The Corvette Sting Ray was introduced in 1963 and, like
its predecessors, had a fiberglass 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 km/h 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 liters.
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.
