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Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
The Corvette Stingray was introduced in 1963 and like its predecessors had a fibreglass body but with styling that was all new with a mixture of…
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The Corvette Stingray was introduced in 1963 and like its predecessors had a fibreglass body but with styling that was all new with a mixture of muscled haunches and chiselled edges that resulted in unique appeal. After its first year of production, the coupe lost its split rear window with the future dictating that these models were the most collectable of Corvettes.
The convertible was a good-looking car, with its hood raised or lowered but odd for an American car in that it possessed independent rear suspension. Its transmission was usually three speed manual, two speed automatic, or four-speed manual.
They could achieve such speeds as 0-96 kph in the electrifying time of 5.6 seconds. In 1965 the Stingray model introduced a big block 396 cu V8 motor which packed a huge 425 bhp at 4,000 rpm. It now sported four wheel disc brakes with an engine that went up to a full seven litres.
In 1966 they could be purchased with hydraulic tappers, lower-compression L36 form. Manufacture of the Stingray ceased in 1967 and it came with 300 and 350 bhp small blocks and big blocks that ranged in output from 390 to 435 bhp. Racers enjoyed the L88 engine with its 560 bhp, alloy heads and fancy forged crank, but it was deemed unusable on the road. In 1968 the “Coke Bottle” Stingray was released, and despite being a worthy successor, never really recaptured the spirit of the 1963-67 Stingrays.
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