Description

The 1963 Corvette Sting Ray 327 V8 rated at 360 horsepower represents the ultimate expression of Chevrolet’s small-block performance in the C2 generation. Unlike its lower-powered siblings, this model employed Chevrolet’s pioneering Rochester mechanical fuel-injection system, which precisely metered fuel to deliver an unprecedented one horsepower per cubic inch. The result was a broad, tractable powerband with instant throttle response and a redline north of 6,000 rpm.

Beneath the sculpted hood, the 327 V8 featured high-lift camshafts, solid lifters, and high-compression pistons. When paired with the optional close-ratio four-speed manual transmission, it could sprint from 0–60 mph in just over six seconds and push top speed beyond 140 mph—figures that placed it firmly in supercar territory for its era. The mechanical fuel-injection hardware, while more complex than carburetors, produced smoother acceleration and eliminated the flat spots common to period carbureted engines.

Chassis tuning for the 360-hp model went beyond the engine. Standard front disc brakes provided reliable stopping power, and suspension upgrades—including heavier-rate front springs and revised shock valving—helped tame the added performance. Enthusiasts could also specify the Z06 performance package, which added larger anti-sway bars, heavy-duty rear leaf springs, and a larger-capacity fuel tank, effectively turning the car into a factory-ready track machine.

Visually, the split-window fastback roof unique to the 1963 Sting Ray remained a defining feature, channeling airflow over the car’s elegant lines. Small “Fuel Injection” scripts on the glovebox lid and polished intake components under the open hood offered subtle reminders of the advanced technology within. Inside, the cockpit combined deep-bolstered bucket seats and a twin-cowl dash with clear instrumentation, placing performance data directly in the driver’s line of sight.

Production of the fuel-injected 327/360 convertible was extremely limited—fewer than 700 units—making it one of the rarest and most coveted Corvettes of the era. Its combination of cutting-edge engineering, blistering performance, and iconic styling has ensured its status as a blue-chip collectible. More than half a century later, the 360-hp Sting Ray remains a benchmark for what American sports-car ambition could achieve.