Description

The Corvette Stingray name first appeared in 1963, ushering in Chevrolet’s second-generation Corvette (C2) and marking a dramatic departure from the first-generation roadster. With its hidden headlamps, fastback roofline (including the one-year-only split-window coupe), and independent front suspension, the C2 Stingray combined muscular American V-8 power with handling characteristics that rivalled European sports cars of the era. Engine choices ranged from a smooth 250-hp small-block up through 360-hp fuel-injected versions, making it both a style icon and a true performer.

For the third generation (C3), produced from 1968 to 1982, the Stingray badge (now one word) adorned Corvettes with pronounced “Coke-bottle” styling, pop-up headlights, and a longer, lower stance. Early C3 models offered potent big-block V-8s, including the 427 and later 454 engines, alongside small-block variants. Although emissions regulations and fuel-economy pressures in the 1970s tempered peak horsepower, the C3 Stingray remained a cultural touchstone, celebrated in film, music and on the street.

Between the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Corvette nameplate dropped the Stingray designation, but the spirit of the original persisted in C4 and C5 models, which introduced modern chassis technologies, advanced aerodynamics, and the legendary LS-series small-block V-8. These generations sharpened handling and reliability, setting new standards for affordable American performance in the global marketplace.

In 2014, Chevrolet revived the Stingray name for the seventh generation (C7), reintroducing it as a two-word badge on both coupe and convertible models. Powered by the 6.2-liter LT1 V-8, it produced 455–460 horsepower and featured a lightweight aluminum frame, magnetic ride control, and refined interior packaging. The C7 Stingray blended modern supercar performance with clear visual nods to the original 1963 model, from sculpted fender vents to pronounced front fender flares.

The current, mid-engine eighth generation (C8) retains the Stingray name and pushes it into exotic territory. First offered as a hard-top and later as a power-retractable convertible, the C8 Stingray places its 6.2-liter LT2 V-8 behind the driver, delivering 490–495 horsepower and remarkable agility. Its radically reimagined proportions, driver-centric cockpit and dual-clutch transmission make it the most technologically advanced Corvette Stingray yet—melding Chevrolet’s storied heritage with the performance and handling of an Italian supercar, at a fraction of the cost.