AMERICAN BEAUTY
Classic & Sports Car|November 2023
For eight generations and 70 years, the Chevy Corvette has been the backbone of the US sports car industry. As it turns 60, the C2 remains the most desirable of all
TON ROKS
AMERICAN BEAUTY

When Jaguar launched the E-type in 1961, it was like a bolt of lightning from above. Beautiful, bold and distinctly sporting. Just two years later, another lightning bolt struck the USA when Chevrolet lifted the covers off the new Corvette Sting Ray.

Even among the American automotive industry's finest new lines for the 1960s, the second-generation Corvette was a stunner. In terms of both styling and speed it was light-years ahead of its predecessor. The first-generation Corvette hadn't been an immediate success, but the Sting Ray was so popular from day one that the St Louis factory had to move to double shifts - and even then couldn't keep up with demand. With a waiting period of two months, buyers paid the list price without hesitation, which was unusual for the deal-hungry American public. Above all else, the immediate appeal of the Sting Ray was the undiluted flair of its sports-car styling.

'Our' C2s come from a jointly owned garage in the small Dutch village of Westzaan, North Holland. The older of the two, the March 1963-built Daytona Blue coupe, spent most of its life in New York State before being imported to The Netherlands in 2006, where it is now cherished by owner Sander van Ballegooij. Michael Westenberg's Rally Red convertible is dated September 1965 and was delivered new in Washington, DC, before emigrating in 2004. "It's one of the last 300 of the '65 model year," says Michael, "so it has some 1966 parts. When the original components ran out, they simply installed those from the new line. That's how it was back then." Both owners are sticklers for originality and proud that their cars stand up to the exacting judging standards of the National Corvette Restorers Society.

Bu hikaye Classic & Sports Car dergisinin November 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Classic & Sports Car dergisinin November 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

CLASSIC & SPORTS CAR DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
RAY HILLIER
Classic & Sports Car

RAY HILLIER

Double-chevron oddity proves a break from the norm for this Crewe specialist

time-read
3 dak  |
December 2024
SHORT BACK & GLIDES
Classic & Sports Car

SHORT BACK & GLIDES

Eccentric enthusiast Captain RG McLeod's series of Manx-tailed Bentley Specials reached its zenith with this unique S2 Continental.

time-read
7 dak  |
December 2024
People's choice
Classic & Sports Car

People's choice

The diminutive but multi-million-selling Fiat 850 packed a remarkable diversity of form and function into its compact footprint

time-read
10 dak  |
December 2024
PLASTIC BREAKS FROM THE NORM
Classic & Sports Car

PLASTIC BREAKS FROM THE NORM

Glassfibre revolutionised niche car-body production, but just occasionally strayed into the mainstream.

time-read
9 dak  |
December 2024
A SENSIBLE SUPERCAR
Classic & Sports Car

A SENSIBLE SUPERCAR

The cleverly conceived four-seater Elite secured Lotus a place at the big players' table, but has it been unfairly maligned since then?

time-read
9 dak  |
December 2024
"I had a habit of grabbing second place from the jaws of victory"
Classic & Sports Car

"I had a habit of grabbing second place from the jaws of victory"

From dreams of yachting glory to the Le Mans podium, via a stint at the top of the motorsport tree, Howden Ganley had quite the career

time-read
8 dak  |
December 2024
Still going strong
Classic & Sports Car

Still going strong

Herbert Engineering staked its reputation on the five-year warranty that came with its cars. A century on, this Two Litre hasn't made a claim

time-read
9 dak  |
December 2024
One for the kids
Classic & Sports Car

One for the kids

General Motors was aiming squarely at the youth market with the launch of the Pontiac GTO 60 years ago, and its runaway success popularised the muscle-car movement

time-read
8 dak  |
December 2024
A NEW BREED OF HERO
Classic & Sports Car

A NEW BREED OF HERO

Launched at the turn of the millennium, the GT3 badge has already earned a place alongside RS, CS and turbo in Porsche lore.

time-read
10 dak  |
December 2024
Brits with SIX appeal
Classic & Sports Car

Brits with SIX appeal

The straight-six engine is synonymous with a decades-long legacy of great British sports cars. Six variations on the sextet theme convene for comparison

time-read
10+ dak  |
December 2024