|
 The
first of three Corvettes, my 1966 Sting Ray was the smoothest and most
practical of the bunch. In Corvette terms the engine was rather small at
300 hp, but it still was capable of terrifying speeds on the byways of
Upstate New York. The car was rather basic in that it had a radio, a four
speed transmission, and little else extra. Fortunately, Chevrolet had
planned for enthusiasts with optional settings for steering ratio and manual
shift throw, so I made those changes--which turned the car into one that was
much quicker on turn-in and faster from gear to gear. In no time at all,
the Corvette and this driver were at ease with each other, and we spent many
a night together roaring from one little village to another, terrifying the
locals and having great fun. The exhaust was too quiet for such a fun car,
so I rammed a crowbar down each tailpipe to clean the baffles out of the
mufflers, with the result that running the engine through its paces
generated aural pleasure beyond compare.
On a trip, the Sting Ray was surprising in that
it was comfortable to spend time in--I made my longest one day jaunt at
1,000 miles in this car. It was possible to fold down the passenger seat,
and with the addition of a homemade temporary panel, stretch out into the
trunk area and spend the night in relative comfort. While based in New York
State most of the time, I drove the car throughout the southwest to Texas,
New Mexico, Colorado, and more.
This 1966 Sting Ray cost $4,800 when new. Its
value now would be slightly higher. |
