The Second Generation C2 Corvette was Produced from 1963-1967

  The second generation designed by Larry Shinoda with major inspiration from a previous unproduced design called the "Q Corvette" by Peter Brock and Chuck Pohlmann, and under the styling direction of Bill Mitchell, started in 1963 and ended in 1967. Introducing the Sting Ray, the 1963 model year Vette was the first year for a coupé with its distinctive split rear window and non functioning hood vents as well as an independent rear suspension. The split rear window was discontinued in 1964 due to safety concerns. Because they made the design too busy, the hood vents were also cut. Power for 1963 was at 360 hp hitting 375 hp in 1964.

  In 1965 four wheel disc brakes were introduced, as was a "big block" engine option the 396 CID V8. Side exhaust pipes became optional on the 1965 Sting Ray and persisted through 1967, then again for 1969. Chevrolet would up the ante in 1966 with the introduction of an even larger 427 CID version, creating what would be one of the most collectible Corvettes ever. 1967 saw an L88 version of the 427 introduced, which was rated at 430 hp, but unofficial estimates place the actual output at 550 hp or more. Only twenty such engines were placed in the 1967 Corvette, and the cars can fetch $1,000,000 or more in auction today. From 1967 to 1969, the 1282 cu ft per min Holley triple two barrel carburetor, or Tri Power, was available on the 427. The 1967 Corvette originally was going to be the first of the C3 generation; however, due to delays the C3 had to be put off until 1968. This was also the first year to introduce the L88 motor option with 560 bhp. Other early options available on the C2 included an AM FM radio, air conditioning in 1963, a telescopic steering wheel in 1965, and headrests, presumably to prevent whiplash in 1966.

   1965 the Corvette was available with a 327 CID, 375 hp Fuel Injected engine. The 1965 introduction of the 425 hp 396 CID big block was ultimately the death nell for the Rochester fuel injection system. The 396 CID option cost $292.70 while the fuel injected 327 CID engine cost $538.00. Few people could justify spending $245 more for 50 hp less. When only 771 fuel injected cars were built in 1965, Chevrolet stopped the program.

  The Sting Ray has been named number five on the list of Top Sports Cars of the 1960s.

  The design of this generation had several inspirations. The first was the contemporary Jaguar E Type, one of which Mitchell owned and enjoyed driving 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 did not give away what the coupe would look like. The third inspiration was a mako shark that Mitchell had caught while deep sea fishing.

  In 1961 the Corvette finally sold over 10,000 vehicles per year, hitting a number of 10,947 in that production year.

  A lightweight version of the C2 was developed in 1962 by Zora Arkus Duntov. 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. Today the cars 001 to 005 are all held by private owners. They are among the most coveted and valuable Corvettes ever built.

  Theres a little known fact, that the popular Z06 performance package on the C5 and C6 model Corvettes, is named after a Z06 performance option dating back to the 1963 model year.