1964 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster

1964 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster1964 was the second year of the second generation (C2) Corvette. Gone was the split window and the fake hood vents although the recessed area...

1964 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster

1964 was the second year of the second generation (C2) Corvette. Gone was the split window and the fake hood vents although the recessed area where the vents were still remained. This generation also introduced independent rear suspension, which would remain on the car even to this day. The Sting Ray name also appeared with this generation, and this particular model made use of the hood “stinger” as it has come known to be. The love affair continues to this day with the Corvette, straight from the mind of Zora Arkus-Duntov.

From Zora Arkus-Duntov's mind to your eyes, we offer up this C2 second year 1964 Sting Ray Roadster. This car comes with a body matching hardtop, and convertible, and has an addition of seat belts, power brakes and a snazzy tuck, roll, and buttoned pair of seats. With the roadster design it leaves the pointed fastback behind, (literally), and offers up a bit of a classy look with its thin V shaped front and rear lines, and the split bumpers only on the rear with hidden headlights. Our consignor took some liberties with this Sting Ray but retained the original parts for anyone who would want to undo the modifications.

Exterior
Riverside Red fiberglass molded to an art form of rolling sculpture with its thin V shaped hidden headlights and front end, (our consignor removed the front bumpers for the look, but they do come with the car when purchased), and thin V rear complete with the dual round inset tail lights, with split bumpers below. The Sting Ray began to come into its own during these C2 years. This car comes with a nice black canvas convertible top with a clear plastic window. It moves up and down with ease and hides itself right behind the passenger compartment. An additional fiberglass hardtop painted in Riverside Red and a glass rear window can be put on for all season driving. Up front, the scooped 1967 “stinger style hood” is flanked by the hidden headlights. This works its way back to the passenger compartment which is framed up front with a curved windshield for that panoramic field of view. In lieu of the side pipes, a black and stainless ribbed rocker cover is present on either side. Mickey Thompson Sportsman tires are wrapping 15-inch Ansen Sprint aluminum slot wheels all around. For the convertible top there is no tonneau cover necessary due to the hinged flip up panel just before the trunk that houses the entire folded down canvas top.

Interior
Righteous is the word for this interior with showroom looking door panels covered in stunning red and spattered with shiny chrome, you are stepping into greatness. Slipping inside we are now in red heaven, with the dual cowl dash in front one side sporting the instrument cluster which is very clean and has a black surround. Under the passenger cowl is the glovebox which is aluminum faced and has a pristine black surround. A crack free padded dash top frames all this from above. Sitting in a perfect sea of protected red carpet, are the 2 bomber style vinyl buckets covered in red. These buckets have a bit of a custom touch with buttons sewn into the tuck and roll vinyl upholstery. Running up the center is a console in red and black, housing the chromed ball topped shift lever wrapped in a boot. A red V pillar rises vertically from this console and meets the cowls. This pillar has the vertical on its side radio which is the original AM/FM unit.

Drivetrain
A flip of the hood and with this condition of the orange block and intake, numbers matching 327ci 365hp V8. I swear I heard my crack decoder's tongue hit the floor with awe and excitement just waiting to see how much fun it is to drive. This beautifully restored mill is topped with the correct 4-barrel carb and a Winters Foundry aluminum intake. This wears a chromed top hat for the air cleaner housing. A new aluminum radiator has been added for better cooling and the original unit comes with the car. The original 4-speed manual has been removed and stored. It has been replaced with a Tremec 5 speed manual transmission for cruisability purposes. The original rear axle was changed out to a limited slip 4.56 geared unit.

Undercarriage
Jet black is the theme down under with the floors, suspension and frame showing in this hue. We do note that the driver's side frame rail in front of the rear tire does have invasive rust holes and will need remediation in the future. Independent coil spring front suspension is up front and for the rear we have 2nd year independent suspension with a transverse leaf spring. This leaf spring has been updated with a fiberglass unit. The hubs and bushings on the rear axle have been replaced as well as all 4 shocks. Headers feed into stock style mufflers with rear exits. We also see that the spare tire and holder have been removed.

Drivability
My crack decoder was tied up crunching numbers, so I took the reins on this drive. A twist of the key and I was in open air roadster heaven. I tried to envision myself taking part in a chase scene from Body Heat but this car is much, much nicer than the used up version in the film. Beyond satisfactory acceleration, handling and braking, thanks in part to the power brake option on this car. All functions worked swimmingly during my drive, and it took hearing the cry of "Lunch Is Here!" to pry me from the driver's seat.

A slightly modified version of the 2nd year C2 Corvette. The highest horsepower carbureted version available under the hood and a modern transmission with overdrive to help on the long cruises. All modifications can be undone in short order and with what appears to be a relatively easy repair, you too can join the C2 roadster elite. But you better hurry up before someone else steals this one away and drives off topless into the sunset.