Description
By: Tom Falconer .
The Chevrolet Corvette was launched in 1953 and today, more than 40 years later, is still in production. It has become the best selling two-seater sports car of all time and, incidentally, the world's best selling fiberglass vehicle. Four body styles have been used over the decades, but many agree that the most beautiful and desirable was the Sting Ray, produced for just five years from 1963 to 1967.The story of these years is recounted in Essential Corvette Sting Ray.
The Sting Ray was available as a convertible or a fastback coupe, with a range.of V8 powerplants from a mild 327ci 250bhp to the ferocious, 500bhp-plus L-88. Tom Falconer tells how the Sting Ray developed from its solid rear axled predecessor and collected four-wheel disc brakes and big- block power along the road to becoming a world class sports car. He analyses the strengths and shortcomings of the cars at length, and provides specifications, performance data and production figures, as well as chapters on the factory and on competition, including the clandestine racing activities of the enthusiasts within General Motors who helped shape the '63'67 model. Most importantly, he shares his 25-year experience of running used Corvettes on a limited budget.
All this is 'Essential' information for the enthusiast, newly interested or more knowledgeable. Illustrated with a generous mix of color and black-and-white photographs, this book is an 'Essential' item for the motoring bookshelf.
Tom Falconer has owned hundreds of Corvettes since buying his first, a 1966 327350 convertible, more than 25 years ago. In 1977 he started his Claremont business selling Corvette parts and cars. A qualified architect, he is married with two daughters and a son and lives within earshot of Brands Hatch circuit in England.
Having fallen in love with Corvettes on his first trip to America in 1965, he says he is an absolute Corvette fanatic, his other interests being Indian motorcycles and Cadillacs. He currently drives a 1922 Chevrolet 490, a 1953 Indian Chief, a 1966 Cadillac Coupe de Ville and a 1970 Corvette LT1 convertible.
