Is a '79 a stingray?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 906
Likes: 1
From: Dallas via Honolulu TX
Use the search 
. They dropped the name in 76, but it is the same body style. Would I put a stingray emblem on my 80 - no. Do I correct people when they call it a stingray, no. I don't call it a stingray, but to each his own.
. They dropped the name in 76, but it is the same body style. Would I put a stingray emblem on my 80 - no. Do I correct people when they call it a stingray, no. I don't call it a stingray, but to each his own.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '03,'11
Originally Posted by demonx
I've always called all C3's stingray's, but I'm pretty sure the later ones are not considered a Stingray.
What are peoples opinions on this?
What are peoples opinions on this?
The C2 looks like a stingray. The whole stingray badge thing on C3s is a bunch of hooey.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 12
From: Carbondale Pa.
Originally Posted by turtlevette
why would some be and others not? They all look almost exactly the same.
The C2 looks like a stingray. The whole stingray badge thing on C3s is a bunch of hooey.
The C2 looks like a stingray. The whole stingray badge thing on C3s is a bunch of hooey.
Peace,,,Moosie 
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 499
Likes: 1
From: Winnipeg Manitoba
76 was the last year for the Stingray designation.
This designation never really made much sense to me.
Typically, we refer to a vehicle using Make and Model.
Make is the manufacturer, while the model refers to the type of car, including any special option packages.
Eg: Ford Mustang GT
Make=Ford,
Models(4)=Mustang Coupe,
Mustang Convertible,
Mustang GT Coupe,
Mustang GT Convertible.
However, when Chevrolet used the name "Corvette Stingray",
It didn't refer to a specific model that was any different from the base model of the "Corvette".
It was just a name that they liked, so they stuck an emblem on the side.
They stuck it on all of them until the bean counters added up how much was being spent on emblems.
Therefore "Corvette Stingray" = "Corvette"
This designation never really made much sense to me.
Typically, we refer to a vehicle using Make and Model.
Make is the manufacturer, while the model refers to the type of car, including any special option packages.
Eg: Ford Mustang GT
Make=Ford,
Models(4)=Mustang Coupe,
Mustang Convertible,
Mustang GT Coupe,
Mustang GT Convertible.
However, when Chevrolet used the name "Corvette Stingray",
It didn't refer to a specific model that was any different from the base model of the "Corvette".
It was just a name that they liked, so they stuck an emblem on the side.
They stuck it on all of them until the bean counters added up how much was being spent on emblems.
Therefore "Corvette Stingray" = "Corvette"
Last edited by Kilroy1024; Oct 27, 2006 at 10:37 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
They dropped the badges in '76...... why ??? Because these things cost money and they were too cheap to continue to put them on the fenders 
I just bought a pair of Stingray emblems and they'll look great on my '79, just as good as on any other C3 - maybe even better because this one's MINE
I just bought a pair of Stingray emblems and they'll look great on my '79, just as good as on any other C3 - maybe even better because this one's MINE
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Brett Foote
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,981
Likes: 6,207
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Originally Posted by turtlevette
why would some be and others not? They all look almost exactly the same.
The C2 looks like a stingray. The whole stingray badge thing on C3s is a bunch of hooey.
The C2 looks like a stingray. The whole stingray badge thing on C3s is a bunch of hooey.
Don't forget, the '68 didn't have the emblem, either.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: Springfield GA
According to 'legend', Bill Mitchell who came up with the original 'Sting Ray' concept, retired in early '77. Many people think that the Stingray name was retired in '77 out of respect to Bill. The 'Stingray' emblem was on every C3 produced (less the '68 model) thru the 1976 model year. 1977 was the 1st year w/o the Stingray fender emblem; & I also wouldn't discount the fact that GM saved a bundle not having to pay for 49,000+ Stingray emblems ( & that was just for the '77 production run)! 
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 499
Likes: 1
From: Winnipeg Manitoba
Originally Posted by MarkV
I also wouldn't discount the fact that GM saved a bundle not having to pay for 49,000+ Stingray emblems ( & that was just for the '77 production run)!
If it was my money? I'd have a hard time justifying the purchase of
~100,000 emblems to designate a sub-model that didn't really exist.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by MarkV
According to 'legend', Bill Mitchell who came up with the original 'Sting Ray' concept, retired in early '77. Many people think that the Stingray name was retired in '77 out of respect to Bill. The 'Stingray' emblem was on every C3 produced (less the '68 model) thru the 1976 model year. 1977 was the 1st year w/o the Stingray fender emblem; & I also wouldn't discount the fact that GM saved a bundle not having to pay for 49,000+ Stingray emblems ( & that was just for the '77 production run)!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,342
Likes: 7
From: Connecticut
Tough question which has come up many times
I can't vote
What the heck does an emblem mean if there was no Production order attached to it?
If the '68 had the badge then I would possibly think no...... but the '68 is certainly a Stingray as far as I'm concerened.
IMO they all looked pretty much the same until the bubble back window but they are certainly still recognized as a Corvette
I always get compliments on my '73
Some say "Nice Corvette"
Some say Nice Vette
Some say Nice Stingray....are the looking at at the Stingray badge? I dont know
Again, Tough question
I would not discount a '68 or post '76 as NOT bieng a Stingray
I would guess the total badge/Emblem cost GM less than $2 on average over C3 era
Why GM excluded it.......... I dont know
Somebody from GM does/did know...I'm sure of that.
Just be proud to own a Corvette!
I can't vote
What the heck does an emblem mean if there was no Production order attached to it?
If the '68 had the badge then I would possibly think no...... but the '68 is certainly a Stingray as far as I'm concerened.
IMO they all looked pretty much the same until the bubble back window but they are certainly still recognized as a Corvette
I always get compliments on my '73
Some say "Nice Corvette"
Some say Nice Vette
Some say Nice Stingray....are the looking at at the Stingray badge? I dont know
Again, Tough question
I would not discount a '68 or post '76 as NOT bieng a Stingray
I would guess the total badge/Emblem cost GM less than $2 on average over C3 era
Why GM excluded it.......... I dont know
Somebody from GM does/did know...I'm sure of that.
Just be proud to own a Corvette!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
STINGRAY
http://ganeys.home.sprynet.com/STINGRAY.htm
STINGRAY has a fine history & a meaning. STINGRAY refers to the body style. The new smaller body & chassis w/ I.R.S was introduced in 63. It applies to the 2 STINGRAY body styles 63-67 & 68-77.
Stingray- BB hood on 65-66, tail on 63-67 coupes, wings extended from roof 68-77 Stingrays.
http://ganeys.home.sprynet.com/77%20R%20T.jpg
Since 63, for 15 years (63-77) Corvette & Sting Ray were synonymous.
78- 25th anniversay of the Corvette- not Stingray. Many changes.They were already working on the C4 & McLellan had said the styling would be reeled in. 84 induction & 700R4 were in production in 81. So the focus was on the C4. CORVETTE says it all anyway.
http://ganeys.home.sprynet.com/STINGRAY.htm
STINGRAY has a fine history & a meaning. STINGRAY refers to the body style. The new smaller body & chassis w/ I.R.S was introduced in 63. It applies to the 2 STINGRAY body styles 63-67 & 68-77.
Stingray- BB hood on 65-66, tail on 63-67 coupes, wings extended from roof 68-77 Stingrays.
http://ganeys.home.sprynet.com/77%20R%20T.jpg
Since 63, for 15 years (63-77) Corvette & Sting Ray were synonymous.
78- 25th anniversay of the Corvette- not Stingray. Many changes.They were already working on the C4 & McLellan had said the styling would be reeled in. 84 induction & 700R4 were in production in 81. So the focus was on the C4. CORVETTE says it all anyway.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 876
Likes: 1
From: Same as our leaders Out of my mind
No one has made any reference to the "SHARK" body style, wassup here? I have read references to this body style as SHARK, especially when referring to the way that they breathe, through the bottom of the front grill and via the chin spoiler.
From the owner of a '79.
I always thought that the C-2's were the "True" Stingrays.
From the owner of a '79.
I always thought that the C-2's were the "True" Stingrays.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,083
Likes: 2
From: Montreal Qc.
Originally Posted by demonx
Just out of curiosity - how many of the people that voted yes have a 79 or similar (77 or after) ?
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,709
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
Originally Posted by MYBAD79
They dropped the badges in '76...... why ??? Because these things cost money and they were too cheap to continue to put them on the fenders
I just bought a pair of Stingray emblems and they'll look great on my '79, just as good as on any other C3 - maybe even better because this one's MINE
I just bought a pair of Stingray emblems and they'll look great on my '79, just as good as on any other C3 - maybe even better because this one's MINE
