Manufacturer: Chevrolet (General Motors)
Also called: Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray
Production: August 1962 - July 1967
Model years: 1963-1967 ( L72 STING RAY )
Assembly: United States: St. Louis, Missouri
Designer: Larry Shinoda (1959 - 1960)
Body and chassis / Class Sports car
Body style: 2-door convertible or 2-door coupe
Layout Front-mid-engine, Rear-wheel-drive
Platform Series 0800 (1962-1964)
Series 194 (1965-1967)
Chassis Body-on-frame
Related Cheetah
Kellison J6 Panther
Duntov LightWeight
Superformance Corvette Grand Sport
POWER TRAIN
Engine : 427 cu in (7.0 L) L72 Big-Block V8
other model years:
327 cu in (5.4 L) Small-Block V8
327 cu in (5.4 L) L75 Small-Block V8
327 cu in (5.4 L) L76 Small-Block V8
327 cu in (5.4 L) L79 Small-Block V8
327 cu in (5.4 L) L84 Small-Block V8
396 cu in (6.5 L) L78 Big-Block V8
427 cu in (7.0 L) L36 Big-Block V8
427 cu in (7.0 L) L68 Big-Block V8
427 cu in (7.0 L) L71 Big-Block V8
427 cu in (7.0 L) L72 Big-Block V8
427 cu in (7.0 L) L88 Big-Block V8
427 cu in (7.0 L) L89 Big-Block V8
Transmission
3-speed manual
4-speed manual
2-speed Powerglide automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 98.0 in (2,489 mm) (MY1963)
Length 179.3 in (4,554 mm)
Width 69.6 in (1,768 mm)
Height 49.6 in (1,260 mm) Coupe, convertible with hardtop, 49.8 in (1,265 mm) Convertible with soft top
Curb weight 3,362 lb (1,525 kg)
For the 1966 Corvette, the big-block V8 came in two forms: 390 hp (290 kW) on 10.25:1 compression, and 425 bhp via 11:1 compression, larger intake valves, a bigger Holley four-barrel carburetor on an
aluminum manifold, mechanical lifters, and four- instead of two-hole main bearing caps.
Though it had no more horsepower than the previous high-compression 396, the 427-cubic-inch (6,993 cc), 425 hp (317 kW) V8 packed a lot more torque - 460 lb⋅ft (624 N⋅m) vs. 415 lb⋅ft (563 N⋅m).
In the 1960s engine outputs were at times deliberately understated.
This happened for two reasons; to placate nervous insurance companies, and to allow the cars to qualify for lower NHRA brackets based on horsepower and weight.
Estimates of up to 450 hp (336 kW) for the 427 have been suggested as being closer to the truth.
Conversely, power ratings in the sixties were done in SAE Gross Horsepower, which is measured on an engine without accessories or air filter or restrictive stock exhaust manifold, invariably giving a
significantly higher rating than the engine actually produces when installed in the automobile.
SAE Net Horsepower is measured with all accessories, air filters and factory exhaust system in place; this is the standard that all US automobile engines have been rated at since 1972.
With big-block V8s being the order of the day, there was less demand for the 327, so small-block offerings were cut from five to two for 1966, and only the basic 300- and 350-bhp versions were retained.
Both required premium fuel on compression ratios well over 10.0:1, and they didn't have the rocket-like thrust of the 427s, but their performance was impressive all the same.
As before, both could be teamed with the Powerglide automatic, the standard three-speed manual, or
either four-speed option.
The 1966 model's frontal appearance was mildly altered with an eggcrate grille insert to replace the
previous horizontal bars, and the coupe lost its roof-mounted extractor vents, which had proven
inefficient.
Corvettes also received an emblem in the corner of the hood for 1966.
Head rests were a new option, one of the rarest options was the Red/Red Automatic option with power windows and air conditioning from factory which records show production numbered only 7 convertibles and 33 coupes. This relative lack of change reflected plans to bring out an all-new Corvette for 1967.
It certainly did not reflect a fall-off in the car's popularity, however.
In fact, 1966 would prove another record-busting year, with volume rising to 27,720 units, up some 4,200 over 1965s sales.
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