1963-1967
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The birth and evolution of the C2 Corvette occurred amidst the successes that General Motors was experiencing at the height of the C1. By the early sixties, as Chevrolet introduced the last of the first-generation Corvettes, there was no doubt – at least among the design team behind the first-generation model – that a second-generation Corvette was imminent.
After all, the 1962 Corvette had shown a 40 percent increase in sales from the previous model year. Better still, the 1962 C1 Corvette – which had more horsepower, better handling, and was physically more appealing than any of its predecessors – had demonstrated to the automotive manufacturing community that their consumers were looking for a quality, performance backed sports car – and that they’d pay a premium to get it.
Power
250-0hp
Torque
563-0Nm
Top speed
0km/h
0
Cars sold between 1963 and 1967
$0
Starting price of a Corvette C3 (in America)
6.3sec
Acceleration time from 0 to 100km/h
The split rear window and the two simulated air intakes from the hood were eliminated, though their indentations remained.Also, the decorative air-exhaust vent on the coupe's rear pillar was made functional, but only on the left side. The car's rocker-panel trim lost some of its ribs and gained black paint between those ribs that remained; wheel covers were simplified; and the fuel filler/deck emblem gained concentric circles around its crossed-flags insignia. Inside, the original color-keyed steering wheel rim was now done in simulated walnut.
1965 styling alterations were subtle, confined to a smoothed-out hood now devoid of scoop indentations, a trio of working vertical exhaust vents in the front fenders that replaced the previous nonfunctional horizontal "speedlines," restyled wheel covers and rocker-panel moldings, and minor interior trim revisions.
The 1966 model's frontal appearance was mildly altered with an eggcrate grille insert to replace the previous horizontal bars, and the coupe lost its roof-mounted extractor vents, which had proven inefficient. Corvettes also received an emblem in the corner of the hood for 1966. Head rests were a new option.
Five smaller front fender vents replaced the three larger ones. New was a single backup light, mounted above the license plate. The previous models' wheel covers gave way to slotted six-inch Rally wheels with chrome beauty rings and lug nuts concealed behind chrome caps. Interior alterations were modest and included revised upholstery, and the handbrake moved from beneath the dash to between the seats. The convertible's optional hardtop was offered with a black vinyl cover.
| Small-Block 327 5.4L (V8) | 1963–1965 | 250hp (186kW) |
| 1963–1967 | 300hp (224kW) | |
| 1963 | 340hp (254kW) | |
| 1965–1967 | 350hp (254kW) | |
| 1964–1965 | 365hp (272kW) | |
| Small-Block 327 FI 5.4L (V8) | 1963 | 365hp (268kW) |
| 1964–1965 | 380hp (280kW) | |
| Big-Block 396 6.5L (V8) | 1965 | 431hp (317kW) |
| Big-Block 427 7.0L (V8) | 1966–1967 | 365hp (268kW) |
| 1966 | 380hp (280kW) | |
| Big-Block Tri-Power 427 7.0L (V8) | 1967 | 406hp (298kW) |
| 1967 | 441hp (324kW) |