To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Open Roads, Fall event, 11
- 20 November 2020.
Estimate:
$100,000 - $120,000
- Offered from the Plunkett Collection
- Desirable, one-year-only factory color combination: Mosport
Green over Green vinyl
- Equipped with 427 cu. in. 'Turbo-Jet 390' V-8 engine
- M20 Muncie four-speed manual transmission; Positraction rear
axle
- Fitted with side exhaust, power steering, power brakes, and air
conditioning
- Accompanied by removable hardtop
The Chevrolet Corvette's fuel-injected small-block V-8 option may
have been discontinued after the 1965 model year, but Chevrolet had
something else to offer prospective Sting Ray owners seeking
high-output thrills: Displacement, in the form of the 427
cubic-inch big-block V-8. When this new engine rolled out in 1966,
you could get this powerplant in a full-size Chevrolet -and, of
course, the Corvette Sting Ray. Offered in two outputs, 425
horsepower and 390 horsepower, the 427 Turbo-Jet V-8 engine served
up more than enough power and torque to motivate the relatively
small and lightweight sports car.
The 1966 Corvette Sting Ray Convertible offered here is one such
427-equipped example, in this case specified with the
390-horsepower variant. It is clad in the rare and desirable,
one-year-only color of Mosport Green over Green vinyl-one of just
2,311 Corvettes produced in this color for 1966. A complimentary
suite of desirable options and notable components further enhance
the prospect of this stunning, high-performance Sting Ray.
Engine stampings indicated that this handsome Corvette Sting Ray's
powerplant is a Tonawanda-built unit bearing the casting date of
April 20; it is surmounted by a single correct Holley four-barrel
carburetor. The standard M20 Muncie four-speed manual transmission
sends power to the rear wheels through a 3:36 Positraction rear
axle. Additionally, this car is desirably equipped with side
exhausts and aluminium alloy knock-off wheels wrapped in Firestone
Goldline tires, a suitably sporty combination; the signature bulge
of its big-block hood, meanwhile, telegraphs this car's potent
powerplant to onlookers even before the gleaming "427" badges come
into view.
This Corvette has benefitted from a respray in its original Mosport
Green exterior, while its dark green vinyl interior is believed to
be original. It features air conditioning, a teak "sports" steering
wheel, heater/defroster, hazard lamps, Soft Ray tinted glass, and
an aftermarket AM/FM radio unit with power antenna. The vinyl
convertible top is said to function without issue, and is
accompanied by a correct, color-matched auxiliary hardtop. Power
steering and brakes round out the amenable driving experience
offered by this convertible.
Acquired by the consignor in 2004, this 1966 Chevrolet Corvette
Sting Ray is accompanied by a collection of handwritten service
records detailing work completed during his custodianship. Offered
in this rarely seen color combination and equipped with a suite of
comfort- and drivability-enhancing options-this 1966 Corvette Sting
Ray 427/390 convertible presents a rare and alluring opportunity
not to be missed. To view this car and others currently consigned
to this auction, please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/0620.
