63 Mako Shark Custom
#1
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Thread Starter
63 Mako Shark Custom
Hi Guys. Well I have well over 600 Posts on the forum but never posted here. I am usually in the C3 tech and performance section since there isn't one for the C2. Here are some pics of the car. The first ones are before the last one is now during restoration.
Last edited by 63mako; 06-24-2006 at 07:22 PM.
#3
Burning Brakes
Member Since: May 2005
Location: Fairfield County CT
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Cool Vette! Looks very much like one I was tracking on EBay during Spring of 2004. Might this be the same one?
I was interested, but never bid on it, and went for a more stock-appearing '64 coupe that I purchased in May of 2004 (see avatar). But I have to say, this one (or the one that looked like it) took me back to when I was in my early 20's and this car was just a few years old! Such mods were quite acceptable then before the "stock purists" began their (what I believe often to be myopic) influence on our hobby.
Keep us posted, hopefully with pics.
I was interested, but never bid on it, and went for a more stock-appearing '64 coupe that I purchased in May of 2004 (see avatar). But I have to say, this one (or the one that looked like it) took me back to when I was in my early 20's and this car was just a few years old! Such mods were quite acceptable then before the "stock purists" began their (what I believe often to be myopic) influence on our hobby.
Keep us posted, hopefully with pics.
Last edited by Cobra66; 06-21-2006 at 11:41 PM.
#6
#7
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Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Jack60
I like it the way it was.
Last edited by 63mako; 06-22-2006 at 10:06 AM.
#8
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Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Cobra66
Cool Vette! Looks very much like one I was tracking on EBay during Spring of 2004. Might this be the same one?
I was interested, but never bid on it, and went for a more stock-appearing '64 coupe that I purchased in May of 2004 (see avatar). But I have to say, this one (or the one that looked like it) took me back to when I was in my early 20's and this car was just a few years old! Such mods were quite acceptable then before the "stock purists" began their (what I believe often to be myopic) influence on our hobby.
Keep us posted, hopefully with pics.
I was interested, but never bid on it, and went for a more stock-appearing '64 coupe that I purchased in May of 2004 (see avatar). But I have to say, this one (or the one that looked like it) took me back to when I was in my early 20's and this car was just a few years old! Such mods were quite acceptable then before the "stock purists" began their (what I believe often to be myopic) influence on our hobby.
Keep us posted, hopefully with pics.
#9
63mako, Thanks for sharing the pic's. That car looks awsome. When you stated you were restoring it, I was afraid you were going to do away with the flares. Glad to here you are keeping it cool. I'm glad to see that customs are making a comeback.
#10
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Jan 2006
Location: Westminster Maryland
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St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by HYPER65
63mako, Thanks for sharing the pic's. That car looks awsome. When you stated you were restoring it, I was afraid you were going to do away with the flares. Glad to here you are keeping it cool. I'm glad to see that customs are making a comeback.
I'm glad your not going back to stock, not that stock is bad, but the way your SWC was done is part of the history and should be persevered.
#11
Melting Slicks
Originally Posted by Greenwood79
I worked for John Silva when he was at Franklin Street, in Salem, Mass. I had just started high school and bought a totaled 65 Vert that needed a frame and front end. I bought a new frame for $400 and put one of Johnny's Mako Shark C2 front ends on my car. Johnny was an extremely tallented guy, and I learned a lot from him. One of his first custom cars was a 62 Ford Galaxy with a chopped top tht sat in his Franklin Street garage for many years. He refused to sell in, I guess it was his Muse..... I can tell you for a fact that the clay mockup of the Mako Shark front end sat in his garage for at least two years before he finished it. He started designing it just before the C3's came out and went by drawings and measurements in several of the car mags at the time. The first Mako Shark he made was a 69 Vette 427/435 that he bought as an insurance total. It was painted white on top and by the belt line it changed to dark metalic blue, he used this car to sell his Mako concept. I can also remember when he moved out of Franklin Street he sold all his Vette parts for $1,500...... I am sure that there was well over a half million dollars in parts at todays prices..... I can remember moving out several boxes of complete FI units with air units attached, as well as, C2 front buckets and motors that were take-offs for customers that wanted his C2 custom front ends. I counted over 55 rear ends for Vettes, as well as, over two dozen complete interiors, 15 hardtops for Verts, boxes of sidepipes, probably two dozen dash clusters with guages, and probably 35 four speeds, and a couple dozen orginal Vette shifters......
He had two different molds for C2 front ends, the Shark front end and another called a Riveria front end. He also made flaired wheel wells and duck tail spoilers for the C2. One of the nicest cars I ever saw him do was a 66 Vette Vert owned by Paul Dabois. This car had a stock front end, but flaired wheel wells, duck tail spoiler in the rear, and the hood was modified similar to the 65/66 BB hood except this bulge was round. The car was painted brown but with a flip/flop paint job, with flowers (remember it was the 60's) that was truely fascinating. The engine in this Vette was an over the counter Camero DZ 302 with the staggered two four barrels, hence the one off hood, and period Crager mags. I remember the car had a lot of chrome underneath and won first place at the Boston Rod and Custom show.
John was a extremely tallented guy, but a lousy businessman....
#12
That definately spells performance. I could see cruz'n downtown in second gear with the headers open. It could only attract smiles and bring back memories of what the vettes were really purchased for. If you were closer I would definately have to take the inspection tour. Great ride !
#14
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Originally Posted by jsdailey
Nice ride! The Customs should attract more attention, they're rarer than the common Corvette, and one heck of a lot more fun!
#16
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Originally Posted by Sky65
Nice car.
You gotta love customs.
You gotta love customs.
#17
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Member Since: Jul 2000
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Originally Posted by achapman
Andy,
I worked for John Silva when he was at Franklin Street, in Salem, Mass. I had just started high school and bought a totaled 65 Vert that needed a frame and front end. I bought a new frame for $400 and put one of Johnny's Mako Shark C2 front ends on my car. Johnny was an extremely tallented guy, and I learned a lot from him.
I remember the car had a lot of chrome underneath and won first place at the Boston Rod and Custom show.
John was a extremely tallented guy, but a lousy businessman....
I worked for John Silva when he was at Franklin Street, in Salem, Mass. I had just started high school and bought a totaled 65 Vert that needed a frame and front end. I bought a new frame for $400 and put one of Johnny's Mako Shark C2 front ends on my car. Johnny was an extremely tallented guy, and I learned a lot from him.
I remember the car had a lot of chrome underneath and won first place at the Boston Rod and Custom show.
John was a extremely tallented guy, but a lousy businessman....
#18
achapman...
Andy..this has to be one of the best threads on CF in a LOOOOOOOOOONG time for us Custom guys. Love to hear about the works of John Silva. Their is a wealth of info at MS2
www.makoshark2.com
about these cars..all customs etc...I am andy76 on that site..look at the recent topics on the right hand side of the page...You'll love it. Keep the thread going here...C2's make such cool looking customs...
Personally, I drive a '79 Greenwood Widebody Daytona and love the customs.....Remember, guys like Zora loved Custom vettes.He worked with John Greenwood on the fender flare designs....If it wasn't for talents like his and his PULL within the industry..where would we be?
Andy
Andy..this has to be one of the best threads on CF in a LOOOOOOOOOONG time for us Custom guys. Love to hear about the works of John Silva. Their is a wealth of info at MS2
www.makoshark2.com
about these cars..all customs etc...I am andy76 on that site..look at the recent topics on the right hand side of the page...You'll love it. Keep the thread going here...C2's make such cool looking customs...
Personally, I drive a '79 Greenwood Widebody Daytona and love the customs.....Remember, guys like Zora loved Custom vettes.He worked with John Greenwood on the fender flare designs....If it wasn't for talents like his and his PULL within the industry..where would we be?
Andy
#19
Melting Slicks
Andy..this has to be one of the best threads on CF in a LOOOOOOOOOONG time for us Custom guys. Love to hear about the works of John Silva.
Andy
About two years ago I saw "Motor" Burns. John worked for Motor just before he passed away. Motor thought John's wife had the original molds for the Mako in her barn in Ipswich, Mass. He gave me her phone number and I think I have it in some boxes at home. I will try and dig it out this weekend. It would be nice to find out where his molds went to. There is an interesting story about how the molds were "stolen" and turned up at John's shop.....
Vetbuyer 5863
Yup, one in the same.....
Andy
About two years ago I saw "Motor" Burns. John worked for Motor just before he passed away. Motor thought John's wife had the original molds for the Mako in her barn in Ipswich, Mass. He gave me her phone number and I think I have it in some boxes at home. I will try and dig it out this weekend. It would be nice to find out where his molds went to. There is an interesting story about how the molds were "stolen" and turned up at John's shop.....
Vetbuyer 5863
Yup, one in the same.....
#20
Race Director
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Jack60
I like it the way it was.
Last edited by 63mako; 06-25-2006 at 04:12 PM.