[[Image:Shortfin mako.svg|thumb|A shortfin mako shark.]]
[[Image:Chevrolet Corvette C3 01.jpg|thumb|The Corvette C3 (1968–1982), based on the Mako Shark II concept.]]
The XP-755 '''Mako Shark''' show car was designed by [[Larry Shinoda]] under the direction of GM Design head [[Bill Mitchell]] in 1961, as a [[concept car|concept]] for future [[Chevrolet Corvette]]s. In keeping with the name, the streamlining, pointed snout, and other detailing was partly inspired by the look of that very fast fish. The "Mako Shark" was very similar to the 1963 Corvette, with some alterations. These included adding two more brake lights in the rear (six total), making the nose of the car longer and more pointed, creating a clear glass roof with a periscope-like rear-view mirror, and remodeling the interior.


When Ford announced plans to sell the DeTomaso Pantera through Lincoln-Mercury dealers, DeLorean ordered one XP-882 cleaned up for display at the 1970 New York Auto Show.
A widespread story has it that Mitchell had an actual [[shortfin 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.<ref>[http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/specs/prototypes/mako1.html Mako Shark I: Interview with Larry Shinoda]</ref>


In 1972, DeLorean authorized further work on the XP-882 chassis and gave it a new project code, XP-895. A near-identical body in aluminum alloy that resembles XP-895 was constructed, and became the "Reynolds Aluminum Car." 2 of the [[Chevrolet Vega]] 2-rotor engines were joined together as a 4-rotor, {{convert|420|hp}} engine, which was used to power XP-895.
After a period, he removed the original body and redesigned it as the "[[Mako Shark II]]" in 1965. The original Mako Shark was then retroactively called the "Mako Shark I".  


The XP-895 was first shown in late 1973. However, with the energy crisis at the time, GM scrapped its rotary work and all plans for Wankel-powered cars.  
The 1968 Corvette styling was highly derivative of the Mako Shark II.


Another Corvette concept, XP-897GT, appeared in 1973, which used a 2-rotor engine.
==References==
{{Reflist}}


In 1976, the 4-rotor engine was replaced by {{convert|400|CID|abbr=on}} Chevy V-8, and was renamed 'Aerovette'. The car was approved for production in 1980. Aerovette featured double folding [[gullwing doors]]. The production car would use a {{convert|350|CID|abbr=on}} V-8, and be priced around $15000-18000. However, after chief supporters Duntov, Bill Mitchell, and Ed Cole had retired from [[General Motors]], David R. McLellan decided that a front/mid-engine car would be more economical to build and would have better performance, and cancelled the production of Aerovette. However contemporary import mid engine cars also had poor sales in the United States compared to the [[Datsun 240Z]], which would be the ultimate factor for terminating Aerovette's production.
==External links==
* [http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-1960-1969/1961-Chevrolet-Mako-Shark-Corvette-Concept-SA-Top-1280x960.jpg 1961 Mako Shark 1 Concept]


XP-897GT was later sold to Tom Falconer and fitted with a Mazda 13B rotary engine in 1997.
[[Category:Concept automobiles]]
[[Category:Chevrolet Corvette|Mako Shark]]
[[Category:Rear wheel drive vehicles]]


== See also ==
{{Classicpow-auto-stub}}
*[[Chevrolet Corvette]]
*[[Chevrolet]]
 
== External links ==
*[http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z9203/default.aspx Information about the Chevrolet Aerovette]
*[http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1970s-chevrolet-corvette-concept-cars.htm 1970s howstuffworks: Chevrolet Corvette Concept Cars]
*[http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t652662.html 1970's concept: Rotary powered Corvette]
*[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=A1&xml=/motoring/2006/09/30/mfvette30.xml  The DeLorean that never was]
*[http://motortrend.automotive.com/34432/c12-0511-concept-corvettes-comparison/index.html Concept Corvettes: 1959 Sting Ray, 1973 XP-895 Reynolds, 1977 Aero-Vette, 1990 Cerv III, 1992 Sting Ray III]
 
[[Category:Chevrolet Corvette|Aerovette]]
[[Category:1970s automobiles]]
[[Category:Vehicles with Wankel engine]]


{{Classicpow-auto-stub}}
[[sv:Mako Shark]]

Revision as of 16:01, 3 February 2009

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This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. (October 2008)
This article is about the car. For other uses, see Mako.
A shortfin mako shark.
The Corvette C3 (1968–1982), based on the Mako Shark II concept.

The XP-755 Mako Shark show car was designed by Larry Shinoda under the direction of GM Design head Bill Mitchell in 1961, as a concept for future Chevrolet Corvettes. In keeping with the name, the streamlining, pointed snout, and other detailing was partly inspired by the look of that very fast fish. The "Mako Shark" was very similar to the 1963 Corvette, with some alterations. These included adding two more brake lights in the rear (six total), making the nose of the car longer and more pointed, creating a clear glass roof with a periscope-like rear-view mirror, and remodeling the interior.

A widespread story has it that Mitchell had an actual shortfin 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]

After a period, he removed the original body and redesigned it as the "Mako Shark II" in 1965. The original Mako Shark was then retroactively called the "Mako Shark I".

The 1968 Corvette styling was highly derivative of the Mako Shark II.

References

  1. ↑ Mako Shark I: Interview with Larry Shinoda

External links

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sv:Mako Shark

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