1959 Bocar XP-5. 1960 Daytona Winner.

History

In the late 1950s, sports car racing was a fascinating mix of mostly exotic European machinery. These cars included D-Type Jaguars, Ferrari Testa Rossas, Maseratis, Aston Martin DBR1s, Porsche RSK Spyders, and more. Along came the Americans, bringing not only their ingenuity but also American V8 horsepower. Some of these early pioneers included Max Balchowsky with his Ol’ Yallers, Lance Reventlow and the Scarabs, the Echidnas, Bob Carnes’ Bocars, and more.  This Bocar is one of the original Bocars, chassis 006, and perhaps the most successful racing Bocar of all time. 

Bob Carnes, of Denver, Colorado, began competing in sports car racing and hillclimbs in the early 1950s, initially with a Glockler Porsche Spyder and later a Jaguar XK120. By 1956, he was racing a Jaguar fitted with a Cadillac V8, affectionately known as the “Jagillac.” That car won the Buffalo Bill Hillclimb and helped convince Carnes that combining lightweight European style sports car construction with powerful American V8 engines was the way forward. He would be soon be followed by Carroll Shelby with his English/American hybrid AC Cobra. 

In 1957, Carnes began developing his own sports racer. The first Bocar, the X-1, utilized Jaguar front suspension components, a Lincoln rear axle, Chevrolet V8 power, and lightweight fiberglass bodywork. It finished fifth in its class at the 1958 Pikes Peak Hillclimb, demonstrating the potential of the design.

Carnes continued developing the concept, introducing the XP-4 in late 1958, followed by the improved XP-5 for 1959.

The XP-5 had a lightweight fiberglass body over a steel spaceframe chassis with a 90-inch wheelbase. The original Chevy 283 Corvette engine was positioned well back in the chassis and offset slightly to the right, improving the car’s weight distribution to approximately 44% front and 56% rear, and offsetting the weight of the driver situated on the left side of the cockpit. Porsche/Volkswagen derived front suspension, a live rear axle with torsion bars, and large Buick Alfin drum brakes completed the package.

The result was a lightweight (approximately 1,890 lbs) car powered by a fuel injected Corvette engine. This combination proved capable of challenging the much more expensive European sports racing machinery of the period. 

The total Bocar production was limited to approximately 30+ cars across the various models. Relatively few survive today. Only between 9 and 15 XP-5s are reported to have been constructed.

General XP-5 Specifications:

Weight: 1,890 lbs. (857 kg)

Wheelbase: 90 inches

Height: 34 inches (including a 4” windscreen)

Engine: 283 CI, Corvette engine with 1958 Rochester fuel injection (original)

Transmission: Borg Warner T-10 four speed

Suspension: Modified Porsche 356 front torsion bar, and rear torsion bar live axle

Brakes: Buick aluminum alloy

Top Speed: Approximately 160-175 mph

The history of this particular Bocar XP-5 — Chassis 006:

This 1959 Bocar XP-5, chassis 006, has significant period racing history. It was first raced by Art Huttinger, the “Montana Cowboy” during the 1959 and 1960 seasons.

The current owner of 006 met in person with Huttinger at Huttinger’s home in Silver Springs, Florida to talk about the car and its history. There Huttinger regailed the owner with stories of his time with the Bocar, including when he purchased the car new from Bob Carnes in 1959. Huttinger was racing a straight axle Corvette at the time and wanted something better and faster.

When they met, Art also told the owner that the 006 was the last to attempt a class land speed record on the beach in Daytona. It made the first run at just under 174mph. However, before the turnaround for the second run, the town Fathers said “no more”. Too many people were on the surf side and the new track was opening in a few weeks. 

Art also shared another interesting fact about 006. He said that following the speed record attempt on the sand at Daytona Beach, 006 raced in the first televised race. That was held at the new Daytona International Speedway. Huttinger and 006 finished second to Ed Rahal’s D-Type Jaguar.

In July, 1959, Huttinger raced the Bocar at the SCCA National at Buckley Field in Colorado. On November 15, 1959, Art and 006 claimed their first victory; the C-Modified SCCA National race at Daytona. In March, 1960, they won again, this time also at Daytona. They claimed other wins and podiums in 1960 as well. Huttinger and chassis 006 race results can be found at RacingSportsCars.com. You will see other XP-5 racing results there as well.  

In 1961, Huttinger traded the Bocar to Jean Guy for an Austin Healey Sprite, Mk2. According to RacingSportsCars Guy was scheduled to drive the Bocar at the Jaycee Summer Grand Prix held in Sebastian, Florida in 1963, but the car was actually driven by Jim Wisner. Wisner won the CM class in the Bocar.

The next owner of 006 was William Butler. While under his ownership, the Bocar claimed a top three at the Bahamas Speed Week, and won a concours there as well. 

Butler also drag raced the Bocar. He modified the rear wheel wells to accommodate the larger racing slicks. He then returned the car to its original road racing configuration where it continued period and vintage racing competition. The rear wheel arch modification, part of the car’s racing heritage, remains on the car today. 

The current owner purchased 006 at a vintage racing event at Road America. Since then 006 has completed 7 Colorado Grands, and one Copper State 1000. The Bocar has also raced with SVRA, HSR and VSCDA. 006 raced twice at the Monterey Reunion, including the 2017 edition of the event. The Bocar was also shown in downtown Monterey as part of the Car Week events.

The Bocar was invited to, and raced at, two Nassau Speed Week Revivals. Stirling Moss even drove the Bocar when he swapped cars with the owner one afternoon there. The Bocar was then shown at Sean Connerey’s lunch, and also won a concours prize. 

Speaking of concours, the Bocar has participated in many. The Bocar has been in the Amelia Island Concours, and the Sebring Concours while racing there. Chassis 006 has been in the Indianapolis Concours, the Louisville Concours, the Arizona Concours, Meadowbrook, Watkins Glen, San Diego, Sears Point, Harbor Springs, and Road America Concours. Many of these concours appearances were at the same time that the car was being raced at these events. 006 has claimed many awards throughout its career. 

Description

Chassis 006 is built around a high strength chromoly steel spaceframe with a fiberglass body. It weighs in at approximately 1,890 lbs (857 kg). The wheelbase is 90 inches and the car stands approximately 35 inches high to the top of the windscreen. 

The Bocar was originally powered by a fuel injected 283 Corvette engine. Today the Bocar is still powered by a small block Chevy including the car’s original 1958 fuel injection system. The engine produces 418 h.p. The Chevy’s power is run through a Borg Warner T10 four speed transmission. 

Other specs include the following:

• Olds 9′ rear end .. 3:73 diff
• Original 1957 Buick drum brakes
• Porsche 356 front end (modified for extra strength)
• Borrani wire rims with knock offs
• Halibrand racing  rims
• Original water system for the brake cooling
• Cool suit system

Important extras include:

A complete spare body

Molds for the doors, hood, trunk and headlight covers

 Value:

Do all Bocars sell for $225,000 and up? No. Some sell for less than $100,000. But are they the same Bocars? No. Those are street cars, worn out projects, cars purchased in kit form, and/or replicas. Those cars did not make speed record runs on the beach at Daytona. They did not compete in the first televised race at Daytona International Speedway. They did not win at Daytona. They did not win and podium at other SCCA National level races either.

Those other Bocars did not race with SVRA, HSR, and VSCDA. They did not participate in the Historic Nassau Bahamas events. They were not driven by Sir Stirling Moss. They did not compete in multiple Monterey Reunions. They were not invited the Goodwood Revival. 006 did all of these things. See the 2018 letter from Goodwood inviting 006 to the Revival in the Photos section below.

The Bocar with perhaps the closest record of success, is the Harry Heuer Meister Brauser III 1959 Bocar XP-5. Having said that, that Bocar XP-5 never won, and never set records,  It was famous by association with the Scarabs raced by the same team. Even so, that car still sold for $412,000.

Another, different Bocar, a later XP-7 supercharged Bocar sold in 2025 for $230,000. Although beautiful and a show car winner, that car was not raced in period and will not qualify for the premier historic races. 006 qualifies, and has won many show awards. It’s also fully race prepared and race proven.

Compare the Bocar with its period competitors at today’s values:

Aston Martin DBR1 $20-30 million

Ferrari 250 Test Rosa $25-40 million

Porsche 718 RSK Spyder $3-4.5 million

Scarab Chevy $5-8 million

Jaguar D-Type $4-7 million

This car is amazing, and an amazing buy.

You can race and show 006 alongside the other iconic 1950s sports racing cars at the premier historic racing and concours events worldwide for a small fraction of the cost of the competition. 006 looks fabulous and makes great V8 noises. It also has a passenger seat so you can share the experience with your friends and VIPs at premier events, or at your local Cars & Coffee. It is a crowd favorite on the track, on the road, downtown, and on the lawn. All wins.

All vehicle descriptions are accurate to the best of our knowledge and understanding at the time of writing. Corrections, and supplemental information, are always welcome. Buyers are responsible for confirming vehicle histories, condition, and authenticity to their own satisfaction prior to purchase. Motorsports Market is not the owner of the vehicle and assumes no liability for errors and omissions.

(c) 1996-2025, Motorsports Market. All Rights Reserved.

Photos

Videos

Questions, Comments, Offers?

Please Contact Us if you have any questions or comments, 

or would like to make a non-binding offer.

(Click the Contact Us above, or email us directly at info@motorsportsmarket.com)