"The
'Corvette-like car' on Page Three is a Vette, fully customized in that late fifties/early
sixties tuck 'n roll everywhere style. It's actually the 1958 XP-700, Bill Mitchell's
first show car after taking over GM's design department. It was based on a production
'58 Vette, and introduced the tail style that would appear on the '61 cars. Looks
vaguely similar to the Ron Aguirre custom '56 Vette, in its earlier incarnations
at least." -William
Correspondent Vint@ge writes: "The
1958 Chevrolet Corvette XP-700 was a customized car for Bill Mitchell. In 1959,
a few goodies were added and it became a show car. I believe this one is the 1959
model. I have attached a picture
of the 1958."
Correspondent Zinc (who posted this
pair of images to a Usenet group) writes:
"Hmm, I was going by
the caption below - doesn't mean it's correct. 'The experimental XP - 700 Corvette
of 1958 featured a transparent, bubble top with a blind system to cut glare, plus
a periscope-style rear-view mirror that allowed a panoramic view behind. The oval
grille at the front was on floating mounts to act as a low speed bumper, with
air scoops below. Vents in the fenders assisted the brake cooling.' - The Great
Book of American Automobiles"