1962 Corvette Fact Sheet
Corvette –
Bigger Engines
for 1962
Big news was the adoption of the new 327 CID small block V-8, the first major engine change since the introduction of the 283 V-8 in 1955!
General Year Information
Now, Only four engine choices were available: Base, 300, 340 and 360 HP. This helped streamline manufacturing, maintenance, and sales.
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 rearview 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 was 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.
Engines
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Base V-8. (Code “RC” & “SC”) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. 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 Five main bearings. Hydraulic lifters: Camshaft Duration: 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. 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 Five main bearings. Hydraulic lifters: Camshaft Duration: 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. 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 Five main bearings. Solid lifters: Camshaft Duration: Intake: 287 degrees, Exhaust: 287 degrees, Lift: 0.3997″. Overlap 66 degrees. 4-barrel Carburetor: Carter AFB 3296S PN 3797699.
NOTE: Not available with automatic transmission.
Optional Fuel Injection V-8. (RPO 582) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. 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 Five main bearings. Solid lifters: Camshaft Duration: Intake: 287 degrees, Exhaust: 287 degrees, Lift: 0.3997″. Overlap 66 degrees. Fuel Injected: Rochester (Early) 7017355 (Late) 7017360.
Engine ID Suffixes were as follows: ‘
-
- “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.
Chassis Features
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- Wheelbase: 102.00″
- Overall length: 177.70″
- Front tread: 57.00″
- Rear tread: 59.00″
- Tires: 6.70 x 15 – tubeless
Significant Options
-
- Three-speed manual floor shift transmission was standard.
- Four Speed manual floor shift transmission ($188.00).
- Automatic transmission ($199.00).
- 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 for complete information on this option.
- Special 15 x 5.5 inch wheels (no cost).
- Available rear axle gear ratios 3.70:1, 4.11:1, 4.56:1.
1961 Corvette Production Figures
-
- Corvette Series Number: 800
- Corvette Body Number: 867
- Body Style: 2-Door Convertible – 2 Passenger
- Factory Base Price: $4,034.00
- Shipping Weight : 2,905 lbs.
- Total Production: 14,531
Body Paint Color Codes
Click on the Paint Code Name to See the Mix Codes for the appropriate color:
1962 Corvette:
| 900 Tuxedo Black | |
| 920 Fawn Beige | |
| 923 Roman Red | |
| 936 Ermine White | |
| 938 Almond Beige | |
| 940 Sateen Silver | |
| 948 Honduras Maroon |
Engine Options
-
- 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).
Power Train Options
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)
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
Related Images
Related Images to the 1962 Corvette will appear below
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”!