1962 Corvette Facts, Figures, and Specifications
Corvette for 1962 – Bigger Engines with Much More Power!
Big news was the adoption of the new Chevrolet 327 CID small block V-8, the first major engine change at Corvette since the introduction of the 283 CID V-8 in 1955! Horsepower was way up! The 1962 Corvette, now with the new 327 CID V-8, had only four engine choices: 250, 300, 340, and 360 horsepower. This was a wise move from a manufacturing, service and sales point of view.
1962 Corvette Resources
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1962 Corvette Facts – Body Paint Color Mix Codes
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1962 Corvette:
| 900 Tuxedo Black | |
| 920 Fawn Beige | |
| 923 Roman Red | |
| 936 Ermine White | |
| 938 Almond Beige | |
| 940 Sateen Silver | |
| 948 Honduras Maroon |
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1962 Corvette Facts and Specifications
General Year Information – 1962 Corvette Facts
The new 327 CID V-8 replaced the venerable 283 CID engine, though externally it remained the same size. Now, Only four engine choices were available: Base 250, 300, 340 and 360 HP. This helped streamline manufacturing, maintenance, and sales. 1962 was the last solid-rear-axle suspension Corvette.
On the exterior, stainless rocker panel trim was seen for the first time, and the exposed headlights would be used for the last time until 2005. This was the last Corvette model to offer a power convertible top as an option.
Rare options for 1962: RPO 488 24-gallon fuel tank, RPO 687 heavy-duty brakes and steering, RPO 473 power convertible top, RPO 276 15″×5.5″ wheels.
1962 Corvette Factoids
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Displacement of the V-8 increased from 283 CID to 327 CID – rated at 250 HP in the base single 4-barrel carburetor version. Hydraulic valve lifters were used in the 250 and 300 HP versions, solid lifters in the optional carbureted 340 HP and fuel-injected 360 HP units. Dual 4-barrel carbureted engines were no longer available. See the Corvette Brochure HERE.
1962 Corvette Facts – Models Offered
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The most noticeable external changes for 1962 were the removal of the side cove chrome, a blacked-out grille with no “teeth” or chrome mesh, and a ribbed chrome rocker panel molding. Standard features included: electric clock; dual exhaust; tach; heater and defroster; seat belts; outside rear view mirror and windshield washer.
The steel wheels were available in black, beige, red, silver or maroon for this year. The last time buyers had a choice of wheel colors had been in 1957. In following years, wheels would be offered in only a single color. Exterior colors were Tuxedo Black, Fawn Beige, Roman Red, Ermine White, Almond Beige, Sateen Silver and Honduras Maroon. For the first time since 1955, Corvettes were offered in solid colors only – even the cove was body color.
1962 Corvette Facts – Engines
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Base V-8. (Code “RC” & “SC”) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 327 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.00 x 3.25 inches.
Compression ratio:10.50:1.
Horsepower: 250 @ 4400 RPM.
Torque: 350 @ 2800 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake: 300 degrees, Exhaust: 300 degrees (includes hydraulic cam ramps), Lift: 0.3987″. Overlap 28 degrees.
Carburetor: (Early Auto Trans) Carter AFB 3190S PN 3788245, (Late All) Carter AFB 3191S PN 3828246.
Optional Four Barrel V-8 (RPO 583). Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 327 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.00 x 3.25 inches.
Compression ratio: 10.50:1.
Horsepower: 300 @ 5000 RPM.
Torque: 360 @ 3200 RPM.
Valve lifters: Hydraulic.
Camshaft timing: Intake: 300 degrees, Exhaust: 300 degrees (includes hydraulic cam ramps), Lift: 0.3987″. Overlap 28 degrees.
Carburetor: (Auto Trans) Carter AFB 3310S PN 3819207 (Manual Trans) Carter AFB 3296S PN 3797699.
340 HP Optional V-8 (RPO 396). Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 327 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.00 x 3.25 inches.
Compression ratio: 11.25:1.
Horsepower: 340 @ 6000 RPM.
Torque: 344 @ 4000 RPM.
Valve lifters: Mechanical.
Camshaft timing: Intake: 287 degrees, Exhaust: 287 degrees, Lift: 0.3997″. Overlap 66 degrees.
Carburetor: 4-barrel Carter AFB 3296S PN 3797699.
NOTE: Not available with automatic transmission.
Optional Fuel Injection V-8 (RPO 582). Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.
Displacement: 327 cubic inches.
Bore and stroke: 4.00 x 3.25 inches.
Compression ratio: 11.25:1.
Horsepower: 360 @ 6000 RPM.
Torque: 352 @ 4000 RPM.
Valve lifters: Mechanical.
Camshaft timing: Intake: 287 degrees, Exhaust: 287 degrees, Lift: 0.3997″. Overlap 66 degrees.
Fuel Injection Unit: Rochester (Early) 7017355 (Late) 7017360.
NOTE: Not available with automatic transmission.
Engine ID Suffixes –
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- “RC” – 250 HP manual transmission with 4-barrel carburetor
- “RD” – 300 HP manual transmission with 4-barrel carburetor
- “RE” – 340 HP manual transmission with 4-barrel carburetor
- “RF” – 360 HP manual transmission with Fuel Injection
- “SC” – 250 HP Powerglide transmission with 4-barrel carburetor
- “SD” – 300 HP Powerglide transmission with 4-barrel carburetor
NOTE: Both three and four-speed manual transmission fitment used the same engine code suffixes.
1962 Corvette Facts – Chassis Features
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- Wheelbase: 102.00 inches.
- Overall length: 176.70 inches.
- Overall width: 70.40 inches.
- Overall height: 52.2 inches, with hardtop 52.10 inches.
- Front tread: 57.00 inches.
- Rear tread: 59.00 inches.
- Tires: 6.70 x 15 – tubeless.
1962 Corvette Facts – Powertrains
- Transmission
- Three-Speed Manual Transmission Standard. First: 2.47:1, Second: 1.53:1, Third 1:1. Reverse: 2.80:1.
- Four-Speed Manual Transmission – Optional. First: 2.20:1, Second: 1.66:1, Third 1.31:1, Fourth: 1:1. Reverse: 2.26:1.
- Two-Speed Powerglide Transmission – Optional. Low: 3.82:1-1.82:1, Direct 1.82:1- 1:1. Reverse: 1.82:1.
- Rear Axle
- Manual Transmission. Three Speed: 3.36 (11-37) Four-speed: 3.70:1 (10-37).
- Powerglide Transmission: 3.36:1 (11-37).
- Available rear axle gear ratios 3.70:1, 4.11:1, 4.56:1.
1962 Corvette Facts – Powertrain Options
Engines:
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- V-8 327 cubic inch 300 horsepower four-barrel carb. engine ($53.80)
- V-8 327 cubic inch 340 horsepower four-barrel carb. engine ($107.60).
- V-8 327 cubic inch 360 horsepower fuel-injection engine ($484.00).
Transmissions:
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- Three-Speed Manual Transmission Standard.
- Four-Speed floor shift transmission ($188.00).
- Two-Speed Powerglide Transmission ($199.00).
Other:
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- Direct flow exhaust system (no charge).
- Metallic brakes ($37.70).
- Positive traction rear axle ($43.05).
- RPO 687 Heavy-duty brakes & suspension ($333.60). Please see AMA Specifications Sheet page 16 for complete information on this option.
- Special 15 x 5.5 inch wheels (no cost).
1962 Corvette Facts – Significant Options
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- Black wall Nylon tires ($15.70).
- Crankcase ventilation system ($5.40).
- Detachable hardtop ($236.75).
- Electric windows ($59.20).
- Heavy-duty brakes with metallic facings ($37.70).
- Permanent anti-freeze ($5.00).
- Power top ($161.40).
- Signal seeking transistor radio ($137.75).
- Whitewall tires ($31.55).
1962 Corvette Downloads and Images
1962 Corvette Facts – Related Document Downloads
Files directly related to the 1962 Chevrolet Corvette will appear below. Click to Download:
1962 Corvette 8.5 x 11.0 Print Ads
1962 Corvette AMA Specifications Sheets
1962 Fuel Injected Corvette Road Test – Car Life Magazine
1962 Fuel Injected Corvette Road Test – Hot Rod Magazine
1962 Fuel Injected Corvette Road Test – Motor Trend Magazine
1962 Fuel Injected Corvette Road Test – Sports Car Graphic Magazine
1962 Corvette XP-755 “Shark” Concept Exposed – Car Life Magazine
1962 Corvette Facts – Related Images
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1962 Corvette
Adding 45 HP and 50 ft. lbs. of torque to the already potent Fuel Injection V-8 made the Corvette the acceleration leader in Chevrolet’s street stable. 14,531 were delivered.
1962 Corvette Styling Changes
Externally, the 1962 looked no different than the 1961 Corvette, except for the blacked out front grille., the added rocker molding , and the grille in the cove. However, when the loud pedal was depressed, then one could tell the difference.
1962 Corvette Cove Changes
1962 Corvette Cove was distinctive due to the change in the emblems. The crossed flags returned and fuel injected models received the little badge. The cove grille was also new.
1962 Corvette 327 Fuelie
Externally, the 327 CID 360 HP “Fuelie” looked no different than the 1961’s 315 HP 283 – except for the “360” decal on the valve covers. The performance of this new engine could be described as “breathless”!