Lot details
Registration No: FHJ443D
Chassis No: 194676S106807
Mot Expiry: March 2013

Now in its sixth generation, the 'vette began life in 1953 with the C1 - a model that inspired a generation of young Americans and gave the Ford empire a nine-year headache. However it was the C2, the immortal Sting Ray produced between 1963 and 1967, that really set Chevrolet's cash registers ringing and left us with the most desired and collectable Corvette to date. It was designed by Larry Shinoda under the guidance of the legendary Bill Mitchell; who is said to have affected the creation of over 72.5 million GM cars, and steered the design of such other landmark models as the 1938 Cadillac Sixty Special, 1963 Buick Riviera and 1970 Chevrolet Camaro. Influences on the Sting Ray's unique and unforgettable form are said to include: the E-type Jaguar, a Mako shark once caught by Mitchell, the 'Q Corvette' concept car of 1957 and the 'Mitchell Sting Ray'. The latter was a race car based on the Corvette SS and personally run by Mitchell during the period when GM and the other members of the American Automobile Manufacturers Association were banned from motorsport competition. By the autumn of 1959 elements of the two unique Corvettes had been built into XP-720 - the design programme that led to the production of the Sting Ray as we know it. The aims for the newcomer included: improved passenger accommodation, more luggage space and superior ride and handling.

A new ladder-type chassis was created for the car by Zora Arkus-Duntov, the most important element of which was the move away from a live axle to independent rear suspension, courtesy of lateral struts, radius rods and transverse leaf spring. The independent front suspension was much as before, as were the recirculating ball steering and the drivetrains, which comprised four small block V8 engines, three transmissions and six axle ratios. One major innovation was that the C2 was available in both Convertible and Fastback Coupe form. The latter initially featured a dramatic split rear window, but this led to poor rear vision and was discontinued a year into production. Detailed changes were made through the years, with the first of the big block engine options occurring in 1965 (the same year four-wheeled disc brakes became standard); the big-engined cars are notable for their pronounced power bulge on the bonnet. By 1966, the output of the optional 427ci (7-litre) engine had risen to around 425bhp and a stump pulling 460lbft of torque. By now sales volumes had climbed to 27,720 units.

This particular left-hand drive example was manufactured at Chevrolet's St Louis, Missouri factory during November 1965. Originally finished in Milano Maroon metallic with Saddle leather upholstery (the same livery it sports today), the 'Vette is powered by a 427ci engine allied to four-speed manual transmission. The vendor purchased 'FHJ 443D' from a Simon Murphy of Walton-on-Thames in 2009, the year before which we understand the rear axle was overhauled by Whitehouse Crayford and new drive shafts and hubs installed by Dart of Tonbridge. Some work was also carried out on the clutch at this time.

Benefiting from a recent light service, this iconic sports car is described by the seller as "a wonderful car to drive and own, just fantastic". We'll leave the rest to Chevrolet's advertising from the period:

"Just Starting It Makes Your Stomach Muscles Tighten"
Buckle into that businesslike Corvette seat. Turn the key. Rowrowrow...BhruUm! And it happens. The blend of husky, eager noises you expect from a car like the Sting Ray. That insistent throb is the Turbo-Jet 427 you ordered, 425 horsepower churning under the domed hood. You sense great gulps of air rushing down through a four-barrel carburettor to their final explosion, while unshrouded valves, solid lifters and a special cam do their stuff. Now, wipe your perspiring palms and slip that gearbox into first cog. Snick! You're about to have a driving experience you'll remember."