History

The Mako Shark II

From a $3 million show car in 1965 to the 1968-1982 Corvette, and the replicas built to look like it.

The prototype

April 1965

The Mako Shark II concept car designed by Bill Mitchell, Zora Duntov and Larry Shinoda is the prototype for the 1968-1982 body style. The original non-running "clay", which cost nearly $3 million to create, is shown at the New York International Auto Show.

The Mako Shark II at the New York International Auto Show, 1965
  • The Mako Shark II show car, 1965
  • The Mako Shark II show car, 1965
  • The Mako Shark II show car, 1965
  • The Mako Shark II show car, 1965
  • The Mako Shark II show car, 1965
  • The Mako Shark II show car, 1965
  • The Mako Shark II show car, 1965
  • The Mako Shark II show car, 1965
  • The Mako Shark II show car, 1965
  • The Mako Shark II show car, 1965
  • The Mako Shark II show car, 1965
  • The Mako Shark II show car, 1965
  • The Mako Shark II show car, 1965
  • The Mako Shark II show car, 1965
  • The Mako Shark II show car, 1965
  • The Mako Shark II show car, 1965
  • The Mako Shark II show car, 1965
  • The Mako Shark II show car, 1965
October 1965

A running version, powered by a Mark IV 427, is shown at the Paris Auto Salon.

The running Mako Shark II
  • The running Mako Shark II
  • The running Mako Shark II
  • The running Mako Shark II
  • The running Mako Shark II
  • The running Mako Shark II
  • The running Mako Shark II
  • The running Mako Shark II
  • The running Mako Shark II
  • The running Mako Shark II
  • The running Mako Shark II
  • The running Mako Shark II
1969

The Mako Shark II is remodeled and renamed the Manta Ray.

The Manta Ray
  • The Manta Ray
  • The Manta Ray
  • The Manta Ray
  • The Manta Ray

The replica

1969 - 1979

The Mako Shark II replica was designed by John Silva of Ipswich, MA. Starting in 1971 it was marketed with the name Maco, jointly with Joel Rosen of Motion Performance (of Baldwin/Motion fame), Baldwin, NY.

A Maco by John Silva
  • John Silva
  • John Silva's shop
  • John Silva's shop

From 1969 until 1979 John built 125 Macos.

A Silva Maco

John built three cars for Motion Performance. Motion Performance then made new molds off the John Silva parts and began offering them for sale (under 100 sets), as well as building three turnkey cars. A simplified version of the kit is still available today from Motion Performance.

Know more?

Help us fill in the story

If you have one of the replicas, or know of a web site with more about these beasts, please let us know. We will host your car's page here for free: just send pictures and text, and we will do the rest.

Let us know