Free Web space and hosting from freehomepage.com
Search the Web

The car originates from a 1960 concept car, the XP-720, penned by William Mitchell. Influenced by the Jaguar E type, the lines were echoed in the new Corvette. For the first time the Corvette featured retractable headlights which have remained a feature on every 'Vette since.

In addition to the stunning coupe, a roadster was also designed.

A new reinforced box section chassis was designed to carry IRS for the first time. This was in the form of a transverse leaf spring used with control arms and radius rods.

On the release of the new model the general consensus was that of a great improvement in both handlig and apperance. In this guise, the standard 250hp 327 V8. A top line 360hp, fuel injected version was available until 65. The gearbox was a three speed manual with an optional auto. This was enough to give the car a top speed of a shade over 225km/h.

In 64 the coupes split rear window was replaced with a conventional item in the interests of better visibility, along with slotted wheels to aid brake cooling. In 65 the Vette finally got rear discs. Also in the upgrade was the option of a new 396cid , 425hp V8 while in 66 this became the famous 427 rat motor which required a new bonnet to clear the larger engines deck height. 118,000 Stingrays were built.