Description

The Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray Convertible fitted with the 360-horsepower 327 V8 represents the pinnacle of C2 performance for buyers who preferred open-air motoring over the year-only split-window coupe. Although the coupe’s fastback and divided rear glass are often celebrated, the convertible shared all of the mechanical brilliance of its hardtop sibling. Underneath its removable soft top lay the same Rochester mechanical fuel-injection system that delivered a remarkable one horsepower per cubic inch, combining instant throttle response with an unusually broad torque curve for its era.

When equipped with the close-ratio four-speed manual transmission, the 360-horsepower Sting Ray Convertible could dispatch 0–60 mph in just over six seconds, placing it among the quickest production cars of the early 1960s. Top speed exceeded 140 mph, and the lightweight fiberglass body helped the car feel surprisingly agile despite its more relaxed wind-in-your-hair configuration. Steering was direct and communicative, thanks to the independent double-wishbone front suspension, while the transverse leaf-spring rear setup kept the chassis balanced through high-speed sweepers.

Braking performance was addressed with standard front discs and heavy-duty rear drums, and many buyers added the Z06 options package to gain larger anti-sway bars, stiffer springs, and a bigger fuel tank—features that turned the convertible into a genuine track weapon straight from the factory. Inside, the cockpit remained driver-focused: deep-bolstered bucket seats, a twin-cowl dash with clear, centrally located gauges, and plenty of polished metal surfaces created an environment both sporty and refined. Options such as power steering, air conditioning, and a removable hardtop further increased the model’s versatility.

Fewer than 700 fuel-injected Corvettes were built in 1963 across both body styles, making the convertible version especially rare. Today, the 327/360-hp Sting Ray Convertible stands as one of the most sought-after early Corvettes. It combines cutting-edge technology of its day with the timeless allure of open-top driving, embodying Chevrolet’s ambition to rival the best European sports cars while preserving the distinctive character of an American V8 roadster.