Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray
Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray
A New generation Corvette was unveiled for 1963 with new box-section chassis on a silightly shorter wheelbase and all independent suspension. Te 250bhp, 327ci ( 5358cc) V8 engine was carried over from the previous generation Corvette. But the biggest news was the new car`s outrageous styling which had clear influences from Chevrolet`s 1958 Stingray racing car and the 1959 XP-720 concept car, both styled by Bill Mitchell who had now taken over from Harley Earl as GM`s design boss.
The outlandish shape of the StingRay- still in glass fibre as with previous generations had boldly curved wings with a hint of Jaguar E type about them,concealed headlamps and dummy air ducts in the frong wings.. Previous Corvettes had all been roadsters, but the new car was available either as an open two seater or as a rakish fastback coup’e with a controversial split rear window. Although the split window made for a more drammatic and cohesive shape it lasted only until1964 when a conventional rear window was substituted and some early cars were modified to the later style. But today it is the early cars which are more sought after and many a later Corvette has been given the early style window.
In 1965, Chevrolet introduced a new all disc braking system and a 396ci(6489cc) V8 Engine and in 1966 an even more powerful 427ci (6997 cc ) V8 appeared. The Sting Ray was offered until 1967 and when a new Corvette appear for 1968. it would drop the Sting Ray name- but it would reappear as one word for 1969.
Engine : 5416cc 90-degree V8
Bore x stroke 101.6 x 83.5mm
Valve gear : Pushrod-operated overhead valves.
Fuel System : Rochester fuel injection
Power: 360bhp at 6000rpm
Suspension : Front Wishbones,coil spings and anti-roll bar, Rear:wishbones, driveshaft links and transverse leaf sping
Wheels : 15in alloy wheels
Brkaes : Drum brakes all round servo assisted.
Top Speed : 150 mph ( 241km/h )