Classic Car History - 1963-67 Corvette Sting Ray

Specs for 1963-67 Corvette Sting RayEngine: OHVof the line L88 for $948 more. The L88 featured
90 degree V-8, 327 cid, 396 cid, 427 cidnew aluminum heads, 12.5:1 compression, and a single
Construction: Cast-iron block and heads, single cam,Holley four barrel carb rated at 850 cfm that sat on
pushrodsan aluminum intake manifold with a special raised
Compression ratio: 11:1plenum chamber. In addition, you got a transistor
Induction: Rochester fuel injection or one/two Carterignition and Positraction differential but didn't get a
four barrel carbsfan shroud, heater, nor defroster. Chevrolet was
Maximum Power: 250-375 bhp (327 cid) 390-435reluctant about revealing the engine's true potential
(427 cid)and officially rated at only 430 bhp, but most experts
Top Speed: 152 mphbelieved that it in fact developed close to 600 bhp! In
0-60 mph: 5.4 sec, 427 cidall, 9,707 big-blocks were built, meaning that 42.31%
Transmission: Four-speed, all syncromesh manual,of all 1967 Corvettes were 427s. Transmission
optional three-speed manual, or Powerglide automaticchoices were relatively simple. With the L36 and L68,
Body/Chassis: Steel ladder frame with two doorbuyers could choose between the wide-ratio ($184)
convertible or coupe fiberglass bodyor close-ratio ($184) four-speed manuals, or
Wheels: Five bolt steel (knock off aluminum optional)Powerglide automatic transmission ($194). The L71
6in. x 15in.came only with the close-ratio four-speed. Rear end
Tires: 6.7 in. x 15 in. Firestone Super Sport 170gear ratios ranged from 3.08 to 4.11. Other options
Brakes: Drums to 1965, then four wheel discsincluded side-mounted exhausts at $132, cast
Front Suspension: Double wishbone, coil springs,aluminum bolt-on wheels at $263 and detachable
anti-roll barhardtop for the convertible for $232.Stats by
Rear Suspension: Semi-trailing arms, half shafts andyear:1963Production: 21,314
transverse links with transverse leaf springCoupe: 10,594
Wheelbase: 98 inchesZ06 Coupe: 199
Length: 175.3 inchesConvertible: 10,919Engines:
Height:49.8 inches327 V8 250 bhp @ 4400 rpm, 350 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm.
Weight: 3150 lbsL75 327 V8 300 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 360 lb-ft @ 3200
Quarter Mile Performance: 12.8 @112rpm.
Fuel Mileage: 9-16 mpg.L76 327 V8 340 bhp @ 6000 rpm, 344 lb-ft @ 4000
Production: 118,964 including 1963-67rpm.
Price: $4240 for 1967 ConvertibleThe 1963-1967L84 327 ("fuelie") V8 360 bhp @ 6000 rpm, 352 lb-ft
Corvette Sting RayThe second generation Corvette@ 4000 rpm.Performance:
was the 1963-1967 Sting Ray, not to be confused327/370: 0-60 in 5.9 seconds, 1/4 mile in 14.9
with the third generation 1968-82 Stingray (1 word).seconds.1964Production: 22,229
The styling was the expression of many of theCoupe: 8,304
styling ideas of new GM styling chief Bill Mitchell. TheConvertible: 13,925Engines:
interior implemented a dual cockpit similar to earlier327 V8 250 bhp @ 4400 rpm, 350 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm.
Corvettes, but updated for the Sting Ray. Starting inL75 327 V8 300 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 360 lb-ft @ 3200
1963 the first hard top coupe was offered, featuringrpm.
the a two piece rear window design. Bill MitchellL79 327 V8 350 bhp @ 5500 rpm, 360 lb-ft @ 3600
intended for it to form a visual connection with therpm.
central raised sections on the hood. The feature wasL76 327 V8 365 bhp @ 6200 rpm, 350 lb-ft @ 3400
dropped in 1964 because it limited rear visibility.rpm.
However the 1963 Sting Ray coupe is now the mostL84 327 ("fuelie") V8 375 bhp @ 6200 rpm, 350 lb-ft
sought after model of second generation@ 4600 rpm.Performance:
Corvettes.Like all Corvettes, the Sting Ray's body isN/A1965Production: 23,652
constructed of fiberglass panels mounted on a steelCoupe: 8,186
ladder frame. Another new feature was the hiddenConvertible: 15,376Engines:
twin pop-up headlights, which not only added style327 V8 250 bhp @ 4400 rpm, 350 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm.
they aided in aerodynamic efficiency. Other stylingL75 327 V8 300 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 360 lb-ft @ 3200
cues of the Sting Ray include optional side mountedrpm.
exhaust, a power bulge on the hood (this was widerL79 327 V8 350 bhp @ 5500 rpm, 360 lb-ft @ 3600
for the Corvettes that had the big block engine), andrpm.
absence of a trunk lid (access is from behind theL76 327 V8 365 bhp @ 6200 rpm, 350 lb-ft @ 3400
seats). Additionally the Corvette's convertible toprpm.
folds away completely when not in use and is storedL84 327 ("fuelie") V8 375 bhp @ 6200 rpm, 350 lb-ft
beneath a flush fitting fiberglass panel behind the@ 4600 rpm.
driver. There was also an optional hard top. TheL78 396 V8 425 bhp @ 6400 rpm, 415 lb-ft @ 4000
different year model Sting Ray's can often berpm.Performance:
differentiated by their side vent designs , for instance396/425: 0-60 in 5.7 seconds, 1/4 mile in 14.1
the 1967 had 5 side vents, the 1965 and 1966 modelsseconds @ 103 mph.1966Production: 27,720
had triple side vents, the 1963-64 had horizontalCoupe: 9,958
double vents.Sting Rays came in three engine sizes,Convertible: 17,762Engines:
the 327 cid, the 396 cid and the 427 cid. HorsepowerL79 327 V8 300 bhp @ 4800 rpm, 360 lb-ft @ 3400
varied between 250 and 435 hp. The 396 engine wasrpm.
only offered in 1965, and dropped in 1966 in favor ofL36 427 V8 390 bhp @ 5400 rpm, 460 lb-ft @ 3600
the 427. The 1967 L88 427 cid V8 marked therpm.
pinnacle of performance for the second generationL72 427 V8 425 bhp.Performance:
Corvette. The V8 engines drive the rear wheels427/425: 0-60 in 5.7 seconds, 1/4 mile in 14
through a four-speed manual or a three speedseconds.1967Production: 22,940
automatic transmission. The Sting Ray also had anCoupe: 14,436
alloy clutch housing and alloy-cased gearbox to helpConvertible: 8,504Engines:
with weight reduction and weight distribution. TheL79 327 V8 300 bhp @ 4800 rpm, 360 lb-ft @ 3400
1963 Sting Ray was the first Corvette to have anrpm.
independent suspension. The 1965 was the first toL36 427 V8 390 bhp @ 5400 rpm, 460 lb-ft @ 3600
have 4 wheel disc brakes.The 63 Corvette also had arpm.
racing option, the Z-06. The Z-06 was created byL68 427 V8 400 bhp @ 5400 rpm, 460 lb-ft @ 4000
Zora Arkus-Duntoz as a purpose built racer. The Z-06rpm.
option consisted of a fuel-injected 327 cid V8, 36.5L71 427 V8 435 bhp @ 5800 rpm, 460 lb-ft @ 4000
gallon fuel tank, heavy-duty brakes, heavy-dutyrpm.
suspension, and knock-off wheels. The heavy-dutyL88 427 V8 430 bhp @ 5200 rpm, 460 lb-ft @ 4000
brakes consisted of drums with sintered metallicrpm.Performance:
linings, power assisted and backed by a dual circuitL88: 1/4 mile in 12.8 seconds @ 112mph.
master cylinder. "Elephant ear" scoops rammed freshThis article is brought to you by Dallas Dream
air to the drums and cooling fans spun with theCars. Your source for exotic car rentals in the Dallas
hub.For 1967, there were four versions of the 427and Fort Worth area. It is our mission to provide top
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more and featured a single four barrel carb, 10.25:1memorable
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stout 390 bhp. Next up was the L68 for $305 whichweddings, birthday's, anniversaries, high school
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compression which was conservatively rated at 435come visit our website and read other classic car
bhp. Extremely rare (only 20 were built) was the toparticles at Dallas Dream Cars Articles.