A review of The Corvette Stingray Sports Car, covering development, important features, and technical data of each model in the range, from the 1953 Corvette to the 1982 Stingray.
In this Article, I offer a nostalgic look at the Corvette Stingray sports car, one of an elite group of classic cars, which was manufactured during the period 1953 to 1982.
The first generation, referred to as C1, of the Chevrolet Corvette was produced in 1953.
It used a 150 bhp, 3.8 litre, straight 6-cylinder engine, with three Carter carburettors.
This was Chevrolet's first venture into the sports car market. The car was only available in white, with a black convertible top and red interior.
Unfortunately, it was not a success, and only 300 Corvettes were built that year.
After 1953, the following changes took place:
- 1954 - It remained unchanged, although other colours were offered
- 1955 - A 4.3 litre, V8 engine was available as an option
- 1957 - A redesigned body was introduced, together with a larger 4.6 litre, V8 engine
- 1958 - The body styling was slightly modified
- 1961 - The car's rear was redesigned
- 1962 - A larger 5.4 litre, V8 engine was offered in two versions: standard, developing 250 bhp, and fuel injected, developing 360 bhp.
This was the last model in the first generation of Corvettes.
1963
The Corvette Stingray was first introduced in 1963, and represented the start of the second generation, called C2, of Chevrolet sports cars.
The first Stingray was considerably different from the previous Corvette in so much as it was completely redesigned.
It was much lighter than its predecessors, and was available as a convertible as well as a fixed head coupe.
The body was fibreglass on a steel chassis. It had a split rear window, independent rear suspension, and used the same engine as the 1962 model.
The Corvette Stingray was an immediate success.
Production that year consisted of 10,919 convertibles and 10,594 fixed head coupes.
1964
The 1964 Corvette Stingray displayed only minor changes over the '63 model.
However, the 5.3 litre (327 cu in) V8 engine now had a high lift camshaft, and used a 4-barrel Holley carburettor instead of the previous Carter.
This produced 365 bhp, which was increased to 375 bhp with the use of Rochester fuel injection.
Production that year consisted of 13,925 convertibles and 8,304 fixed head coupes.
1965
The 1965 sports car had disc brakes on all wheels for the first time.
However, the main feature of the '65 model was the increase in size of the engine from 5.3 litre to 6.5 litre (396 cu in).
Since the output of 425 bhp using Holley 4-barrel carburettors was greater than the 375 bhp developed using Rochester fuel injection, then the latter was dropped in mid year.
It would not be for another 18 years before fuel injection was reinstated.
1966
The 1966 Stingray continued to use the big block, 7 litre (427 cu in), V8 engine, of which there were two options: 390 bhp and 425 bhp units, the latter using a larger Holley 4-barrel carburettor.
There was mild restyling of the front section of the '66 model.
The optional L-88 engine, a version built purely for racing, produced a phenomenal 530 bhp.
1967
The 1967 Corvette Stingray was to be the last member of the C2 generation. With five years of refinements to its name, it was regarded as being the finest model so far.
The 7 litre (427 cu in), V8 unit was given the Holley triple, 2-barrel carburettor as standard, developing 434 bhp.
However, what was regarded as the ultimate engine for the '67 Stingray was the L-88 option.
This had lightweight heads and larger ports, a modified camshaft, a massive 12.5:1 compression ratio, and a huge, single, Holley 4-barrel carburettor.
This veritable beast developed 530 bhp. In 1967, only 20 customers purchased a Stingray with the L-88 option.
Regardless of these changes, sales in 1967 dipped to 22,940 units (8,504 coupes and 14,436 convertibles).
Since the C2 generation had really run its course, a redesign was overdue. Chevrolet was ready to launch the C3 generation of the Stingray in 1968.
The motoring press was almost unanimous in its acclaim for the Corvette Stingray.
In 2004, Sports Car International cited the Stingray as number five in their list of Top Classic Cars of the 1960's.
1968-1982
Chevrolet launched the C3 generation of the Corvette Stingray in 1968.
Although the body was restyled, the engine and chassis remained unchanged.
After 1968, the following changes took place:
- 1970 - The 7 litre (427 cu in) V8 engine was enlarged to 7.4 litres (454 cu in), developing 390 bhp.
- 1971 - The compression ratios of all engines was reduced to take account of regular low lead fuel.
- 1975 - This was the last year of the convertible. It would be another eleven years before it returned.
- 1979 - 53,807 units were built, making it the peak production year for all versions off the Stingray. Beyond 1979, sales began to decline.
- 1982 - Fuel injection was reintroduced. It was the final year of the C3 generation.
There would be a two year gap before C4, the fourth generation of Stingrays, would be introduced, covering the period from 1984 to 1996.
This marked the end of the C3 generation of the Corvette Stingray sports car.
Beyond 1982, Corvette produced a number of exciting sports cars which, sadly, falls beyond the space allotted for this review.
Perhaps this stroll down memory lane might have answered, or at least shed light on, a possible question:
Which Corvette Sports Car Model is Your Favourite
However, should this question still remain unanswered, I will be reviewing, in some detail, in future articles within this website, the entire range of Corvette and Stingray sports cars which were featured in the memorable era spanning 1953 to 1982.
I hope you join me in my nostalgic travels "down sports car memory lane".
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