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Chevrolet C2 Corvette Stingray Convertible (1965)
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If you're searching for a cool rendition of one of America's favorite sports cars, then look no further than the incredible Corvette Stingray roadster. The C2 series Corvettes are amoung the prettiest and should be top of the list for your next classic car! Featuring a 327/365hp V8 linked to a 4spd manual, it has the looks to die for and those loud Side Pipes to alert the neighbors.
Its loosely based on a race variant prototype developed by GM several years before, and in the interim, they made several renovations during their complete make-over.
The distinctive style of the Sting Ray brings us back to the era of the race and speed-record cars. With the use of fibreglass panels, GM ensured that they had a very light car. Instead of the relatively light X-layout of the C1's chassis, the C2 Corvette boasted a full ladder chassis with a hefty welded "birdcage" passenger cell. While the underpinnings weighed more than on the previous generation, it allowed for thinner body panels and overall a far stiffer and somewhat lighter car.
Myriad engines saw service in this generation Corvette. At launch, the stock unit was a 5.4lt V8 (327cubic inches) claiming a mere 250hp, coupled to a three-speed manual transmission. Climb up the typically extensive options list and you could specify any one of three more powerful versions all were (5.4lt V8 (327cubic inches) the most powerful coming with 360hp.. You could also spec a close or wide-ratio M20 manual trans, or an M35 Powerglide on the 250 and 300hp cars.
Move on to the golden era in American muscle up to 1967 and like the Ford Mustang and Dodge Charger, Chevrolet has powered up. You still get a (5.4lt V8 (327cubic inches) standard, albeit in 300hp form. You can opt for a (5.75lt V8 (350 cubic inches) version, or make the jump to the 7.0lt V8 427 cubic inches. Not surprisingly it's those beasts that modern day collectors are chasing.
