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1965 Chevrolet Mako Shark II (XP-830)show car rendering

Written by Michael C. Harrod

I was 13 when I enrolled in the Fisher Body Craftsman's Guild program in 1962. Children, from ages 12 to 17, went to school and built wooden models of cars for General Motors. At school, each of us was sold a block of wood and made a drawing of a car. The school woodshop would cut it out and we worked on these models for about five months, with the supervision of our woodshop teachers. When finished with these cars, GM took pictures and gave them to the engineers to get ideas for future products. I think that my car was used for the 1969 Grand Prix.

Now to the Mako Shark II. When we were in the Craftsman’s Guild program we were treated to a tour of GMI in Flint, Michigan. There we were taken to the drafting room where we saw all the drafting tables and the inspiration garden. There was a big walled off area with about seven cars in it. The Mako Shark I and Mako Shark II were among these seven cars. The Mako Shark I was the prototype of the 1963 Corvette and the Mako Shark II was the future prototype of the 1968 Corvette. This car (Mako Shark ll) wasn't even shown to the public until 1965 in a New York City auto show. This was a big start in my life with me wanting to be a draftsman and open my mind to great things.

I have always wanted to stand next to the Mako Shark ll again before I end this life. I am 60 now and will make it up to Michigan again to see this car. I am so glad my friends’ dad got the two of us into this program and will always remember the thrill of standing next to some of GM's most special prototype cars.

Thanks for the ‘69 Grand Prix, I started it as a teenager and a draftsman at GM finished it.

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