1963
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Split Window
The second generation, or mid-year,
was designed by Larry Shinoda with major inspiration from a previous
unproduced design called the "Q Corvette"
by Peter Brock and Chuck Pohlmann, and under the styling direction
of Bill Mitchell, started in 1963 and ended in 1967. Introducing
a new name, Corvette Sting Ray,
the 1963 model year Corvette was the first year for a coupé
with its distinctive split rear window and non-functioning hood
vents as well as an independent rear
suspension. The split rear window was discontinued in 1964 due
to safety concerns. Because they made the design too busy, the
hood vents were also cut.
Power for 1963 was at 360 hp (268 kW) hitting 375 hp (280 kW)
in 1964.
Four-wheel disc brakes were introduced in 1965, as was a "big
block" engine option (the 396 CID [6.5 L] V8). Side exhaust
pipes became optional
on the 1965 Sting Ray and persisted through 1967, then again for
1969. Chevrolet would up the ante in 1966 with the introduction
of an even
larger 427 CID (7 L) version, creating what would be one of the
most collectible Corvettes ever. 1967 saw an L-88 version of the
427
introduced, which was rated at 430 hp (321 kW), but unofficial
estimates[citation needed] place the actual output at 550 hp (410
kW) or
more. Only twenty such engines were placed in the 1967 Corvette,
and the cars can fetch US$1,000,000 or more in auction today.
From 1967 to 1969,
the 1282 cu ft/min Holley triple two-barrel carburetor, or Tri-Power,
was available on the 427. The 1967 Corvette originally was going
to be the
first of the C3 generation; however, due to delays the C3 had
to be put off until 1968. This was also the first year to introduce
the L-88 motor
option with 560 bhp (420 kW). Other early options available on
the C2 included an AM-FM radio (mid 1963), air conditioning (1963),
a telescopic
steering wheel (1965) and headrests, presumably to prevent whiplash
(1966).
1965 327/375 hp (5.4 L/280 kW) Fuel Injected Corvette Sting Ray
Roadster.The 1965 introduction of the 425 hp 396 CID big block
was
ultimately the harbinger of doom for the Rochester fuel injection
system. The 396 CID option cost $292.70 while the fuel injected
327 CID engine
cost $538.00. Few people could justify spending $245 more for
50 hp (37 kW) less. When only 771 fuel-injected cars were built
in 1965, Chevrolet
stopped the program.
In 2004, Sports Car International named the Sting Ray number five
on the list of Top Sports Cars of the 1960s.
The design of this generation had several inspirations. The first
was the contemporary Jaguar E-Type, one of which Mitchell owned
and enjoyed
driving frequently. Bill Mitchell also sponsored a car known as
the "Mitchell Sting Ray" in 1959, because Chevrolet
no longer participated in
factory racing. This vehicle had the largest impact on the styling
of this generation, although it had no top and did not give away
what the coupe
would look like. The third inspiration was a mako shark that Mitchell
had caught while deep-sea fishing.
In 1961 the Corvette finally sold over 10,000 vehicles per year,
hitting a number of 10,947 in that production year.
In 1962 Corvette chief engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov came up with
a lightweight version of the C2. Concerned about Ford and what
they were
doing with the Shelby Cobra, GM planned 100 Grand Sport Corvettes.
The plans never came about and only five were built. They were
driven by
historic drivers such as Roger Penske, A. J. Foyt, Jim Hall, and
Dick Guldstrand among others. Today the cars 001-005 are all held
by private
owners. They are among the most coveted and valuable Corvettes
ever built.
The popular Z06 performance package on the C5 and C6 model Corvettes
is named after a Z06 performance option dating back to the 1963
model year.
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Split Window, manual stick shift,
conncours condition. Over € 100.000,- invested.
Pay for the restoration and get the car for free !
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Price € -,-
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