The first of the Chevrolet Corvette sports cars was produced in 1953. Despite this, the marque did not really maturity until 1962, with the introduction of the Stingray. Like its ancestors, the new car had a fiberglass body, but the styling with its fashionable retractable lights was all new. Underneath, the separate chassis remained, but the Corvette was unusual for an American car in having independent rear suspension.
A range of V8 ‘small block’ 5.4 liter engine was offered, from a base model giving 250bhp, to a 300bhp unit with a bigger carburetor and the 340bhp L76 with solid tappets and a higher 11.25:1 compression ratio. The latter was available with the famous Rochester fuel injection system, unleashing a further 20bhp. In the relatively light Corvette, performance was electrifying, with 0-60mph (96km/h) coming up in 5.6 seconds.
Each year of production brought minor cosmetic and technical changes to the vehicle. However, the big news for the 1965 model was the optional big block 396cu.in, V8, packing a colossal 425bhp and 415lb/ft of torque at 4000rpm.
The engine went up to a full 7 liter (427cu.in.) for 1966, and could be had in 390bhp or 425bhp forms. The last year for the stingray was 1967. It was offered with 300bhp and 350bhp small blocks and big blocks ranging in output from 390bhp to 435bhp, depending on the carburetion and compression ratio.
For racers only there was the near legendary L88 engine, giving 560bhp to 103 octane petrol. For the 1968 model year, the new ‘Coke bottle’ Stingray was announced a fairly worthy successor that, somehow, never recaptured the spirit of the 1963-67 Stingray.
A range of V8 ‘small block’ 5.4 liter engine was offered, from a base model giving 250bhp, to a 300bhp unit with a bigger carburetor and the 340bhp L76 with solid tappets and a higher 11.25:1 compression ratio. The latter was available with the famous Rochester fuel injection system, unleashing a further 20bhp. In the relatively light Corvette, performance was electrifying, with 0-60mph (96km/h) coming up in 5.6 seconds.
Each year of production brought minor cosmetic and technical changes to the vehicle. However, the big news for the 1965 model was the optional big block 396cu.in, V8, packing a colossal 425bhp and 415lb/ft of torque at 4000rpm.
The engine went up to a full 7 liter (427cu.in.) for 1966, and could be had in 390bhp or 425bhp forms. The last year for the stingray was 1967. It was offered with 300bhp and 350bhp small blocks and big blocks ranging in output from 390bhp to 435bhp, depending on the carburetion and compression ratio.
For racers only there was the near legendary L88 engine, giving 560bhp to 103 octane petrol. For the 1968 model year, the new ‘Coke bottle’ Stingray was announced a fairly worthy successor that, somehow, never recaptured the spirit of the 1963-67 Stingray.
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