Descrição
This is lot number 118 in the Bonhams Bonmont Auction on June 30th, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
• Delivered new in the USA
• Original 427ci (7. 0-litre) V8 engine
• Desirable manual gearbox
• Very rare Goodwood Green livery
• Extensively restored over the last ten years
• Swiss registration document
"The Stingray hit the American sports car market like a thunderclap, reminiscent of the knock-'em-dead debut of the Jaguar E-Type two years previously; comparisons were not slow to materialize. For the first time in history the Corvette was a sell-out success." Richard M Langworth, The Complete Book Of The Corvette.
To say that the Stingray's arrival caused a sensation would be grossly understating its impact on the North American sports car market. Indeed, such was its runaway success that the St Louis factory hired a second shift but still could not build cars fast enough to meet demand. Styled in General Motors' Art and Colour Studio under Bill Mitchell, the new Corvette featured radical styling pioneered on Mitchell's successful Stingray sports-racer, and for the first time there was a Gran Turismo Coupe in the range. Beneath the skin was an all-new ladder-frame chassis with independent rear suspension, the adoption of which enabled the center of gravity to be significantly lowered, improving both handling and ride. This new frame was the work of Corvette Chief Engineer, Zora Arkus-Duntov who said, "For the first time I have a Corvette which I am proud to use in Europe."
As had been the case with the previous (1956-62) generation of Corvettes, development proceeded slowly, being characterized by annual facelifts and few engineering changes of note. On the latter front, the long-overdue arrival of four-wheel disc brakes was the most significant development for 1965 while Chevrolet's 327ci (5. 4-liter) 250bhp standard V8 was joined by an optional 396ci (6. 5-liter) Big Block for '65 only, then a '427' until the end of Stingray production in 1967. Now recognized as representing a 'golden age' for the Corvette, the Stingray version was manufactured from 1963 to 1967 and has since gone on to become a highly collectible classic car.
From the last year of production, this rare manual Stingray coupé with 7-litre Big Block & side pipes is the absolute aim for classic US vehicles enthusiasts. Finished in the very rare Goodwood Green (only 4, 239 units produced) with matching interior, this Sting Ray was delivered new in the USA boasting the most desirable combination of the 427ci (7. 0-Litre) V8 engine and manual transmission. The car was imported into Switzerland from the USA in 2004 (US title and form 13. 20 available). According to the seller at that time, the Corvette had been in a well-known German collection before returning to the USA. On 22nd February 2013, the car was purchased by the current owner from Rüede Dream Cars AG, Niederwil, Switzerland having had one previous private owner in Switzerland.
Over the last ten years the Corvette has been extensively restored, with almost all aspects undergoing refurbishment and numerous components replaced. The original speedometer was replaced at 42, 353 miles (current reading 49, 500 km). All documents and invoices relating to the restoration are in the accompanying file together with other historical paperwork and a special registration document from the jury of the Swiss Corvette Club Int. (SCCI). The last technical inspection (MFK) was carried out on 15th September 2021.
