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Most Wanted Classic Cars: Chevrolet Corvette (Part 2)

Many classic Corvette enthusiasts regard the second generation Corvette (1963-1967) as the most fascinating of the entire series. With a provocative design that featured a chiseled front, high-arching waistline, and sharply-defined fenders, it redefined what a sports car should be. And it was aptly named the “Sting Ray”.

While the 1963 Corvette featured a totally new design, it was very much the same as the 1962 model in terms of performance. In 1965, a new 396 cubic inch V8 engine was introduced, and the Corvette became one of the meanest machines in the automotive world. The second generation Corvette would reach its peak two years later. The splendid L88 427 engine, which could produce over 500 hp, was available for the 1967 Corvette, and it turned the car into a racing car of sorts. Only 20 cars were given the L88 engine, and they are worth more than $1 million in auctions today.

The 1968 Corvette was named the “Shark”, but the rest of the third generation models (1968-1982) were called “Stingray”. In 1969, the ZL-1 427 engine was put under the hood, and it gave the car a maximum hp of 585. The following year, the displacement was enlarged to 454 cubic inch. Stricter emission controls were imposed in 1971, and it was the final year of big power for the Corvette. Engine power kept decreasing until it hit the bottom in 1975, with the ZQ3 producing 165hp. No major improvements were made until the end of the generation.

The Corvette continues to be one of the most popular American sports cars today, and it is presently in its sixth generation. Although new models are being produced every year, the most endearing Corvettes to the classic car enthusiast are still those that belong to the early generations.