1958 Chevrolet XP-700 Corvette Concept
Written by Bill Bowman
The XP-700 was developed as a personal car for Bill Mitchell, head of GM Styling. The car started out as a 1958 stock Corvette. The fiberglass body was extensively redesigned with a "Grand Prix" appearance. The long, low front overhang, large air scoops, and wire wheels with racing hubs were a few of the "Grand Prix" touches. The XP-700 was painted red and was Mitchell’s personal ride for the first year of its life.
By 1959, the XP-700 was modified with a longer and smaller oval grille, extended tail and double bubble plastic canopy, coated with vaporized aluminum to help block the suns rays, complete with periscope type rear view mirror. It was repainted metallic silver and was elevated to show car status.
The sculptured deck rear end treatment found its way to the 1961 Corvette. Other features included Lucas "Flame Thrower" headlamps, Dayton wire wheels, integrated front brake cooling ducts below the headlights, forward slanting vertical louvers at the front of the scoops on the body side coves, twin outlet side exhaust pipes and ribbed mufflers, rear brake cooling ducts and a special hood.
The XP-700 was powered with a Chevrolet 283 CID 230 Horsepower V8 engine with a manual 4-speed transmission
According to Mark Jordan, son of GM designer Charles M. Jordan, the XP-755 (Mako Shark) was built on the XP-700 chassis, explaining its disappearance.
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