Corvette: Year by Year
1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 19641965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976
1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988
1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
| Moray |
EX-122 The Original |
Sting Ray Racer Photographs |
Harley Earl's 1963 Customized Corvette |
1973 Corvette Four Rotor / Aerovette |
 Slideshow
|
1959 Sting Ray Racer Part 2
The Sting Ray Racer did more than just look great; it also had a very successful racing career. It finished fourth in its first race. Driven mostly by Dr. Dick Thompson ("The Flying Dentist", right) it dominated the Sports Car Club of America C-Modified class in 1960. The Sting Ray Racer had the championship wrapped up only half way through the season. In ten races, Dr. Thompson had more than twice the points of the nearest competitor.
Following it's show circuit career, Bill Mitchell then used it as his personal car, which was his typical way of doing business. It also had a cameo roll in the Elvis Presley movie, "Viva Las Vegas".
Details are special throughout the Sting Ray Racer. Below right, wheels are cast magnesium.
Click here for Special Corvettes slideshow
Above: Early publicity for the 1959 Sting Ray Racer, which was sometimes known as XP-87.
1959 Sting Ray Racer at the Petersen Museum, part of a Precious Metals exhibit in 2016.
Hood vents also appeared on the 1963 Corvette. While they were functional on the 1959 Sting Ray Racer, they were for style only on the stock 1963 Corvette (right).
Famous GM designer Chuck Jordan and his son Mark Jordan test drive the 1959 Sting Ray Racer at Michigan International Speedway, mid 1970s.
Photo: Gary Smith, Dean's Garage
Bill Mitchell discusses his 1959 Sting Ray Racer with Italian designer Battista Pinin Farina, founder of the Pininfarina coachbuilding company.
The 1959 Sting Ray Racer played a part in the Elvis Presley movie "Clambake". Filmed in 1967, it was a typical Elvis movie and as such did not win many awards. The Sting Ray Racer, painted red with a gussied up hood scoop, did have a significant role in the film.
Archival photographs from "back in the day" are courtesy of the Chuck Jordan Archives. The Sting Ray Racer evolved constantly during its early career, first painted red and then silver. Engines and chassis items (such as brakes) also changed. Note for example the more minimal hood louvers.
The 1959 Sting Ray Racer continues to attract fans as seen at the 2013 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. The car has been used extensively by GM as a promotional vehicle, a task for which it is eminently qualified.
1959 Sting Ray Racer model available from AutoArt
Next: 1959 Sting Ray Racer Photographs
1959 Sting Ray Racer GM Photographs
1959 Sting Ray Racer Part I
Harley Earl's 1963 Corvette
EX-122: The Original
Corvette Moray
Return to Special Corvettes
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2023 Corvette
C8 Z06
Introducing the Vette Spotter app for the iPhone.
The Vette Spotter app can identify the year of any Corvette.
All years and generations are covered, from 1953 to 2014. Over 350 photographs and detailed text are included.
Above: Early publicity for the 1959 Sting Ray Racer, which was sometimes known as XP-87.
1959 Sting Ray Racer at the Petersen Museum, part of a Precious Metals exhibit in 2016.
Hood vents also appeared on the 1963 Corvette. While they were functional on the 1959 Sting Ray Racer, they were for style only on the stock 1963 Corvette (right).
Famous GM designer Chuck Jordan and his son Mark Jordan test drive the 1959 Sting Ray Racer at Michigan International Speedway, mid 1970s.
Photo: Gary Smith, Dean's Garage
Photo: Gary Smith, Dean's Garage
Bill Mitchell discusses his 1959 Sting Ray Racer with Italian designer Battista Pinin Farina, founder of the Pininfarina coachbuilding company.
The 1959 Sting Ray Racer played a part in the Elvis Presley movie "Clambake". Filmed in 1967, it was a typical Elvis movie and as such did not win many awards. The Sting Ray Racer, painted red with a gussied up hood scoop, did have a significant role in the film.
Archival photographs from "back in the day" are courtesy of the Chuck Jordan Archives. The Sting Ray Racer evolved constantly during its early career, first painted red and then silver. Engines and chassis items (such as brakes) also changed. Note for example the more minimal hood louvers.
The 1959 Sting Ray Racer continues to attract fans as seen at the 2013 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. The car has been used extensively by GM as a promotional vehicle, a task for which it is eminently qualified.
1959 Sting Ray Racer model available from AutoArt
Next: 1959 Sting Ray Racer Photographs
1959 Sting Ray Racer GM Photographs
1959 Sting Ray Racer Part I
Harley Earl's 1963 Corvette
EX-122: The Original
Corvette Moray
Return to Special Corvettes
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- To inform you of new comments, should you subscribe to receive notifications.
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This policy is subject to change at any time and without notice.
Terms and Conditions
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- Although the administrator will attempt to moderate comments, it is impossible for every comment to have been moderated at any given time.
- You acknowledge that all comments express the views and opinions of the original author and not those of the administrator.
- You agree not to post any material which is knowingly false, obscene, hateful, threatening, harassing or invasive of a person's privacy.
- The administrator has the right to edit, move or remove any comment for any reason and without notice.
Failure to comply with these rules may result in being banned from submitting further comments.
These terms and conditions are subject to change at any time and without notice.
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2023 Corvette
C8 Z06
Introducing the Vette Spotter app for the iPhone.
The Vette Spotter app can identify the year of any Corvette.
All years and generations are covered, from 1953 to 2014. Over 350 photographs and detailed text are included.
Comments