The C2 Generation All Started With The 1963 Corvette Sting Ray

The 1963 Corvette Sting Ray which ran from 1963-1967 was the second generation of the Chevrolet Corvette. The 1963 Corvette was unique for several reasons and the model produced several upgrades for the Corvette in general. Also, the Sting Ray had a new body design. What is fascinating is how the car came to be.

The 1963 Corvette Sting Ray was born out of several very distinct inspirations of designer Larry Shinoda. Shinoda took ideas from several sources and when they were all wrapped together the legendary Corvette was built. Bill Mitchell was Shinoda’s boss at the time and he influenced the designer in more than one way to help shape what would become the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray:

1. Mitchell’s Previous Designs: Mitchell had previously overseen the design of an unproduced ‘Q-Corvette’ which Shinoda took careful notes of. 2. Mitchell’s Vehicle: Shinoda found more inspiration from his boss by way of what Mitchell drove, which at the time was a Jaguar E-Type. 3. Mitchell’s Adventure: On a deep sea fishing expedition Mitchell had caught and landed a Mako Shark. Shinoda took several key points from this majestic creature of the sea and incorporated them into the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray. 4. Mitchell’s Racing Involvement: In 1959 Mitchell sponsored a racing car called the ‘Mitchell Sting Ray’ because at that time Chevrolet had pulled out of factory racing. Though it had no top and did not give away what the eventual 1963 Corvette Sting Ray would look like, it is widely speculated that this was the biggest influence on Shinoda’s design.

The 1963 Corvette Sting Ray had some new developments that were unique to the year. . While some of the developments stayed, others did not. For the first and last time the split rear window and non-functional hood vents were produced in the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray. Because of safety issues the features were dropped the next year. This car was dubbed the “Split Window Coupe because this was the only year the split window was featured. The 1963 Corvette Sting Ray is a highly sought after car among collectors.

The introduction of the independent rear suspension was one innovation that did stand the test of time. This technology was not new but it was to the Corvette. This proved to be a technology that would last. The implementation of the Wonderbar auto tuning radio and air conditioning in mid 1963, were features that proved to be a foundation in the Corvette family.

A small block 327 V-8 powered the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray. The maximum output for horsepower was 360 in 1963 which increased in 1964. While not much by today’s Corvette standards, the output was quite significant for the time.

The C2 generation of the Corvette and later models will begin to take shape but it all started with the Larry Shinoda’s design on the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray. Bill Mitchell’s true inspiration helped shape the Corvette that is enjoyed today and will live in the hearts of Corvette lovers forever. The Corvette will always remain an iconic symbol for the now famous brand.

For more info or queries about a 1963 Corvette please visit us at www.smokinvette.com

1967 Corvette Information

The 1967 Corvette was the last of a five year run for the C2 generation. Originally, the 1967 was supposed to be a total redesign but top engineers at GM wanted more wind tunnel time and thus the 1967 Corvette became another carry over Sting Ray. While the now famed C3 generation would have to wait one more year before it began, the 1967 Corvette did not disappoint and would prove to be the best of the Sting Ray family and would eventually have many claiming it to be the best Vette ever made.

The 1967 Corvette was the most finely tuned Sting Ray to be produced and although the changes were not all that spectacular they did make for a much cleaner looking Corvette. Some of the more notable changes to the 1967 Corvette were…

Front Fender Vents: Five front fender vents replaced the three that were on the 1966 Corvette.

Back-up Light, The 1967 Corvette had a newly designed single back-up light which was mounted just above the license plate holder.

Wheel Covers, The 1967 Corvette did away with the older looking wheel coverings and made way for the Rally wheels which featured chrome beauty rings with small chrome center caps to hide the lug nuts.

Handbrake, The handbrake was moved from beneath the dash to between the seats for the 1967 Corvette.

The 1967 Corvette engine did not change that much but it did end up producing more power. The two small block V-8s as too the big block returned in 1967. This year the big block was hidden under a redesigned hood scoop. There was a switch to triple two barrel carbs so the two largest engines were able to put out 400 and 435 bhp.

Speed freaks could also get their fix with the optional L88 engine which featured many lightened parts and other special upgrades that gave the engine an incredible 560-bhp at the end of the day. The biggest problem with this super engine was the fact that it took only 103-octane racing fuel and consequently did not make for a good option to be driven on a daily basis. Still in 1967 20 buyers opted for the package that would add an enormous $1,500 to the base price of just over $4,200.

As time passed the fans and critics looked back and agreed the 1967 Corvette was the best Corvette ever made. In 1967 this was not the case because everyone was waiting on the now overdue C3 generation to be released. The result was the 1967 Corvette underselling the 1966 Corvette by 5,000 units. The newest Corvette would be a matter of time and when it was released many would be shocked to see the name Sting Ray was taken away. Though added back in 1969 as ‘Stingray’ there would never again be another Sting Ray, especially not like the one that GM put out in 1967.

For additional info and questions in regards to a 1967 Corvette please see the Smokinvette Team at www.smokinvette.com

The Second Year Of The C2 Generation Saw The 1964 Corvette Continue The Sting Ray Roll

The first year C2, the 1963 Corvette, is why the 1964 Corvette was so successful. The first series is always highly scrutinized and the critics are hard on it. It was difficult for this particular year, but it is welcomed news for the next model year as all the feedback can be taken in and rolled out with a new model that is better for the wants and needs of the consumers. Such was the case with the 1964 Corvette.

The Sting Ray became a household name with the popularity of the 1963 Corvette. Although it did have flaws. The designers and engineers at GM took the feedback and coupled it with the momentum that the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray had created and came out with a new and improved version for 1964 and therefore the Sting Ray continued to roll.

The 1964 Corvette Sting Ray had sweeping changes, even though, it was not a redesign. Some of the changes for the year included.

Back Window, Gone was the cross bar that made the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray a legend. Because of safety issues, the 1964 Corvette did away with the split rear window and left the 1963 as the sole holder of such distinction.

Hood, Gone too were the faux hood cowls from the previous year. Again, GM cited safety as the reason. The indentations however did remain.

Suspension, One of the chief complaints from owners of the 1963 Corvette was that the ride got progressively worse as the miles began to accumulate on the odometer. To combat this, GM switched the front coil springs to progressive rate or variable rate from the constant rate used in 1963. The rear leaf springs were also upgraded. The shocks were modified to include a small bag of Freon within the shock’s fluid which helped fight the heating problems that plagued the previous year.

Body Styling, The 1964 Corvette Sting Ray lost some of its ribs on the rocker panels and the ribs that remained got a coat of black paint in between them. Wheel coverings were made more simplified and the emblem on the deck-lid was revamped to include circles around its crossed flags.

Engine, The 1964 Corvette proved to be a bit more beefy than the 1963 and had peak horse power of 375. This was due to an upgrade that saw the V-8 engine breathe through a Holley four barrel carburetor as opposed to the stock Carter.

The changes in the 1964 Corvette proved it was the right call because the sales, 22,229, were a milestone and broke the previous year’s record. The sales of the coupe slid for that year but the convertible sales skyrocketed.

The figures were out and so was the jury with its verdict; a smashing success. While the 1963 Corvette Sting Ray started it all, the 1964 Corvette Sting Ray put the Vette on the map for good.

For more information and queries about a 1964 Corvette please visit the Smokingvette Team at www.smokinvette.com