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 an
unrestored body matching hardtop, and convertible soft top, a
numbers matching engine, and was purchased by our consignor from
sunny California. 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 dark blue canvas convertible
top with a clear plastic window. It moves up and down with ease and
hides itself right behind the passenger compartment. An additional
fiberglass hardtop, unrestored and 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. Ribbed aluminum rocker moldings are on and
fill the gap between the front and rear red stripe tires that wrap
deep dishChevrolet rally wheels. For the convertible top, no
tonneau cover is necessary due to the hinged flip up panel just
before the rear deck that houses the entire folded down canvas top.
Overall, the paint presents well for being an older application and
shows with a few imperfections including chips and minor blistering
of the paint. We do note that the gills in the front quarters are
different from other 1964 'Vettes and this comes from the carefully
trained eyes here that have agreed these are 1967 vents that have
been grafted in.
Interior
For the interior, beautifully aged black 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 factory AM/FM 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 black carpet floods all
the floors and shows with light soiling and fading and are
protected by rubber floor mats. The door panels make use of tuck
and roll black vinyl on top of the panels, and after a jump 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 black 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 patinaed engine bay.
This is a mighty numbers matching L76 327ci V8 that puts out 365
horses and is topped underneath that chromed air cleaner housing
with the correct but not original Holley 4-barrel carburetor. On
the back is a Muncie M20 4-speed manual transmission circa
1964/1965. 3.55 gears are reserved for the back axle as is
Positraction, both denoted by the CC stamping code. Our consignor
notes, and the paperwork backs up, that the engine was rebuilt in
1998.
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 and follows
through the frame to the back of the car, then meeting up with
glasspack style mufflers and chrome tips that protrude through the
rear valance. Independent coil spring front suspension and
transverse leaf springs on the rear with 4-wheel drum brakes are
noted sitting within this excellent environment. All very nicely
preserved!
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, but a few frowns reared
their heads during my drive. The passenger's headlight did not
fully rotate up, the horn didn't blow, the wipers did not wipe, the
heater blower was inoperable, and the radio didn't pick up even
static on either band.
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 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!
40867S115803
4-1964
08-Corvette
67-Convertible
S-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
115803-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
H16-April 16th
STYLE 64 867-1964 Corvette Convertible
BODY S8710-St. Louis Body #
TRIM STD-Black Vinyl
PAINT 940AA-Satin Silver Metallic
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 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.
