C2 model Chevy Corvette Sting Ray - 1963-1967 Chevrolet Corvettes - 2nd gen Vette Sting Ray muscle car coupe

"The Chevrolet Vette Evolution Continues with some timeless designs. American Metal Racing modern muscle cars by Paul Malessa"

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport pictures © GM Corp

Note: In 1962 a light weight version of the C2 was produced called the "Grand Sport". This was meant to challenge the Shelby Cobra. Only 5 were built. It was claimed this car could lift the front wheels off the ground in all 4 gears. The fiberglass was paper thin. Today, these 5 cars (001-005) are among the most valuable Corvettes ever built.

1963 Chevrolet C2 Corvette Z06 pics © GM Corp

In 1963 the new model C2 StingRay had basically evolved from an older SS race chassis the design team had been working with. The wheelbase was cut 4" to 98 inches, and the X-member frame was ditched for a ladder design. Also, the solid-axle was upgraded to an independent rear suspension. Most of the engines carried over from the 1962 vehicles. AM-FM radios were an option, as was air conditioning, and the 36 gallon fuel tank option (largest ever in a Vette) was available until 1967.

Corvette Sting Ray American Metal muscle cars picture © GM Corp

The famous Z06 race pack option was available this year. It mainly included metallic brake pads, an oversize fuel tank, and a beefed up suspension. It also required the fuel injection, which was a costly addition, and because of the cost, production was limited. Motor Trend magazine tested a 63 similar to this with a Muncie four-speed and it did 0-60 in 5.8 seconds, with a quarter mile at 14.5 seconds and 102 mph

This was a hot selling year for both the coupe and convertible Corvette Sting Ray. The public was eating this car up.

1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray Split Window coupe images © GM Corp

1963 Chevrolet Corvette C2 Split Window coupe pictures © GM Corp

In 1964 the basic car carried over and was cleaned up by removing some of the ornamentation. New options included the 327 with a 4 barrel that was rated at 360 hp, and also the fuel injected model that was bumped up to 375 horse power.

 1965 GM Corvette C2 Roadster images

In 1965 they changed the front fender design slightly, and 4 wheel disk brakes were now standard equipment. It was the 396 engine option that really rocked the boat though, as this big block L78 was cranking out 425 horse power (the 427 cubic inch V8 was made before the 396, but company policy restricted engines to less than 400 ci, but this was soon to change). Also, sadly, for some, this was the last year for the fuel injected 327. Side exhaust pipes were now an option, and would be offered until 67. There were also two hoods for this car, one for the small block, and another with a bulge for the big blocks.

In 1966 the 396 engine was scrapped and replaced with the 427 ci option. The 427 L72 was rated at 425 hp just as the 396, but the 427 was said to be a more reliable motor. The L39 427 ci option put out 390 horse power. The base (carbureted only now) 327 put out 300 horse power, while a 4 barrel option on the 327 upped the output to 350 hp on that engine. Headrests were now available.

 1967 Chevrolet C2 Corvette Sting Ray pictures - Edmunds.com

In 1967 the Corvette was at a peak in its popularity. Cosmetically the front fenders were changed by adding a few extra louvers. Also, there were 3 new engine options for the 427 engine. 1st was the L68 option which rated the 427 ci at 400 horse power, 2nd was the L71 option with Tri-power (three two-barrel carburetors) which upped the rating to 435 hp, and last, but not least was the L88 option. There were only 20 L88 427's ever built (they can auction for over a million dollars today). It was an expensive option marketed as for race use. This L88 used aluminum cylinder heads, a 12.5-to-1 compression ratio, and an 850-cfm four-barrel carburetor. Chevy conservatively rated this L88 at 430 horsepower, but it was well known that this beast was cranking out well over 500 ponies (unofficially 550 or more). Also, the knock off spinner wheels (which were not the hip-hop type you see today where it looks like the "hub caps" are still spinning at a standstill) were made illegal this year, so wheels were now to be the bolt on type.

Tri-power Chevrolet Corvette C2 engine picture - carcraft.com

Surprisingly, 67 was it for the C2, as the C3 took the stage in 1988, and we'll do a rundown on the C3 in the next post.
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Chevrolet Corvette Sing Ray Videos:

1965 Corvette TV Commercial from Chevrolet video

Corvette C2 Sing Ray Montage videos

[ref] Wikipedia.org

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This series is dedicated to the Chevrolet Corvette C5 C6 C7 enthusiast. We include news and details on the base Chevy Vettes, the Z06, and new ZR1 SuperCar model. The LS2, LS3, LS7, LS9, a racing engine, crate motor, or hot rod tuning subject is always game for discussion. Factory stock General Motors Corvettes, the engines and options, performance and horsepower specialty tuners, and aftermarket parts to make a modified Vette the fastest or quickest are what we are all about. The main years of interest are 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and beyond for the GM future.

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