Friday 27th March 2009

Corvette Sting Ray Returns

Modern Corvette chassis to provide base for custom classic 'Vette

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Retro style

A new project from California custom shop n2a Motors promises to mate the 21^st century dynamics of the C6 Corvette chassis with the retro-styling of the classic 1960s Sting Rays.

Their new Stinger model will have a carbon composite body featuring design cues from various iterations of the 2^nd generation Corvette. n2a says the sharky front end and hood scoop is styled after 1967 cars, the swoopy mid-ships section is from 1965, while the iconic vertically split rear window comes straight out of 1963.

Modern performance

The Stinger project has advanced to the final styling buck stage, and the first three cars will shortly be under construction with ZR-1 underpinnings, including the 638bhp LS9 V8 engine.

Apparently the rebodying process takes n2a’s craftsmen around 800 hours before the re-trim starts. All Stingers will have bespoke interiors, with re-contoured leather seats, leather dash and interior panels and wool carpets. The wheels and exhaust will be custom made, but otherwise the running gear will be stock C9, thus ensuring GM’s 100,000 mile warranty remains intact.

Plastic body?

The first three ZR-1 based cars should be pretty special – n2a reckons Stingers built on this platform will clock just 3.4secs on the 0-60mph sprint, and top 205mph flat-out.

The company is accepting orders now, and expects the first Stingers to roll off the line in October. Prices are dependent on specification, and as we can’t afford it we haven’t asked!

[elektix]

string ray eh? is that some sort of spec. ed. i never heard of still brilliant to see a revival of the 'stingray' on the way

[Frimley111R]

I think the writer might tell you to get knotted!

Edited by Frimley111R on Friday 27th March 11:43

[OJ]

To paraphrase Clarkson 'I'm nursing a semi'

[hornetrider]

Journalism seems like money for old rope if you ask me

[patmahe]

If this is done right it could be hugely sucessful, good to see cars like this getting made.

[jgt1972]

It may be based around 'retro' thinking, but I think this looks like a really original, desirable and modern car. A breath of fresh air.

Right hooker please, in orange with black decals.
Ta

[stew-S160]

OJ said:

To paraphrase Clarkson 'I'm nursing a Hemi'

corrected?

[[AJ]]

The Stingray was one of my favourite cars as a kid. I've not really been a fan of Vets since then, but this does look like it will be quite good.

[toohuge]

stew-S160 said:

OJ said:

To paraphrase Clarkson 'I'm nursing a Hemi'

corrected?

Well, to be pedantic, the Hemi is a Chrysler engine, not a Chevy engine.

[dazsmith69]

great bodyshape, why have they changed the front so much, looks terrible, looks like one of them BMW roadster things

[don logan]

Havn`t we seen something like this before? about 9 months, a year ago?

I LOVE that era of Corvette and a modern version would be fantastic!

[Otto]

There was a concept of this vehicle in silver at the Chicago motorshow a few weeks ago, and it looked sublime - I'll try remember to upload my pics later today! Although at the time they were saying it would not be going into production. Guess maybe things change if you get enough people willing to part with the cash.

[Crook]

elektix said:

string ray eh? is that some sort of spec. ed. i never heard of still brilliant to see a revival of the 'stingray' on the way

First Corvettes were Sting Rays, Grand Sport, Split screen etc. 2nd body shape was Stingray.

[SirTainly]

Looks very good, off to buy a lottery ticket.

[Ex Boy Racer]

such a shame we can't design things any more. We either copy completely, use 'reminders', or pilage so-called brand heritage. If our predecessors had done the same there would be no stingray - or anything else - to copy

[LuS1fer]

I love the C2 - the all-time classic Corvette shape but this? This is rubbish.

[anonymous-user]

If you like the idea of old Vette looks on modern Vette chassis you can already buy one of these

Edited by 5 USA on Friday 27th March 13:01

[Belfast Boy]

fkin health and safety!!! this has the potential to look great but because the power that be (that also worry about people getting killed by hanging baskets!) we cannot have a half decent retro Vette with the pop up lights! as pointed out before it makes the front look like a BMW Z8.....SHAME BLOODY SHAME!

[ApexJimi]

Anyone else seeing Ferrari 575M / 599 ?

[jayfish]

Yup 599