Sting Ray Stigma
Thread Starter
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 1,173
From: Southlake, TX
Sting Ray Stigma
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?
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?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
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 " .
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,663
Likes: 162
From: columbia city in
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
Likes: 314
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Stingray is a C3, badges applied from '69 thru '76
A rose by any other name is still a rose
Last edited by Faster Rat; Jun 24, 2016 at 07:48 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 781
Likes: 113
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
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
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
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,
No one really came up with the reason "stingray" was dropped from the name,
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
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.
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.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Jun 24, 2016 at 09:50 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Race Director
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 136
From: Out of Site...Out of Mind. Corvette: anything else is just transportation.
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
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.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,345
Likes: 654
From: Tampa, Florida
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
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
Racer
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 494
Likes: 93
From: Bucks County PA
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..
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..
Last edited by 76C3forme; Jun 25, 2016 at 02:24 PM.
Limping across the line
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,299
Likes: 109
From: Peoria Az
Not saying why it ended but here's how it started
http://www.danjedlicka.com/classic_c...sting_ray.html
http://www.danjedlicka.com/classic_c...sting_ray.html
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,108
Likes: 9,236
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
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.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,866
Likes: 140
From: Sadieville Kentucky
68 has no Sting Ray. Darn spell correct won't let me spell it right
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 822
Likes: 82
From: Columbus OH