Chevrolet stunned the world in 1953 with their Corvette. The Corvette was as basic as it looked, but it has grown to be one of the most successful sports cars in the world Carbon Fiber Parts for Porsche. The most important development for the Corvette was in 1963, when the Corvette Sting Ray received an independent rear suspension for its first time in Vette history. It seems strange to consider a Corvette lacking the best handling and performance parts.
Zora Arkus - Duntov was the designer of the independent rear suspension for 1963 Corvette Sting Ray. Duntov's design was simple but effective. It consisted of a frame-mounted differential with half shafts, which were u-jointed. They were then connected by a transverse leaf spring. This original design was inspired by the CERV I concept, and it was brilliantly realized. Rubber cushioned struts carried the differential and allowed for better tire contact. This was especially useful on rough roads. As it was bolted to the differential case, the transverse leaf spring was able to find its place on it. A control arm was then extended slightly forward and laterally from the case. It was connected to a hub carrier with a radius rod trailing it. Half shafts function in the same way as control arms, with vertical motion handled by the lower 'arms and foremotion by the trailingrods. The new independent rear suspension, when combined with better shocks for that time period, resulted in the most handling Corvette ever. This was something for the engineers at GM to work on and keep developing. The new suspension made handling much better and allowed engineers at GM to explore other ways to improve the Vette's power. The new suspension, which was lighter than the previous generation's, meant that the Corvette could move more quickly and brake faster because it wasn't as heavy. This was crucial because the standard four-wheel disc brake system that the Corvette would adopt in 1965 wasn't available on the Corvette. The suspensions of today's Corvettes are almost straight from the race track. However, it all began as a work-in-progress and an evolutionary process that started with the independent rear suspension. The Corvette Nation can thank Duntov and other great minds for creating the Vette's that handle as if they were on rails.
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