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The Aquatic facelift-C2
In 1963 the Corvette of old was gone, and with the beginning of the
Corvette Sting Ray, and it was an entirely new body. The 1963 was the first
offering of a coupe, and this is often considered one of the most famous,
and most valuable production models, thanks in part to the 1963-only rear
window; the famous split window. Production of this model year, for both
the split window coupe, and the ragtop combined put the Corvette production
over twenty-thousand units for the first time. The 63 Corvette still
featured the 327, building 360 horsepower, and in this model year five Grand
Sport Corvettes were built with an all aluminum 377 cubic inch engine with
dual ignition and port fuel injection, strictly for racing purposes. All
five of those Grand Sports still exist in the possession of collectors.
This was also the first of many years to feature the hideaway headlights.
1964 brought a disappointing end to the split window coupe, thus cutting
down of the number of coupes built, and the hood louvers of the 1963 were
removed; although the same general appearance was kept. The horsepower was
upped once again to 375 horsepower, and the manual transmission take rate
increased to almost ninety percent. 1965 brought another boost to the
drivetrain, with the new 396 cubic inch big block. While a completely flat
hood was standard, the big block models featured a special hood featuring a
functional hood scoop and to match the hood, the fenders had three large
functional louvers to vent engine compartment heat. Aircraft style gauges
were added, and the seats were revised for comfort. Four wheel disc brakes
were standard, and with the 396 big block making 425 horsepower with a
Holley Carburetor, this marked the beginning of the phase out process of the
fuel injection. This also marked the year that the next generation of
Corvette began development. 1966 marked the first Corvette is over ten
years that offered no fuel injection. The high line big block engine was
increased to 427 cubic inches, which offered 425 horsepower and 460 pound
feet of torque. The appearance of the car changed slightly with the new
cast grille with an egg crate style insert, ribbed rocker panel moldings,
chromed exhaust bezels, the lack of the roof vents, and the power bulge
hood. 1967 brought the Corvette to a muscle car era peak of sorts. The
hood scoop went from a side enter air flow to a direct ram air style front
mount scoop on the power bulge hood, and the flat hood was also available.
The 427 cubic inch engine now built 435 horsepower with the new set of three
two barrel Holley carbs, although a rare L88 model was offered, which with
the help of a huge single four barrel Holley race carb, built a whopping 560
horsepower, although GM listed the power at 430hp, they stated that this
model was strictly for closed circuit performance, not road use. Minor trim
changes helped to distinguish this model year from the prior although it
carried the same general appearance.
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