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The 1962 Chevrolet Corvette

1962 Red Convertible Corvette

The 1962 Corvette was offered in solid colors only, the grill is blacked out and the chrome trim around the coves was removed. For the first time since 1957 buyers could order the wheels in the following colors: Black, Beige, Red, Silver, or Maroon. For the first time seat belts were standard equipment from the factory. All engines were now 327 ci, the 283 ci was retired in 1961. 1962 was the last year for the solid axle. This is also the last year for an external trunk until the 1998 C5. The exposed headlights also dissapeared until the 2005 C6. The Heater/Defroster became standard equipment this year although they could be deleted to save the weight for owners who were buying the car to race it.

Production Options and Build Statistics

Total 1962 Corvettes Built - 14,531

Serial Numbers
Convertible20867S100001 - 20867S114531

The serial number (Vehicle Identification Number -- VIN) is located on a stainless steel plate welded to the top of the steering column mast under the hood.

Serial Number Decoder

PositionCharacterDescription
121962
2-308body series: Corvette
4-567convertible
6SAssembled in St. Louis, MO
7-12100001 to 114531production sequence

Engine Serial Number Decoder


1962 Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block after the engine number


PositionValueDescription
1 to 70001001sequential production number
8F or TFlint, MI or Tonawanda, NY
9 to 10Carburetion & transmission
  • RC = 327-cid 250-hp V-8 with 10.5:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, and four-barrel carburetor
  • RD = 327-cid 300-hp V-8 with 10.5:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, and four-barrel carburetor
  • RE = 327-cid 340-hp V-8 with 11.25:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, and four-barrel carburetor
  • RF = 327-cid 360-hp V-8 with 11.25:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, and fuel injection
  • SC = 327-cid 250-hp V-8 with 10.5:1 compression ratio, Powerglide automatic transmission and a four-barrel carburetor
  • SD = 327-cid 300-hp V-8 with 10.5:1 compression ratio, Powerglide automatic transmission and dual four-barrel carburetors

The body number plate is located on the engine side of the cowl. Fisher Body Style Number 62-0867 identifies a Corvette. The body number is the serial number of the body. The trim number represents the color of the interior, the paint color is the exterior "Magic Mirror" paint color.

Production Options

RPO
Description
Cost
Total
Prod.
%
867Base Convertible$4,038.00 14,531 100.0%
102AM Radio, Signal Seeking$137.75 13,076 90.0%
203Rear Axle 3.08:1 ratio$0.00 N/A N/A
242Positive Crankcase Ventilation$5.40 N/A N/A
276Wheels, 15x5.5$0.00 561 3.9%
313Powerglide Automatic Trans.$199.10 1,532 10.5%
396327ci, 340hp Engine$107.60 4,412 30.4%
419Auxiliary Hardtop$236.75 8,074 55.6%
426Power Windows$59.20 698 4.8%
441Direct Flow Exhaust System$0.00 2,934 20.2%
473Power Operated Folding Top$139.90 350 2.4%
48824 Gallon Fuel Tank$118.40 65 0.4%
582327ci, 360hp Engine (fuel inj.)$484.20 1,918 13.2%
583327ci, 300hp Engine$53.80 3,294 22.7%
675Positraction Rear Axle$43.05 14,232 97.9%
6854-Speed Manual Transmission.$188.30 11,318 77.9%
686Metallic Brakes$37.70 2,799 19.3%
687Heavy Duty Brakes and Susp.$333.60 246 1.7%
1832Whitewall Tires, 6.70x15$31.55 N/A N/A
1833Blackwall Tires, 6.70x15 nylon$15.75 N/A N/A

Color Options for 1962

RPO
Color
Cost
Ditzler
Dupont
RMNumber
Soft Top Color
Interior Color
Total
Prod.
%
N/ATuxedo Black$0.00N/AN/AN/AWhite/BlackRed/Black/Fawn N/A N/A
920Fawn Beige$0.00N/AN/AN/AWhite/BlackRed/Fawn 1,851 12.7%
923Roman Red$0.00N/AN/AN/AWhite/BlackBlack/Red/Fawn N/A N/A
936Ermine White$0.00N/AN/AN/ABlack/WhiteBlack/Red/Fawn N/A N/A
938Almond Beige$0.00N/AN/AN/ABlack/WhiteRed/Fawn 820 5.6%
940Sateen Silver$0.00N/AN/AN/AWhite/BlackBlack/Red N/A N/A
948Honduras Maroon$0.00N/AN/AN/ABlack/WhiteBlack/Fawn N/A N/A

Interior Colors

RPO
Color
Cost
Total
Prod.
%
N/ABlack$0.00 N/A N/A
N/ARed$0.00 N/A N/A
N/AFawn$0.00 N/A N/A


1962 Corvette Specifications

Mechanical Dimensions

FeatureDimensions
Wheelbase102 inches
Overall length177.2 inches
Overall width72.8 inches
Overall height52.1 inches
Front tread57 inches
Rear tread58.8 inches
Fuel CapacityWelded steel box-section X-braced type
Coolant Capacity16.4 gal.
Frame16.5 qt.
Ground Clearance6.7 inches
Hardtop weight55 pounds
Interior hip room59.6 inches
Hat room42.3 inches
Leg room46.5 inches
Shoulder room49.4 inches
Trunk room12.1 cu. ft
Wheels15" steel bolt-on wheels
Tires6.70x15
Front suspensionIndependent; unequal-length A-arms; unequal-length wishbones; coil springs; anti-roll bar;tubular shocks
Rear suspensionLive axle on semi-elliptic leaf springs, anti-roll bar, tubular shock absorbers
Rear suspensionLive axle on semi-elliptic leaf springs, tubular shock absorbers
SteeringSaginaw worm-and-ball, 21:1 ratio, 3.7 turns to lock, 38.5 foot turning circle
Rear axle typeHypoid semi-floating
BrakesFour-wheel hydraulic, internal-expanding, 11-inch diameter drums, 327 square inches effective lining area


Engine Specifications

FeatureStandard EngineRPO 396RPO 582RPO 583
TypeV-8, Overhead valveV-8, Overhead valveV-8, Overhead valveV-8, Overhead valve
BlockCast iron blockCast iron blockCast iron blockCast iron block
Displacement327 cid327 cid327 cid327 cid
Bore & Stroke4.00 x 3.254.00 x 3.254.00 x 3.254.00 x 3.25
Compression ratio10.50:111.25:111.25:111.25:1
Horsepower250 bhp340 bhp360 bhp300 bhp
Main bearingFiveFiveFiveFive
Valve liftersHydraulicHydraulicHydraulicHydraulic
Fuel DeliveryCarter Aluminum Four BarrelCarter Aluminum Four BarrelFuel InjectionCarter AFB*

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