From design to reality, the road to the second generation Corvette
In 1959 Chevrolet no longer participated in factory racing. Bill Mitchell had sponsored a car known as the "Mitchell Sting Ray"(the old XP87 car) from 1959. This vehicle had the largest effect on the styling of the C-2 generation, although it had no top and did not give away what the final version of the C2 would look like. The third inspiration was a Mako-Shark that Mitchell had caught while deep-sea fishing. It was these cues that inspired designer Larry Shinoda, with major inspiration from a previous concept design called the "Q Corvette”, that resulted in the “Sting-Ray. The “Q Corvette was created by Peter Brock and Chuck Pohlmann under the styling direction of Bill Mitchell. Corvette chief engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov never liked the split rear window because it blocked rear vision, but Mitchell thought it to be a key part of the entire design.
Duntov came up with a lightweight version of the C2 in 1962. Concerned about Ford and what they were doing with the Shelby Cobra, GM planned to manufacture 100 Grand Sport Corvettes, but only five were actually built. They were driven by historic drivers such as Roger Penske, A. J. Foyt, Jim Hall, and Dick Guldstrand among others. Today the five cars (numbers 001-005) are all held by private owners and are among the most coveted and valuable Corvettes ever built. Number 002 is exhibited at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum and is in running condition.
1963
The C-2 started production in 1963 as the “Sting Ray” model. The C-2 model ran for five years and ended in 1967. It was available in both a convertible and for the first time as a 2-door coupe. Overall the C-2 was smaller than the first generation. The C2 was later referred to as Mid-Years Corvettes.
The coupe featured a distinctive tapering rear deck and for 1963 only, a split rear window. Maximum power for the 1963 was 360 hp. The Sting Rays featured hidden headlamps, non-functional hood vents, and an independent rear suspension. Other options available on the C2’s included the Wonderbar auto-tuning AM radio, AM-FM radio (mid-1963), air conditioning (late-1963), and electronic ignition ( the breaker less magnetic pulse-triggered Delcotronic) first offered on some 1963 Pontiac models.
1964
For the 1964 models the decorative hood vents were eliminated. Duntov, the Corvette's chief engineer, got his way with the split rear window being changed to a full-width window. New for 64 was the introduction of the AM/FM radio (late 1963), a. 3-speed fan was added to rear of coupe model for ventilation, knock-off wheels, and a walnut grain plastic steering wheel. Back-up lights were optionally available which replaced one red tail light on each side with a white-lensed back-up light.
1965
For 1965 four-wheel disc brakes were introduced as well as a telescopic steering wheel, and a dual master cylinder. Back-up lights were available as an option. This replaced one red tail light on either side with a white back-up light. Gone were the “hood indentations”. A new special hood with a “power bulge” that had integral air intake vents was added to cover the new “big Block” engine option. The front fender louvers were now functional, and were three vertical vents rather than two horizontal indentations. Specific to 1965, the front grill was blacked out but had a chrome surround. Also specific to this year, the rocker panel trim was changed and no longer had any ribs but had one long indentation running its full length.
Introduced in the middle of the production run was the new optional "big block" 396 cu in, 425 hp engine. The “396” optional engine was an extra $292.70 while the fuel injected 327 engine option was $538.00. Having introducing a less-expensive big block Chevrolet sold over 2000 units in just a few months. The big block spelled the beginning of the end for the Rochester fuel injection system. Few people could justify spending $245.00 more for 50 hp even though FI could deliver over 20 mpg on the highway and would keep delivering fuel despite the high G-loading in corners, taken at racing speeds. With only 771 fuel-injected cars built as “65’s”, Chevrolet discontinued the option at the end of the model year. The only way you could identify a “396” Corvette, with a “big block” was by the huge bulge in the hood. Side exhaust pipes were also optionally available in 1965 to help the big-block breathe better. They were offered on the Stingray through 1967.
1966
For 1966, Chevrolet introduced an even larger optional "Big Block" engine, the 427 cu in.. The hood bulge remained for the optional big engines. The first use of all four red taillights started in 1961 and was continued thru the C-2 line-up except for 1966. Back up lamps were now standard and still located on the inboard side of the four taillights. In 1967 Corvette went back to 4 red taillights. Headrests were also new for 1966. This was also the only year that the Corvette had a hood-mounted "Sting Ray" emblem. An egg-crate grill and side fender louvers, of three vertical slots, also positively identify a 1966 Corvette.
1967
1967 was the final model year for the second generation Corvette. The 1967 model featured restyled fender vents and less ornamentation. The Back-up lamps that were now rectangular and centrally located above the license plate. The hood bulge was now replaced with a “stinger” type hood to cover the big block engines.
The first L88 engine option was introduced. It was rated at 430 hp but unofficial estimates place the actual output at 560 hp or more. Only twenty such engines were installed at the factory. From 1967 to 1969, the Holley triple two-barrel carburetors, or “Tri-Power”, was available on the 427-L89. This was a $368 option, on top of the cost for the high-performance 427.
Sources:
Wikipedia
Old Cars Guide-Corvette
In 1959 Chevrolet no longer participated in factory racing. Bill Mitchell had sponsored a car known as the "Mitchell Sting Ray"(the old XP87 car) from 1959. This vehicle had the largest effect on the styling of the C-2 generation, although it had no top and did not give away what the final version of the C2 would look like. The third inspiration was a Mako-Shark that Mitchell had caught while deep-sea fishing. It was these cues that inspired designer Larry Shinoda, with major inspiration from a previous concept design called the "Q Corvette”, that resulted in the “Sting-Ray. The “Q Corvette was created by Peter Brock and Chuck Pohlmann under the styling direction of Bill Mitchell. Corvette chief engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov never liked the split rear window because it blocked rear vision, but Mitchell thought it to be a key part of the entire design.
Duntov came up with a lightweight version of the C2 in 1962. Concerned about Ford and what they were doing with the Shelby Cobra, GM planned to manufacture 100 Grand Sport Corvettes, but only five were actually built. They were driven by historic drivers such as Roger Penske, A. J. Foyt, Jim Hall, and Dick Guldstrand among others. Today the five cars (numbers 001-005) are all held by private owners and are among the most coveted and valuable Corvettes ever built. Number 002 is exhibited at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum and is in running condition.
1963
The C-2 started production in 1963 as the “Sting Ray” model. The C-2 model ran for five years and ended in 1967. It was available in both a convertible and for the first time as a 2-door coupe. Overall the C-2 was smaller than the first generation. The C2 was later referred to as Mid-Years Corvettes.
The coupe featured a distinctive tapering rear deck and for 1963 only, a split rear window. Maximum power for the 1963 was 360 hp. The Sting Rays featured hidden headlamps, non-functional hood vents, and an independent rear suspension. Other options available on the C2’s included the Wonderbar auto-tuning AM radio, AM-FM radio (mid-1963), air conditioning (late-1963), and electronic ignition ( the breaker less magnetic pulse-triggered Delcotronic) first offered on some 1963 Pontiac models.
1964
For the 1964 models the decorative hood vents were eliminated. Duntov, the Corvette's chief engineer, got his way with the split rear window being changed to a full-width window. New for 64 was the introduction of the AM/FM radio (late 1963), a. 3-speed fan was added to rear of coupe model for ventilation, knock-off wheels, and a walnut grain plastic steering wheel. Back-up lights were optionally available which replaced one red tail light on each side with a white-lensed back-up light.
1965
For 1965 four-wheel disc brakes were introduced as well as a telescopic steering wheel, and a dual master cylinder. Back-up lights were available as an option. This replaced one red tail light on either side with a white back-up light. Gone were the “hood indentations”. A new special hood with a “power bulge” that had integral air intake vents was added to cover the new “big Block” engine option. The front fender louvers were now functional, and were three vertical vents rather than two horizontal indentations. Specific to 1965, the front grill was blacked out but had a chrome surround. Also specific to this year, the rocker panel trim was changed and no longer had any ribs but had one long indentation running its full length.
Introduced in the middle of the production run was the new optional "big block" 396 cu in, 425 hp engine. The “396” optional engine was an extra $292.70 while the fuel injected 327 engine option was $538.00. Having introducing a less-expensive big block Chevrolet sold over 2000 units in just a few months. The big block spelled the beginning of the end for the Rochester fuel injection system. Few people could justify spending $245.00 more for 50 hp even though FI could deliver over 20 mpg on the highway and would keep delivering fuel despite the high G-loading in corners, taken at racing speeds. With only 771 fuel-injected cars built as “65’s”, Chevrolet discontinued the option at the end of the model year. The only way you could identify a “396” Corvette, with a “big block” was by the huge bulge in the hood. Side exhaust pipes were also optionally available in 1965 to help the big-block breathe better. They were offered on the Stingray through 1967.
1966
For 1966, Chevrolet introduced an even larger optional "Big Block" engine, the 427 cu in.. The hood bulge remained for the optional big engines. The first use of all four red taillights started in 1961 and was continued thru the C-2 line-up except for 1966. Back up lamps were now standard and still located on the inboard side of the four taillights. In 1967 Corvette went back to 4 red taillights. Headrests were also new for 1966. This was also the only year that the Corvette had a hood-mounted "Sting Ray" emblem. An egg-crate grill and side fender louvers, of three vertical slots, also positively identify a 1966 Corvette.
1967
1967 was the final model year for the second generation Corvette. The 1967 model featured restyled fender vents and less ornamentation. The Back-up lamps that were now rectangular and centrally located above the license plate. The hood bulge was now replaced with a “stinger” type hood to cover the big block engines.
The first L88 engine option was introduced. It was rated at 430 hp but unofficial estimates place the actual output at 560 hp or more. Only twenty such engines were installed at the factory. From 1967 to 1969, the Holley triple two-barrel carburetors, or “Tri-Power”, was available on the 427-L89. This was a $368 option, on top of the cost for the high-performance 427.
Sources:
Wikipedia
Old Cars Guide-Corvette