Description

The Corvette Sting Ray Convertible made its debut alongside the groundbreaking second-generation coupe in 1963, bringing the fresh Sting Ray design to open-air motoring. While the 1963 coupe famously wore the one-year-only split-window, the convertible featured a single-piece rear glass that improved visibility and allowed for a sweeping fast-back profile when the top was raised. Underneath its graceful lines lay Chevrolet’s advanced chassis—independent double-wishbone front suspension, transverse leaf-spring rear, and four-wheel coil springs—which delivered handling that outclassed many European rivals of the era.

Buyers of the C2 Sting Ray Convertible had a choice of potent small-block engines, ranging from the smooth 250-hp single-carb 327 V8 up through the ferocious 360-hp fuel-injected variant. Manual four-speed gearboxes were the most popular pairing, offering precise shifts that kept the engine in its power band, while a three-speed automatic was available for those who preferred relaxed cruising. A removable soft top stowed neatly behind the seats, and an optional hardtop provided additional insulation and a coupe-like silhouette in cooler climates.

Throughout its 1963–1967 run, the Sting Ray Convertible evolved subtly in appearance and performance. In 1965, hood vents and revised side coves reflected under-hood changes, and power steering and brakes became available to tame the increasingly potent V8s. By 1967, the convertible could be had with the legendary 427-cubic-inch big-block engine, producing up to 435 horsepower—transforming the open-top Corvette into one of the quickest production cars on the planet.

After the C2 generation, the Stingray name (now conjoined) continued on C3 convertibles, whose curvaceous “coke-bottle” silhouette and T-top options carried the spirit of the Sting Ray forward, albeit without the distinct split-window heritage. In the C7 generation (2014–2019), Chevrolet revived the Sting Ray moniker for both coupe and convertible models, offering a power-retractable soft top and a 6.2-liter LT1 V8 with 455–460 horsepower, again blending modern supercar performance with classic Corvette cues.

Whether in its classic ’60s form or in modern guise, the Corvette Sting Ray Convertible remains an icon of American sports-car design—offering the thrill of wind-in-your-hair performance, a sculpted silhouette that has become instantly recognizable, and an engineering pedigree that has kept the Corvette at the forefront of open-top motoring for more than half a century.