Description
Albion Classic Cars brings you this very rare Corvette C2 Sting Ray Cabriolet 'Fuelie', a fuel-injected L84 developing 360hp, one of just 1300 produced in 1963, the first year and purest iteration of the C2, a great vintage that collectors are particularly fond of as it was also the only year in which the famous 'Split window' was offered in the catalogue, a legendary model that collectors are now snapping up for over €200, 000... oops!Equipped with the 327ci V8 (5. 4L), this example left the St Louis factory in the second week of February 1963. The car was acquired by a father/ son duo in 1975, the father using it sparingly on sunny days and the son using it occasionally for his university trips before joining the US Navy a few years later. For this purpose, the car was stored and not brought out again until the mid-90s when the son left the Navy for good, only to use it again sporadically before parting with it in 2004.
The car was imported into Europe that same year and has known only one owner since, a racing engineer-mechanic who worked in F3 (Brabham), Formula 3000 (Lola, Ligier) and F1 (Simtek, Jaguar Racing, Toyota, Red Bull Racing) teams from the early 1970s until his recent retirement. Maintained and subtly upgraded by himself, needless to say the car was in very good, expert hands, and its mechanics are in tip-top shape! The car was black (Tuxedo Black) when it left the factory and is now (and has been since 1974) presented in an attractive metallic bronze colour combination with black inserts on the bonnet (original paintwork) in the area of the air intakes, giving it a little 'muscle car' look. The fuel-injected version still produced a very respectable 360bhp, a far cry from the 250bhp of the base version! The red interior upholstery is original. The interior is generally in very good condition, with a nice patina and just a small tear in the driver's seat, easily repaired if necessary. The dashboard clock works and the car still has its original AM radio which seems to work as well as its original aerial. Equipped with the Muncie M20 "short" (close ratio) 4-speed mechanical gearbox, a Hurst gear lever, a posi-traction 3. 70 posi-traction rear axle, non-hydraulic valves, sidepipe hooker exhausts (the original sidepipe exhausts are supplied with the car) and Goodrich BF Radial tyres mounted on American Racing magnesium rims (much more solid than aluminium rims but also much more expensive), this model drives particularly well, with a bewitching noise and breathtaking performance. The soft top and carpets are also in excellent condition.
The car remains in its original state, never restored but sound (as evidenced by the good condition under the windscreen indicating the healthy side of the birdcage) and with just a patina acquired over the years that no restoration can restore... Although we have no history prior to 1975, we believe that the mileage (24000 miles) is original but we cannot guarantee it. The paintwork is presentable for its age (see photos) and the alignment of the various body parts is very good. Perfectly usable in its current condition and, on the face of it, capable of covering any distance. We can deliver the car as is or with a new paint job in the colour of your choice (competition quality - car stripped to the bare metal), work carried out at cost by a professional bodywork specialist with experience of Corvettes since 1971. History on file with numerous invoices for parts. The owner's manual is also present as well as the technical manual for the vehicle and the fuel injection system. C2's are skyrocketing in collectability and therefore represent an excellent investment. Delivered with its UK registration and recent CT with no remarks.
For the French registration, please add 5. 5% import VAT on the invoice amount to be defined together to obtain the 846A customs document. Visible by appointment in Calais. Delivery possible throughout mainland France by specialised carrier at cost price. Trade-in possible for a car over 30 years old. English spoken.
