Story
1964 Chevrolet Corvette
The 1964 Corvette continued the second-generation Sting Ray as a two-seat coupe or convertible on a 98-inch wheelbase. Chevrolet replaced the coupe's divided rear glass with a one-piece window, made the left roof vent functional, removed the decorative hood panels while retaining their recesses, and simplified the rocker trim. Production reached 22,229 cars: 8,304 coupes and 13,925 convertibles.
Every 1964 Corvette used a 327-cubic-inch Chevrolet small-block V8. The standard four-barrel engine produced 250 gross horsepower. RPO L75 supplied 300 horsepower, L76 raised output to 365 horsepower, and Rochester mechanical fuel injection made L84 the 375-horsepower choice. These four power levels belong on this single model-year page rather than on separate car pages.
A three-speed manual was standard on 715 cars by subtraction from the published transmission totals. RPO M20 accounted for 19,034 four-speeds: a wide-ratio unit with the 250- and 300-horsepower engines and a close-ratio unit with the 365- and 375-horsepower engines. RPO M35 Powerglide appeared on 2,480 cars with the two lower-output engines. The independent rear suspension used a frame-mounted differential, half shafts, struts, torque arms, and a transverse leaf spring. Positraction was ordered on 18,279 cars, while available axle ratios ranged from 3.08 through 4.56 depending on drivetrain.
Four-wheel 11-inch self-adjusting drum brakes were standard. J50 added power assist, J65 added sintered-metallic linings, and only 29 cars received the costly J56 heavy-duty brake equipment. F40 special suspension was ordered on 82 cars. For 1964, Chevrolet offered these competition-oriented chassis choices separately rather than continuing the prior model year's Z06 package.
Factory records list Tuxedo Black, Silver Blue, Daytona Blue, Riverside Red, Saddle Tan, Ermine White, and Satin Silver, plus 24 cars recorded with non-standard paint or primer. Vinyl and leather interiors were offered in solid and two-tone combinations. Power windows, air conditioning, power steering, radios, tinted glass, a convertible hardtop, and a 36-gallon tank broadened the equipment list.
Authentication begins with the 40837 coupe or 40867 convertible serial pattern and the car's ownership history, then checks the trim tag, body source, fiberglass panels, frame, engine assembly stamp, induction, transmission, differential, brakes, suspension, paint layers, glass, hardware, and cabin details. Fuel injection, a four-speed, Positraction, J56 equipment, special suspension, knock-off wheels, colors, and trim can all be changed during restoration. Correct-looking parts support inspection, but a particular car's original configuration still requires coherent records and date-consistent physical evidence.