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26 July 2007 A tip! Read more... 20 July 2007 New pics of the Vette Read more... 17 July 2007 Up and down it goes? We're back online... Read more... 19 April 2007 Looking for a Corvette VIN-decoder? Look no further... Read more... 13 April 2007 Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes in a blue '58 Corvette Read more... News archive... |
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The following have been picked up at various websites mixed with my own comments and opinions (Sources at the bottom of the page).
The C2 Corvettes (1963-1967) It's madly beautiful that's for sure… In my eyes it is probably the most timeless piece of art ever created and you probably agree in some way, since you're here. It's truly something special. Perhaps a lucky punch, perhaps made by geniuses - Who knows? Who cares? They're here for us to enjoy, so go out there and enjoy it!... Are you still here? Ok then let's catch up on some history about the C2 Corvettes. Perhaps knowing all of this will make us appreciate the cars even more. The Chevrolet Corvette C2 was designed by Larry Shinoda under the styling direction of Bill Mitchell, and produced between 1963 and 1967. It is the second generation or mid-year Chevrolet Corvette built and marketed by Chevrolet. The design of this generation had several inspirations. The first was the contemporary Jaguar E-Type, of which Mitchell owned one and enjoyed driving it frequently. Bill Mitchell also sponsored a car known as the "Mitchell Sting Ray" in 1959, because Chevrolet no longer participated in factory racing. This vehicle had the largest impact on the styling of this generation, although it had no top and didn't give away what the coupe would look like. The third inspiration was a mako shark that Mitchell caught while deep-sea fishing. It all started with the Grand Sport which is a lightweight version of the C2 build in 1962 by Corvette chief engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov, as he was concerned about Ford and what they were doing with the Shelby Cobra. GM planned 100 Grand Sport Corvettes. The plans never came about and only five were built. They were driven by historic drivers such as Roger Penske, A. J. Foyt, Jim Hall, and Dick Guldstrand among others. The Grand Sports, however, had many issues; the aero package made for a very frightful driving experience to say the least. Delmo Johnson said it was "the only car I ever drove that would lift the front wheels off the ground in all four gears." Dick Thompson was the only driver to drive the Grand Sport to victory. He won a Sports Car Club of America race at Watkins Glen. Today all five that were ever built survives, car 001-005, all held by private owners. They are among the most coveted and valuable Corvettes ever built and they were a big influence on the C2s. The Sting Ray is unlike any car before or since. The hidden headlights were so different from earlier years it is easy to tell the difference. But from 1963 to 1967, they began to look alike. C2 Coupes in general are tighter than convertibles, both in the feel and in the weather-proof areas. The solid section of roof stiffens the chassis and makes them handle better. The chassis has less flex. As such, door seals and window seals tend to stay tighter and keep the elements out better. For everyday driving in northern climates, the coupes have the edge. If you live in a warmer, Southern climate, try to find one with air, although Corvette air conditioning was never that great and is less now that all you can get is the R-134 to charge it with. Most convertibles do leak, true. Much of it is due to top alignment and the condition of the weather stripping. Almost all leak like crazy in a car wash. There were wind leaks at most corners of contact, like the vent window tip and the back of the door glass. Again, alignment can solve some, and you can live with the rest. Of course, the first day you cruise home from work with the top down, the first evening you slide under a canopy of stars, the first time you hear as you roll through town the comments about "that 'Vette" will more than make you understand why a convertible is by many considered the only way to own a Vette. If you are out to buy a C2 Corvette, please note that the electric headlights can cause some problems since the parts are so exposed. Be sure they work fine as the parts can be expensive to fix. Check the headlight warning light on the dash when the lights are on but closed. Coupe doors may not seal along the top if alignment is wrong. Parts on these cars have been swapped from year to year so much that unless it is restored, and you know it, you may never realize all that is incorrect. If this concerns you, take someone who knows restored Corvettes. If it doesn't, at least know what is incorrect and what is correct so you don't pay for something you don't get. Much of what is true about the 1953 to 1962 is true about the '63 to '67. During the early '70s, you could buy some of these for under $2000 as running, working, decent looking cars. As such, their value was low, and they were raced, beaten, thrashed, and in general used to the fullest. Often they lived many lives, through engine replacements, body customizing, and so on. Unlike most old cars of the '60s, Corvettes are very unlikely to have all of the original components still on the car. If you find an old Chevy Impala or Buick or whatever, odds are the engine, transmission, and other major components are the ones that left the factory on that car. With Corvettes, that is the exception, not the rule. The safest way to be around Corvettes is to be suspicious and skeptical. Please note the C2 Corvette Disc Brakes as people have been running into this problem for more than 30 years. The brakes get air in the lines and go soft. The common fix is the stainless steel sleeved calipers. Yet many do this and still have problems. 1963 1963 would be the first year that a coupe body style was available. Production continued to grow over the previous years for the eight consecutive model year with 21,513 corvettes built: 10,594 Corvette Coupes and 10,919 Corvette Convertibles. Original pricing for the 1963 Corvette Coupe was $4,257. The 1963 Corvette Convertible was for sale priced slightly lower at $4,037. Displacement: 327 ci Horsepower: 250, 300, 340, 360 hp Transmission: powerglide automatic, 3 spd manual, 4 spd manual Production: 21,513 Price: $4037 convertible, $4,257 coupe I.D. NUMBERS The serial number (Vehicle Identification Number -- VIN) was located on a stainless steel plate welded to the right side hinge pillar cross-brace under the glove box Convertible Serial numbers ranged from 30867S100001 to 30867S121513 Coupe Serial numbers ranged from 30837S100001 to 30837S121513
Engine serial number
Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block next to the engine number The body number plate was located on the engine side of the cowl. The Fisher Body Style Number 63-0867 identifies a Corvette Sting Ray convertible The Fisher Body Style Number 63-0867 identifies a Corvette Sting Ray "split-window" coupe The body number is the production serial number of the body. The trim number indicates the interior trim color and material. The vinyl upholstery was available in Red, Black, Saddle Tan, and Dark Blue Two Saddle Tan upholstery options were offered
The paint number indicates the color combination. The seven 1963 Corvette "Magic Mirror" acrylic lacquer exterior colors were: 900 = Tuxedo Black 912 = Silver Blue 916 = Daytona Blue 923 = Riverside Red 932 = Saddle Tan 936 = Ermine White 941 = Sebring Silver The 1963 Corvette body and chassis were completely redesigned. The newly designed body was as mentioned available in either coupe ("split window") or roadster. Styling chief, Bill Mitchell was very reluctant to remove his styling element, the "stinger" that separated the 1963 Corvettes back rear windows. Zora Duntov was among those who opposed the split window due to the way it hindered rear vision. Despite Mitchell's appeal, Chevrolet did remove the "split" window in 1964, so '63 was the only year that the coupe had the "split window". Distinctive features included pivoting quad headlights and doors which cut into the roof. Special racing package RPO Z06 initially included a 36 gallon fuel tank (limited to coupes only), fuelie power, heavy duty suspension, and special brakes. Later Z06 was available in the roadsters and standard fuel tanks. Knock-off aluminium wheels were optional. Frame was of ladder design, with boxed side rails and five cross members. The '63 shared a grill with the '64 only. The fake grills on the flat hood are '63 only. The side louvers are two horizontal indents only, non functional and only lasted to 1964. Hubcaps look like a silver pan with six thick chrome bars holding it. A spinner covers the center. The 1963 Corvette carried over the engines from the previous model year with four verisons of its 327 cubic inch engines: 327 ci 250 hp base engine 327 ci 300 (L75) 327 ci 340 (L76) 327 ci 360 (L84) FI The 1963 Corvette switched transmission manufacturer. The 4-Speed transmission was now a Muncie instead of Borg-Warner. For some unknown reason, a magazine printed an article that said many 1963 Corvette owners disliked the split so much they cut it out and used a GM kit to install a '64 style rear window. According to the article, there are only a few thousand original split windows left. As such, many have begun spreading this in their ads and auctions to promote their '63 coupe as "rare". While it is true that some did cut the split out, it is not true that most did. And with the restoration that goes on, most of those cars that were modified have been restored back so you can never tell. This is not a basis for "rare". This is salesman hype. Ignore it and tell the seller to can the garbage. The wheelbase is shortened to 98 inches. The front suspension is all new and uses the A arms of the Impala to give unequal A arms in front and an independent rear suspension that holds the car up with a transverse steel leaf spring. Single trailing arms on each side locates the rear wheels. The biggest difference is the new coupe, with its split rear window. The convertible is equally new, even as some thought it similar to the '62, since there is no trunk. Luggage on both cars is in an area immediately behind the seats and the gas tank is moved to the traditional trunk area. As for the interior, the dash had cone shaped silver instrument centers. Door panels are simple flat panels with vertical ribs and the door locks are located near the back of the door in a red knob that served as a reflector. The top of the seat backs came to a point, unlike the '63 prototype that is seen on many catalogs and magazines. The first part of the year only the AM Wonderbar radio was available. Later the '63 AM-FM arrived and with AM-FM in red and green. The carpet has edging on all the pieces, which makes the interior look like separate pieces are used to cover the floor and luggage area. 1964 The '64 is similar in many ways to the '63 but the fake hood grills are gone, leaving only a pair of hood indentions. The roof louvers now have grills in them and so will the '65. The driver's side is functional, with a forced air system in the luggage area. The split window is gone and a huge one piece window fills the back. Displacement: 327 ci Horsepower: 250, 300, 365, 375 hp Transmission: powerglide automatic, 3 spd manual, 4 spd manual Production: 22,229 Price: $4,252 coupe, $4,037 convertible I.D. NUMBERS The serial number [Vehicle Identification Number -- VIN] was located on a stainless steel plate welded to the right side hinge pillar cross-brace under the glove box Convertible Serial numbers ranged from 40867S100001 to 40867S122229 Coupe Serial numbers ranged from 40837S100001 to 40837S122229
Engine serial number
Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block next to the engine number The body number plate was located on the engine side of the cowl. The Fisher Body Style Number 64-0867 identifies a Corvette Sting Ray convertible The Fisher Body Style Number 64-0867 identifies a Corvette Sting Ray coupe The body number is the production serial number of the body. The trim number indicates the interior trim color and material. The seven 1964 Corvette "Magic Mirror" acrylic lacquer exterior colors were: 900 = Tuxedo Black 912 = Silver Blue 916 = Daytona Blue 923 = Riverside Red 932 = Saddle Tan 936 = Ermine White 940 = Satin Silver Vinyl Upholstery Codes
Leather Upholstery Codes
The seats now have the squared off top that the '63 prototypes displayed. The silver instrument centers are now black and still cone shaped. The glove box door is now a brushed aluminum assembly instead of the plastic assembly of '63. The AM-FM radio has AM and FM in black. The red and green are gone. Engines on the top gained power. The 327-250hp and 327-300hp stayed the same but the 327-365hp and 327-375hp FI are noticeable increases. The Muncie had a larger input shaft housing and would remain this way throughout production. Holley carburetor appears on the 365 hp engine. 1965 In 1965 the hood is finally smooth, or at least for some of the year. The introduction of the big block 396 made a hood bulge necessary to clear the air cleaner. The hood bulge has a functional grill on each side of the bulge. Each 396 car gets a Turbo Jet 396 emblem on the front fenders. In all cars, the side fender louvers become functional. The side louvers are now three vertical cut outs that bring hot engine air out. The front grill is slightly different than the '63-'64 in that it is black and has a different number of slats. The coupe roof still has grills in the roof louvers, with the drivers side functional. The hubcaps are a fake mag wheel with 6 spokes. Displacement: 327, 396 ci Horsepower: 250, 300, 350, 365, 375, 425 hp Transmission: powerglide automatic, 3 spd manual, 4 spd manual Production: 23,562 Price: $4,321 coupe, $4,106 convertible The serial number [Vehicle Identification Number -- VIN] was located on a stainless steel plate welded to the right side hinge pillar cross-brace under the glove box Convertible Serial numbers ranged from 194675S100001 to 194675S123562 Coupe Serial numbers ranged from 194375S100001 to 194375S123562
Engine serial number
Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block next to the engine number The body number plate was located on the engine side of the cowl. The Fisher Body Style Number 65-0867 identifies a Corvette Sting Ray convertible The Fisher Body Style Number 65-0867 identifies a Corvette Sting Ray coupe The body number is the production serial number of the body. The trim number indicates the interior trim color and material. The eight 1965 Corvette exterior colors were: AA = Tuxedo Black CC = Ermine White FF = Nassau Blue GG = Glen Green MM = Milano Maroon QQ = Silver Pearl UU = Rally Red XX = Goldwood Yellow Upholstery Codes
The interior changed with flat centers in the instruments, all painted black. The door panels changed to a bit more molded design, with a forward sloping door pull. The reflectors for the door locks changed to simple chrome knobs. The carpet is a molded design to allow single large pieces to cover each area. The driveline up is mostly the same as '64 with the 327-250hp, 327-300hp, 327-365hp, and the 327-375hp FI. But the 375hp FI is short lived in that the 396-425hp big block is released and would take top horsepower honors for a much cheaper option price. Holley carbs are on the 350, 365, and 425 hp engines with this being the last year of the Carter WCFB and the AFB. M20 continued to be the four speed, either wide ratio or close ratio depending one the engine, but the M22 showed up on the option lists as the close ratio behind the 396. It is highly questionable if any M22 transmissions actually are produced. 1966 The '66 Corvette is very similar to the '65 in appearance. The front grill is now a cast pot metal egg crate design. On the coupe, the roof side louvers are gone and the roof is smooth behind the door. The lower rocker panels are ribbed again like the '63 but they are black. The front left corner of the hood has Corvette Sting Ray added to it, just like the rear right has had for '63 to '67. It is not the same emblem, but simply looks like it. The hubcaps gain a more mag wheel appearance, with 5 chrome spokes on a dark gray center. Displacement: 327, 427 ci Horsepower: 300, 350, 390, 425, 450 hp Transmission: powerglide automatic, 3 spd manual, 4 spd manual Production: 27,720 Price: $4,295 coupe, $4,084 convertible The serial number [Vehicle Identification Number -- VIN] was located on a stainless steel plate welded to the right side hinge pillar cross-brace under the glove box Convertible Serial numbers ranged from 194676S100001 to 194676S127720 Coupe Serial numbers ranged from 194376S100001 to 194376S127720
Engine serial number
Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block next to the engine number The body number plate was located on the engine side of the cowl. The Fisher Body Style Number 66-19467 identifies a Corvette Sting Ray convertible The Fisher Body Style Number 66-19437 identifies a Corvette Sting Ray coupe The body number is the production serial number of the body. The trim number indicates the interior trim color and material. The ten 1966 Corvette exterior colors were: 900 = Tuxedo Black 972 = Ermine White 974 = Rally Red 976 = Nassau Blue 978 = Laguna Blue 980 = Trophy Blue 982 = Mosport Green 984 = Sunfire Yellow 986 = Silver Pearl 988 = Milano Maroon Upholstery Codes
Interior has changed again slightly. Metal door pulls replace the plastic ones from '65. Seat centers have smaller panels and more of them. Knobs change again. The engine line up changes with the 327-300hp, 327-350hp, 427-390hp, and 427-425hp. The 427 replaces the 396 and initially the 427 had the 390hp and 460hp versions but the 460hp is suddenly downrated to 425 without change. All engines get a Holley carburetor now. 1967 The last of the Sting Rays. '67 is the cleanest body yet, with only the Corvette Sting Ray emblem on the rear deck. This is because the 1967 wasn't even planned to go into production. The new generation was delayed and GM had to use the C2 for yet another year. Because of the lack of emblems the body became very clean. This is another reason why the 1967 is one of the most sought after Corvettes of all time. The exception is the 427 emblem on the hood of the big block cars. Of course, the big block hood with a scoop appearance pretty well tells you this is a 427. Unfortunately for Corvette fans today, this is by far the most popular hood ever made and has found its way on Corvettes of many years in both original and aftermarket form. Displacement: 327, 427 ci Horsepower: 300, 350, 390, 400, 430, 435 hp Transmission: powerglide automatic, 3 spd manual, 4 spd manual Production: 22,940 Price: $4,388 coupe, $4,240 convertible The serial number [Vehicle Identification Number -- VIN] was located on a stainless steel plate welded to the right side hinge pillar cross-brace under the glove box Convertible Serial numbers ranged from 194677S100001 to 194677S122940 Coupe Serial numbers ranged from 194377S100001 to 194377S122940
Engine serial number
Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block next to the engine number The body number plate was located on the engine side of the cowl. The Fisher Body Style Number 67-19467 identifies a Corvette Sting Ray convertible The Fisher Body Style Number 67-19437 identifies a Corvette Sting Ray coupe The body number is the production serial number of the body. The trim number indicates the interior trim color and material. The ten 1967 Corvette exterior colors were: 900 = Tuxedo Black 972 = Ermine White 974 = Rally Red 976 = Marina Blue 977 = Lyndale Blue 980 = Elkhart Blue 983 = Goodward Green 984 = Sunfire Yellow 986 = Silver Pearl 988 = Marlboro Maroon Upholstery Codes
The side fender louvers are unique to this year only, being a series of forward slanting slats that function to pass engine air out. The back up light has moved from the inner taillights to a rectangular light in the center of the rear panel between the taillights. Hub caps are gone. Rally wheels are standard but they are 6" wide. The Bolt on aluminum wheels resembled the knock offs but are held by five lug nuts hidden behind the center cone. Seats are once again changed, with a pebble design on the vinyl and smaller panels in the seat centers. Knobs are different with larger round knobs and black centers. A padded headliner is overhead. The engine line up changes. The 327-300hp, 327-350hp, and 427-390hp are still here but a pair of Tri Power 427s are introduced: the 400hp and 435 hp. The 400 is basically a 390hp with three two barrel Holley carbs and the 435 is basically the old 425 hp with three two barrel Holley carbs. The 427-435hp L88 is introduced in the spring, but is downplayed to the public as it is intended for racing use only. Rumour goes that the L88 engines was far more powerful than GM said, but because of US regulations, they had to officially note it as 435 hp. I would like to thank all sources, and please contact me if you have anything to add or think that you have been misquoted. Links: Corvette Maniac's C2 Corvette Site Mikes Corvette Page Wikipedia.org Corvette History |
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Do you need an Everyday Business Shirt? Then have a look at this!
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Saving the last Sting Ray from 1967...
Early 50's Corvette video
1965 Corvette TV-commercial
Testing it on a spring day...
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