Review1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray Split-Window Coupe📷 Picture courtesy of GM Heritage
1963 Corvette Sting Ray: The Unmistakable Split-Window Coupe
Dan Kowalski
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The 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray Coupe is one of the most instantly recognizable automotive designs in history. Designed under the direction of GM Styling chief Bill Mitchell and brilliant designer Larry Shinoda, the C2 Corvette drew inspiration from Mitchell's 1959 Stingray Racer and mako sharks.
Produced for only one single model year due to driver complaints about rearward visibility, the split rear window turned the 1963 Coupe into an ultra-rare collector milestone.
Mechanical Innovation Underneath#
Underneath its fiberglass skin, chief engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov engineered a chassis that could finally challenge European sports cars:
- Independent Rear Suspension: Transverse leaf spring IRS dramatically improved handling over rough surfaces.
- L84 327 Fuelie V8: 5.4-liter small block with Rochester mechanical fuel injection delivering 360 HP.
- Concealed Headlamps: Rotating pop-up headlights gave the front end a sleek, aerodynamic silhouette.
- 0-60 mph: 5.6 seconds with a 4-speed manual gearbox.
“"The split window was an artistic masterpiece that bridged the roofline down into the boat-tail rear decklid."”
Today, split-window 'Fuelie' Corvettes command six-figure sums at premier auctions worldwide.
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