| The introduction of the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting | | | | invokes the image of high performance sports car |
| Ray heralded major changes in the march onward in | | | | performance. An older age group replaced the street |
| the Chevrolet Stingray. The Sting Ray was available | | | | racer cult as the primary consumers and purchasers |
| as both a "Roadster "version with a removable | | | | of the Vette. More and more of the Corvettes were |
| hardtop and a "Coupe" sometimes referred to as a | | | | equipped with such luxury and comfort options as air |
| fastback. | | | | conditioning, power steering and telescoping steering |
| Onwards from 1963 to 1967 the Sting Ray got even | | | | columns. It was not long before the Corvette with |
| better with a greater number of options for both luxury | | | | emission devices and soon the real 'Vette type of |
| and power performance. This was the heyday of the | | | | performance was history. |
| days of sports car customizers. And the Corvette | | | | What was more than interesting was the response |
| Sting Ray was the perfect 100 % raw material for the | | | | original hot rodder modification group. The amazing part |
| sports car customizers. Headlights were molded and in | | | | of all of this is how the circle came round. Karma |
| and the bumpers were removed. So many Corvettes | | | | sneaks in. |
| received an extra pair of taillights that people that they | | | | The same dedicated group of sport car enthusiasts |
| were actually a General Motors Chevrolet Corvette | | | | and hot rodders, who modified the older, pre |
| factory option. Later when the low profile wide tires | | | | mainstream luxury comfort model Corvettes, is now |
| came along, so did large fender flares. The speed | | | | the very ones who restore this same converted |
| equipment industry had boomed, so the majority of | | | | Corvette back to exact stock specifications. |
| Corvette engine parts were being replaced by the | | | | How could these people justify the work and effort of |
| latest: Hot Setup". Rochester fuel injectors were being | | | | taking these cars back in time to factory specs when |
| removed because of service problems, and everyone | | | | a great amount of time, effort and cost had been |
| heard that the single four barrel in a high riser manifold | | | | invested in these very cars? A used Corvette at the |
| was better. In 1965 the first Chevy big-block was | | | | time was essentially a very attractive sports car buy. |
| introduced in the Corvette, and the performance was | | | | Why were restore cars in vogue and even preferred |
| more than awesome. | | | | over the earlier modified ones. Partially it was a case |
| Another new body style - both larger and heavier was | | | | of limited supply and very high prices being offered by |
| introduced in 1968. Many thought that this was the | | | | the stock type Corvettes and classic car auctions and |
| beginning of the decline of the Corvette, But in the vital | | | | the prices being asked in the special car groups and |
| performance department, the 427 cubic inches Rat | | | | publications. All in all it can be said it can be a |
| Motor with its three two-barrel carbs and the 435 | | | | combination of the custom cars getting old and |
| horse power ratings more than powered the Corvette | | | | needing refurbishing and the 55 mile speed limit in the |
| legend of lore. No letting down of the powerful image | | | | time. Perhaps as well it was a question of maturity on |
| of the 'Vette. | | | | the kids who were the Corvette hot rodders at the |
| Things got even better right on up to the 1969 L-88with | | | | time. See the influence of time, life and having a family |
| aluminum cylinder heads the 1970 LS-6 rated at a | | | | with its change of priorities can have on the wildest |
| mighty 465 horse power rating. The word Corvette | | | | kids. |