The Chevrolet Corvette C2 Sting Ray

The Chevrolet Corvette C2 Sting Ray. Produced durig 1963 and 1967.
Per wiki: “1963 would see the introduction of a new Larry Shinoda designed Sting Ray coupé with a distinctive split rear window and faux hood vents.

Inspiration was drawn from several sources: the contemporary Jaguar E-Type, one of which Shinoda’s boss Bill Mitchell owned and enjoyed driving frequently; the radical “Mitchell Stingray” Mitchell designed in 1959 because Chevrolet no longer participated in factory racing; and a mako shark that Mitchell caught while deep-sea fishing.

The split rear window was discontinued in 1964 due to safety concerns, as were the hood vents. Early options available on the C2 included AM-FM radio (mid 1963), air conditioning (1963), leather upholstery (1963), telescopic wheel (1965), head rests (1966).

New to the 1963 Corvette was independent rear suspension. All 1963 and 1964 cars had 327cid engines, which made 250hp standard, with optional variants that made 300hp, 340hp and 360hp in 1963, and 300hp, 365hp, and 375hp in 1964. The most powerful engine was the fuel injected 327cid V8, which made 360 hp (272 kW), a figured that was raised to 375 hp (280 kW) in 1964.

1965 marked the introduction of the 425 hp Big Block 396 in³ (6.5 L) V8. Ultimately, this spelled the end for the Rochester fuel injection system, as the carbureted 396/425 hp option cost $292.70 to the fuel injected 327/375 hp’s $538.00. Few buyers could justify $245 more for 50 hp (37 kW) less. When only 771 fuel injected cars were built in 1965, Chevrolet discontinued the option. It would be 18 years until it returned.

1963 split-window coupeFour-wheel disc brakes were also introduced in 1965, and side exhaust pipes appeared as an option.

In 1966 Chevrolet would up the power ante with the introduction of an even larger 427 in³ (7 L), 430 hp (321 kW V8, creating what would be one of the most collectible Corvettes ever, the L88.

The 1967 model was originally intended to debut the C3 generation Co