The Chevrolet Corvette (C2) is the second-generation Corvette sports car , produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors (GM) for the 1963 through 1967 model years .
110-486: The 1963 Sting Ray production car's lineage can be traced to two separate GM projects: the Q-Corvette, and Bill Mitchell 's racing Sting Ray . The Q-Corvette exercise of 1957 envisioned a smaller, more advanced Corvette as a coupe-only model, boasting a rear transaxle , independent rear suspension , and four-wheel disc brakes , with the rear brakes mounted inboard. Exterior styling was purposeful, with peaked fenders,
220-413: A photodiode . The tape recorder's drive electronics use signals from the tachometer to ensure that the tape is played at the proper speed. The signal is compared to a reference signal (either a quartz crystal or alternating current from the mains ). The comparison of the two frequencies drives the speed of the tape transport. When the tach signal and the reference signal match, the tape transport
330-404: A $ 64.50 credit option, but only 316 of the 23,562 Corvettes built that year came with drums. A side exhaust system appeared as an option as did a telescopic steering wheel. Also available were alloy spinner wheels, at US$ 322 a set. 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,
440-404: A 3.70:1 final drive, but 3.08:1, 3.55:1, 4.11:1, and 4.56:1 gearsets were available. The last was quite rare in production, however. Corvette's designers and engineers – Ed Cole , Duntov, Mitchell, and others – knew that after 10 years in its basic form, albeit much improved, it was time to move on. By decade's end, the machinery would be put into motion to fashion a fitting successor to debut for
550-478: A 36.5 US gal (138 L; 30 imp gal) tank for races such as Sebring and Daytona . At first the package was available only on coupes, as the oversized tank would not fit in the convertible, although the rest of the Z06 option package was later made available on convertibles as well. Thus, the 1963 Corvette was technically the first Corvette that could be designated as "Z06." The only engine option on
660-455: A Corvette was a special performance equipment package the RPO Z06, for $ 1,818.45. These Corvettes came to be known as the "Big Tanks" because the package initially had a 36.5-US-gallon (138 L; 30.4 imp gal) gas tank versus the standard 20-gallon for races such as Sebring and Daytona. At first, the package was only available on coupes because the oversized tank would not fit in
770-516: 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
880-436: A bit less than the old roadster. Passenger room was as good as before despite the tighter wheelbase , and the reinforcing steel girder made the cockpit both stronger and safer. The first-ever production Corvette coupe sported a fastback body with a long hood and a raised windsplit that ran the length of the roof and continued down the back on a pillar that bisected the rear window into right and left halves. The split backlite
990-425: A bowl of mercury constructed in such a way that centrifugal force caused the level in a central tube to fall when it rotated and brought down the level in a narrower tube above filled with coloured spirit. The bowl was connected to the machinery to be measured by pulleys. The first mechanical tachometers were based on measuring the centrifugal force , similar to the operation of a centrifugal governor . The inventor
1100-537: A device that measures speed. It is by arbitrary convention that in the automotive world one is used for engine revolutions and the other for vehicle speed. In formal engineering nomenclature, more precise terms are used to distinguish the two. The first tachometer was described by Bryan Donkin in a paper to the Royal Society of Arts in 1810 for which he was awarded the Gold medal of the society. This consisted of
1210-513: 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. The 1967 Corvette Sting Ray was the last Corvette of the second generation, and five years of refinements made it the best of the line. Although it was meant to be a redesign year, its intended successor the C3 was found to have some undesirable aerodynamic traits. Duntov demanded more time in
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#17327796231021320-526: A feature of the Corvette until the C6 model debuted in 2005. Coupe doors were cut into the roof, which made entry/exit easier in such a low-slung closed car. Faux vents were located in the hood and on the coupe's rear pillars; functional ones had been intended but were cancelled due to cost considerations. The Sting Ray's interior carried a re-interpretation of the twin-cowl Corvette dash motif used since 1958, but
1430-484: A green arc showing the engine's designed cruising speed range. In older vehicles, the tachometer is driven by the RMS voltage waves from the low tension (LT contact breaker ) side of the ignition coil , while on others (and nearly all diesel engines , which have no ignition system) engine speed is determined by the frequency from the alternator tachometer output. This is from a special connection called an "AC tap" which
1540-549: A long nose, and a short, bobbed tail. Meanwhile, Zora Arkus-Duntov and other GM engineers had become fascinated with mid and rear-engine designs. Duntov explored the mid/rear-engine layout with the lightweight, open-wheel, single-seat CERV I concept of 1959. A rear-engined Corvette was briefly considered during 1958–60, progressing as far as a full-scale mock-up designed around the Corvair's entire rear-mounted power package, including its air-cooled flat-six, as an alternative to
1650-416: A more practical one incorporating a roomy glovebox, an improved heater, and the cowl-ventilation system. A full set of round gauges included a huge speedometer and tachometer . The control tower center console returned, somewhat slimmer but now containing the clock and a vertically situated radio. Luggage space was improved as well, although due to the lack of an external trunklid, cargo had to be loaded behind
1760-430: A photo- diode , photo- transistor , amplifier, and filtering circuits which produce a square wave pulse train output customized to the customers voltage and pulses per revolution requirements. These types of sensors typically provide 2 to 8 independent channels of output that can be sampled by other systems in the vehicle such as automatic train control systems and propulsion/braking controllers. The sensors mounted around
1870-562: A popular story, Mitchell got the idea for the Riviera in Paris . He had originally envisaged the design for Cadillac Division, as a new La Salle , "a baby Cadillac". The Riviera also featured frameless glass in the front doors, giving hardtops an even sleeker look. An encounter with a shark, while skin diving in the Bahamas, inspired Mitchell's Corvette Shark show car, his Stingray racer and
1980-527: A redline. In vehicles such as tractors and trucks, the tachometer often has other markings, usually a green arc showing the speed range in which the engine produces maximum torque , which is of prime interest to operators of such vehicles. Tractors fitted with a power take-off (PTO) system have tachometers showing the engine speed needed to rotate the PTO at the standardized speed required by most PTO-driven implements. In many countries, tractors are required to have
2090-416: A rotating target attached to a wheel, gearbox or motor. This target may contain magnets, or it may be a toothed wheel. The teeth on the wheel vary the flux density of a magnet inside the sensor head. The probe is mounted with its head a precise distance from the target wheel and detects the teeth or magnets passing its face. One problem with this system is that the necessary air gap between the target wheel and
2200-406: A speedometer for use on a road. To save fitting a second dial, the vehicle's tachometer is often marked with a second scale in units of speed. This scale is only accurate in a certain gear, but since many tractors only have one gear that is practical for use on-road, this is sufficient. Tractors with multiple 'road gears' often have tachometers with more than one speed scale. Aircraft tachometers have
2310-491: A transverse leaf spring . Rubber-cushioned struts carried the differential, which reduced ride harshness while improving tire adhesion, especially on rougher roads. The transverse spring was bolted to the rear of the differential case. A control arm extended laterally and slightly forward from each side of the case to a hub carrier, with a trailing radius rod mounted behind it. The half-shafts functioned like upper control arms. The lower arms controlled vertical wheel motion, while
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#17327796231022420-434: A way of surreptitiously circumventing the racing ban. When GM management eventually withdrew their support of the ban, Duntov and his colleagues created " RPO Z06" as a special performance equipment package for the Corvette. The Regular Production Option (RPO) was a GM internal ordering code designation. The package was specifically designed for competition-minded buyers, so they could order a race-ready Corvette straight from
2530-417: Is a connection to one of the stator's coil output, before the rectifier. Tachometers driven by a rotating cable from a drive unit fitted to the engine (usually on the camshaft ) exist - usually on simple diesel-engined machinery with basic or no electrical systems. On recent EMS found on modern vehicles, the signal for the tachometer is usually generated from an ECU which derives the information from either
2640-445: Is an instrument measuring the rotation speed of a shaft or disk, as in a motor or other machine. The device usually displays the revolutions per minute (RPM) on a calibrated analogue dial, but digital displays are increasingly common. The word comes from Ancient Greek τάχος (táchos) 'speed' and μέτρον (métron) 'measure'. Essentially the words tachometer and speedometer have identical meaning:
2750-453: Is assumed to be the German engineer Dietrich Uhlhorn ; he used it for measuring the speed of machines in 1817. Since 1840, it has been used to measure the speed of locomotives . Tachometers or revolution counters on cars, aircraft, and other vehicles show the rate of rotation of the engine's crankshaft , and typically have markings indicating a safe range of rotation speeds. This can assist
2860-420: Is in running condition, and is the only Grand Sport body which is original and unrestored. Also on display are a replica body and a spare 377 cubic inch engine, which were commissioned by the car's previous owner, Jim Jaeger, for participation in vintage racing without damaging the original components. Chassis #003 is owned by car collector Larry Bowman. It was bought in 2004 for an undisclosed sum. Chassis #004
2970-665: Is part of the Miles Collier Collection on display at The Revs Institute in Naples, Florida. This chassis was used in the Rolex Monterrey Motorsport Reunion in 2013. Chassis #005 is in the private collection of Bill Tower of Plant City, Florida. He was a former Corvette development engineer and also owns several historically significant Corvettes in his collection. The Corvette Grand Sports were raced with several different engines, but
3080-440: Is proportional to its number of rotations compared to the master wheel. This calibration must be done while coasting at a fixed speed to eliminate the possibility of wheel slip/slide introducing errors into the calculation. Automatic calibration of this type is used to generate more accurate traction and braking signals, and to improve wheel slip detection. A weakness of systems that rely on wheel rotation for tachometry and odometry
3190-425: Is said to be "at speed." (To this day on film sets, the director calls "Roll sound!" and the sound man replies "Sound speed!" This is a vestige of the days when recording devices required several seconds to reach a regulated speed.) Having perfectly regulated tape speed is important because the human ear is very sensitive to changes in pitch, particularly sudden ones, and without a self-regulating system to control
3300-435: Is that the train wheels and the rails are very smooth and the friction between them is low, leading to high error rates if the wheels slip or slide. To compensate for this, secondary odometry inputs employ Doppler radar units beneath the train to measure speed independently. In analogue audio recording , a tachometer is a device that measures the speed of audiotape as it passes across the head. On most audio tape recorders
3410-468: Is usually attributed to Mitchell, who claimed to have been inspired by the 57SC Bugatti "Atlantique" coupe. The feature actually predated both the C2 Corvette and Bob McLean's Q-Corvette, having been used by Harley Earl on both his Oldsmobile Golden Rocket show car and his own more traditional design studies for the C2 Corvette, some of which had progressed to full-scale models. Earl's inspiration
Chevrolet Corvette (C2) - Misplaced Pages Continue
3520-522: The Automobile Racing Club of America before being recruited by Harley Earl to join the Art and Color Section of General Motors in 1935. Mitchell is responsible for creating or influencing the design of over 72.5 million automobiles produced by GM, including such landmark vehicles as the 1938 Cadillac Sixty Special , the 1949 Cadillac Coupe deVille , the 1955–1957 Chevrolet Bel Air ,
3630-499: The European Train Control System . As well as speed sensing, these probes are often used to calculate distance travelled by multiplying wheel rotations by wheel circumference. They can be used to automatically calibrate wheel diameter by comparing the number of rotations of each axle against a master wheel that has been measured manually. Since all wheels travel the same distance, the diameter of each wheel
3740-706: The 'Bill Mitchell era'. Bill Mitchell was the son of a Buick dealer and developed a talent for sketching automobiles at an early age. He grew up in Greenville, Pennsylvania and New York City. Mitchell attended the Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and later studied at the Art Students' League in New York, New York . After completing art school, Mitchell joined
3850-475: The 1959–1984 Cadillac DeVille, the 1963–1965 and 1966–1967 Buick Riviera , the 1961–1976 Corvette Stingray , the 1970–1981 Chevrolet Camaro , the 1976–1979 Cadillac Seville , and the 1980–1985 Cadillac Seville. Mitchell spent the entirety of his 42-year career in automobile design at General Motors, eventually becoming Vice President of Design, a position he held for 19 years until his retirement in 1977. His design stewardship at General Motors became known as
3960-528: The 1963 model year. After years of tinkering with the basic package, Mitchell and his crew would finally break the mold of Harley Earl 's original design once and for all. He would dub the Corvette’s second generation "Sting Ray" after the earlier race car of the same name. The C2 was designed by Larry Shinoda (Pete Brock was also instrumental on the C2) under the direction of GM chief stylist Bill Mitchell. Inspiration
4070-514: The 1965 Corvette Sting Ray further cleaned up style-wise and was muscled up with the addition of an all-new braking system and larger power plants. 1965 styling alterations were subtle, confined to a smoothed-out hood now devoid of scoop indentations, a trio of working vertical exhaust vents in the front fenders that replaced the previous nonfunctional horizontal "speedlines," restyled wheel covers and rocker-panel moldings, and minor interior trim revisions. The 1965 Corvette Sting Ray became ferocious with
4180-535: The 1968 model year. The Sting Ray was lauded in the automotive press almost unanimously for its handling, road adhesion, and sheer power. Car Life magazine bestowed its annual Award for Engineering Excellence on the 1963 Sting Ray. Chevy's small-block V8 – the most consistent component of past Corvette performance – was rated by the buff books to be even better in the Sting Ray. The 1963 was noted to have an edge over past models in both traction and handling because
4290-519: The 4.11:1 rear axle, aluminum knock-off wheels (perfected at last and available from the factory), the sintered-metallic brakes, and Positraction through the quarter-mile in 14.2 seconds at 100 mph and the 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. Road & Track tested the 300-bhp Powerglide automatic setup in a 1964 coupe and recorded a 0–60 mph time of 8.0 seconds, a quarter-mile in 15.2 seconds at 85 mph, and average fuel consumption of 14.8 mpg. In 2004, Sports Car International named
4400-578: The Borg-Warner box but came with stronger synchronizers and wider ratios for better durability and drivability. If enthusiast publications liked the first Sting Ray, they loved the 1964, though some writers noted the convertible's tendency to rattle and shake on rough roads. Sales of the 1964 Sting Ray reached 22,229 -— another new Corvette record, if up only a little from banner-year 1963. Coupe volume dropped to 8304 units, but convertible sales more than compensated, rising to 13,925. For its third season,
4510-457: The Caltech wind tunnel. The vehicle's inner structure received as much attention as the aerodynamics of its exterior. Fiberglass outer panels were retained, but the Sting Ray emerged with nearly twice as much steel support in its central structure as the 1958–62 Corvette. The resulting extra weight was balanced by a reduction in fiberglass thickness, so the finished product actually weighed
Chevrolet Corvette (C2) - Misplaced Pages Continue
4620-485: The Corvette's usual water-cooled V8. By the fall of 1959, elements of the Q-Corvette and the Sting Ray Special racer would be incorporated into experimental project XP-720, which was the design program that led directly to the production 1963 Corvette Sting Ray. The XP-720 sought to deliver improved passenger accommodation, more luggage space, and superior ride and handling over previous Corvettes. While Duntov
4730-535: The Corvette. Due to concerns over rear visibility, the coupe’s two piece split rear window was dropped in favor of a single piece of arched glass. Besides the coupe's backbone window, the two simulated air intakes were eliminated from the hood, though their indentations remained. Also, the decorative air-exhaust vent on the coupe's rear pillar was made functional, but only on the left side. The car's rocker-panel trim lost some of its ribs and gained black paint between those ribs that remained; wheel covers were simplified; and
4840-519: The Daytona 250 – American Challenge Cup. This meant the cars needed to be prepared to a different set of rules, the same as those for the big Grand National stock cars . The chassis was modified extensively and an experimental 427 cu in (7,000 cc) engine installed. The car was lightened in every way possible and weighed just over 2,800 lb (1,300 kg). Further prep was done by Mickey Thompson . Among other changes, Thompson replaced
4950-538: The Grand Sport project was known simply as "The Lightweight". The 1963 Corvette Rondine (Ron-di-nay, Italian for Swallow ) is a concept car based on a 1963 C2 chassis that was built for the 1963 Paris Auto Show . It was designed by Tom Tjaarda of Pininfarina . Originally fitted with a reverse-slant rear windshield, à la the Citroën Ami and various large Mercurys, this design was heavily criticized and in
5060-625: The New York City based Barron Collier Advertising where he prepared layouts and advertising illustrations, including U.S. advertisements for MG cars . While working at the agency, Mitchell met brothers Barron Collier Jr., Miles Collier and Sam Collier , who had founded the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) (a forerunner of the Sports Car Club of America) in 1931. Mitchell became the official illustrator of
5170-474: The Sting Ray number five on the list of Top Sports Cars of the 1960s . Duntov first conceived of the Z06 in 1962. Despite GM's ongoing support of the AMA ban on factory racing involvement, Duntov knew that individual customers would continue to race Corvettes, so during the planning of the Sting Ray project he suggested that it would be a good idea to continue with parts development in order to benefit racers, and as
5280-535: The Z06 package, though it remained available as an add-on option for any coupe. All told, Chevrolet produced 199 of these "original" Z06s. In 1962 Duntov initiated a program to produce a lightweight version based on a prototype that mirrored the new 1963 Corvette. Concerned about Ford and the Shelby Cobra , Duntov's program included plans to build 125 examples of the Corvette Grand Sport to allow
5390-502: The Z06 was the L84 327 cu in (5.4 L) engine using Rochester fuel injection . With factory exhaust manifolds, required to run the cars in the SCCA production classes, Chevrolet rated the engine at 360 hp (268 kW). The Z06 option cost an additional $ 1,818.45 over the base coupe price of $ 4,252. Chevrolet later lowered the package price and eliminated the larger gas tank from
5500-516: The base and optional units employed hydraulic lifters , a mild camshaft , forged-steel crankshaft , 10.5:1 compression, single-point distributor , and dual exhausts. The 300-bhp engine produced its extra power via a larger four-barrel carburetor ( Carter AFB instead of the 250's Carter WCFB), plus larger intake valves and exhaust manifold . Again topping the performance chart was a 360 hp (268 kW) fuel-injected V8, available for an extra $ 430.40. The car's standard transmission remained
5610-431: The base engine's Carter unit. The fuel injected engine also gained 15 horsepower (11 kilowatts), bringing its total to 375 hp (280 kW), but at a then-hefty $ 538.00. Although transmission options remained ostensibly the same for 1964, the two Borg-Warner T-10 four-speeds gave way to a similar pair of gearboxes built at GM's Muncie, Indiana, transmission facility. Originally a Chevy design, it had an aluminum case like
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#17327796231025720-510: 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
5830-487: 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
5940-487: The circumference of the disk provide quadrature encoded outputs and thus allow the vehicle's computer to determine the direction of rotation of the wheel. This is a legal requirement in Switzerland to prevent rollback when starting from standstill. Strictly, such devices are not tachometers since they do not provide a direct reading of the rotational speed of the disk. The speed has to be derived externally by counting
6050-885: The club and his sketches for the club eventually came to the attention of Harley Earl , then head of General Motors Art and Color Section. Based on sketches Mitchell created as the official illustrator for the ARCA, Harley Earl recruited Mitchell to General Motors' then new Art and Color Section on December 15, 1935. In 1936 Earl appointed Mitchell as the Chief Designer in the then newly created Cadillac design studio. On May 1, 1954 Mitchell became General Motors Director of Styling under Harley Earl. In December 1958, Harley Earl reached GM's mandatory retirement age of 65 and thus retired from his position as chief stylist. The 46-year-old Mitchell succeeded him as General Motors Vice President, Styling Section. Mitchell set out to break with
6160-426: The convertible and the new coupe – 10,919 and 10,594, respectively – and more than half the convertibles were ordered with the optional lift-off hardtop. Nevertheless, the coupe wouldn't sell as well again throughout the Sting Ray years. The closed Corvette did not outsell the open one until 1969, by which time the coupe came with a T-top featuring removable roof panels. Equipment installations for 1963 began reflecting
6270-418: The convertible. In 1963 only 199 Z06 Corvettes were produced, usually reserved for racing, and of the 199 a total of six were specifically created for Le Mans racing by Chevrolet. One of the six 1963 Z06 Sting Rays was built late in 1962 to race at Riverside on 13 October 1962. They were destined to compete in a different sort of race for sports cars, a NASCAR sanctioned event on the famous Daytona Oval ,
6380-401: The crankshaft or camshaft speed sensor. Tachometers are used to estimate traffic speed and volume (flow). A vehicle is equipped with the sensor and conducts "tach runs" which record the traffic data. These data are a substitute or complement to loop detector data. To get statistically significant results requires a high number of runs, and bias is introduced by the time of day, day of week, and
6490-504: The dramatic styling of the second generation 1965 rear-engine Corvair , which, like other GM models introduced for that year, used curved side-window glass to enhance its "Coke Bottle" profile. During the 1973–74 energy crisis, which brought on a greater demand for smaller cars in place of the larger cars that had been GM's bread and butter profit machine for decades, Mitchell oversaw the styling and design efforts of GM's downsized full-sized and intermediate-sized cars which were introduced in
6600-481: The driver in selecting appropriate throttle and gear settings for the driving conditions. Prolonged use at high speeds may cause inadequate lubrication , overheating (exceeding capability of the cooling system), exceeding speed capability of sub-parts of the engine (for example spring retracted valves) thus causing excessive wear or permanent damage or failure of engines. On analogue tachometers, speeds above maximum safe operating speed are typically indicated by an area of
6710-399: 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
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#17327796231026820-438: The factory with just one check of an option box. Previously, the optional racing parts were literally hidden in the order form so that only the most knowledgeable and perceptive customers could find them. The Z06 package was first offered on the 1963 Corvette, and included: These Corvettes came to be known as "Big Tanks" because the package initially replaced the 20 US gal (76 L; 17 imp gal) gas tank with
6930-439: The fall of 1960 did the designers turn their creative attention to a new version of the traditional Corvette convertible and, still later, its detachable hardtop. For the first time in the Corvette's history, wind tunnel testing influenced the final shape, as did practical matters like interior space, windshield curvatures, and tooling limitations. Both body styles were extensively evaluated as production-ready 3/8-scale models at
7040-556: The familiar three-speed manual, though the preferred gearbox continued to be the Borg-Warner manual four-speed, changing over to the Muncie M20 during the 1963 model year, delivered with wide-ratio gears when teamed with the base and 300-bhp engines, and close-ratio gearing with the top two powerplants. Standard axle ratio for the three-speed manual or two-speed Powerglide automatic was 3.36:1. The four-speed gearbox came with
7150-536: The fiberglass Z06 "Big Tank" with an even larger 50 US gal (189.3 L; 41.6 imp gal) metal tank. Driven by Junior Johnson , plagued by rain in the race, substitute driver Billy Krause finished third behind Paul Goldsmith 's Pontiac Tempest and A. J. Foyt in another Corvette. New for the 1963 model year was an optional electronic ignition , the breakerless magnetic pulse-triggered Delcotronic, first offered by Pontiac on some 1963 models. For 1964 Chevrolet made only evolutionary changes to
7260-454: The first time amongst the optional stable of higher output small block engines. Power steering was previously only available with the lower 250 hp and 300 hp engines. Four-wheel disc brakes were also introduced in 1965. The brakes had a four-piston design with two-piece calipers and cooling fins for the rotors. Pads were in frequent contact with the rotors, but the resulting drag was negligible and did not affect fuel economy. Further,
7370-479: The first time on a Corvette – except on cars with the two most powerful engines – and offer a faster 17.1:1 ratio, which reduced lock-to-lock turns from 3.4 to just 2.9. Drivetrains were carried over from the previous generation, comprising four 327 cu in (5,360 cc) small block V8s , three transmissions, and six axle ratios. Carbureted engines came in 250 hp (186 kW), 300 hp (224 kW), and 340 hp (254 kW) versions. As before,
7480-526: The four-speed manual gearbox – better than four out of every five. All 1963 cars had 327cid engines, which made 250 hp standard, with optional variants that made 300 hp, 340 hp and 360 hp. The most powerful engine was the Rochester fuel injected engine. Options available on the C2 included AM-FM radio (mid 1963), air conditioning, and leather upholstery. Also available for the first time ever on
7590-405: The fuel filler/deck emblem gained concentric circles around its crossed-flags insignia. Inside, the original color-keyed steering wheel rim was now done in simulated walnut. A few suspension refinements were made for 1964. The front coil springs were changed from constant-rate to progressive or variable-rate and were more tightly wound at the top, while leaf thickness of the rear transverse spring
7700-463: The gauge marked in red, giving rise to the expression of " redlining " an engine — revving the engine up to the maximum safe limit. Most modern cars typically have a revolution limiter which electronically limits engine speed to prevent damage. Diesel engines with traditional mechanical injector systems have an integral governor which prevents over-speeding the engine, so the tachometers in vehicles and machinery fitted with such engines sometimes lack
7810-490: The handbrake moved from beneath the dash to between the seats. The convertible's optional hardtop was offered with a black vinyl cover , which was a fad among all cars at the time. The 427 was available with a 1282 ft³/min (605 L/s) Rochester 3X2-barrel carburetors arrangement, which the factory called Tri-Power producing 435 bhp (441 PS; 324 kW) at 5800 rpm and 460 lb⋅ft (624 N⋅m) at 4,000 rpm of torque . The ultimate Corvette engine for 1967
7920-509: The late 1970s, some of the last designs that he would lead—and all largely based on themes first developed in his 1976 Cadillac Seville. However, when it came to compact and subcompact cars, Mitchell, who often struggled with alcoholism, reflected that "Small cars are like vodka. Sure people will try them out but they won't stay with them." Mitchell stepped down as chief stylist in July 1977 following his 65th birthday. The last car he designed at GM
8030-429: The light touching kept the rotors clean and did not diminish pad life, which was, in fact, quite high: a projected 57,000 mi (92,000 km) for the front brakes and about twice that distance for the rear binders. Total swept area for the new system was 461 sq in (2,970 cm), a notable advance on the 328 sq in (2,120 cm) of the previous all-drum system. Per pending federal regulation, there
8140-486: The market's demand for more civility in sporting cars. The power brake option went into 15 percent of production, power steering into 12 percent. On the other hand, only 278 buyers specified the $ 421.80 air conditioning; leather upholstery – a mere $ 80.70 – was ordered on only 1,114 cars. The cast aluminum knock-off wheels , manufactured for Chevy by Kelsey-Hayes, cost $ 322.80 a set, but few buyers checked off that option. However, almost 18,000 Sting Rays left St. Louis with
8250-627: The mid-year debut of the "Big-Block" 396 cu in (6,490 cc) engine producing 425 hp (317 kW). Ultimately, this spelled the end for the Rochester fuel injection system, as the carbureted 396ci/425hp option cost $ 292.70 to the fuel injected 327ci/375hp's $ 538.00. Few buyers could justify $ 245 more for 50 hp (37 kW) less, even if the FI cars offered optional bigger brakes not available on carbureted models. After only 771 fuel injected cars were built in 1965, Chevrolet discontinued
8360-620: The model to be homologated for international Grand Touring races. After the GM executives learned of the secret project, the program was stopped, and only five cars were built, three coupes and two convertibles. All five cars have survived and are in private collections. They are among the most coveted and valuable Corvettes ever built, not because of what they accomplished, but because of what might have been. The cars were driven by famed contemporary race drivers such as Roger Penske , A. J. Foyt , Jim Hall , and Dick Guldstrand among others. Dick Thompson
8470-477: The most serious factory engine actually used was a 377 cubic inch displacement, all-aluminum, small block with four Weber side-draft carburetors and a cross-ram intake, rated 550 hp (410 kW) at 6400 rpm. Body panels were made of thinner fiberglass to reduce weight and the inner body structure 'birdcage' was aluminum rather than steel. The ladder-type frame utilized large seamless steel tubular side members connected front and rear with crossmembers of about
8580-402: The new chassis was just as important to the Sting Ray's success. Maneuverability was improved thanks to the faster recirculating ball , or "Ball-Race", steering, and a shorter wheelbase. The latter might ordinarily imply a choppier ride, but the altered weight distribution partly compensated for it. Less weight on the front wheels also meant easier steering, and with some 80 additional pounds on
8690-436: The new independent rear suspension reduced wheel spin compared to the live-axle cars. Motor Trend tested a four-speed fuel injected version with 3.70:1 axle. They reported a 0–60 mph in 5.8 seconds and a 14.5-second standing quarter-mile at 102 mph. The magazine also recorded better than 18 miles per gallon at legal highway speeds and 14.1 mpg overall. Motor Trend timed a 1964 fuel-injected four-speed coupe with
8800-472: The number of pulses in a time period. It is difficult to prove conclusively that the vehicle is stationary, other than by waiting a certain time to ensure that no further pulses occur. This is one reason why there is often a time delay between the train stopping, as perceived by a passenger, and the doors being released. Slotted-disk devices are typical sensors used in odometer systems for rail vehicles, such as are required for train protection systems — notably
8910-485: The option. It would be 18 years until it returned. 1965 also added another 350 hp small block engine (Option L79) which used hydraulic rather than solid lifters, a milder camshaft and a modestly redesigned smaller oil pan. Otherwise, the 350 hp engine was cosmetically and mechanically identical to the 365 hp engine (Option L76) solid lifter engine. The smaller oil pan allowed this high output small block 350hp engine to be ordered with optional Power Steering for
9020-583: 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
9130-421: The production 1963 Corvette Stingray , largely designed by Larry Shinoda , under Mitchell's direction. The designs for both the 1963 Corvette and the 1963 Riviera were accepted by their respective divisions on Christmas Eve 1961, in what Mitchell referred to as perhaps the greatest moment of his life. Mitchell's fondness for split rear windows as featured on the 1957 Buick and on the 1963 Corvette Stingray coupe
9240-431: The rear wheels, the Sting Ray offered improved traction. Stopping power improved, too. Four-wheel cast-iron 11-inch drum brakes remained standard but were now wider, for an increase in effective braking area. Sintered-metallic linings, segmented for cooling, were again optional. So were Al-Fin brake drums, which not only provided faster heat dissipation (and thus better fade resistance) but less unsprung weight. Power assist
9350-401: The same diameter tubes. Another crossmember was just aft of the transmission and a fourth one at the rear kick-up anchored the integral roll cage. The frame was slightly stiffer than the 1963 Corvette production frame and was 94 lb (43 kg) lighter. A number of other lightweight components were utilized to reduce overall weight to about 800 pounds less than the production coupe. Initially
9460-541: The season. However, because of the expense, spacing (a lower density of loop detectors diminishes data accuracy), and relatively low reliability of loop detectors (often 30% or more are out of service at any given time), tach runs remain a common practice. Speed sensing devices, termed variously "wheel impulse generators" (WIG), pulse generators, speed probes, or tachometers are used extensively in rail vehicles. Common types include opto-isolator slotted disk sensors and Hall effect sensors . Hall effect sensors typically use
9570-412: The seats. The spare tire was located at the rear in a drop-down fiberglass housing beneath the gas tank (which now held 20 US gal (76 L; 17 imp gal) instead of 16 US gal (61 L; 13 imp gal). The large round deck emblem was newly hinged to double as a fuel-filler flap, replacing the previous left-flank door. Though not as obvious as the car's radical styling,
9680-446: The sensor allows ferrous dust from the vehicle's underframe to build up on the probe or target, inhibiting its function. Opto-isolator sensors are completely encased to prevent ingress from the outside environment. The only exposed parts are a sealed plug connector and a drive fork, which is attached to a slotted disk internally through a bearing and seal. The slotted disk is typically sandwiched between two circuit boards containing
9790-423: The shift linkage and placed a new boot around the lever. The result was a more livable car for everyday transportation. Drivetrain choices remained basically as before but the high-performance pair received several noteworthy improvements. The solid-lifter unit was driven with a high-lift, long-duration camshaft to produce 365 hp (272 kW) and breathed through a big four-barrel Holley carburetor instead of
9900-480: The shocks, plus a standard anti-roll bar . Steering remained the conventional recirculating-ball steering design, but it was geared at a higher 19.6:1 overall ratio (previously 21.0:1). Bolted to the frame rail at one end and to the relay rod at the other was a new hydraulic steering damper (essentially a shock absorber), which helped soak up bumps before they reached the steering wheel. What's more, hydraulically assisted steering would be offered as optional equipment for
10010-514: The speed of tape across the head, the pitch could drift several percent. This effect is called a wow -and- flutter , and a modern, tachometer-regulated cassette deck has a wow-and-flutter of 0.07%. Tachometers are acceptable for high-fidelity sound playback, but not for recording in synchronization with a movie camera . For such purposes, special recorders that record pilottone must be used. Tachometer signals can be used to synchronize several tape machines together, but only if in addition to
10120-533: The standard heater and defroster to cut down on weight and discourage the car's use on the street. As costly as it was powerful – at an additional $ 1,500 over the base $ 4,240.75 price – the L88 engine and required options were sold to a mere 20 buyers that year. With potential buyers anticipating the car's overdue redesign, sales for the Sting Ray's final year totaled 22,940, down over 5,000 units from 1966 results. Meanwhile, Chevrolet readied its third-generation Corvette for
10230-417: The styling cues used under Harley Earl , wanting to eliminate chrome excess, fat fins and similar signature marks. In the 60s, Mitchell promoted what he called the "sheer look," a more aerodynamic , "shoulderless" drop off from a car's windows to its sides. Mitchell gave GM designers the assignment of combining Rolls-Royce and Ferrari styling cues to create Buick's classic 1963 Riviera . According to
10340-457: The tachometer (or simply "tach") is a relatively large spindle near the ERP head stack , isolated from the feed and take-up spindles by tension idlers. On many recorders the tachometer spindle is connected by an axle to a rotating magnet that induces a changing magnetic field upon a Hall effect transistor . Other systems connect the spindle to a stroboscope , which alternates light and dark upon
10450-521: The trailing rods took care of fore/aft wheel motion and transferred braking torque to the frame. Shock absorbers were conventional twin-tube units. Considerably lighter than the old solid axle , the new rear suspension array delivered a significant reduction in unsprung weight , which was important since the 1963 model would retain the previous generation's outboard rear brakes. The new model's front suspension would be much as before, with unequal-length upper and lower A-arms on coil springs concentric with
10560-444: The true rating was said to be about 560 bhp at 6,400 rpm. The very high compression ratio required 103- octane racing fuel, which was available only at select service stations. Clearly this was not an engine for the casual motorist. When the L88 was ordered, Chevy made several individual options mandatory, including Positraction , the transistorized ignition, heavy-duty suspension, and power brakes, as well as RPO C48, which deleted
10670-514: The wind tunnel to devise fixes before it went into production. Changes were again modest: Five smaller front fender vents replaced the three larger ones, and flat-finish rockers sans ribbing conferred a lower, less chunky appearance. New was a single backup light, mounted above the license plate. The previous models' wheel covers gave way to slotted six-inch Rally wheels with chrome beauty rings and lug nuts concealed behind chrome caps. Interior alterations were modest and included revised upholstery, and
10780-418: The winter of 1963–1964 Tjaarda redesigned the rear part of the greenhouse with a more conventional windscreen. The Rondine sold at Barrett-Jackson 2008 for 1.6 million dollars. Bill Mitchell (automobile designer) William Leroy Mitchell (July 2, 1912 – September 12, 1988) was an American automobile designer . Mitchell worked briefly as an advertising illustrator and as the official illustrator of
10890-632: Was a vocal critic of the new fourth-generation Corvette 's styling, which he referred to as "bland." Bill Mitchell died at the age of 76 from heart failure at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan , on September 12, 1988. Bill Mitchell was inducted into the Corvette Hall of Fame by the National Corvette Museum in 1998. Tachometer A tachometer ( revolution-counter , tach , rev-counter , RPM gauge )
11000-402: Was also a dual master cylinder with separate fluid reservoirs (only on models with power brakes for 1965) for the front and rear lines. Road testers rightly applauded the all-disc brakes. Testers found that repeated stops from 100 mph (160 km/h) produced no deterioration in braking efficiency, and even the most sudden stops were rock-stable. The drum brakes remained available, however, as
11110-416: Was also altered thus providing a more comfortable ride with no sacrifice in handling. Shock absorbers were reworked toward the same end. The 1964 Corvette arrived with a new standard shock containing within its fluid reservoir a small bag of Freon gas that absorbed heat. Chevy added more sound insulation and revised body and transmission mounts for the 1964 Corvette. It also fitted additional bushings to quiet
11220-461: Was available with both brake packages. Evolutionary engineering changes included positive crankcase ventilation, a smaller flywheel, and an aluminum clutch housing. A more efficient alternator replaced the old-fashioned generator . The independent rear suspension created by Duntov was derived from the CERV I concept, and included a frame-mounted differential with U-jointed half-shafts tied together by
11330-469: Was coded L88, even wilder than the L89, and was as close to a pure racing engine as Chevy had ever offered in regular production. Besides the lightweight heads and bigger ports, it came with an even hotter camshaft, stratospheric 12.5:1 compression, an aluminum radiator, small-diameter flywheel, and a single huge Holley four-barrel carburetor. Although the factory advertised L88 rating was 430 bhp at 4,600 rpm,
11440-429: Was developing an innovative new chassis for the 1963 Corvette, designers were adapting and refining the basic look of the racing Sting Ray for the production model. A fully functional space buck (a wooden mock-up created to work out interior dimensions) was completed by early 1960, production coupe styling was locked up for the most part by April, and the interior, instrument panel included, was in place by November. Only in
11550-417: Was discontinued in 1964, as were the fake hood vents. The 1963 Corvette Sting Ray not only had a new design, but also newfound handling prowess. The Sting Ray was also a somewhat lighter Corvette, so acceleration improved despite unchanged horsepower. For the 1963 model year, 21,513 units would be built, which was up 50 percent from the record-setting 1962 version. Production was divided almost evenly between
11660-402: Was drawn from several sources: the contemporary Jaguar E-Type , one of which Mitchell owned and enjoyed driving frequently; the radical Sting Ray Racer Mitchell designed in 1959 as Chevrolet no longer participated in factory racing; and a Mako shark Mitchell caught while deep-sea fishing. Duntov disliked the split rear window (which also raised safety concerns due to reduced visibility) and it
11770-549: Was not shared by some of his fellow stylists or the buying public and both cars dropped the feature after a measure of public resistance. The split rear window would be eliminated (and re-worked into one pane of curved glass) for the 1964 Corvette coupe. The 1963-1967 Stingray (in both coupe and roadster editions), with its slightly bulged front and rear quarter-panels, would be one of the first General Motors cars to feature what came to be known as "Coke bottle" styling, creating an aggressive and muscular look. Mitchell also influenced
11880-493: Was said to have been a Scaglione -bodied Alfa Romeo coupé shown at the 1954 Turin Auto Show . A similar design would be used by the third-generation Buick Riviera that ran from 1971 to 1973. Quad headlamps were retained but newly hidden – the first American car so equipped since the 1942 DeSoto . The lamps were mounted in rotating housings that blended with the sharp-edged front end when "closed". Hidden headlamps would be
11990-477: Was the 1977 Pontiac Phantom concept, which now resides at the Sloan Museum . He was also instrumental in the design of what would become the 1980–1985 Cadillac Seville. On August 1, 1977, Irv Rybicki succeeded Mitchell as Vice President of General Motors Design. Following his retirement from General Motors, Mitchell ran William L. Mitchell Design, a private design-consulting firm, from 1977 to 1984. He
12100-591: Was the first driver to win a race in the Grand Sport. He won a 1963 Sports Car Club of America race at Watkins Glen on August 24, 1963, driving Grand Sport 004. Chassis #001 is owned by former banker and car collector Harry Yeaggy of Cincinnati, Ohio. It was purchased for $ 4.2 million in 2002. Chassis 002 is a part of the permanent collection at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The car
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