Classic Car History - 1963-67 Corvette Sting Ray

Specs for 1963-67 Corvette Sting RayEngine: OHV 90more. The L88 featured new aluminum heads, 12.5:1
degree V-8, 327 cid, 396 cid, 427 cidcompression, and a single Holley four barrel carb rated
Construction: Cast-iron block and heads, single cam,at 850 cfm that sat on an aluminum intake manifold
pushrodswith a special raised plenum chamber. In addition, you
Compression ratio: 11:1got a transistor ignition and Positraction differential but
Induction: Rochester fuel injection or one/two Carterdidn't get a fan shroud, heater, nor defroster. Chevrolet
four barrel carbswas reluctant about revealing the engine's true
Maximum Power: 250-375 bhp (327 cid) 390-435potential and officially rated at only 430 bhp, but most
(427 cid)experts believed that it in fact developed close to 600
Top Speed: 152 mphbhp! In all, 9,707 big-blocks were built, meaning that
0-60 mph: 5.4 sec, 427 cid42.31% of all 1967 Corvettes were 427s. Transmission
Transmission: Four-speed, all syncromesh manual,choices were relatively simple. With the L36 and L68,
optional three-speed manual, or Powerglide automaticbuyers could choose between the wide-ratio ($184) or
Body/Chassis: Steel ladder frame with two doorclose-ratio ($184) four-speed manuals, or Powerglide
convertible or coupe fiberglass bodyautomatic transmission ($194). The L71 came only with
Wheels: Five bolt steel (knock off aluminum optional)the close-ratio four-speed. Rear end gear ratios
6in. x 15in.ranged from 3.08 to 4.11. Other options included
Tires: 6.7 in. x 15 in. Firestone Super Sport 170side-mounted exhausts at $132, cast aluminum bolt-on
Brakes: Drums to 1965, then four wheel discswheels at $263 and detachable hardtop for the
Front Suspension: Double wishbone, coil springs,convertible for $232.Stats by year:1963Production:
anti-roll bar21,314
Rear Suspension: Semi-trailing arms, half shafts andCoupe: 10,594
transverse links with transverse leaf springZ06 Coupe: 199
Wheelbase: 98 inchesConvertible: 10,919Engines:
Length: 175.3 inches327 V8 250 bhp @ 4400 rpm, 350 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm.
Height:49.8 inchesL75 327 V8 300 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 360 lb-ft @ 3200
Weight: 3150 lbsrpm.
Quarter Mile Performance: 12.8 @112L76 327 V8 340 bhp @ 6000 rpm, 344 lb-ft @ 4000
Fuel Mileage: 9-16 mpg.rpm.
Production: 118,964 including 1963-67L84 327 ("fuelie") V8 360 bhp @ 6000 rpm, 352 lb-ft
Price: $4240 for 1967 ConvertibleThe 1963-1967@ 4000 rpm.Performance:
Corvette Sting RayThe second generation Corvette327/370: 0-60 in 5.9 seconds, 1/4 mile in 14.9
was the 1963-1967 Sting Ray, not to be confused withseconds.1964Production: 22,229
the third generation 1968-82 Stingray (1 word). TheCoupe: 8,304
styling was the expression of many of the stylingConvertible: 13,925Engines:
ideas of new GM styling chief Bill Mitchell. The interior327 V8 250 bhp @ 4400 rpm, 350 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm.
implemented a dual cockpit similar to earlier Corvettes,L75 327 V8 300 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 360 lb-ft @ 3200
but updated for the Sting Ray. Starting in 1963 the firstrpm.
hard top coupe was offered, featuring the a two pieceL79 327 V8 350 bhp @ 5500 rpm, 360 lb-ft @ 3600
rear window design. Bill Mitchell intended for it to formrpm.
a visual connection with the central raised sections onL76 327 V8 365 bhp @ 6200 rpm, 350 lb-ft @ 3400
the hood. The feature was dropped in 1964 because itrpm.
limited rear visibility. However the 1963 Sting RayL84 327 ("fuelie") V8 375 bhp @ 6200 rpm, 350 lb-ft
coupe is now the most sought after model of second@ 4600 rpm.Performance:
generation Corvettes.Like all Corvettes, the Sting Ray'sN/A1965Production: 23,652
body is constructed of fiberglass panels mounted on aCoupe: 8,186
steel ladder frame. Another new feature was theConvertible: 15,376Engines:
hidden twin pop-up headlights, which not only added327 V8 250 bhp @ 4400 rpm, 350 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm.
style they aided in aerodynamic efficiency. OtherL75 327 V8 300 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 360 lb-ft @ 3200
styling cues of the Sting Ray include optional siderpm.
mounted exhaust, a power bulge on the hood (thisL79 327 V8 350 bhp @ 5500 rpm, 360 lb-ft @ 3600
was wider for the Corvettes that had the big blockrpm.
engine), and absence of a trunk lid (access is fromL76 327 V8 365 bhp @ 6200 rpm, 350 lb-ft @ 3400
behind the seats). Additionally the Corvette'srpm.
convertible top folds away completely when not in useL84 327 ("fuelie") V8 375 bhp @ 6200 rpm, 350 lb-ft
and is stored beneath a flush fitting fiberglass panel@ 4600 rpm.
behind the driver. There was also an optional hard top.L78 396 V8 425 bhp @ 6400 rpm, 415 lb-ft @ 4000
The 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 seconds
the 1967 had 5 side vents, the 1965 and 1966 models@ 103 mph.1966Production: 27,720
had triple side vents, the 1963-64 had horizontal doubleCoupe: 9,958
vents.Sting Rays came in three engine sizes, the 327Convertible: 17,762Engines:
cid, the 396 cid and the 427 cid. Horsepower variedL79 327 V8 300 bhp @ 4800 rpm, 360 lb-ft @ 3400
between 250 and 435 hp. The 396 engine was onlyrpm.
offered in 1965, and dropped in 1966 in favor of theL36 427 V8 390 bhp @ 5400 rpm, 460 lb-ft @ 3600
427. The 1967 L88 427 cid V8 marked the pinnacle ofrpm.
performance for the second generation Corvette. TheL72 427 V8 425 bhp.Performance:
V8 engines drive the rear wheels through a427/425: 0-60 in 5.7 seconds, 1/4 mile in 14
four-speed manual or a three speed automaticseconds.1967Production: 22,940
transmission. The Sting Ray also had an alloy clutchCoupe: 14,436
housing and alloy-cased gearbox to help with weightConvertible: 8,504Engines:
reduction and weight distribution. The 1963 Sting RayL79 327 V8 300 bhp @ 4800 rpm, 360 lb-ft @ 3400
was the first Corvette to have an independentrpm.
suspension. The 1965 was the first to have 4 wheelL36 427 V8 390 bhp @ 5400 rpm, 460 lb-ft @ 3600
disc brakes.The 63 Corvette also had a racing option,rpm.
the Z-06. The Z-06 was created by ZoraL68 427 V8 400 bhp @ 5400 rpm, 460 lb-ft @ 4000
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 metallic linings,rpm.Performance:
power assisted and backed by a dual circuit masterL88: 1/4 mile in 12.8 seconds @ 112mph.
cylinder. "Elephant ear" scoops rammed fresh air toThis article is brought to you by Dallas Dream
the drums and cooling fans spun with the hub.For 1967,Cars. Your source for exotic car rentals in the Dallas
there were four versions of the 427 available. The firstand Fort Worth area. It is our mission to provide top of
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performance cams, and 11:1 compression which waswebsite and read other classic car articles at Dallas
conservatively rated at 435 bhp. Extremely rare (onlyDream Cars Articles.
20 were built) was the top of the line L88 for $948