Business Travel Ireland - Classic Car History - 1963-67 Corvette Sting Ray

Specs for 1963-67 Corvette Sting Ray

427 cid 396 cid, 327 cid, engine: OHV 90 degree V-8,

Pushrods single cam, construction: Cast-iron block and heads,

Compression ratio: 11:1

Induction: Rochester fuel injection or one/two Carter four barrel carbs

Maximum Power: 250-375 bhp (327 cid) 390-435 (427 cid)

Top Speed: 152 mph

427 cid 0-60 mph: 5.4 sec,

Or Powerglide automatic optional three-speed manual, all syncromesh manual, transmission: Four-speed,

Body/Chassis: Steel ladder frame with two door convertible or coupe fiberglass body

X 15in. Wheels: Five bolt steel (knock off aluminum optional) 6in.

Firestone Super Sport 170 X 15 in. Tires: 6.7 in.

Then four wheel discs brakes: Drums to 1965,

Anti-roll bar coil springs, front Suspension: Double wishbone,

Half shafts and transverse links with transverse leaf spring rear Suspension: Semi-trailing arms,

Wheelbase: 98 inches

Length: 175.3 inches

Height:49.8 inches

Weight: 3150 lbs

Quarter Mile Performance: 12.8 @112

Fuel Mileage: 9-16 mpg.

964 including 1963-67 production: 118,

Price: $4240 for 1967 Convertible

The 1963-1967 Corvette Sting Ray

However the 1963 Sting Ray coupe is now the most sought after model of second generation Corvettes. The feature was dropped in 1964 because it limited rear visibility. Bill Mitchell intended for it to form a visual connection with the central raised sections on the hood. Featuring the a two piece rear window design, starting in 1963 the first hard top coupe was offered. But updated for the Sting Ray, the interior implemented a dual cockpit similar to earlier Corvettes. The styling was the expression of many of the styling ideas of new GM styling chief Bill Mitchell. Not to be confused with the third generation 1968-82 Stingray (1 word), the second generation Corvette was the 1963-1967 Sting Ray.

The 1963-64 had horizontal double vents, the 1965 and 1966 models had triple side vents, for instance the 1967 had 5 side vents, the different year model Sting Ray's can often be differentiated by their side vent designs . There was also an optional hard top. Additionally the Corvette's convertible top folds away completely when not in use and is stored beneath a flush fitting fiberglass panel behind the driver. And absence of a trunk lid (access is from behind the seats), a power bulge on the hood (this was wider for the Corvettes that had the big block engine), other styling cues of the Sting Ray include optional side mounted exhaust. Which not only added style they aided in aerodynamic efficiency, another new feature was the hidden twin pop-up headlights. The Sting Ray's body is constructed of fiberglass panels mounted on a steel ladder frame, like all Corvettes.

The 1965 was the first to have 4 wheel disc brakes. The 1963 Sting Ray was the first Corvette to have an independent suspension. The Sting Ray also had an alloy clutch housing and alloy-cased gearbox to help with weight reduction and weight distribution. The V8 engines drive the rear wheels through a four-speed manual or a three speed automatic transmission. The 1967 L88 427 cid V8 marked the pinnacle of performance for the second generation Corvette. And dropped in 1966 in favor of the 427, the 396 engine was only offered in 1965. Horsepower varied between 250 and 435 hp. The 396 cid and the 427 cid, the 327 cid, sting Rays came in three engine sizes.

"Elephant ear" scoops rammed fresh air to the drums and cooling fans spun with the hub. Power assisted and backed by a dual circuit master cylinder, the heavy-duty brakes consisted of drums with sintered metallic linings. And knock-off wheels, heavy-duty suspension, heavy-duty brakes, 36.5 gallon fuel tank, the Z-06 option consisted of a fuel-injected 327 cid V8. The Z-06 was created by Zora Arkus-Duntoz as a purpose built racer. The Z-06, the 63 Corvette also had a racing option.

Cast aluminum bolt-on wheels at $263 and detachable hardtop for the convertible for $232, other options included side-mounted exhausts at $132. Rear end gear ratios ranged from 3.08 to 4.11. The L71 came only with the close-ratio four-speed. Or Powerglide automatic transmission ($194), buyers could choose between the wide-ratio ($184) or close-ratio ($184) four-speed manuals, with the L36 and L68. Transmission choices were relatively simple. Meaning that 42.31% of all 1967 Corvettes were 427s, 707 big-blocks were built, 9, in all. But most experts believed that it in fact developed close to 600 bhp, chevrolet was reluctant about revealing the engine's true potential and officially rated at only 430 bhp! Nor defroster, heater, you got a transistor ignition and Positraction differential but didn't get a fan shroud, in addition. And a single Holley four barrel carb rated at 850 cfm that sat on an aluminum intake manifold with a special raised plenum chamber, 12.5:1 compression, the L88 featured new aluminum heads. Extremely rare (only 20 were built) was the top of the line L88 for $948 more. And 11:1 compression which was conservatively rated at 435 bhp, special performance cams, solid lifters, at the top was the L71 with triple two-barrel Holley carbs. Next up was the L68 for $305 which featured triple two-barrel Holley carbs (a first for Corvette) and was good for 400 bhp. It was rated at a stout 390 bhp. 10.25:1 compression and hydraulic lifters, cost just $200 more and featured a single four barrel carb, the L36, the first version. There were four versions of the 427 available, for 1967.

Stats by year:

1963

314 production: 21,

594 coupe: 10,

Z06 Coupe: 199

919 convertible: 10,

350 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm, engines:
327 V8 250 bhp @ 4400 rpm.

360 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm, l75 327 V8 300 bhp @ 5000 rpm.

344 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm, l76 327 V8 340 bhp @ 6000 rpm.

352 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm, l84 327 ("fuelie") V8 360 bhp @ 6000 rpm.

1/4 mile in 14.9 seconds, performance:
327/370: 0-60 in 5.9 seconds.

1964

229 production: 22,

304 coupe: 8,

925 convertible: 13,

350 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm, engines:
327 V8 250 bhp @ 4400 rpm.

360 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm, l75 327 V8 300 bhp @ 5000 rpm.

360 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm, l79 327 V8 350 bhp @ 5500 rpm.

350 lb-ft @ 3400 rpm, l76 327 V8 365 bhp @ 6200 rpm.

350 lb-ft @ 4600 rpm, l84 327 ("fuelie") V8 375 bhp @ 6200 rpm.

Performance:
N/A

1965

652 production: 23,

186 coupe: 8,

376 convertible: 15,

350 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm, engines:
327 V8 250 bhp @ 4400 rpm.

360 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm, l75 327 V8 300 bhp @ 5000 rpm.

360 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm, l79 327 V8 350 bhp @ 5500 rpm.

350 lb-ft @ 3400 rpm, l76 327 V8 365 bhp @ 6200 rpm.

350 lb-ft @ 4600 rpm, l84 327 ("fuelie") V8 375 bhp @ 6200 rpm.

415 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm, l78 396 V8 425 bhp @ 6400 rpm.

1/4 mile in 14.1 seconds @ 103 mph, performance:
396/425: 0-60 in 5.7 seconds.

1966

720 production: 27,

958 coupe: 9,

762 convertible: 17,

360 lb-ft @ 3400 rpm, engines:
L79 327 V8 300 bhp @ 4800 rpm.

460 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm, l36 427 V8 390 bhp @ 5400 rpm.

L72 427 V8 425 bhp.

1/4 mile in 14 seconds, performance:
427/425: 0-60 in 5.7 seconds.

1967

940 production: 22,

436 coupe: 14,

504 convertible: 8,

360 lb-ft @ 3400 rpm, engines:
L79 327 V8 300 bhp @ 4800 rpm.

460 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm, l36 427 V8 390 bhp @ 5400 rpm.

460 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm, l68 427 V8 400 bhp @ 5400 rpm.

460 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm, l71 427 V8 435 bhp @ 5800 rpm.

460 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm, l88 427 V8 430 bhp @ 5200 rpm.

Performance:
L88: 1/4 mile in 12.8 seconds @ 112mph.