1968 Corvette is a "Sting Ray"
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 4,143
Likes: 0
1968 Corvette is a "Sting Ray"
The history of a 'name' :
That would change, however, with the 1963 model year. The Corvette was given a second name, Sting Ray, and the chassis and body were new from the asphalt up. The changes gave the Corvette a level of sophistication the equal of any European sports machine.
Many say that "Sting Ray" was retired in 1967 and then in 1969 the new "Stingray" was born.... however all Sting Ray's had a base engine of 327c.i.d. while the Stingrays had a base engine of 350c.i.d. !
Thus, you could say that 'Sting Ray' was implied for '68 the year of many changes... but my impression is that Sting Ray (or Stingray) refers to the higher level of sophistication with 'improved' chassis & body design introduced in 1963 to compete with European sports cars..... :cool:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,190
Likes: 1
From: SIMI VALLEY CA
Re: 1968 Corvette is a "Sting Ray" (verskel)
There are no badges (or brag tags) that proclaim STINGRAY or Sting Ray only CORVETTE and I am pretty sure my original sales brochure only says CORVETTE.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,217
Likes: 1
From: End of the Ike IL
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Re: 1968 Corvette is a "Sting Ray" (verskel)
In another topic is the full ad scan for the '68 clearly indicating "sting ray."
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=276760
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=276760
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,166
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas NV
Re: 1968 Corvette is a "Sting Ray" (BlueL36)
Advertising and dealer info was released before the final product hit the showrooms though.
Still goes on today. You will find options, equipment, etc in some "mule" cars that the press says will be on the car. Only to find when it hits the showroom, the powers that be (read beancounters) have changed the final product.
Still goes on today. You will find options, equipment, etc in some "mule" cars that the press says will be on the car. Only to find when it hits the showroom, the powers that be (read beancounters) have changed the final product.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 0
From: Ajax Ontario
Re: 1968 Corvette is a "Sting Ray" (woodenichols)
Whether we are, or are not, "Sting Ray" or "Stingray" matters little to me! Each of us on this post that owns a '68 owns a unique piece of Corvette history!! :cheers:
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 4,143
Likes: 0
Re: 1968 Corvette is a "Sting Ray" (verskel)
IMO - the 1968 Corvette is still a 'Sting Ray' or 'Stingray' <whichever you prefer>
The term 'Sting Ray' was part of the sales hype used to impress the public along with a new chassis & body in 1963.... that chassis stayed virtually the same from 1963-1982 (thus all those cars had the 'Sting Ray' chassis).
IF we put ourselves back in 1967 - we'll see that the sting rays have a more avant garde styling along with independent rear suspension (unlike C1 & C2s)
IF a guy had a '59 vette - he wouldn't have a Sting Ray - I'm not sure why GM didn't put emblems with 'Sting Ray' on the '68 but let's just say they had plenty of other worries those 2 painful yrs. working out 'bugs' (66-67).
Also, keep in mind that the head of production for '68 models was under mainstream Chevrolet instead of Corvette specialists & engineers per Duntov's request. In other words 'they' probably didn't care about emblems or any other details for that matter.
Inherently whether a '68 is a "Sting Ray" or a "Stingray" it's understood to have ' stingray ' styling & design - the perfect meld between form and function ......So if someone asks, just say "yes, it's a Stingray" and let 'them' figure it out. :D
The term 'Sting Ray' was part of the sales hype used to impress the public along with a new chassis & body in 1963.... that chassis stayed virtually the same from 1963-1982 (thus all those cars had the 'Sting Ray' chassis).
IF we put ourselves back in 1967 - we'll see that the sting rays have a more avant garde styling along with independent rear suspension (unlike C1 & C2s)
IF a guy had a '59 vette - he wouldn't have a Sting Ray - I'm not sure why GM didn't put emblems with 'Sting Ray' on the '68 but let's just say they had plenty of other worries those 2 painful yrs. working out 'bugs' (66-67).
Also, keep in mind that the head of production for '68 models was under mainstream Chevrolet instead of Corvette specialists & engineers per Duntov's request. In other words 'they' probably didn't care about emblems or any other details for that matter.
Inherently whether a '68 is a "Sting Ray" or a "Stingray" it's understood to have ' stingray ' styling & design - the perfect meld between form and function ......So if someone asks, just say "yes, it's a Stingray" and let 'them' figure it out. :D
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: 1968 Corvette is a "Sting Ray" (verskel)
Just tell em it's a 'Shark' and be done with it!
BTW Any one have the Jaws sound track to play in their vette. Bet that would be cool to have looped for a car show!
BTW Any one have the Jaws sound track to play in their vette. Bet that would be cool to have looped for a car show!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 352
Likes: 0
From: Alvarado TX
Re: 1968 Corvette is a "Sting Ray" (Fevre)
Just tell em it's a 'Shark' and be done with it!
Thats it! I like it! :) Although, I have always considered mine a Stiingray.
I think it was intended to be a SHARK! :D Just look at the gills! :p:
Steve
Drifting
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,673
Likes: 0
Re: 1968 Corvette is a "Sting Ray" (Black68Vette)
Someone asks me I just say it's a '68 Corvette. If you say Stingray or Sting Ray no one but a Corvette guy knows the difference or pays attention to the space between the g and r anyway. And if they don't know anything about Corvettes, I don't want to talk to them anyway. :mad Just kidding. This never ending subject is kind of old though. :p:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,206
Likes: 0
From: WANTED: '68 rear valance with b/u light assemblies IM, e-mail, or PM me here. Thanks!
Re: 1968 Corvette is a "Sting Ray" (BlueL36)
In another topic is the full ad scan for the '68 clearly indicating "sting ray."
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=276760
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=276760
I was going to say that they thought about calling it "Banshee" but I'll refrain.
