The 1964 model year was the second one for the second generation of Chevrolet's Corvette sports car, now dubbed the "Sting Ray".
As was the practice for Detroit of the time, there were numerous cosmetic differences to make sure the neighbors knew that you had this year's model and not an old '63. The most notable change was the removal of the vertical divider in the rear window on the fastback coupes, so if you see a "split-window" 'Vette you know it's a 1963 model.
On the convertible the chrome simulated vent grilles were removed from the hood, leaving a couple non-functional indentations in their place. The chrome strips along the rocker panels had fewer ribs than the previous year and the indentations between them were painted black.
There were four choices of power plant for 1964. The base Corvette motor was the 327 small block V-8, with a four-barrel carburetor and a 10.5:1 compression ratio, rated at 250 SAE gross horsepower. Next up the ladder was the same motor with a bigger carb and different heads with larger valves, which gave you 300 horsepower.
The two enthusiast choices had all the performance goodies: solid lifters, Duntov cams, 11.0:1 compression, and could be had in 365 horsepower carbureted or 375 horse fuel-injected forms.
All motors could be backed with a three- or four-speed manual transmission, and the two wimpier offerings could also be had with a two-speed Powerglide automatic gearbox.
With such a wide range of powertrain choices came a wide range of performance. Road & Track tested a coupe with the 300bhp motor and the Powerglide transmission and recorded an 8.0 second zero-to-sixty and a 15.2 second quarter mile at 85mph. The 3.56:1 rear end gave a top speed of 130.
Meanwhile, Motor Trend tested a fuelie coupe with the close-ratio four-speed and optional 4.11 Positraction rear end, and it put the zero-to-sixty sprint away in 5.6 seconds and dispatched the quarter in 14.2 at 100mph. Top speed was measured at 134.
Base price was $4,394, and the as-tested price for R&T's coupe was $5,016 while the gnarly M/T test car was $6.367. (That's $44,463 for the base, $50,757 for the 300hp Powerglide car, and $64,428 for the wild-eyed fuelie ride, calculated for inflation.)
This Silver Blue '64 ragtop was photographed with a Canon EOS 7D and EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS zoom lens in September of 2021.
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