Vehicle Description
1964 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
1964 was the second year of the second generation, (C2), Corvette.
Gone was the split window and the fake hood vents although the
recessed area where the vents were still remained. This generation
also introduced independent rear suspension, which would remain on
the car even to this day. The Sting Ray name also appeared with
this generation, and this particular model made use of the hood
"stinger" as it has come known to be. The love affair continues to
this day with the Corvette, straight from the mind of ZORA
ARKUS-DUNTOV.
From Zora Arkus-Duntov's mind to your eyes, we offer up this C2
second year 1964 Stingray Roadster. This car comes with a body
matching hardtop, and convertible soft top, a rebuilt transmission,
and ownership history with our consignor since 1976. With the
roadster design it leaves the pointed fastback behind, (literally),
and offers up a bit of a classy look with its thin V shaped front
and rear lines, and the split bumpers with hidden headlights. "When
the Sting Ray bites..." oh wait...!
Exterior
Fiberglass molded to an art form of rolling sculpture with its thin
V shaped hidden headlight split bumper front end, and thin V rear
complete with the dual round inset tail lights, and more split
bumpers below, The Sting Ray began to come into its own during
these C2 years. This car comes with a new in 2010 white canvas
convertible top with clear plastic window. It moves up and down
with ease and hides itself right behind the passenger compartment.
An additional fiberglass hardtop, painted in Silver Blue Metallic,
and a glass rear window can be put on for all season driving. Up
front the ventless "stinger style hood" is flanked by the hidden
headlights. This works its way back to the passenger compartment
which is framed up front with a curved windshield for that
panoramic field of view. Side pipes are on and fill the gap between
the front and rear white wall tires complete with the rarely seen
factory Corvette wheel covers. For the convertible top, no tonneau
cover is necessary due to the hinged flip up panel just before the
trunk that houses the entire folded down canvas top. Overall, the
paint presents well for being applied in 1998 and shows with a few
imperfections including chips and minor blistering of the
paint.
Interior
For the interior beautifully aged dark blue vinyl low back buckets
are flanking a center armrest which becomes a chrome edged center
console. This houses the chrome ball topped shift lever and then
climbs straight up to house a side mounted aftermarket
AM/FM/Cassette stereo, various knobs and pulls and large chrome
bezel black faced clock. Both sides split gracefully to their
respective corners of the dash, but first take an opportunity to
form 2 graceful cowls, one for the glovebox, and the other for the
gauge cluster. Both have a black faux leather textured vinyl
background which is very clean, with the glovebox having a silver
door. The original wood rimmed steering wheel with tri machined
metal inserts and a center crossed flag badge fronts the dash.
Factory looking blue carpet floods all the floors and shows with
light soiling as do the carpeted floor mats. Door panels make use
of tuck and roll blue vinyl on top of the panels, and after jumps
across a delineating chrome strip, the ribbed vinyl changes to
smooth material. Nice chromed knobs handles and vents are embedded
within the door panels. Just a hint of blue carpet is on the bottom
of each pristine door.
Drivetrain
A flip of the forward-facing hinged hood, and we are met with a
nicely restored engine bay. If you thought the exterior and
interior were the stars, those were only the first two opening
acts. An orange/red painted block and ribbed aluminum valve covers,
supple black shiny hoses, and a hint of rust on the exhaust
manifolds all meld perfectly in this lightly patniaed engine bay.
This is a mighty numbers matching 327ci V8 that puts out 250 horses
and is topped underneath that chromed air cleaner housing with a
4-barrel carburetor. On the back is a correct and numbers matching
Muncie M20 4-speed manual transmission. 3.36 gears are reserved for
the back axle. Our consignor notes that the engine was rebuilt in
1998, the transmission was rebuilt in 2015, the starter was rebuilt
in 2020, and for reliable starting power, a new battery was
recently installed.
Undercarriage
Very gracefully aged straight rust-free black steel makes up the
undercarriage and has obviously been well cared for over the years.
Exhaust piping is quickly routed away from the engine to either
side taking a sharp turn to the outside for the side pipes with
chambered mufflers. Independent coil spring front suspension and
transverse leaf springs on the rear with 4-wheel drum brakes are
noted sitting within this excellent environment. We also note the
addition of power steering, which was installed in 2017.
Drive-Ability
These early 1960's C2 "Vettes are just a blast to drive, and it
made me feel like an artist driving my handiwork with its sculpted
fiberglass body, and snappy interior. It lit right up, and the test
track beckoned. Performance is the buzzword for this car, as it has
nearly limitless acceleration, fine rail like handling, and solid
braking. The transmission shifted smoothly, and all controls were
in operating condition during my tenure behind the wheel.
A great example from 1964 in Sting Ray form, she's a fun driver,
and can be used as such, or even to show, it is nice enough and
preserved enough to do so with respect. A great color combo, power
steering, and an all-season driver with the convertible, and
hardtop. A classy sculpted profile sports car made in America and
definitely iconic in its reputation and looks for this year. Thanks
Mr. Duntov, and careful on that "stinger", it will put your eye out
as they say!
VIN DECODE
40867S103303
4-1964
08-Corvette
67-Convertible
S-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
103303-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
B22-October 22nd Build
STYLE 64 867-1964 Corvette Convertible
BODY 1936-St. Louis Body #
TRIM 490BB-Dark Blue Vinyl
PAINT 912AA-Silver Blue
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.