From Zora Arkus-Duntov's mind to your eyes, we offer up this first year C2 1963 Stingray Roadster showing 4,444 miles on the odometer that are the ticks clocked since this stunning car was restored, but cannot be confirmed as actual due to the title reading mileage exempt. This car sports a convertible soft top, a manual transmission, over 900 photos of the restoration, and a rebuilt 327ci L76 V8. With the roadster design it leaves the pointed fastback behind, (literally), and offers up a bit of a classy look with its thin V shaped front and rear lines, and the split bumpers with hidden headlights.
Exterior
Duntov was in his radical mode when he designed this car. Riverside Red fiberglass molded to an art form of rolling sculpture with its thin V shaped hidden headlight split bumper front end, and thin V rear complete with the dual round inset tail lights, and more split bumpers below. The Sting Ray began to come into its own during these C2 years. This car comes with a white canvas convertible top with clear plastic window. It moves up and down with ease and hides itself right behind the passenger compartment. Up front the "solar panel" vented stinger style hood is flanked by the hidden headlights. This works its way back to the passenger compartment which is framed up front with a curved windshield for that panoramic field of view. Ribbed stainless steel moldings are on the rockers to fill the gap between the front and rear 15-inch gold stripe tires complete with the rarely seen factory Corvette wheel covers. For the convertible top, no tonneau cover is necessary due to the hinged flip up panel just before the pseudo-trunk that houses the entire folded down canvas top. Overall, the paint finish shows well but does present a few very minor imperfections that one must truly search for to see.
Interior
For the interior beautifully aged all original red vinyl low back buckets are flanking a center armrest which becomes a chrome edged center console. This houses the black ball topped shift lever and then climbs straight up to house a side mounted factory AM/FM radio, various knobs and pulls and large chrome bezel black faced clock. Both sides split gracefully to their respective corners of the dash, but first take an opportunity to form 2 graceful cowls, one for the glovebox, and the other for the gauge cluster. Both have a black faux leather textured vinyl background which is very clean, with the glovebox having a silver door highlighted by a crack free red padded topper. The original red rimmed steering wheel with tri machined metal inserts and a center crossed flag badge fronts the dash. Ultra clean red carpet floods all the floors and is protected by black ribbed rubber mats. Door panels make use of tuck and roll red vinyl on top of the panels, and after jumping across a delineating chrome strip, the ribbed vinyl changes to smooth material. Nice chromed knobs handles and vents are embedded within the door panels. Just a hint of red carpet is on the bottom of each pristine door.
Drivetrain
Under the hood is a rebuilt 327ci V8 which is not original to the car, but specs out as a 365hp L76 version from 1964. It is fed by a 4-barrel Holley carburetor and on the back is a circa 1964/65 Muncie M20 4-speed manual transmission. A CAM stamped 3.36 Positraction rear axle handled the rear tire turning duties. Correct ribbed aluminum Corvette script valve covers are on along with a chrome lidded air cleaner and the correct L76 aluminum intake manifold are noted.
Undercarriage
Near perfect straight rust-free black steel makes up the frame and has obviously been well cared for over the years. The fiberglass flooring has been left natural and looks just stunning against the black. Exhaust piping is quickly routed away from the engine to either side and routes rearward to the back of the car passing through stock replacement mufflers and ending with chrome tips through the rear valance. Independent coil spring front suspension and transverse leaf springs on the rear with an upgrade to power front disc brakes noted and power drums in the rear all sitting within this excellent environment.
Drive-Ability
A quick starter and smooth idle. Pressing the accelerator made this car come to life and on the test track it showed us nice acceleration, good handling and smooth shifting with an easy clutch. There were no faults or frowns to speak of during our time behind the wheel save for the radio not putting out a broadcast and we returned from our early Fall drive with smiles on our faces. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
A great example from 1963 in Sting Ray form, she's a fun driver, and can be used as such, but with the quality of work she's also ready to show, it is nice enough and preserved enough to do so with respect. A great color combo and an all-season driver with the convertible soft top and a classy sculpted profile sports car made in America and definitely iconic in its reputation and looks for this year. Thanks Mr. Duntov, and careful on that "stinger", it will put your eye out as they say!
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is n
