If the 1961 Corvette was good, the 1962 Corvette was even better. With still more power and even cleaner looks, it ranks as perhaps the most desirable Corvette between 1957 and 1963. The car's base price broke the $4,000 barrier for the first time, at $4,038. A heater was finally made standard for 1962, more than negating the price increase over the previous year's model, but it could be deleted if so desired, which was intended for racing purposes.

To that end, the troublesome twin four-barrel carbs were now gone altogether, replaced by big, single four-barrel Carters. Peak power in the top two versions came at a screaming 6000 rpm -- quite high for a pushrod powerplant -- while the 250- and 300-bhp versions ran out of steam at 4400 and 5000 rpm, respectively. The latter two were the only engines available with optional Powerglide, which was treated to a weight-saving aluminum case like the one given the four-speed manual the previous year.

The extra power and torque of the larger 327 V-8 translated into truly ferocious 0-60-mph and quarter-mile acceleration: The four-speed/fuelie routinely hit the quarter-mile mark in 15 seconds or less at speeds of 100 mph or more in magazine tests. And with the appropriate options, the Corvette was still a winning production-class racer. Again in 1962, The Sports Car Club of America's A-Production champion was Dr. Dick Thompson. The Corvette was a serious competitor even with only minor modifications. Don Yenko, for example, took the SCCA's B-Production title that season.

The 1962 Corvette marked the end of an era for America's sports car, with the first completely new model in its history now a mere model year away. Still, the 1962 was a transitional model in that it introduced the venerable 327 V-8, which would be carried over to the new design. While the car harkened back to its roots as a 1953 introduction, thanks to Bill Mitchell, Zora Arkus-Duntov, and company, the 1962 was faster, handled better, looked handsomer, and was more civilized than any previous Corvette, but retained much of the charm of the original roadster concept. Sales on the year jumped by nearly 40 percent to 14,531 units, and the Corvette was firmly in the black as far as GM's bottom line was concerned.

And they weren't resting on their laurels, either. The first completely redesigned model in its history would soon come to be realized as the epitome of Chevy's plastic-bodied sports car, and the appellations "Corvette" and "Stingray" would become synonymous.

1962 Corvette Specifications

The 1962 Corvette boasted a small-block V-8 enlarged to 327 cubic inches in four versions offering 250 bhp to a thundering 360. It was powerful, yet retained the charm of the original roadster. Here are the specifications for the 1962 Corvette:

Mechanical Specifications (2-door convertible)

Suspension
front:Independent; upper and lower A-arms, unequal-length wishbones, coil springs, antiroll bar, tubular hydraulic shock absorbers
rear: Live axle on semi-elliptic leaf springs, tubular hydraulic shock absorbers, trailing radius rods

Wheels/Tires
6.70x15

Brakes
front: 11-inch drum
rear: 11-inch drum

Transmission
3-speed manual (std)
4-speed manual (opt)
2-speed Powerglide (opt)

Standard axle ratio
3.70:1

Engine Specifications

Published Performance Numbers

Vehicle Production and Base Prices

Color Choices and Production