This second generation Corvette is a stunning example of an early production 400HP car with a rare color combination. The original trim tag reflects a build date of September 16th, 1965 and corresponds with the known production time frame for sequence #00884 of September 16th, 1965. It achieved an “NCRS Top Flight Award” and the prestigious “NCRS Duntov Mark of Excellence Award”. It was certified by Corvette Expert Roy Sinor on February 18th, 2020 and the report is included.
In 1966, a total of 27,720 Corvettes were produced. Of those 17,762 were convertibles and of those 5,116 had the L36 (427/390HP) option. As noted from Roy Sinor’s report, “The urban legend says insurance companies were balking at more than one horsepower per cubic in the 427 450HP configuration. In mid-October of 1965 a letter was issued from GM advising all dealerships to change the horsepower labels on 450HP and 400HP engines to 425HP and 390HP. Approximately 3,300 Corvettes had been built when the letter was released so only 12 percent of the total production could have been eligible to be built as a 400HP configuration. Approximately 365 convertibles were built in the 400HP configuration. 7.6 percent of 1966 Corvettes were painted Ermine White so approximately 28 400HP L36 convertibles were built in White. There were 8 regular production interior color options. Approximately 12.5 percent would have been red which means this Corvette is one of four cars. The kicker in the build of this car that really narrows this down to a small number of similar built vehicles is the 3.36 Positraction only 10 percent of the L36 427’s built were this rear axle that moves this car to number 1. Based on the fact I can count the number of real White/Red 400HP L36 convertibles I have seen in my now forty plus involvement in the depths of the hobby on one hand, this being the only one I have ever seen. I suspect that number many be very accurate. This is a very authentic older restoration well preserved 1966 400HP L36 Corvette, confirmed by the original GM issued Trim Tag, VIN plate, there are numerous manufacturing practices that were accounted for and present when analyzing this vehicle production.”
This car was professionally and correctly restored throughout. When the restoration was completed it was it was judged at multiple NCRS events including Mystic, CT at the regional meet in 1987 with a final score of 94.7 resulting in a Regional Top Flight Award, Southbury, CT at the Chapter meet in 1988, with a final score of 94.9 resulting in a Chapter Top Flight Award, Lancaster, PA at the National meet in 1988 with a final score of 97.7 resulting in a National Top Flight Award, Williamsburg, VA at the Regional meet in 1989 resulting in a Regional Performance Verification Award and in Williamsburg, VA at the National meet in 1990 with a final score of 98.6 resulting in a National Top Flight Award and the Duntov Mark of Excellence Award. All of the NCRS judging sheets, NCRS awards and NCRS Confirmation of Existence of Judging Awards are included. The car was sold to its owner in 2008 with 78,334 actual miles as indicated in the title which is included. The car currently has 78,554 miles. Since the restoration was completed this car has been extremely well cared for and presents itself like a fresh restoration.
The original St. Louis body (S297) is very straight with great gap lines throughout. The doors open and close very nicely. The car was finished in Ermine White lacquer paint which is the original color. The paint job is high quality and presents beautifully. The paint is virtually flawless of any chips or scratches. As indicated on the original trim tag this car came from the factory with an Auxiliary hard top which is included. The hard top fits wonderfully and looks amazing on the car. A new white hard top rolling stand is included for convenience. All of the stamped glass is in excellent condition. Everything on the exterior was correctly restored or replaced including the window trim, wipers, mirror, door handles, antenna, bumpers, side exhaust pipes and emblems. The headlights are in the working order. The car sits steel wheels with the correct chrome hubcaps with spinners. These wheels are wrapped with new Firestone Super Sport Gold line 7.75-15 tires. Also included are a set of Turbine style wheels with knock off spinners. These wheels are wrapped with Goodyear Eagle 215-65-15 tires. This car is absolutely beautiful in person!
The interior was completely restored in its trim color of Red. The color combination of White and Red is truly stunning. This color combination is also rare and probably the only one to exist in an early 400HP car. Everything in the interior has been correctly restored or replaced including the dash pad, gauges, dash hardware, door panels, console, shifter, seats and carpeting. The interior overall is in excellent condition. It’s equipped with power steering, telescopic steering column, teakwood steering wheel and PB AM/FM radio. Some factory tags are included for judging purposes. Everything in the interior including the clock, glovebox light, radio and power antenna is in working order. It’s a very sporty yet comfortable interior.
The engine compartment is nicely detailed and very correct throughout. Its home to the 427/400HP engine which runs and sounds excellent. The engine casting number is 3869942 with a casting pour date of “H275” which translates to August 27th, 1965. These casting numbers display the perfect and typical production sequence of the cast to assembly line timing of vehicles build date. The engine pad VIN number was re-stamped. In Roy’s report he states, “My gut says this could be the original engine and it may be the unfortunate victim of someone correcting something because they did not recognize what they had. Along with the many unique features in the early 1966 big block Corvettes, this engine might have had an engine pad the indicated a VIN derivative of 6S100884 an occurrence that happened a restorer many have altered the appearance of the original engine trying to correct something that was not in fact wrong. My inspection of this engine included verification of the correct two bolt matching configuration confirmed by the block machining and engine oil pressure line installation along with the correct 3872702 oval port cylinder head installation. Those casting numbers are not visible for the cylinder heads without disassembly; however the cylinder head configuration is unique and very identifiable for the time period 00884 was built. This engine also includes many unique major items such as the 3856301 and 3856302 exhaust manifolds which carry over from 1965 and only appear on the early 400HP engines; later production vehicles carry different exhaust manifolds. The starter is a correct 1107365 unit dated 5H1 which translates to August 1, 1965 and is a perfect fit for this car something you seldom see on one of these cars.” The engine is coupled to the original M21 wide ratio transmission. The transmission production stamping indicates “P0913” which reflects a Muncie 4-speed with an assembly date of September 13th which is in sequence of the vehicles build date. The VIN derivative of 6S100884 is also stamped on the transmission which matches the vehicles VIN number. This transmission also retains its original GM part identifier tag showing the part number as 3880855 which translates to 1966 M21 wide ratio transmission used with 3.36 positraction. The power is transferred to the original rear end. The rear end carries an assembly code of “AU72965” which reflects 3.36 positraction 4-speed 427 with July 29th, 1965 assembly. This unit carries a production casting pour of “G15” which reflects a date of July 1st, 1965. This information is consistent for 00884 production and documentation.
