Super Chevy Pits 1963 Fuelie Against 1967 427/435 Corvette

Side-by-side comparison of two classic Corvettes details key improvements over the years.

Here’s a match-up you don’t see often in the Corvette Kingdom – a 1963 Fuelie versus a 1967 L71 427/435.

Yep, leave it to our friends at Super Chevy to come up with an interesting comparison like this. Though, our initial thought before reading the entire piece would’ve been, “no comparison.” But clearly both models have played an important role in improving the performance of the American sports car.

Super Chevy’s report is a great deep dive, but starts off by digging into the evolution of the suspension setups of the Corvettes, which included an independent rear and updated front suspension on the ’63 Fuelie. It also details how the availability of hydraulic lifters in the ’67 model played a role in helping to shape the future of the ‘Vette.

Obviously, when it came to power, the Corvette saw a significant boost in the ’67’s L71 427 cid engine, which cranked out 435 horsepower and 460 lb-ft. of torque. Compare that to the 327 cid L84 engine in the 1963 model, which had an output rating of 360 horsepower and 352 lb-ft. of torque.

CHECK OUT: What Forum Members Are Saying About This Classic Comparo

The biggest improvement with the ’67 Corvette, in comparison to the ’63 Fuelie, came in the area of braking, with the introduction of standard four-wheel-disc brakes. But Super Chevy notes that the carmaker sort of missed the boat on the ’67 model by not working to improve its chassis.

Ironically enough, when it comes to speed, the two models were a lot closer than most might guess. The report notes that Road & Track tested a 1963 Fuelie and achieved a 0 – 60 mph time of 5.9 seconds. While a Motor Trend test of a ’67 L71 427/435 Corvette yielded a 0 – 60 mph time of 5.5 seconds.

If you’re a diehard fan of the C2, you’ll want to check out the full Super Chevy report. Then come back and let us know what you think!