Xp-700

[Vettecaster]

I just saw a picture of the Corvette XP-700
for 1960. It had side pipes, the cove, and a protruding grill with quad headlamps. Anybody know if this car is still around? I'm still trying to identify the device that was mounted on the roof.

[Frank Judge]

It is based on a regular '58 Corvette and was modified to be the own car of William L. "Bill" Mitchell. First, in 1958, it received a special rear end of duck-tail type, which was incorporated in the regular '61 Corvette, and the front end was redesigned to look almost like the one of the Oldsmobile F88 '54 show car. In 1959, the car was modified again to became a real show car (that's the one on your 1960 picture): longer rear end, new front end with smaller air intake, new transparent roof with a periscope in the middle of the two bubbles. The design of this car is not purely American.

It was inspired by the '55 Lancia Aurelia 2500 GT Rayon d'Azur, mecanically modified by Nardi and coachbuilded by Vignale. This Italian show car has a double-bubble roof with a chrome plated grille (air intake) in the center of the roof. The XP700 has the same feature, except that the air intake has become a periscope (more futuristic !).

Info from Otakar Kopecky / Poland

[Bob W]

I think it was cut-up (rebodied) to become the original (1961 ) Maco Shark.


Bob

[Vettecaster]

Thanks for the info guys! Now the mystery of that roof air intake has been solved. I guess it was an idea that never caught on.

[Ebvette]

The XP-700 still exists and is at the GM Storage Facility. If I am not mistaken, it was at Carlisle a coupe of years ago. I beleive someplace at home I took photos of this car.

[War Machine]

Here's a photo of it that Bob W uploaded to the DC gallery.

[CorvetteInfo]

Designed and built in July 1958, Bill Mitchell assembles the XP-700 using many regular Corvette components, such as the frame, chassis parts and engine. October '59, the rear of the XP-700 is revised, lengthened, and exaggerated. Also, a double bubble hardtop is added, made from transparent plastic. In 1960, the XP-700 makes it debut. The rear design is later adopted for the 1961 model.

The XP700's extensively redesigned fiberglass body incorporates a "grand prix" appearance which includes:

Long, low front overhang
Large air scoops
Exposed frontal areas
Wire wheels with racing hubs
Overhead mirror, mounted above the windshield with a viewing porthole in the roof structure

The bubble-shaped laminated plastic canopy is coated with vaporized aluminum to help block the sun's rays. A metal strut in the center of the canopy features louvered vents to enhance air circulation in the passenger compartment.

The rear end styling influenced the second generation Corvettes.

According to Mark Jordan, son of GM designer Charles M. Jordan, the XP-755/Mako Shark was built on this XP-700, explaining it's disappearance.

According to Shinoda: "in 1962 the design work on the new 1963 Sting Ray was already done. GM wanted something to promote the new car and build some excitement. I did a couple of sketches of the '63 with the back clip of the XP-700 (double-bubble roof) added ... . This was Mako Shark I, or XP-755."


XP-755

Ref/Credits/Photos
Ref./Photo

[CorvetteInfo]

Originally posted by Ebvette
The XP-700 still exists and is at the GM Storage Facility. If I am not mistaken, it was at Carlisle a coupe of years ago. I beleive someplace at home I took photos of this car.

Now that the pics are up, can you confirm the car is intact?

TIA,
D

[Bob W]

Originally posted by c5d










Designed and built in July 1958, Bill Mitchell assembles the XP-700 using many regular Corvette components, such as the frame, chassis parts and engine. October '59, the rear of the XP-700 is revised, lengthened, and exaggerated. Also, a double bubble hardtop is added, made from transparent plastic. In 1960, the XP-700 makes it debut. The rear design is later adopted for the 1961 model.

The XP700's extensively redesigned fiberglass body incorporates a "grand prix" appearance which includes:

Long, low front overhang
Large air scoops
Exposed frontal areas
Wire wheels with racing hubs
Overhead mirror, mounted above the windshield with a viewing porthole in the roof structure

The bubble-shaped laminated plastic canopy is coated with vaporized aluminum to help block the sun's rays. A metal strut in the center of the canopy features louvered vents to enhance air circulation in the passenger compartment.

The rear end styling influenced the second generation Corvettes.

According to Mark Jordan, son of GM designer Charles M. Jordan, the XP-755/Mako Shark was built on this XP-700, explaining it's disappearance.

According to Shinoda: "in 1962 the design work on the new 1963 Sting Ray was already done. GM wanted something to promote the new car and build some excitement. I did a couple of sketches of the '63 with the back clip of the XP-700 (double-bubble roof) added ... . This was Mako Shark I, or XP-755."


XP-755

Ref/Credits/Photos
Ref./Photo

That's kinda what I said, the XP700 waws cut up to make the XP755.

Great write-up Mr. CD5.

Bob