History C2 1964

Although Ford's Mustang would debut at mid-year, a small increase in MY 1964 sales was realized over the 1963 MY climbing to 22,229 Corvettes sold.   Pricing remained the same for the convertible and fell $5 on the coupe.  Unlike 1963, where the sales were split almost evenly between coupe and convertible, 30% more people (13,925) would purchase the roadster in 1964 than in 1963.  Over 19,000 of the Corvettes were ordered with the 4-speed manual transmission.   Over 18,000 were ordered with "positraction" rear ends ranging from 3.08:1 to 4.56:1.

Changes to the Corvette were at the detail level, nothing major.  Styling remained the same except that Duntov won his argument.  The split-window was eliminated along with the simulated hood louvers although the indentations remained in the hood.   The left roof vent became functional, but not the right!

A redesigned hubcap was standard featuring a chrome spinner mounted to a stainless steel disc used against a gloss-black 15 x 5.5 inch steel wheel.  Early in CY 1964, cast aluminum knock-off wheels were made available as an option...$322 for a set of 5!

The racing suspension package included heavy-duty springs and shocks and a thicker front anti-sway bar.  The racing brake package included a dual reservoir master cylinder, ventilated brake backing plates, larger than normal cast-iron drums with radial fins to aid in heat dissipation and hub-mounted, stamped steel fans.

Seven colors were available in MY 1963.  Riverside Red was the most popular followed by Ermine White, then Daytona Blue and Silver Blue.   Sebring Silver was replaced with Satin Silver.  Other available colors retained from MY 1963:   Tuxedo Black and Saddle Tan.    

White soft tops just barely edged black soft tops as the most popular.   Beige replaced tan soft tops...but lagged far behind white and black in popularity appearing on only 591 convertibles.  Tan in MY 1963 had been sold on 444 convertibles.

Playing to two masters:  performance and luxury, the MY 1964 Vette offered power steering, brakes and windows, AM-FM radio and air conditioning as options.  The seats had thicker backs that tapered less toward the top.  Leather seats were again offered as an option; however, unlike MY 1963, the seats were available in any of the interior colors.   All 1964s came with stimulated-walnut plastic rimmed steering wheel, optional in MY 1963. 

As in 1963, only the 327 c.i. engine was offered.   The standard engine was a 327 with 250 horsepower.  The L75 was a 327 with 300 horsepower; the L76 a 327 with 365 horsepower.  Rarest of the 327s was the L84 375 horsepower, fuel-injected 327.  Only 1,325 buyers drove that Corvette away from the dealership.   The increase in horsepower over the 1963 327 fuelie (365 horsepower) was accomplished by a new intake manifold design.   If you were a racer, you could still order the 36-gallon fiberglass fuel tank.

Interior noise and heat levels were problems.  Additional insulation and revamped body and transmission mounts helped address the noise problems.  A small fan circulated area in the back of the Corvette helping to reduce the heat under the rear window. 

Small changes introduced included fewer ribs in the rocker panels with black paint between each.  Instrument bezels were painted flat black and the fuel filler door gained concentric circles.

AM-FM Radio, RPO U69, was the most popular option.  The Special Sintered Metallic Brake Package (J56) and the 36-gallon fuel tank were the two least popular...both appearing on less than 50 cars in each category.

Serial numbers

Convertible 40867S100001 - 40867S122229
Coupe 40837S100001 - 40837S122229