The
second generation Corvette referred to as mid-years was designed
by Larry Shinoda with major inspiration from a
previous concept design called
the "Q Corvette" by Peter Brock and Chuck Pohlmann under the styling
direction of Bill
Mitchell. The design had several inspirations. The first was the
contemporary Jaguar E-Type, one of which Bill Mitchell owned and enjoyed
driving frequently. Mitchell also sponsored a car known as the "Mitchell
Sting Ray" in 1959 because Chevrolet
no longer participated in factory racing. This vehicle had the largest
impact on the styling of this generation, although it had no top and did
not give away what the coupe would look like. The third inspiration was
a Mako Shark Mitchell had caught while deep-sea fishing.
Production started for the
1963 model year and ended in 1967. Introducing a new name, "Sting Ray",
the 1963 model was the first year for a Corvette coupe and it featured a
distinctive tapering rear deck (a feature that reappeared on the 1971 "Boattail"
Buick Riviera) with, for 1963 only, a split rear window. The Sting Ray
featured hidden headlamps, non-functional hood vents, and an independent
rear suspension. 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. Maximum power for 1963 was 360 bhp (270 kW) and
was raised to 375 bhp (280 kW) in 1964. Options included electronic
ignition, the breakerless magnetic pulse-triggered Delcotronic first
offered on some 1963 Pontiac models . On 1964 models the decorative hood
vents were eliminated and Duntov got his way with the split rear window
changed to a full width window.
Four-wheel disc brakes were
introduced in 1965, as was a "big block" engine option, the 396 cu in
(6.49 L) V8. Side exhaust pipes were also optional in 1965 and continued
through 1967. The introduction of the
425 bhp
(317 kW) 396 cu in (6.49 L) big block in 1965 spelled the beginning of
the end for the Rochester fuel injection system. The 396 cu in (6.49 L)
option cost US$292.70 while the
fuel injected 327 cu in (5.36 L) engine cost
US$538.00. Few people could
justify spending US$245.00 more
for 50 bhp (37 kW) less, even if the FI cars offered optional bigger
brakes not available on carbureted models.[3]
With only 771 fuel-injected cars built in 1965, Chevrolet discontinued
the option the following year. Chevrolet would up the ante in 1966 with
the introduction of an even larger 427 cu in (7.00 L) Big Block version,
creating what would be one of the most collectible Corvettes ever. Other
options available on the C2 included the Wonderbar auto-tuning AM radio,
AM-FM radio (mid 1963), air conditioning (late 1963), a telescopic
steering wheel (1965) and headrests (1966).
1967 was the final year for
the C2 generation. It featured restyled fender vents, less ornamentation
and the first use of all four taillights in red; back-up lamps were now
rectangular, centrally located. (The all-four red taillight treatment
continued on the first C3 in 1968 only and returned on the first C4 in
1984, continuing on all Corvettes since). 1967 had the first L88 engine
option which was rated at 430 bhp (320 kW), but unofficial estimates
place the actual output at 560 bhp (420 kW) or more.[5]
O
nly
twenty such engines were installed at the factory. From 1967 (to 1969),
the Holley triple two-barrel carburetor, or Tri-Power, was available on
the 427 L89 (a US$368 option, on top of the cost for the
high-performance 427).[6]
Despite these changes, sales slipped over 15%, to 22,940 (8,504 coupes,
off close to 15%, and 14,436 convertibles, down nearly 19%).[7]
Corvette chief engineer Zora
Arkus-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 100 Grand Sport Corvettes but only five were built. They were
driven by historic drivers such as Roger Penske, A. J. Foyt, Jim Hall,
and Dick Guldstrand among others. Today the cars 001-005 are all held by
private owners, and are among the most coveted and valuable Corvettes
ever built. The C3 was originally intended to be introduced for the 1967
model year; however, quality issues delayed its introduction until the
following year.
More trivia . . .
The earliest serial number air conditioned
Sting Ray has a production build date in October, about 6 months before
the rest of the AC cars. The reason? The owner was a GM executive and the
car returned to Chevrolet for refitting with AC.
An error was made in creating the roof
panel mold in 1963, using the wrong side of the dimensions, such that all
roof panels were too small. This left a gap seen in the door pillar above
the door latch in all but a few 1963's to 1967. The ones where it is not
found were cosmetically covered up with body filler.
Power steering was first available in the
1963 Corvette.
Bill Mitchell and Zora Arkus-Duntov argued
over the "Split" rear window for the new Corvette. Bill Mitchell
won out for the 1963 Model, but it was removed for 1964 never to be seen
again.
The 1963 Grand Sports, while originally
looking much like the production coupes, had no body parts in common. The
fiberglass body panels were roughly half the thickness of production
panels to save weight.
The 1963 Grand Sports originally were
released without fender flares, using the stock look. However, they were
wider to allow a wider tire 8.25x15 rather than the stock 6.70x15 tire.
Only the driver's side vent on the 1964
Corvette is functional.
The first major tire size change in
Corvette history occurred in 1965. Tire size changed from 6.70x15 to
7.75x15
While the 427 was developed first, the 396
went into the Corvette, Chevrolet, and Chevelle in 1965 due to a GM policy
restricting them to less than 400 cubic inches.
The 396ci 425hp engine lasted only one year
1965.
1965 was the first year to have two
separate hoods - the smooth small block hood and the bulge of the big
block hood.
The 1966 Corvette was not eligible in SCCA
Trans Am, due to the upper limit of 5.0 liter on engine displacement.
Chevy's only eligible car was the Corvair.
1967 was the first year to have three
hoods: the small block hood, the big block hood, and the L-88 hood, even
though externally the L-88 looked like the regular big block hood.
In late February and early March, 1967,
some small blocks received the big block hood due to an industrial
accident with the small block hood mold. These were not given the hood
stripe.
The "GM Mark of Excellence"
sticker appeared in one year only- 1967.
Federal law mandated the removal of
spinners from wheels in 1967, so the knock off wheel of 1963-66 was
replaced with a bolt on wheel.
1967 was the first year "Vinyl"
was offered as an optional exterior covering for the hardtop.
The '67 model was the first to have the
"tank sticker", or the build sheet, attached to the gas tank.
The maximum install fuel tank capacity was
offered in the Corvette from 1963 to 1967, 36 gallons.
An option was offered in 1967 that lasted
for only three production years.. A speed warning indicator.
The '67 LeMans Racer was "DRIVEN"
to the track from the airport (in place of being trailered) was because
the trailer was chuck full of parts!
