The Corvette Stingray is unique in that it is an iconic version on an iconic car from arguably the most iconic American car company. When we were growing up, you weren’t cool if you didn’t have a poster of a Stingray on your wall. The Corvette, as an idea, dates back to 1951, but the world had to wait another two years before it got a look at the Corvette dream car concept at the 1953’s GM Motorama in New York. Sixty-one years later, GM has released the 2014, Corvette Stingray, and while modern, it hearkens back to that first Corvette Sting Ray of 63 and those that came between.

The Sting Ray, Always Eye-Catching

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Left: The 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray. Center: The 1963 Sting Ray's split rear window was its most distinguishing feature. Unfortunately it only lasted a year. (Car and Driver) Right: Another view of the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette C2 Sting Ray (Wikipedia)

Vettes have always been head-turners, but the Sting Ray improved on that. Consensus among collectors has the best Stingray being the 1967 with its smaller gills on the front fenders, lowered stance produced by flat rockers, and dual tail lamps. The original Sting Ray was designed by Larry Shinoda and based upon an original design by Bill Mitchell. It was also the first Corvette coupe.

The hidden headlights, hood vents (non-functioning), tapered rear deck, and the split rear window on the ’63 were awesome, although the split window and hood vents only lasted a year. The independent rear suspension was also unique at the time and adding to the uniqueness, this generation of Corvette, the C2, was also a little smaller than previous years.

The unique Wonderbar auto-tuning AM radio was available as an option from the start, while an AM/FM radio came in mid-year, as did air conditioning. A telescopic steering wheel was added to the options list in 1965, while headrests were added in 1966. Enhancing both the visual and acoustics of the car, 1965 through 1967 saw the addition of side pipes as an option.

Production for the C2 ended in 1967. Less ornamentation was used on the 1967 models as the fender vents were restyled quite a bit and the backup lights were redesigned to be centrally located rectangles. Speaking of the rear aspect, 1967 also saw the change from two to four red taillights, which was continued through to the first C3 in 1968.

Sting Ray Becomes Stingray

The second generation (C3) of the Sting Ray had a body that was styled after the Mako Shark II concept car and it was in production until 1982. C3 coupes were the first ones to have T-tops. In 1969 the name was changed to what we are familiar with today, Stingray, all one word. ’69 was also the only year that C3 buyers could choose between side pipes or rear exhaust with chrome tips.

The C3 Corvette had a slightly lower and longer body than previous models. It was referred to as the “shark” model, unofficially, because the body is reminiscent of the predator from the deep. Believe it or not, only two people opted for the all-aluminum ZL1 V8 big block. At $4,718.35, this was just under $64 more than the base price for the Coupe.

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Left: 1968 saw the introduction of the C3, the longest-bodied Vette yet, modeled after the Mako shark. (Business Insider) Center: A beautiful example of a 1971 Vette Stingray in burnt copper. Right: A white 1973 Stingray showing the wire basket wheels and the length of the body. (Wikipedia)

In 1970, Corvette designers added fender flares, in keeping with the trend in consumer demand along with redesigned seats for interior refinement.

Due to government regulations, 1973 saw the modification of the bumper to include the required “five mph crash systems” and a urethane cover for the bumper. 1973 Corvettes, including Stingrays, are unique in that they’re the only year to have a polyurethane front bumper and the older two-piece chrome bumper set which was also the last year that chrome bumpers were used. Finally, 1973 was also the last time that the wire-spoke wheel covers were offered as an option.

The most immediately noticeable exterior change for 1974 was the removal of the rear, Kamm-tail and chrome bumper blades which were replaced with a tapering two-piece urethane bumper cover. These matched the changes made on the front the year before. Sadly, 1975 was the last year we saw any type of Corvette convertible for far too long. It was also the year that Dave McLellan took over the title of Corvette Chief Engineer from Zora Arkus-Duntov.

Because of the mandatory addition of the catalytic converter, and the heat it creates, the fiberglass floor pan was replaced with a steel one in 1976 models. 1976 was the last time Chevrolet used the Stingray name until 2014.

Engine Options Throughout the Years

Most of the engine gains during the run of the C3 were made by massaging existing engines to produce more power. However, the venerable Chevy 350 replaced the 327 as the base engine in 1969. Power output remained stagnant though, at 300 hp. 1969 also saw the all-aluminum big block ZL1 engine as the monster motor option. This engine had some ambiguity regarding horsepower output, GM said it was 430 hp, but independent testers reported 560 hp and ¼-mile times of 10.89 through the traps.

1970 saw the debut of the 390 hp LT1 small-block with solid lifters. The big-block option for the year was the 454 versus the 427 from the year before. This year also saw the introduction of the fender flares and the ZR1 factory racing package. Power from the small blocks peaked in 1970 with 370 hp being pumped out by the optional LT-1 engine that revved high and had low compression. The big block option was then changed to the massive 454 that put out 390 hp. 1970-72 gave us the ZR-1 special package which included the LT-1 engine in addition to some special racing equipment.

To accommodate federal fuel requirements in 1971, compression ratios were lowered, resulting in reductions to power output in some engines. The L48 350 engine actually got an increase from 270 to 300 hp, but the special “high performance” LT-1 engine dropped 40 hp to 370 hp.

1972 saw GM convert from the SAE Gross standard for measuring horsepower to the SAE Net standard. This caused horsepower ratings to be lower than expected, but they were more realistic. For instance, the 1972 350 engine was the same as the 1971 version, but because GM used a different method for measuring output, the 1972 numbers were lower. This meant the L48 engine was now rated at 200 hp and the LT-1 engine was dropped to 270 hp.

The engines that were available for the ’73 through ’76 model years were functionally the same as those that were available before, with the adjusted horsepower numbers reflecting the different method for calculating it. Models produced in 1974 had the last true dual exhaust systems, due to the requirement of having the catalytic converter.

Although there were pretenders, we didn’t see an officially badged Corvette Stingray again until the 2014 C7 Corvette Stingray was debuted at the 2013 Detroit auto show in January. In March of that year, the Stingray Convertible was introduced at the Geneva auto show.

The 2014 C7 version had a 6.2-liter naturally-aspirated pushrod V8 engine that was backed up by a Tremec manual seven-speed or a six-speed automatic transmission. Adding the Z51 performance package upgrades the rear diff to an electronically-controlled limited slip. The gear ratio on the manual gearbox was also closed up and dry-sump lubrication was added to prevent racetrack oil starvation. It also has additional cooling for the brakes, differential, and transmission, plus larger brakes.

The 2014 Corvette Stingray C7

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The evolution of the Corvette Stingray was continued last year with the introduction of the 2014 Corvette Stingray, the C7. Look closely and you can see its ancestors in its lines.

You also see a combination of design from some of the most popular supercars available, as well. There’s a little Porsche in there with some Veyron, Lamborghini, Audi, and Ferrari. This is because research showed that the majority of the under-40 target market was buying Euro-rockets. This research also drove the company to release a camouflaged version of the car in 2012 for the video game Gran Turismo 5.

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Left: The redesign for 2014 was subtle. The hood vents underwent an almost unnoticeable change. Center: The side vents also underwent a small change in their look. Right: The crossed flags logo also got an update for the newest C7. (Automobile Magazine)

Some of the exterior changes were more subtle as the Corvette crossed flags logo was redesigned and the Stingray gained a badge that is a small casting of a stingray. Both the hood and a removable roof panel are made out of carbon fiber, while the doors, fenders, and rear quarters are still composite.

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Left: The exterior redesign of the 2014 Corvette Stingray C7 is very subtle. Right: The taillights on the 2014 have been flattened out. They are more oval or rectangular than round now. (Automobile Magazine)

At the rear itself, the taillights have been squared off some from their traditional round shapes. Carbon-nano composites are used for the underbody panels to lighten the vehicle while increasing strength and rigidity. There’s also a new aluminum frame which adds weight and further rigidity. The width as well as the wheelbase has been increased, which helped to increase luggage space by 33-percent.

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(Automobile Magazine)

The 2015 Corvette Stingray – Options for Everyone

Skipping ahead a few years to today, we’re looking at several different varieties of Stingray for 2015 with Coupes in 1LT, 2LT, and 3LT, along with convertible and Z51 package versions of each, and then there is the Z06!

Being a Corvette, and a Stingray, all of them have heart-pounding power and awesome road handling characteristics. They look like the Corvette we’ve grown accustomed to over the past few years, but they’ve been given sportier styling and graphics. Furthermore, they’ve been equipped with big sticky tires and Brembo brakes for added stopping power.

Taking a look at the list of standard features makes one feel like they’re looking at a high performance luxury car. Sirius XM satellite radio is standard, as is a nine-speaker Bose stereo system, eight-way power leather seats, eight-inch HD displays, carbon-fiber, Bluetooth, and more. The 2015 Corvette Stingray will get you there quickly, while wrapped in comfort.

The C7 comes with the choice of either 3.42 or 2.41 rear-end gears, while the Z51 option comes with a set of 2.73s. They are all backed by the 6.2-liter V8 with either a seven-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters. The Z51 option adds the availability of a magnetic, selective ride control system for increased high speed control and stability.

From the late 70s and for a number of years, the Corvette may have physically resembled its predecessors from the 60s and early 70s, but they didn’t have the same heart and soul. Thankfully, today’s versions have the heart and soul of a shark beating in them. We are happy with the progress that the Corvette has made, and can’t wait to see what they will produce next!