Lot details
Registration No: XKR782A
Chassis No: 30837S107895
Mot Expiry: T.B.A.

ENTERED FROM THE LITCHFIELD COLLECTION

"One glance at the new Corvette tells you that it is faster and sportier than its predecessors. And when you drive a Corvette Sting Ray, either the Convertible or the fastback Sport Coupe, you find that excitement is far more than skin deep" (Car & Driver, October 1962).

Arguably the most iconic Corvette, the `Sting Ray' (or C2) variant was introduced for the 1963 model year. Heavily influenced by GM Design Chief Bill Mitchell's XP-87 `Sting Ray' racer not to mention Chevrolet's striking XP-720 fastback prototype, the newcomer's styling was primarily credited to Larry Shinoda. A clean sheet design, the C2's ladder-frame chassis sat on an 8ft 2in wheelbase and featured five cross members, all-round independent suspension (a Corvette first) and large-diameter drum brakes. Differing states of tune and a choice between carburetion and fuel injection meant that the small block 327 cu in V8 engine fitted to all debut season `Sting Ray' cars was quoted as developing anywhere from 250hp - 360hp. Although the two-seater could be specified with automatic transmission, some eighty percent of customers chose the more responsive four-speed manual gearbox. Fielding a fixed-head coupe derivative (another Corvette novelty) allowed the C2 to compete head-on with European rivals such as the Jaguar E-type. Attributed to Bill Mitchell but famously disliked by the `Father of the Corvette' Zora Arkus-Duntov, the `dorsal spine' which initially bisected the Sport Coupe's fibreglass bodywork and travelled through its rear window was discontinued after just a year (as were the dummy bonnet vents). Thanks to the efforts of Zora Arkus-Duntov, Kai H. Hansen, Carl C. Jakust, H.F. Barr and E.J. Premo, the `Sting Ray' was not only lower, narrower and shorter than its forebear but also faster, better balanced and more aerodynamic. Priced at $4,037 and $4,252 respectively, the `63 Convertible and Sport Coupe accounted for some 21,513 sales (10,919 open vs. 10,594 closed). An almost instant classic due to its truncated production run, the `Split Rear Window' Coupe has long been prized by enthusiasts.

Manufactured in St Louis, Missouri, this particular left-hand drive example - chassis number 30837S107895 - was imported to the UK during 1991. Upgraded at some stage with a later Chevrolet 350 cu in (5.7 litre) V8 engine, invoices on file from Claremont Corvette and Classic Automotive show that the `Split Rear Window' Sport Coupe has also benefited from attention to its Holley carburettor (1994), Muncie four-speed manual gearbox (overhauled circa 10,000 miles ago, 1995), clutch / flywheel (1995), rear suspension / brakes (1996), shock absorbers (1996), rev counter / speedometer (1997), paintwork (renewed from bare gelcoat to top coat, 1998) and ignition system (1999). Sparingly used since entering the Litchfield Collection in September 2003, accompanying MOT certificates indicate that `XKR 782A' has covered circa 200 miles over the past eight years. While more recent work has apparently included a partial brake system refurbishment and the fettling of its pivoting headlamp mechanism. Finished in Daytona Blue with Black upholstery and riding on turbine alloy wheels, this highly sought after `Split Rear Window' Sport Coupe is offered for sale with a letter from the Classic Corvette Club UK, assorted literature, various Claremont Corvette / Classic Automotive / Rodley Motor & Eng invoices, paintwork restoration photos and the aforementioned MOT certificates.