The stunning C2 generation appeared because of the work of three men in General
Motors: Zora
Arkus-Duntov. Bill Mitchell and Larry Shinoda.
The "mid-years" lasted from 1963 - 1967, the shortest
generation and the most sought-after. The "split-window" coupe and the Z06
option (both in 1963) were part of this generation. Noteworthy styling
with the ducktail rear-ends (first seen at the tail-end of the C1 generation)
and hidden headlights with graceful, sensuous bodylines provide what AutoMobile
magazine (October 2004 - the 100 Coolest Cars) called the "...the coolest of the cool
because they embody...postwar optimism and creativity in a
glorious piece of rolling sculpture that's bold and brash and loud
and fast, all rolled into a single package."\\
The C2 generation began with 327's and would herald the arrival of the "big
block" starting with the 396 and ending with the elegant 427 triple deuce 435
horsepower engine in 1967, one of the most sought after Corvettes, and the rare
L88 427 with aluminum heads. Ironically, in what now represents the most
popular year of the C2 generation, MY 1967, Vette sales dropped from MY 1966.
Fuel injection was present at the beginning of the generation but disappeared in
the middle of the "mid-years" with MY 1965, reappearing two decades later in the
C4 generation.
The Jaguar XK-E would arrive in the marketplace just ahead of the MY 1963 Vette
and during this generation, the Mustang would debut.
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