Stingray/Shark??
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 399
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From: LBL TN
Stingray/Shark??
What year did, if it did, the C3 stop being a Stingray? When did it pick up the unofficial badge of "Shark"? Is my 81 considered a "Stingray"? 
So many questions, so little time!
So many questions, so little time!
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 4,795
Likes: 1
From: Regina Saskatchewan, Canada.
Re: Stingray/Shark?? (Terry McIntyre)
I think they stopped putting the Stingray (one word) badges on c3 cars in 76 but one of the old timers in our club said his 77 came brand new with the badges. I've always considered the flat back windows cars "Stingray's". In 78 they changed to the different round window.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,753
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From: Fishkill NY
Re: Stingray/Shark?? (Terry McIntyre)
In my Opinion all years from 1968 to 1979 are stingrays. They are all the same body style with the exception of the rerar window. You could say that up to 1982 they are all stingrays however, in 1980 is when the front and rear started to change therefore they at that time started to turn away from the stingray styling. :yesnod:
[Modified by SLICKMAN, 9:02 PM 8/7/2002]
[Modified by SLICKMAN, 9:02 PM 8/7/2002]
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,135
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From: NM
Re: Stingray/Shark?? (Terry McIntyre)
1976 was the last year to use the Stingray badge. "Shark" is just a nickname for the 68-82 body style. Remember, the Stingray was just an emblem on the car, nothing more.
tom...
tom...
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
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Re: Stingray/Shark?? (SLICKMAN)
OK I'll offer my $.02: '76s were the last to have the word "Stingray" on the Fender.....early 77's had nothin and later in the Year, the switch was made to crossed flags...........But then we are just talkin' cosmetics here anyway, I think........They all are the same platform, so what difference does it make? :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Parrothead
Joined: May 2002
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From: Margaritaville Embassy
St. Jude Donor '08-'09,'13, '14
Re: Stingray/Shark?? (Terry McIntyre)
Don't forget that the C-2s are the ORIGINAL Stingrays. and according to every book I have seen, the name "stingray" was banished in 77
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 351
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From: Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada
Re: Stingray/Shark?? (Terry McIntyre)
There were Stingray insignias on 69-76. 68 and 77-82 were not designated Stingrays ( GM politics ) even though the body was virtually unchanged. Interior changed in 77. 68-82 were all considered sharks and
its a matter of opinion as to them all being Stingrays. The debate continues. :chevy
its a matter of opinion as to them all being Stingrays. The debate continues. :chevy
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
Re: Stingray/Shark??
I've often wondered how you can have an opinion about something that is completely factual and finite. Q: Is my Corvette a Cobra Jet? A: In my opinion, while it didn't leave the factory that way, the evidence is indeterminant so sure, if you want it to be. Just go ahead and put the badges on it. It will then be a Corvette Cobra Jet. Author's note: My toungue was in my cheek when I wrote this.
The Sting Ray badge was used on '63 through '67 Corvettes. The Stingray badge was used on '69 through '76 Corvettes. It is, as Tom pointed out, just a badge and means nothing beyond the 30 bucks or so it costs to replace them if you need them.
[Modified by gerry72, 12:33 PM 8/8/2002]
The Sting Ray badge was used on '63 through '67 Corvettes. The Stingray badge was used on '69 through '76 Corvettes. It is, as Tom pointed out, just a badge and means nothing beyond the 30 bucks or so it costs to replace them if you need them.
[Modified by gerry72, 12:33 PM 8/8/2002]
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 64
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From: Racine, WI USA
Re: Stingray/Shark?? (Terry McIntyre)
I'll add my $0.02. I think the original question relates to why the C3 has the "shark" nickname while sharing Stingray or Sting Ray with the C2. I believe this originated with the Mako Shark concept car that influenced the styling of the C3. I owned a 1970 in from 1970 to 1975. I don't recall hearing much reference to "shark" to describe the C3. When the C4's came out it "shark" became the way everyone described the C3. I would be interested to know if GM ever had any pland to name the C3 Mako or Mako Shark after the concept car.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
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From: Orange Park Florida
Re: Stingray/Shark?? (Terry McIntyre)
Technically the above is pretty accurate, but in the varnacular...a shark is '68-82 style same chassis as the 63-67 mid years....mid year is easy to say, and of course completely differant from 'shark'...regardless of what GM called it...
computers have added somewhat to the naming thing...as in all solid axel cars are C1, mid years C2 , sharks C3 etc....started with GM calling the C4 and or C5 by it's generation callout...so for web typing...that's it...
GENE
computers have added somewhat to the naming thing...as in all solid axel cars are C1, mid years C2 , sharks C3 etc....started with GM calling the C4 and or C5 by it's generation callout...so for web typing...that's it...
GENE
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 10,896
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From: CO
Re: Stingray/Shark?? (Markm10431)
Notice the part where it says " the word stingray has disappeared " This was a 77.
Oh yeah, thanks to superfast for having such great articles to get info from
:cheers:
[Modified by flood, 5:31 PM 8/8/2002]
Oh yeah, thanks to superfast for having such great articles to get info from
:cheers:
[Modified by flood, 5:31 PM 8/8/2002]
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Texas
Re: Stingray/Shark?? (Markm10431)
The fleur de lis flag is a carry over from the original corvette emblem. It came about (according to the display at NCM) the night before the '53 was to be unveiled at Motorama. The original crossed flag emblem was a checkered flag and an American flag. However, it was discovered that it was (and still is, incidentally) illegal to use the U.S. flag on a commercial product. The manufacturer of the emblem was able to whip one up real quick with the fleur de lis (I believe it was chosen because it's french, and I think Louis Chevrolet was French, or of French descent), and it was applied to the car before it was unveiled. The flag has been altered many times over the years, sometimes it has the fleur de lis and a bowtie, and in 84 it just became a bowtie on the red flag. :chevy