WHAT does stingray mean???
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 6
From: Tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '12
Interesting. My '77 has Stingray scripts on the fenders like the one shown in your avatar. Do you think my badging is wrong? I definitely like the look of the emblems, but wonder if they were added by a PO?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 1
From: North Bellmore Ny
St. Jude Donor '09
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,367
Likes: 59
From: FL
Actually, this is a common misconception.
The C2 is based on the 1959 Stingray race car. The new C2 Sting Ray was about 85% complete in design when Bill Mitchell commissioned the Shark based on a 1961 Corvette to drive since he couldn't drive the Stingray at the time.
When the Mako Shark II was introduced (the clay mock-up), the Shark was renamed Mako Shark I. Afterward, the running Mako Shark II was built.
Like most Bill Mitchell cars, it went through several changes in its life.
The C2 is based on the 1959 Stingray race car. The new C2 Sting Ray was about 85% complete in design when Bill Mitchell commissioned the Shark based on a 1961 Corvette to drive since he couldn't drive the Stingray at the time.
When the Mako Shark II was introduced (the clay mock-up), the Shark was renamed Mako Shark I. Afterward, the running Mako Shark II was built.
Like most Bill Mitchell cars, it went through several changes in its life.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Mark
Yes, however the real misconception is that the C3 was based on the Mako Shark when actually it was Mako Shark II & that "shark" is unique to C3. Rather than go into all the history, that was to clarify.
Mako Shark - show car for C2
Mako Shark II - showcar for C3
It is commonly stated by many that C3 was based on Mako Shark for ex. in this topic:
Yes, however the real misconception is that the C3 was based on the Mako Shark when actually it was Mako Shark II & that "shark" is unique to C3. Rather than go into all the history, that was to clarify.
Mako Shark - show car for C2
Mako Shark II - showcar for C3
It is commonly stated by many that C3 was based on Mako Shark for ex. in this topic:
Stingray...or Sting Ray for the C2 series Corvettes....was a 
moniker that the GM brass/marketing liked, so they linked it with the Corvette.
Billy Mitchell started that whole 'thing' with his fascination of sharks. The initial C3 design was based on the Mako shark concept. Somehow, the Mako title did not take hold...but the winning name still was a sea creature. Apparently, the Stingray name worked pretty well for a lot of years.
moniker that the GM brass/marketing liked, so they linked it with the Corvette. Billy Mitchell started that whole 'thing' with his fascination of sharks. The initial C3 design was based on the Mako shark concept. Somehow, the Mako title did not take hold...but the winning name still was a sea creature. Apparently, the Stingray name worked pretty well for a lot of years.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 2
From: San diego ca
What does Stingray Mean? - well actually it doesnt mean anything. It doesnt denote an option or package of any sort its not even fully representative of the generation of the vehicle (i.e. C3)
Its a cool sounding marketing name essentially.. One we all dig by the way
Its a cool sounding marketing name essentially.. One we all dig by the way
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 4
From: Anderson SC
Almost all. I dig it on the real live 63-67 Sting Rays - but personally wish it had died there instead of being dug back up by marketing and used as one word, for only part of the C3 production run. I wonder if they knew the countless discussions they would cause via the intermittant use of the word??
When people ask me if my '68 is a Stingray - there's no short answer.
I've personally believed (with no evidence) there were two powers in play for 1968, those at GM who wanted Sting Ray to die with the '67 and those who wanted to apply it to the next body style somehow. The batle was still in progress in 1968 with the marketing materials and the production car itself differing as to it's continued use. The peace treaty of 1969 was to morph it into one word and run with it.
-W
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,388
Likes: 2
From: Eagle River Alaska
Mine was a late build (Aug 10, 77) so it has the crossed flags only.
No 77 had the Stingray badging.
Lots of people like em though, so someone added them to yours more than likely.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
The Styling Staff sometimes looked at what the customizers were doing. Removal of chrome & emblems was common for a cleaner look. George Barris removed the emblems & chrome bumpers on his C2 Sting Ray custom.
Another example is the 68 El Camino roofline based on the 64 El Camino custom by Harry Bradley.
Emblems are for identification & marketing.
The late 76s had the 77 rear Corvette emblem. Some say early 77s had the Stingray emblems.
In a way it was clever to leave off the emblems on the first & last years. They probably did not consider that later some would not be able to recognize them. I remove emblems like 454 & L-82.
The 78s got 25th Anniversay emblems. Many changes including new interior- new dash w/ glove box, door panels & seats though the seats were used only in the Pace Car in 78. The obvious exterior major change was the large rear glass- also included a larger gas tank & temp. spare. Note that the 78- rear glass is reminiscent of the 63-67 coupe so it could have been continued & can be debated on 78-82. They were already working on the C4.
Another example is the 68 El Camino roofline based on the 64 El Camino custom by Harry Bradley.
Emblems are for identification & marketing.
The late 76s had the 77 rear Corvette emblem. Some say early 77s had the Stingray emblems.
In a way it was clever to leave off the emblems on the first & last years. They probably did not consider that later some would not be able to recognize them. I remove emblems like 454 & L-82.
The 78s got 25th Anniversay emblems. Many changes including new interior- new dash w/ glove box, door panels & seats though the seats were used only in the Pace Car in 78. The obvious exterior major change was the large rear glass- also included a larger gas tank & temp. spare. Note that the 78- rear glass is reminiscent of the 63-67 coupe so it could have been continued & can be debated on 78-82. They were already working on the C4.
Last edited by Ganey; Aug 24, 2009 at 07:41 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,388
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From: Eagle River Alaska
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 283
From: cary Il
i thought the sting ray name was from the raised line running along the back of the 63 split window coupes, that resembled the real life fish sting rays back. and the c-3s are sharks with the stingray name plate
I'd hate to walk in on a corvette discussion and descrlbe these models wrong. Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 7
From: n/a SC
IMO the name came from the shape of the car 63-67 and 68 and up.
thinkg about it get behind the wheel of either a c2 or c3 or look at it from the front..
what does it look like to u?
To me I think they gave it the name because the humps look like the wings of a stingray flapping..that goes for a c2 also although their humps aren't as big still has the look.
and yes it also has the mako shark look too, thats an obvious one too.
and yes 68 is also a stingray, read the MT magazines when it debut they called the the all new stingray.
seems like people was kinda expecting the name to be on the car and when it wasn't since GM was wanting to go different considering the radical body change when they saw people wanted the emblem back they gave it to um with the 69.
I like the name and emblem myself, but since mine is a 68 I'm not going to put it on there.
my OP on it
thinkg about it get behind the wheel of either a c2 or c3 or look at it from the front..
what does it look like to u?
To me I think they gave it the name because the humps look like the wings of a stingray flapping..that goes for a c2 also although their humps aren't as big still has the look.
and yes it also has the mako shark look too, thats an obvious one too.
and yes 68 is also a stingray, read the MT magazines when it debut they called the the all new stingray.
seems like people was kinda expecting the name to be on the car and when it wasn't since GM was wanting to go different considering the radical body change when they saw people wanted the emblem back they gave it to um with the 69.
I like the name and emblem myself, but since mine is a 68 I'm not going to put it on there.
my OP on it
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 241
From: Niles, MI
Thought I would join in on this meaningless discussion that pops up with predictable regularity.
These are Sting Rays.
These are Mako Sharks.
I don't give a crap what the emblems say. The production cars were obviously styled after the concept cars they are pictured with.
These are Sting Rays.
These are Mako Sharks.
I don't give a crap what the emblems say. The production cars were obviously styled after the concept cars they are pictured with.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: Near Round Top (pop. 90) Texas
The best argument i've heard yet.
Thought I would join in on this meaningless discussion that pops up with predictable regularity.
These are Sting Rays.
These are Mako Sharks.
I don't give a crap what the emblems say. The production cars were obviously styled after the concept cars they are pictured with.
These are Sting Rays.
These are Mako Sharks.
I don't give a crap what the emblems say. The production cars were obviously styled after the concept cars they are pictured with.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 241
From: Niles, MI
This car never really influenced the styling of any production cars. It was designed and built long after the C2 design was finalized in the XP-720. It was simply called "Shark". It was renamed "Mako Shark" only after the Mako Shark (now known as Mako Shark II) concept car was built in '65.
Last edited by Kid Vette; Aug 26, 2009 at 02:11 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 4
From: Anderson SC
You must be referring to the XP-755 built in '61.
This car never really influenced the styling of any production cars. It was designed and built long after the C2 design was finalized in the XP-720. It was simply called "Shark". It was renamed "Mako Shark" only after the Mako Shark (now known as Mako Shark II) concept car was built in '65.
This car never really influenced the styling of any production cars. It was designed and built long after the C2 design was finalized in the XP-720. It was simply called "Shark". It was renamed "Mako Shark" only after the Mako Shark (now known as Mako Shark II) concept car was built in '65.
Similar to your version but different details....
-W