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Random Car Review: The 1970 Baldwin-Motion “Maco Shark” – One Of The Most Expensive Baldwin-Motion Projects Ever!


Random Car Review: The 1970 Baldwin-Motion “Maco Shark” – One Of The Most Expensive Baldwin-Motion Projects Ever!

Plenty of ink has been used to document the exploits of Joel Rosen, Motion Performance and Long Island’s Baldwin Chevrolet dealership. Combined as Baldwin-Motion, they were responsible for turning out no-BS race cars for the streets. From a $3,000 Biscayne “Street Racer Special” through the $13,000 Phase III GT Corvette, if you could dream it up, Rosen and crew could build it and you’d walk away knowing that you had one badass machine.

That being said, Baldwin-Motion cars were just as known for their visual cues as they were known for L88s and side pipes that could rattle windows for miles. And one of GM’s own show cars intrigued Rosen into building six copies…the Mako Shark II/Manta Ray concept. The prelude to the C3 Corvette, Mako Shark II showcased several upcoming traits, including the 427ci V8 between the fender wells, flared wheel wells, and the unique dark blue-into-white paint scheme that was a knockout visually. It’s not known if Rosen actually helped GM with the Mako concept cars, but he certainly was interested in them, because sometime around 1970-1974 he built six of the Maco Shark Corvettes. Yes, the spelling is correct…Rosen did not want any issue with GM’s legal team over the name rights.

maco 2

It’s not clear as to when the cars were actually built or what the specifics are for running gear. The car featured in this video is powered by a small block but the big block had to have been an option… at least we’re betting that it was. More than likely specifications are similar to a Phase III GT Corvette: M22 four-speed, possibly with a Hone-o-drive auxiliary overdrive transmission, and a gear set in hovering around the 4.88 range. It is suspected (not confirmed) that the Maco Sharks sold for about $17,000 new…using 1971 as a best-guess, that translates into a tick over $100,000 today. Reportedly out of the six cars built, only three exist, and this is one of them. It may be pretty, but it’s a Baldwin-Motion car…it’s all about the sound blasting from those side pipes.


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12 thoughts on “Random Car Review: The 1970 Baldwin-Motion “Maco Shark” – One Of The Most Expensive Baldwin-Motion Projects Ever!

  1. 4 nomor

    \” The car featured in this video is powered by a small block but the big block had to have been an option..\”

    Next time read the whole article..

  2. Lee

    “The original owner brought Mr. Motion a shiny air conditioned 1970 Corvette with one goal in mind; to win the gold on the show circuit. Withe price being no object, Rosen would go a step beyond with this creation. A beautiful custom diamond-tufted interior, one-off bubble taillights, a one piece flip front end, a tapered and louvered backlight, LeMans style gas cap and a paint job that simply must be seen are among the features.

    When all was said and done, the price tag topped $17,000 and the owner was indeed pleased with the results. Recently restored, this Maco Shark was recently unveiled at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals in Chicago, where it stole the show.”

    http://www.conceptcarz.com/z22964/Baldwin-Motion-Corvette-Maco-Shark.aspx

  3. Lee

    It’s interesting to note that Baldwin Motion gets a lot of ink and press for the creations they made. The thing is – they didn’t really build that many cars. Take the 1969 Phase III BM Camaro. They built 7 of them. That’s all. The Phase III cars were very expensive – almost double the price of a stock car so the buyers market at the time was very limited.

    1. ColoradoKid

      Yeah you are right . They didn\’t build much of anything they ever created . But … what they did build were bad to the bone … beyond cool/bangshift … not to mention iconic as hell !

      Proving once again … it aint the amount you build … but what you build that counts

      PS; Bryan . If its Any Small Source of Comfort in light of your minor foo pa … you had me stumped on this one . I remember full well the original GM show car … but had no clue anyone had every copied them afterwards .

      So 10 big Stump the Grump points for ya !

      That soften the blow a bit ? 😉

      1. Tedly

        Dude, you have been remarkably chilled out lately. I’m actually kinda enjoying your posts. Thanks for the change of tone, it is greatly appreciated.

    2. Scott Liggett

      The GM ZL1 option doubled the price of a Corvette too.

      These were brand new cars, with brand new prices; then get new engine, trans, rear end, and custom hood, sidepipes, wheels and paint; plus labor to do all of it. Gee, I wonder why they were so expensive.

  4. Lee

    Just a piece of Trivia . . .

    The 1965 Chevrolet Mako Shark Show Car was the very first Chevy to receive the Mark IV 427 engine. It didn’t become available to the public until the following year: 1966. It replaced the one year only 396/425hp engine.

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