If the original Chevrolet Corvette was a sports car in the European mold, its predecessor that bowed in 1962 was decidedly more American. It was bold but not too brash, and its toned bodywork was muscular in all the right places.

The C2, as it would later be known, was heavily influenced by the 1957 Corvette Sting Ray concept car penned by Pete Brock. Its aerodynamic design with the first American adaptation of hidden headlights in two decades was not just for show, however. The second-generation Corvette’s body was lightened, and its steel support structure was beefed up considerably. Underhood, it debuted with a quartet of V-8 options sending power to the rear wheels via a unique suspension setup derived from the Chevrolet Engineering Research Vehicle. At the rear, a transverse leaf spring attached directly to the rear differential provided optimal handling.

The production model arrived for the 1963 model year in both roadster and coupe variants. A handful of changes over the next few years culminated in the final models rolling off Chevrolet’s St. Louis, Missouri, assembly line in the summer of 1967.

The striking Rally Red over red Sting Ray convertible offered here was built toward the end of the C2’s production run in May 1967. Restored in its correct color combination, it presents in exceptional condition today. Under its hood sits a 435 horsepower, 427 cubic inch V-8 engine paired to a four-speed manual transmission. Desirable side-exit exhaust pipes give the car an aggressive look that fits the performance of a late-production C2 Corvette.

The C2 Sting Ray shows few signs of use, and its white soft top is complemented by a black vinyl hardtop that contrasts well with its black hood stripe. Original details are abundant, like redline BF Goodrich tires, an AM radio, and its original trim tag. All in, this C2 is a stellar reminder of the Corvette’s transition into a fire-breathing muscle machine.