- Bocar
The Bocar was a sportscar that was produced between 1957-1961 It was developed by Bob Carnes in Lakewood,
Colorado . There were several prototypes of the car until Carnes had finalized his design on the "Bocar XP-5". The first bocar known to exist was the X-1, which is currently in the hands of Dr. Denton, who bought the car in Texas in 1965, and drag raced it. The X-2 has not been located, along with the X-3 and XP-4 serial number 4.The first real production cars were the XP-5's. Of which, only 18 have been found. One of which bears serial number 166, though it is still unknown how many XP-5's still exist. The 1962 prototype, which was the only XP-5 to leave the factory with a 327 chevy, has been missing since 1968.Carnes had also produced several other models, the Bocar XP-6, XP-7, XP-7R, and Stiletto.
The XP-6 shared similar lines to the XP-5, but had been lengthened from a wheelbase of 90 inches, to 104, and featured a crank-mounted roots-type GMC blower and Corvette fuel injection.
The XP-7 was identical to the XP-6, however they were naturally aspirated and featured a larger grill opening. The XP-7R was the supercharged version of the XP-7.
The Bocar Stiletto was often referred to as "Streamlined Lightning", and it looked the part. The same supercharged powerplant of the XP-6 and XP-7R, housed in a long nosed, sleek racing machine. Bob Carnes' personal Stiletto is currently owned by Dudley Cunningham, and has made appearances at the Montery Historics.The second Stiletto (the car on the right.) was originally un-supercharged, painted metallic blue, and shipped to South Carolina. This car was later retrofitted at the factory with the supercharger, and raced at Nassau. This car is currently in the process of full restoration by its owner, Gaylon Curley. Curley also owns the third stiletto, also slated for restoration. Five Bocar Stiletto's were reported to be built, and only three have been found.
Resources:The Bocar Registry of Colorado, Sports Car Graphic Magazine 1960, Road and Track 1960, owner and car list made by Gaylon Curley, surviving factory records, factory photographs, and information attained from previous Bocar employees.
A good capsule history in hardcover of Bocar is available on pages 37-39 of Vintage American Road Racing Cares 1950-1970, Harold W. Pace and Mark R. Brinker, MBI publishing, 2004.
The June, 1959 issue of Sportscar Graphic has an in-depth article on this American sportscar on pages 68-71, with pictures, as well as a full-page back inside cover ad for the car. Completed rollers were available starting at $3800.
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