CHEVROLET CORVETTE STING RAY CONVERTIBLE

Introduced in 1963, Chevrolet's sensational new Corvette Sting Ray (factory designation C2) represented a quantum leap for America's favourite sports car, both technically and in terms of its dramatic looks and featured a new ladder-type chassis designed by Zora Arkus-Duntov combined with stunning bodywork penned by Larry Shinoda for Bill Mitchell's styling team. Initially sold with the classic 'small-block' 327ci V8 under the elegant bonnet, the C2 was a significant improvement over the earlier cars thanks to independent suspension all-round, the much stiffer box-section frame and from 1965, the addition of disc brakes at each corner.

This stunning example, fresh to market from long term private ownership, is undoubtedly one of the best C2 Corvettes in the UK, indeed it won ‘Best C2’ in the Classic Corvette Club UK Car Show in 2018, the only time our vendor has entered it in a competition.

This matching numbers C2 Sting Ray Convertible was built in April 1965 in the St Louis factory, finished in Ermine White over a Saddle Tan interior and as a 1965 model, benefited from the introduction of 4-pot Kelsey Hayes ventilated discs all round and Kelsey Hayes cast aluminium knock-off wheels. The specification is impressive and includes a 327ci 350bhp V8 (HV suffix) with the rare transistorised electronic ignition, a 4-speed manual transmission, Positractraction (L.S.D) axle, teak wood telescopic steering wheel, N-40 power-steering, white-wall Michelin tyres, 'Sun Ray' front glass, black soft top and an Ermine White factory hardtop.

This remarkable Corvette has only graced the homes of three different households since 1965. The Ridpath family in North America owned the car between 1965-2015, Deborah Hall in the US between 2015-2016 and finally our vendor, who imported it to the UK in 2016 and it’s resided with him ever since. There is a fascinating email in the car's history file dated April 2018 from the son of the original owner to the current owner which tells the story of the car during that family’s 50-year ownership and we encourage all interested parties to read it at our Documents Desk (A copy can be provided upon request as well). The email shows that the family decided to completely restore the Corvette in the early 1990s and this frame-off restoration was completed by Hamersteel Rustorations in Bolton, Ontario. During the restoration, stainless steel brake lines and exhaust were installed and shortly afterwards it was entered into the Performance World Custom Car Show in Toronto, winning ‘Best Corvette in Show’ and ‘Street Stock Champion’, illustrating the quality of work carried out.

Only around 4,000 miles have been covered since that restoration and the C2 remains in fantastic overall condition. This is undoubtedly one of the very best examples we have ever offered (its history at various competitions in the US and here shows that others agree) and we encourage all interested parties to come to Silverstone to see it for themselves. Dating from the C2's most desirable year, low, traceable ownership and an impressive original specification with all the right bits all add up to a very rare opportunity for the astute collector.