Vehicle Description
The American road-racing scene in the post-war period was a time of
abundant creative energy. As Detroit pumped out cheap, readily
available V8 engines, many aspiring engineers, designers, and
racing drivers experimented by blending those American engines with
sophisticated European chassis and svelte, easily reproduced
fiberglass bodywork. The period that gave us the Kellison and the
Devin also brought a newcomer to the scene - Bocar. The Bocar was
created in the late 1950s byBobCarnes, an experienced racer and
hill-climber who achieved moderate success in the Denver, Colorado,
area with his Porsche Spyder and Jaguar XK120. He modified his
XK120 with an OHV Cadillac V8 in the quest for more power,
christening it the "Jagillac." Bob found some success with the car,
winning the Buffalo Bill Hillclimb in 1956. But it was a crude
device, and he was after something that combined the power of the
Jagillac with the handling of his Porsche. The Bocar project began
in 1957 with a prototype called XP-1, based on a unique spaceframe
chassis utilizing Porsche/VW-based suspension and a Chevrolet V8
engine. While many of Bocar's contemporaries were destined to be
one-hit wonders, Bob Carnes persisted with evolving his design
through several series. The XP-1 through XP-4 were essentially
development cars that served to drum up interest in the project. By
the time he arrived at the XP-5, Bocar finally achieved a modicum
of success and a limited production run. While exact figures aren't
known, most experts agree that about 15 XP-5s were built, and no
two were exactly alike. Central to the XP-5 was a Chromoly tubular
chassis, modified VW-based suspension, finned Buick drum brakes,
and a slick fiberglass pontoon body with a distinctly menacing
front end. The most famous Bocar XP-5 is the beautifully prepared
blue and white "Meister Brauser III" of Augie Pabst, who ran the
car alongside his ex-Reventlow Scarab in the 1959 SCCA season. The
XP-6 followed, based on the XP-5, but with a considerably longer
wheelbase, revised suspension, and a 400-horsepower supercharged
Chevrolet small block. Just one was built, and similarly, the XP-7
and Stiletto were produced in single-digit numbers. This remarkable
1959 Bocar XP-5 is a particularly intriguing example that is
offered in exceptional, unrestored condition and with just three
owners from new. Thanks to the original owner sharing his story
with us, the history of S/N 0004 is known back to day one. The
chassis was ordered directly from his friend Bob Carnes, but before
it ever turned a wheel under its own power, the first owner set
about extensively modifying 0004 to suit his specifications. Being
quite tall, he was not particularly comfortable in the standard
90-inch XP-5, so he set about performing significant alterations.
He stretched the chassis by about 12 inches, while lengthening the
fiberglass body and modifying it with taller sides to balance out
the proportions, and preserve the car's fabulously aggressive
looks. He did all the fabrication work himself over the span of a
few years, while gathering parts for the remainder of the build.
While virtually every other Bocar featured Chevrolet power, this is
the sole example to utilize a Ford V8. Balancing professional and
family commitments meant the project took several years to
complete. When it came time for final assembly around the end of
1965, the owner settled on a new out-of-the-crate 289 cubic-inch
Hi-Po V8 and T-10 four-speed transmission supplied by Garnsey &
Wheeler Ford of Greely, CO. The lightweight and compact Ford
smallblock was the ideal engine choice for the Bocar, particularly
with this car's longer wheelbase chassis. The car was painted a
striking color scheme of Rangoon Red with white rocker stripes
taken, fittingly, straight out of the Ford Mustang catalog. The
finishing touch were "XP-6" and Ford Cobra badges, though the
original owner later referred to the car as the "XP-5R." Following
a move from Greely to Littleton, CO, the first owner sold the
freshly completed Bocar to Mr. Ivan Frank, also of Littleton. Frank
recalled that the Bocar was displayed in several area Ford
showrooms in the late '60s as a local promotion of FoMoCo's
aggressive Total Performance program, and to promote the
versatility of the 289 engine. Mr. Frank also raced the Bocar in
local SCCA events through about 1972 before retiring it.
Significantly, it is suggested that this car inspired Bob Carnes to
build the XP-6, and some marque experts consider this car the
unofficial prototype for the later model. Incredibly, S/N 0004
remained in Ivan Frank's care until 2015, when it traded hands to
the most recent owner. Instead of subjecting the car to a full
restoration, the new owner chose to honor its preserved, original
condition by performing a thorough mechanical overhaul while
leaving the marvelous patina intact. As offered today, the body
wears its original Rangoon Red paint, trim, and windscreen. Even
the "XP-6" badges added in the 60s remain, though this is
officially an XP-5 chassis. Riding on magnesium Halibrand knock-off
wheels shod with period-correct Michelin Pilote-X tires, it has a
fantastic presence and is easily one of the best-looking of the 50s
sports car specials. The mechanical overhaul was done to make this
a safe, fast, and reliable mount for events like the Colorado Grand
Rally. The work encompassed a complete engine, drivetrain, and
brake system overhaul. The restoration team carefully preserved the
original chrome finned valve covers and even kept the patina on the
original radiator, which was overhauled and updated with an
electric cooling fan. The restorers did careful preservation work
in the cockpit, including restoration of the Stewart Warner
instruments to ensure accurate readings. The efforts paid off, as
the new owner enjoyed running the entirety of the 2017 Colorado
Grand. Weighing approximately 2,100 pounds and with over 250
horsepower on tap, the Bocar is a serious performer and a superb
driver's car. As offered, it is in excellent mechanical condition
and remains ideal for rallies, tours, and all manner of driving
events. With its well-documented history and marvelous patina, it
is also a sure bet for preservation class honors on the show field.
The sale of Bocar XP-5 0004 presents an incredible opportunity to
add a unique piece of American motorsport history to your
collection. Offers welcome and trades considered For additional
details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6923-1959-bocar-xp5/
