Corvette C2
| Chevrolet | |
|---|---|
 Chevrolet Corvette C2 (1965)
|
|
| Corvette C2 | |
| Production period: | 1962-1967 |
| Class : | Sports car |
| Body versions : | Coupé , convertible |
| Engines: |
Gasoline engines : 5.3–7.0 liters (184–320 kW) |
| Length: | 4450 mm |
| Width: | 1770 mm |
| Height: | 1260 mm |
| Wheelbase : | 2490 mm |
| Empty weight : | 1375 kg |
| Previous model | Corvette C1 |
| successor | Corvette C3 |
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The Chevrolet Corvette C2 was introduced in the summer of 1962 as the second generation of the Corvette under the name Sting Ray . The term "sting ray" refers to the stingray in the English language . Unlike the successor Corvette C3 , the name was still written with spaces. For the first time, the Corvette was also available as a coupé in addition to the convertible. The later legendary “ Big Block ” V8 engines appeared for the first time in 1965; Initially with 6.5 liters and from 1966 with even 7.0 liters. These engines had enormous torque and were only surpassed by the successor, the Corvette C3.
history
Also new were the rotating headlights , which were to return regularly in later versions as pop-up headlights and only disappeared again in 2005 with the Corvette C6. The C2 was also the first Corvette without a rigid rear axle; an independent wheel suspension was used for the first time . Air conditioning and leather seats were new options for a fee.
In March 1964, a Corvette C2 won the GT category at the “12 Hours of Sebring Race”. Roger Penske continued his triumphant advance in the Bahamas and was the first to cross the finish line with Jim Hall's Grand Sport Corvette in Nassau in front of a strong Cobra competition in December .
In February 1966, Roger Penske's 1966 Corvette won the “Daytona Continental Endurance Race” in the GT class with a 5.3-liter (327-cui) machine, as did the Sebring 12-hour race in March.
The Corvette C2 Sting Ray was built from September 1962 to July 1967. A total of 117,964 units were produced, including 45,546 coupés. The Sting Ray was one of Bill Mitchell's best work. It was therefore surprising that this version only lasted until 1967. The successor to the Corvette C3 appeared as early as autumn 1967.
body
According to legend, GM chief designer Bill Mitchell came up with the idea of transferring the body shape of a shark to the design of a car while deep-sea fishing. The concept car Shark - later called Mako Shark I - resembles the predatory fish with its mouth-like grill, the gill-like side inlets and the color gradient from blue / gray on the top to silver / white. This show car, first presented in 1961 on the Road America race track in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, anticipated many stylistic features of the second Corvette generation together with the modified Corvette Stingray Racer (1959). The term "Mako Shark" refers to a Mako Shark in English . "Stingray", however, refers to a stingray .
Larry Shinoda (US citizen with Japanese roots) designed the Sting-Ray generation under GM design chief Bill Mitchell, which was built between 1963 and 1967. Copies of the C2 with the "Big Block" unit available from 1965 can be recognized by the conspicuous scoop on the bonnet. The so-called "L78" engine required more space and therefore required a bulge in the special engine hood. Initially the displacement of the potent eight-cylinder was 6.5 liters (396 in 3 ), from 1966 it was 7.0 liters (427 in 3 ). Coupé and convertible were initially produced in the same number, but the convertible quickly became the more popular version. Bill Mitchell and Larry Shinoda redesigned the body of the C2, based on a one-off, the “Stingray” racing car from 1958.
The '63 Corvette Coupé, which is also known as the “split window” because of its split rear window, is in great demand. However, the central bar allegedly obstructed the view to the rear, which is why a common one-piece rear window was used from model year 1964, also because of the simplified production. Allegedly, the production costs for this system were too high and too expensive. Only the around 10,600 vehicles of the 1963 year have this extravagant body detail.
The 1963 Corvette C2 Sting Ray “Split-Window” is one of the most popular Corvettes today. The prices for well-preserved copies are correspondingly high.
While the rear of the last Corvette C1 (1961–1962) was partly taken over, the rest of the body was redesigned. The "Sting Ray" was no longer as curvy and curved as its predecessor. The pronounced wedge shape of the front and rear is characteristic of these so-called “Sting Ray” models. Folding headlights and the distinctive side kink of the body at the level of the wheel arches further emphasize the flat contour.
Although the wheelbase has shrunk by ten centimeters to 2.49 meters compared to the first generation, the C2 model appears more elongated than its predecessor. The length had increased by 10 cm and was now 4.45 meters. The width of 1.77 meters was identical to the predecessor, while the height of the body was 1.26 meters, 50 mm lower than that of the C1.
For the first time, in addition to the open version, a closed coupé was also available, the rear of which arched downwards like a dome.
In all years of production of the "Sting Ray" it was only slightly changed. The 1964 version differs from the 1963 model in that the large ventilation slots on the bonnet were omitted.
In the coupe, GM introduced a 3-stage blower for better ventilation of the interior, although this only had an outlet on the driver's side. Other changes in the interior were redesigned seats, a plastic steering wheel with walnut imitation and chrome buttons on the interior doors. From 1964 to 1967 the Dow-Smith company in Ionia, Michigan, supplied a number of Corvette bodies.
In 1965, the two horizontally stacked ventilation slots in the front fenders were replaced by three vertical slots. The horizontal front grille was painted black, the outer bezel remained chrome-plated. The interior of the C2 was revised in the area of the instruments, the seats and the door panels (integrated armrests). For the first time, it was possible to order exhaust pipes mounted on the side of the sills.
The 1966 Corvette was almost identical to that of the previous year. Only a few marginal changes in the equipment such as the Corvette lettering on the bonnet, a new grill and, for the first time, headrests were offered. The units supplied were the 300 hp 327 cui engine with a displacement of 5.3 liters and a manual 3-speed gearbox as basic equipment. The central bar running over the bonnet was widened and, in the last version (1967), a ventilation slot was added. The number of three ventilation slots on the front fenders has been increased to five.
landing gear
The second important change was the introduction of independent rear suspension , which replaced the old rigid axle . This established a tradition that continues to this day. Competitors such as the Jaguar E-Type had already entered the American market with disc brakes , but the Corvette was still slowed down by large drums, even though sintered metal coatings were available as a braking aid.
However, so that the sports car could be decelerated in addition to its excellent acceleration, all Corvettes from 1965 onwards were equipped with efficient disc brakes with 4-piston calipers on the front and rear axles. These were jointly developed by AC Delco and Chevrolet. The dual-circuit braking system made its debut in 1967 and promised more safety in the event of a system failure. Both examples show how the dynamic top model played the pioneering role in the other Chevrolet series, in which such details gradually found their way into the standard equipment.
The drum brake system could still be ordered as an option in model year 1965. However, fewer than 20 buyers chose this option, which reduced the price of the car by $ 17.
With the rear independent wheel suspension on transverse leaf springs, the greatest technical innovation is hidden under the floor pan. "The independent rear suspension, together with the differential gear mounted on the frame, was the basic prerequisite for achieving the excellent driving characteristics and excellent handling," wrote Zora Arkus-Duntov , who was promoted to Corvette chief engineer in 1955, to the " Vereinigung der Automotive Engineers "(SAE).
engine
The 8-cylinder V-engine was initially adopted from the C1. It was the 5.3-liter (327 in 3 ) - the so-called "small block" engine - with an output between 250 and 360 hp, later up to 375 hp. In the middle of 1965 the now legendary “Big Block” - a 425 hp 396 cui V8 engine - was introduced. For the first time in a Corvette, this “Big Block” could then be ordered with a displacement of 6.5 liters. From 1966, the engine's displacement was increased and now even offered 7.0 liters displacement with an output of 450 SAE PS and a torque of 544 Nm at 4000 rpm.
In 1967 the Corvette C2 with L88 engine made its debut in the “24-hour race” in Le Mans . This L88 also had a displacement of 7.0 liters and aluminum cylinder heads. The power was officially given as 430 SAE-PS , realistic were 550-600 PS. This displacement "monster" was the most powerful engine ever available for the "Sting Ray". Since in the USA until 1972 the engine output was measured without auxiliary units such as alternator, water pump and radiator fan, the horsepower figures are considerably higher than the usual DIN horsepower in Europe.
Performance
The 425 hp model with a 6.5 liter V8 engine accelerated from 0 to 96 km / h (0–60 mph ) in 4.8 seconds. With a top speed of 276 km / h, the second Corvette generation achieved a speed record in Le Mans in 1967 . The model driven there was powered by the 7.0-liter "Big Block" introduced in 1966.
C2 Grand Sport
Five originals
The sportiest version of the Corvette C2, called Grand Sport ("GS"), was developed in 1963 by Zora Arkus-Duntov . A total of 125 vehicles were supposed to be built for homologation purposes, but this was then stopped by GM management . So only five Corvette C2 Grand Sport could be built.
The Corvette "Grand Sport" scored its first victory on August 24, 1963 at the Watkins Glen International . On December 6th, Roger Penske was able to continue the success story of the “Grand Sport” in the prototype class at the “International Bahamas Speed Week” race in Nassau by winning the “112-mile Governor's Trophy”. Two other Corvettes also won the “252 Mile Nassau Race” at the same event.
Replica
A replica of the Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport has been manufactured as a replica in small series production in both the USA and South Africa since 2009. This model is manufactured by Hi-Tech Automotive & Superformance under the name Superformance Corvette Grand Sport at the “Duntov Motor Company” in Farmers Branch , Texas , as well as in Port Elizabeth, South Africa . Gasoline engines of the General Motors ZZ4 type with an output of 257 kW (350 PS) are used.
These licensed replicas have nothing to do with the original “Grand Sport”, of which only five were built.
C2 Z06
Another option that was rarely ordered was the RPO (Regular Production Option) with the designation “Z06”. This version, which was only available for selection in 1963, drove the purchase price up by 50%, which is why only 199 buyers opted for this model. The C2 Z06, which could not be distinguished from the regular models externally, had, among other things, the 5.3-liter (327-cui) "Small Block" V8 engine with 360 SAE-PS , which had a mechanical fuel injection had a sportier chassis and a larger fuel tank. She also received rims with central locking. The option designation "Z06" only returned with the later models Corvette C5 , Corvette C6 and Corvette C7 .
Individual evidence
- ^ A b c John Gunnel: Standard Guide to American Muscle Cars . 4th edition. KP Books, ISBN 0-87349-988-3 (English).
- ↑ http://www.duntovmotors.com/
- ↑ http://www.superformance.com/
