Tag: 1963 Corvette coupe

Duntov Files, Pt. 6 – Zora Looks Back at the 1963 Grand Sport Adventure

Published on by Scott

The Godfather of HOT Corvettes had some SHOCKING things to say about the beloved Grand Sport Corvette!

You can download the PDF e-Booklet HERE.

The Spring 1990 issue of “Corvette Quarterly” was a banner issue for 1963 Corvette Grand Sport fans. Late in 1989 arrangements were made for a very special meeting at Sebring International Raceway, in Sebring, Florida. Two Corvette race cars, separated by twenty-five years gathered for some comparison testing between the Grand Sport #002, known as the “Wintersteen 427 L88” Grand Sport #002 Roadster and the 1989-90 Morrison Engineering and Development Trans-Am Corvette.

On hand to witness and advise was then-retired, former Corvette Chief of Engineering, Zora Arkus-Duntov. In the 1970s GM’s corporate retirement age of 65 mandate was in place, and Duntov was put out to pasture, way too soon in December 1974 when he turned 65. GM president Ed Cole and Sr. VP of Styling, Bill Mitchell faced similar fates at GM. You can read the amazing track comparison of the Grand Sport and the Trans-Am Corvette in Pt. 4 of The Duntov Files.

This story, “Zora Looks Back” offers some interesting insights into Duntov’s tenure at GM, as well as the “Lightweight Grand Sport Corvette” experience. For instance, Duntov said, “It was a quick and dirty sledgehammer project that we put together in a couple of months. There were so many compromises and constraints that we made something of which I am not particularly proud.” Interesting. Well, we sure love them!

Duntov was there, this was his baby, and he would know the real skinny on the Grand Sport. For Grand Sport race car fans, this article by Bill Oursler is a real treat! – Scott

PS – You can access the entire collection of Corvette E-Booklets and the Duntov Files HERE.

Corvette Odd-Ball: A C2 Mid-year Sting Ray Lift-Back Coupe?

Published on by Scott

Dateline: 7.12.11
Step Into My Sting Ray Spaceship


Click the image for a MUCH larger image.

Over the weekend I was looking a photos online of ‘63 Split-Window Coupe Corvettes. I especially like the GM studio shots. Not only are they uniquely lit and posed, sometimes little clues are there if you look closely. Any way, they’re a lot of fun to look at.

The above picture caught my eye because the father of the production ‘63 Sting Ray, Bill Mitchell’s Stingray Racer, is in the background lit with blue light on its silver paint.

The red roadster and coupe have no fender vents, but substantial scoops that go into the doors with two horizontal spears. The roadster has side rocker panels that almost look like the side-pipe covers that would arrive in ‘65. And it appears that the gas filler cap is located on the driver’s side rear fender.

The silver split-window coupe has little shark gill decorations going on that awkwardly cut behind the bumpers. This looks like one of Bill Mitchell’s frills he liked adding on the show cars. “Elements of Discovery” was the idea. But with an overall outstanding design shape, do-dads aren’t needed. Continue reading “Corvette Odd-Ball: A C2 Mid-year Sting Ray Lift-Back Coupe?” →

1963 Split-Window Coupe Corvette – Minus the Split-Window?

Published on by Scott

Corvette “Urban Legend” or FACT? What do you think?

Called by some, “The Original American Idol.” The rear split-window was one of chief of GM styling, Bill Mitchell’s pet design elements. And NOT to be messed with by a lowly engineer!

I have been writing about Corvettes and illustrating them since the mid-’70s. During that time and before then, I have read dozens of books and hundreds of articles about Corvettes. Somewhere, way, way back (I really do not recall when or in what book or article) I remember the following story about the ‘63 Split-Window Coupe Corvette Sting Ray… Continue reading “1963 Split-Window Coupe Corvette – Minus the Split-Window?” →

Rebuilding His 1963 Split-Window Coupe Sting Ray Dream Machine

Published on by Scott

Stricken With Seller’s Remorse, New Jersey Corvette Fan, Jonathan Settrella Creates His Ideal Corvette… Again!

Settrella’s custom Sting Ray received the “shaved” look. See any door handles?

I met Jonathan Settrella in 1975 at an art show in Moorestown, New Jersey. We struck up a conversation and it turned out that Jon had a Corvette – a customized, ‘63 Split-Window Coupe. We hung out occasionally and used to see one another at various art shows. But as the ‘70s and ‘80s wore on, life got in the way and I lost touch with my artist/car friend.

Fast forward to September ‘09 at the Weaton Village Vettes At Glasstown Show in Millville, NJ. I looked up and saw a car I hadn’t seen in nearly 30 years! I said to my wife, “I know that car!” Sure enough, it was my old pal, Jonathan Settrella. After catching up, I said, “Jonathan, I can’t believe you STILL have the ‘63 Coupe.” He replied, “This is a replica of the car you saw way back when.” Sensing a story, I said, “Okay, so what happened?” It turned out to be a classic tale of sellers remorse. In Settrella’s case, it was MAJOR remorse. But first, lets back up about 40 years. Continue reading “Rebuilding His 1963 Split-Window Coupe Sting Ray Dream Machine” →