The Mako Shark II

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.

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

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

The Mako Shark II replica was designed by John Silva of Ipswich, MA.

From 1969 until 1979 John built 125 Macos.

Starting in 1971 it was marketed with the name Maco, jointly with Joel Rosen of Motion Performance (of Baldwin/Motion fame), Baldwin, NY.

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.

Here is one of the most famous Maco's by Motion.

Bohannon Concepts is one of the pioneering customizers that began producing fiberglass "Maco" Shark body kits in 1974 to convert third-generation (C3) Chevrolet Corvettes.

Bohannon's builds and kits left a lasting mark on the custom Corvette community, with notable cars featured at events like the Corvette Expo.

By Hanspeter Boehi

• Inspiration: Recreated directly from original U.S. Patent drawings of the non-running 1965 Mako Shark-II show car originally presented by GM Styling Chief Bill Mitchell.
• Time & Craftsmanship: Spent over 4,000 hours starting in 2013, assisted by engineer Markus Bowald and machinist Heinz Breitenstein.
• Chassis & Power: Built upon a 1969 Corvette big-block frame powered by an LS6 454 engine with Edelbrock heads, a snowflake manifold, a single Rochester four-barrel carburetor, and a three-speed Turbo-Hydramatic transmission.
• Custom Features: Hand-fabricated fiberglass bodywork, motorized hidden headlights, an automatic roof hatch, Boeing aircraft seatbelts, and 1982 Collector Edition wheels.
• Availability: This is a one-of-a-kind custom build, and Böhi has no plans to produce or sell body kits to the public.