'62 Corvette Options questioned

[David B.]

Have always been sceptical of published '62 Corvette option Numbers. Especially with regards to RPO 675 Positraction. The current accepted number of 14,232 implies there were only 299 non posi units built. Actual GM records show the following breakdown:
3.55 - 348 3.36 - 3,328 3.08 - 99
3.70 - 1313 3.36 - 3,787 3.08 - 995
4.56 - 897 3.36 - 116
Duplication of some ratios break out 250/300 vs 340/360 and other factors.

The total of 10,793 leave 3,738 non posi '62 Corvettes, a much more realistic number. Further revealing quantities are:
RPO - 203 1110 units This is 250/300 HP 4 spd. with 3.08 non posi
RPO - 242 1390 units Special Crankcase Ventilation (probably the total # of 62 Corvettes sold in Ca.)
RPO - 437 350 uints correct quantity with the break down 138 white, 159 red, 54 fawn
RPO - 686 2871 units Metallic brake facing. A simple math error on current number.
RPO - 1832 13,071 units 6.70 - 15 4 ply w wall tires
"Old habits are hard to break" but after 58 years it might be a good thing to correct.

[Mike E.]

Re: "62 Corvette Options questioned

Dave,
Good stuff!
But: RPO 473 (power tops) (I'm sure 437 was just a typo on your part) indicates red soft tops and fawn soft tops--the only colors available in 62 were white and black. Unless that was interpreted as exterior paint colors on which a white or black power top was installed, but that would conflict with original-color cars I have looked at with power tops. This one confuses me.

Regarding the non-posi units, I have always doubted that 299 number--it has been too low (seems like I have run across most of those supposed 299). Your numbers indicate that 75% of the 62's were positraction--that strikes me as low, also, but then again, the base-motor non-posi units don't seem to make many NCRS meets, (and are now 'all original' 340-hp 4-speed 3.70 posi cars), and no one brags about them.

Thanks for those numbers!