Lot 448: Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray

Who can forget the Sting Ray? Certainly not the army of enthusiasts who regard it as the most desirable Corvette ever built. The Corvette Sting Ray, introduced in 1963, was an entirely new car with a new chassis frame, a shorter wheelbase and independent rear suspension designed by former works Allard and Porsche driver, Zora Arkus-Duntov. It was an all-American car but the engineering was by a man who had won his class at Le Mans and had a clear idea of what a sports car should be like. With minor modifications, later Corvettes used this classic layout until 1984. The Sting Ray (it became 'Stingray' in 1969) was an improvement over earlier Corvettes in every department, but it was the body which caught the attention because it owed nothing to any other car and key styling cues can still be seen on today's Corvettes. In the 1960s American manufacturers engaged in a horsepower race and by 1963 the 5.3 litre engine delivered 350bhp @ 5,800rpm backed by a mighty 360lb/ft torque @ 3,000rpm. This left hand drive example rolled off the production line in 1964, is finished in metallic silver blue with a matching blue leather interior and is in very good condition. This "matching numbers car is fitted with the small block 327 engine which is regarded as the best engine to chassis option and has only covered 38,000 miles from new. Supplied with a current MoT certificate valid until June and with all EU taxes paid, this great American classic is fitted with the original radio and will make a great addition to any collection.