1963 - 1967 C2 Corvettes

The second or mid-year generation, now under the styling direction of Bill Mitchell, started in 1963 and ended in 1967. 1963 would see the introduction of the new Corvette Sting Ray coupe with its distinctive split rear window (discontinued for 1964 over safety concerns) as well as an independent rear suspension. Power for 1963 was at 365 hp hitting 375 hp in 1964.

Four-wheel disc brakes were introduced in 1965, as was a “Big-Block” engine option (the 396 in³ (6.5 L) V8). Side exhaust pipes appeared on the 1965 Stingray and persisted through 1969. Chevrolet would up the ante in 1966 with the introduction of an even larger 427 in³ (7 L) version, creating what would be one of the most collectable Corvettes ever. 1967 saw a L88 version of the 427 introduced which was rated at 430 hp, but unofficial estimates place the actual output at 550 hp or more. Only twenty such engines were placed in the 1967 Corvette, and the cars can fetch US$600,000 or more in auction today.

In 2004, Sports Car International named the Stingray number five on the list of Top Sports Cars of the 1960s.