Question - Shark or Stingray?
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2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Bonney Lake Wash
Question - Shark or Stingray?
I know that the early prototype was the Maco Shark and the styling resembles a shark (such as the gills), but are all C3's refered to as sharks? Is the reference as a shark car commonly used? What's the historical story with it?
Thanks :confused:
Thanks :confused:
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Marietta Ga.
Re: Question - Shark or Stingray? (1969vette)
I know that the early prototype was the Maco Shark and the styling resembles a shark (such as the gills), but are all C3's refered to as sharks?
Yes, all are sharks
Is the reference as a shark car commonly used?
It's like a nick name. some use it some don't. It is mostly used to label the group versus a single car, which is usually referred to as Stingray even though some aren't really stingrays.
What's the historical story with it?
Bill Mitchell (I think it was he) wanted a car styled like a shark, thus the Maco. He wanted the color to be a blend of blues like a sailfish trophy he had on the wall(go figure).
Thanks :confused:
Yes, all are sharks
Is the reference as a shark car commonly used?
It's like a nick name. some use it some don't. It is mostly used to label the group versus a single car, which is usually referred to as Stingray even though some aren't really stingrays.
What's the historical story with it?
Bill Mitchell (I think it was he) wanted a car styled like a shark, thus the Maco. He wanted the color to be a blend of blues like a sailfish trophy he had on the wall(go figure).
Thanks :confused:
Welcome to the forum :seeya
[Modified by 72GACRZR, 5:43 PM 10/15/2003]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
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Re: Question - Shark or Stingray? (1969vette)
I'm not sure if there is an "official" historical story, but I have always assumed that the shark reference did come from the Mako Shark prototype. I would also refer to ALL C3s as sharks. Google would problably turn up some good info too. Post it if you look and find anything interesting.
DITTO on the Welcome :seeya
DITTO on the Welcome :seeya
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Question - Shark or Stingray? (1969vette)
I think it is pretty much agreed they are all sharks and all are Stingrays although not all where badge with 'Stingray' or Sting Ray' or 'StingRay'.
Welcome aboard! :chevy
Welcome aboard! :chevy
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,731
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From: Marietta Ga.
Re: Question - Shark or Stingray? (jerryp58)
Google would problably turn up some good info too. Post it if you look and find anything interesting.
http://www.corvettemuseum.com/deep_c...prototypes.htm
And here's one on the shark connection for Mako1
http://www.corvette.nl/specials/mako.html
[Modified by 72GACRZR, 6:16 PM 10/15/2003]
Melting Slicks
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From: Tempe AZ
Re: Question - Shark or Stingray? (1969vette)
I think both C2s & C3s are unofficially nick named "Sharks" The Mako Shark was a 1961 show car that was obviously the prototype for the C2.
http://www.corvette.nl/specials/mako.html
The Mako Shark II was a 1965 show car that was obviously the prototype for the C3.
http://www.corvette.nl/specials/mako2.html
Later in 1970 a restyled Mako Shark II was another show car called the Manta Ray.
http://www.corvette.nl/specials/mantaray.html
All C2s are "Sting Ray" (two words), and I think '69-'76 C3s were called "Stingray" (one word).
http://www.corvette.nl/specials/mako.html
The Mako Shark II was a 1965 show car that was obviously the prototype for the C3.
http://www.corvette.nl/specials/mako2.html
Later in 1970 a restyled Mako Shark II was another show car called the Manta Ray.
http://www.corvette.nl/specials/mantaray.html
All C2s are "Sting Ray" (two words), and I think '69-'76 C3s were called "Stingray" (one word).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Tempe AZ
Re: Question - Shark or Stingray? (72GACRZR)
Bill Mitchell (I think it was he) wanted a car styled like a shark, thus the Maco. He wanted the color to be a blend of blues like a sailfish trophy he had on the wall(go figure).
"One of the great stories in auto history is attached to the Shark. Part of the cover for its design was a Mako Shark that Mitchell had brought back from a trip and had mounted in his office. He ordered that the car be painted to match the fish but when several attempts to reproduce the colors failed his staff stole the fish and repainted it to match the car. The next time Mitchell was shown the car he congratulated them on finally achieving what he had wanted."
