1963 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 'Fuelie' Convertible

Description

The 1963-1967 Sting Ray is, to many pundits, the best Corvette of all. The combination of sensational styling, gutsy V8 power and vastly improved ride and handling from the independent suspension proved irresistible to enthusiasts from the time the Sting Ray was launched in 1963 and demand has always remained strong. As much as anything, it was the looks of the new Sting Ray that sets it apart, the stunning lines the work of a young man from GM Styling by the name of Larry Shinoda. From the split rear window of the coupe to the hidden headlamps, the new Sting Ray was futuristic, sexy and like nothing else on the road. The Sting Ray's fibreglass body sat on an all-new ladder-type frame that dramatically improved stiffness while the independent rear end may have appeared crude at first glance, but worked surprisingly well on the road. The 327-cid V8 was sold in three levels of tune, the base L75 offering 300 hp, the L76 (with four-barrel carb) 365 hp and the fuel-injected L84 punched out a massive 375 hp, delivering drag-strip acceleration. Although a three-speed manual was standard, the vast majority of buyers opted for the four-speed 'box. The Corvette Sting Ray was a major player on the racetrack in the Swinging Sixties, the lightweight Z06 racers and fearsome Grand Sports mixing it with the Cobras, Mustangs and European exotica on racetracks around America. A total of 10,919 convertibles were built in 1963 and, as the first of the breed, have always been coveted by collectors.