Touted as the Sting Ray, the new Corvette also had the metal to back up the
performance mold. Although the 250 horsepower 327, introduced a year earlier,
placed the Corvette squarely in the road-ripping category, it was the combination
of the 327 with the Rochester fuel injection system and the subsequent 360 horsepower
that set the new standard in American street performance.
Lou and Karen Ventriglia of Basking Ridge, New Jersey, are the
fortunate owners of one such ’63 Sting Ray. Sporting the lively 327 fuelie
powerplant, manual tranny and tall 4:11 posi gears, their 3,200-pound Daytona
Blue roadster epitomizes early Corvette street performance.
Lou purchased the car in 1970 from a friend. With only 32,000 miles
on the clock, the Vette was in good original condition, and begged only for
a thorough cleaning and detailing. Lou obliged, but didn’t stop there.
