The third-generation Corvette, produced from 1968 to 1982, was based on the Mako Shark II show car designed by the famed Larry Shinoda. From 1969 to 1976, it bore the Stingray name, differing from the earlier two-word Sting Ray designation.
The Stingray name carries nostalgic value, having been revived for both the Corvette C7 (2014-2019) and the mid-engine C8, which began production in 2020. The 1976 model featured steel floor panels to shield catalytic converter exhaust gases. These panels not only weighed less than the previous fiberglass floors but also helped reduce interior noise levels.
Photos by Tom Gidden courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
