billschroeder5842

Does anyone know the reason that Corvettes dropped the "Sting Ray" moniker in '76?

I get all sorts of people calling my '82 a Sting Ray but I have to correct them as it is not, but I don't know why.

Anyone know why Chevrolet drop the name?

Giant_Robot

Flags were cheaper to make.

bj1k

I don't know but something made them realize that they should bring it back with the C7 and I have noticed that the interest in our older Stingrays has increased since they did . At the cruises I get kids saying things like " Dad , look it's a Stingray " .

terry82

I stopped saying anything about it NOT being a stingray.The general public that knows its a corvette not a camero thinks that all 1963 -1982s are stingrays.Its just not worth it to explain it all to them.when I was in a parts store I asked for spark plugs for a 1982 vette,,,, he asked me who made it .I left.

Faster Rat

Just for your information, a Sting Ray is a C2

Stingray is a C3, badges applied from '69 thru '76

A rose by any other name is still a rose

BarryB72

But the g and the r are not connected.

By the laws of cursive, we actually have Sting rays.

jim in oregon

Being somewhat of an admirer of aquatic life..I often wondered why Chevy would use the sting ray as the hallmark name for America's sports car.The stingray resides in shallow water often covered in sand..Indolent..When on the move it swims-floats in a leisurely fashion.YES it can be lethal as the recent unexpected death of the crocodile man demonstrated..but it sure isn't FAST in terms of critters..Moray might have been better..or Mongoose..seein' as how the Cobra was another memorable muscle car..Jim

bj1k

But if you want to get that technical the "r" in ray would have to be a capital letter if it is two words in the name !

The13Bats

So it's like some double name "corvette sting ray" or "corvette stingray" the "stingray" parts did not add special features like with a Camaro SS or RS or a Firebird Trans am,

No one really came up with the reason "stingray" was dropped from the name,

7T1vette

I only have my 'suspicions'. After the EPA and the insurance companies got thru with destroying the "High Performance" era of 1960's and early 1970's Detroit cars, the [macho] moniker of "Stingray" on the Corvette didn't really hold that much appeal for the public. Add to that, GM's apparent desire to maneuver the Corvette OUT of the sports car arena and INTO the "Luxury Sport" classification, and the Stingray logo didn't really fit anymore (in GM's eyes, anyway).

But, that's only my opinion....

P.S. Having worked for GM for 40 years, the thought of saving a couple of bucks per car by leaving the script off definitely has merit.

Easy Mike

Very likely to be true. GM may have been able to save $2 a car by eliminating the Stingray scripts. By 1980, even the fender flags were gone.

stingraymyway

The Stingray moniker was still on the '76. 1977 went to the cross flag emblem in place of the name.
Why the name was dropped? You'll have to research that. Several books out there about Corvettes and the history. Just glad GM brought it back. Hope it's here to stay.

jim2527

Just go with 'Stingray'...

As a side note, with the C7 'stingray' is a sub model designation.

Base C7's are 'Stingrays'
Hi performance C7's are 'Z06'

There's no such thing as a C7 Stingray Z06

76C3forme

One theory I've heard quite a number of times in the past, is that the Stingray name was dropped when Bill Mitchell Retired in 1976.

In an old book I think Tom Falconer mentions that Bill Mitchell retired in mid '76. He was instrumental for the shape and success of the Corvette and on his retirement the Stingray name was dropped,

Not sure if that's true, but I have heard that several times and I know it's in one of his books about Corvettes that I have around here somewhere.

Hard to know the real truth though..

AzMotorhead

Not saying why it ended but here's how it started
http://www.danjedlicka.com/classic_c...sting_ray.html

Rescue Rogers

Ive had issues with the children working at part stores that know nothing about any cars. Its sad. And the selection of aftermarket engine parts is just as sad.

Easy Mike

I've heard/read that also. It's likely to be another Corvette Myth. "Mitchell stepped down as chief stylist in July 1977 following his 65th birthday."

fishslayer143

Actually they are all Shark bodies , after the GM concept car, Mako Shark II in 1965

530planeman

68 has no Sting Ray. Darn spell correct won't let me spell it right

GRipp 73

This is what gets me when I am out and about. People see and know it is a Corvette, and then ask "Is it a Stingray?" as if it adds some performance or has some special significance in an upgrade to something. I just smile and nod and say that it is, because it is... and then continue to pedal thru the gears and enjoy the the day.