Stingray question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 216
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From: Seymour Indiana
Stingray question
I've been wondering about this since I got my vette. Now I'm not trying to reopen the great debate on if all C3s are stingrays here, my question is twist on a classic. Mine is a '77 and I know that it the Stingray was dropped for this year, I've researched the whole Stingray emblem thing and half say it is a Stingray and half say it isn't, well whether it is or isn't is yet another chicken vs egg scenario. My question is this... Be a Stingray or not it is still in the "Shark" classification since it is still the same over all body style correct? Don't want to step on any toes, just want to make 100% sure before I do anything.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
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From: Huntersville NC
Correct. All C-3s from 1968 thru 1982 are considered "sharks" due to the body style. But that.... of course... is only MY opinion
I don't think "shark" was ever used by Chevrolet to officially describe or categorize production vehicles ("Mako Shark" was a show car) so use of the term is subject to opinion, in my opinion.
Last edited by PRNDL; Nov 15, 2010 at 02:58 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 216
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From: Seymour Indiana
Thanks for the info, that's what I was thinking but just wanted to be 100% correct. As much as I would like to put Stingray on my vette I'm not going to to avoid arguments later on so I am going to try something else that can't be disputed.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
The 'Stingray' body design lasted for the entire run of C3's. The labeled "Stingrays" were '69-76. Call it what you will. GM never named this Corvette series either C3's or Stingrays...so it's up to you what you call it.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,658
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From: Shamong, NJ
I'm old school, 53-62s are "Solid Axles", 63-67 are "Mid Years" and 68-82s are "Late Models". They stopped making Corvettes after that, right?
"Shark" or "Shark Body" is a term also often used to describe the 68-82s.
"Shark" or "Shark Body" is a term also often used to describe the 68-82s.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,715
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From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Mine was the 1st year of the "SHARK" - "STINGRAY" style & it has no badge...................
that says anything EXCEPT 427
that says anything EXCEPT 427
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,215
Likes: 169
From: PA
dont know much about it but in this article it says no stingray for 77
http://www.vetteweb.com/features/vem...ray/index.html
http://www.vetteweb.com/features/vem...ray/index.html
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 216
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From: Seymour Indiana
There isn't much difference between a '76 and a '77 but a '76 has Stingray emblems and a '77 doesn't, I would like to put Stingray emblems on my '77 but I won't because I know someone somewhere will throw a fit about it not being one and I have no patience for pointless arguments over someone elses opinion about my car so I am going to make my own emblems for my car that can not be argued about, only admired over.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,218
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
I still call them the same as gbv62 listed. Straight axles, Mid-Years and Late Models.
For me 'sharks' is as disrespectful as 'verts'. Yes, there was a show car called the Mako Shark, but a Stingray isn't a shark.
Regards,
Alan
PS: NO ONE I knew called them T-Tops. The Regal and Cutlass had t-tops.... along with valour interiors.
The sales literature called them roof panels.
I still call them the same as gbv62 listed. Straight axles, Mid-Years and Late Models.
For me 'sharks' is as disrespectful as 'verts'. Yes, there was a show car called the Mako Shark, but a Stingray isn't a shark.
Regards,
Alan
PS: NO ONE I knew called them T-Tops. The Regal and Cutlass had t-tops.... along with valour interiors.
The sales literature called them roof panels.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,505
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From: Butler Pa
It bothers the hell out of me when someone refers to a c3 as a "shark".
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 216
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From: Seymour Indiana
My original question was about the shark reference and I was explaining my reason behind the question. I even said I knew they didn't come with Stingray on the fenders. I'm not holding the can opener when it comes to this can of worms cause my question was about sharks not stingrays besides I have my sights set on some bigger fish now 
besides I have my sights set on some bigger fish now
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Tampa Florida
Maybe it was a southern thing.And yes, I always call my '71 a Convertible, not vert or ragtop.
Le Mans Master
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From: Eagle River Alaska
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2010
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GM did not put Sting ray emblems on the '68 vette but they still referred to it as a Stingray. The "coke bottle" design or "shark" body corvettes will always be Stingrays to me, even my '81. After all what really defines a stingray? The shape of the car!