verskel

The history of a 'name' :
That would change, however, with the 1963 model year. The Corvette was given a second name, Sting Ray, and the chassis and body were new from the asphalt up. The changes gave the Corvette a level of sophistication the equal of any European sports machine.

Many say that "Sting Ray" was retired in 1967 and then in 1969 the new "Stingray" was born.... however all Sting Ray's had a base engine of 327c.i.d. while the Stingrays had a base engine of 350c.i.d. !

Thus, you could say that 'Sting Ray' was implied for '68 the year of many changes... but my impression is that Sting Ray (or Stingray) refers to the higher level of sophistication with 'improved' chassis & body design introduced in 1963 to compete with European sports cars..... :cool:

PRNDL

There is no denying that the ads referred to the 68 corvette as a "Sting Ray". However, they were mistaken! :lol: :lol: :lol:

MJ

JIM

There are no badges (or brag tags) that proclaim STINGRAY or Sting Ray only CORVETTE and I am pretty sure my original sales brochure only says CORVETTE.

BlueL36

In another topic is the full ad scan for the '68 clearly indicating "sting ray."
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=276760

DaBo

Advertising and dealer info was released before the final product hit the showrooms though.

Still goes on today. You will find options, equipment, etc in some "mule" cars that the press says will be on the car. Only to find when it hits the showroom, the powers that be (read beancounters) have changed the final product.

woodenichols

So what is the verdict? :jester

Is it or is it not? :boxing

Man, am I confussed! :confused: :confused: :confused:

68shark

Whether we are, or are not, "Sting Ray" or "Stingray" matters little to me! Each of us on this post that owns a '68 owns a unique piece of Corvette history!! :cheers:

verskel

IMO - the 1968 Corvette is still a 'Sting Ray' or 'Stingray' <whichever you prefer>

The term 'Sting Ray' was part of the sales hype used to impress the public along with a new chassis & body in 1963.... that chassis stayed virtually the same from 1963-1982 (thus all those cars had the 'Sting Ray' chassis).
IF we put ourselves back in 1967 - we'll see that the sting rays have a more avant garde styling along with independent rear suspension (unlike C1 & C2s)

IF a guy had a '59 vette - he wouldn't have a Sting Ray - I'm not sure why GM didn't put emblems with 'Sting Ray' on the '68 but let's just say they had plenty of other worries those 2 painful yrs. working out 'bugs' (66-67).

Also, keep in mind that the head of production for '68 models was under mainstream Chevrolet instead of Corvette specialists & engineers per Duntov's request. In other words 'they' probably didn't care about emblems or any other details for that matter.

Inherently whether a '68 is a "Sting Ray" or a "Stingray" it's understood to have ' stingray ' styling & design - the perfect meld between form and function ......So if someone asks, just say "yes, it's a Stingray" and let 'them' figure it out. :D

Fevre

Just tell em it's a 'Shark' and be done with it!

BTW Any one have the Jaws sound track to play in their vette. Bet that would be cool to have looped for a car show!

woodenichols

Thats it! I like it! :)

Although, I have always considered mine a Stiingray.
I think it was intended to be a SHARK! :D Just look at the gills! :p:

Steve

Black68Vette

You could call it a potato for all I care, it still kicks some booty....

Robert Holtman

Someone asks me I just say it's a '68 Corvette. If you say Stingray or Sting Ray no one but a Corvette guy knows the difference or pays attention to the space between the g and r anyway. And if they don't know anything about Corvettes, I don't want to talk to them anyway. :mad Just kidding. This never ending subject is kind of old though. :p:

63Banshee

I saw "Sting Ray" and "Stingray" in those ads... They couldn't make up their minds, probably got sick of worrying about it, and dropped the idea altogether.

I was going to say that they thought about calling it "Banshee" but I'll refrain.