First C3 Vette and luvin it :)

Nassau65

CCCUK Member
The majority of people call all C3’s corvette stingrays. The stingray name is very associated with that shape.
It is a pretty call name tho.
 

CaptainK

Moderator
The majority of people call all C3’s corvette stingrays. The stingray name is very associated with that shape.
It is a pretty call name tho.
To be fair, a fair amount of C3s did come with the name "Stingray" actually on them above the "gills". Though not in 1968.... which is confusing at shows when Joe Public ask "Is that a Stingray?" Well.... yes and no. 1969 onwards they had the Stingray badge, and looked the same, but in 1968 they didn't have the badge. So technically mine is NOT a Stingray, but from Joe Public eyes it is a Stingray. I normally just answer "Yes, it is a Stingray", because it is easier and less likely to confuse people.
 

Nassau65

CCCUK Member
The end of the stingray name plate was for the 1977 model year, but as I said previously the name is associated with the C3 design. I’ve seen many cars post 76 with the stingray script adorning their fenders.
It’s a cool name for a car.
 

Waynio

CCCUK Member
I find its the purists and people with the older C3s that go on about Stingrays. And more Americans i find go on about it. Calling the posy 78 are not stingrays and well...crap.
Couldnt car less my self as.i know what i have and happy with it.
 

Nassau65

CCCUK Member
They are all Stingray’s to me.
One of my favourite non stingray corvettes. Yes, I know people will moan about its cross fire motor, but the 82 Corvette collector edition ‘corvette’ was a beautiful car. Those wheels, based on the 1967 Sting Rays bolt on, which are considered the best ever corvette wheel are lovely. IMG_0661.jpeg
 

Roscobbc

Moderator
They are all Stingray’s to me.
One of my favourite non stingray corvettes. Yes, I know people will moan about its cross fire motor, but the 82 Corvette collector edition ‘corvette’ was a beautiful car. Those wheels, based on the 1967 Sting Rays bolt on, which are considered the best ever corvette wheel are lovely. View attachment 32078
Agree with Nassau 100% - I have never referred to my '68 as a Stingray..... (and strictly speaking it isn't) - 'us' '68 owners have a different burden to carry...........that being the introductory year for the C3 and GM's many running changes to the car during the model year.
 

Nassau65

CCCUK Member
It’s strange how an abbreviated “name” for the in development new for 1997 nicknamed the C5 back in 94/5 morphed into the standard moniker for corvettes past and future.
Before that no corvettes were C’s.
Original 1953-62 models were simply known as solid axels. Although the 53-55’s were a different body style to the 56-62’s
1963-1967 models were known as mid years.
1968-1982 models were know as sharks.
1984-to then 94/95 were just current models.
Once the C moniker was accepted it was back counted to the previous models.
Slightly incorrect regarding the C1 variant as the 53-55 should be C1 and the 56-62 should be C2’s.
 

teamzr1

Supporting vendor
Within GM began in 1959 in using "Sting Ray" and "Stingray"

The Corvette Stingray Racer is a sports racing car and concept car that debuted in 1959
The car was developed in the styling studios at General Motors (GM) at the behest of Bill Mitchell, GM Vice President of styling.
The design was based on a sketch by designer Pete Brock, and was further developed by Larry Shinoda.
The car strongly influenced the styling of the second generation (C2) Corvette Sting Ray

There is an ongoing discussion about whether the car's name is "Stingray", or "Sting Ray"

While under construction, the car was officially the XP-87, or was simply referred to as "Mitchell's racer". No other name was apparently applied until Mitchell wanted to start racing the car, and was prevented from calling it a Corvette.
An avid deep-sea fisherman, Mitchell chose the name of the stingray sea ray, whose streamlined body and undulating movements he admired It is generally accepted that Mitchell used the single-word name "Stingray"
This was reflected in the original badging used on the car.

When GM bought the car from Mitchell, they added the same badging that would appear on the 1963 C2 Corvette, and so the car officially became the "Sting Ray".
This happened in 1961, the year the car appeared at the Chicago Auto Show with the revised name
Some original one-word badges were modified, with the original script piece being cut in two, but keeping the original capital 'S' and lower-case 'r'. In shows and printed material, the car became the "XP-87 Sting Ray".

Even though the car was renamed when it was bought by GM, there is still conflicting information on what the current owner considers the car's official name.

Some references refer to the car as the "Stingray Racer". This recalls Mitchell's original name for the car, rather than the name used to harmonize it with the 1963 production version.
  • 1963 Corvette Sting Ray — Written as two words, the badging used for the 1963 Sting Ray was retroactively applied to the Stingray Racer. The Sting Ray name would last throughout the C2's production life of 1963–1967.

  • 1969 Corvette Stingray — After dropping the "Sting Ray" name from the Corvette in 1968, it returned as a single word in 1969 and would continue until 1976

  • 1992 Stingray III — This product of the Advanced Concept Center in California featured fixed seats with adjustable steering wheel and pedals, a pop-up roll bar, all-wheel steering and active suspension. While the early concept called for a high-output V6 engine, the running prototype received a 350 cu in (5.7 L) LT-1 V8 producing 300 hp (223.7 kW).

  • 2009 Stingray Concept — The 50th Anniversary Stingray show car debuted at the Chicago Auto Show in February 2009. Also referred to as the Corvette Centennial, the car featured scissor doors, a hybrid drive system and advanced telematics. It was featured as the vehicle mode for Sideswipe in the 2009 film Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen.

  • 2014 Stingray — Starting as a 2014 model year car first available in the fall of 2013, the C7 Stingray was sold in coupe and convertible forms. The Stingray model was available until the end of production of the C7 Corvette.

  • 2020 Stingray — The mid-engined C8 Corvette continued use of the Stingray name.
.1959CorvetteXP-87_Stingray.jpg1959_Corvette_XP-87_Stingra.jpgChevrolet_Corvette_SS_XP-64.jpg
 
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