Wanting to continue the Corvette success as a true sportscar, Chevrolet introduced the C1 successor, the C2 in 1963. Penned by Larry Shinoda and developed after the futuristic CERV I experimental prototype of 1960, the C2 was defined by its creator, Zora Duntov " for the first time, I now have a Corvette I can be proud to drive in Europe". Blinking an eye to European sportscar aficionados, the Corvette team of engineers worked to offer a car which was a radical departure from the C1: independent wheel suspensions, new and more potent engines, new chassis and that achingly gorgeous body style. The C2 has also been the first Corvette to be offered in both cabriolet and cupè form, the latter offered initially with the notorious rear split-window only in 1963. With engines output ranging from 250 to 360 horses and even a racing program which produced 125 Grand Sport C2's the Corvette was willing to take on the game of the ubiquitous European sportscars.