Chevrolet obviously did a lot right in 1967. Almost everything the
company produced that year has achieved a wide following that seems
to transcend several generations. Along with storied names like
Camaro, Chevelle, Impala and Nova, the coveted Sting Ray claims one
of the largest enthusiast audiences in classic car culture. That's
why cars like this impressive Top Flight roadster never stick
around our showroom for very long. The beneficiary of not one but
two detailed, ground-up restorations, this fully documented beauty
wraps a numbers-matching L75/4-speed drivetrain in a svelte shade
of Maroon that's both sophisticated and sporty. Looking for a nice,
factory-spec car, but favor aesthetics that command attention?
Enjoy the best of both worlds in this awesome Corvette!
RESTORATION - TOP FLIGHTS - RESTORATION
Earning NCRS Top Flight honors in 1988, 1989 and 1990, this
polished drop-top benefitted from its first body-off, nut-and-bolt
restoration after being purchased in 1986 by its second owner. When
the car was passed to its third owner, circa 2010, its condition
was further bolstered by another body-off, nut-and-bolt restoration
that took roughly two years to complete. Naturally, every surface
on this roadster was stripped bare before being garnished with
correct Marlboro Maroon two-stage. And those panels do an excellent
job of bending reflections under a tight Black top.
Second-generation Corvettes are literally the stuff dreams are made
of, and, thanks to acute attention to detail, this razor-sharp
roadster is the epitome of legendary American motoring. At the
front of the car, bullet-style marker lights, re-chromed bumpers
and a red, white and black cross-flag emblem cage a stainless 'egg
crate' grille. Behind that grille, a correct small block hood flows
to matte wipers which, along with polished trim and polished vent
windows, frame factory-tint glass. At the sides of that glass,
simple heat extractors lead traditional door handles, a classy
bowtie mirror, factory rocker trim and glorious, retrofitted
side-pipes. And at the back of the car, monochromatic tail lamps
split the difference between mirrored bumpers, a chrome-trimmed
fuel filler and a correct Sting Ray emblem.
NUMBERS-MATCHING SMALL BLOCK POWER
Tilt this Corvette's lightweight hood and you'll find 327 cubic
inch numbers-matching small block that hangs a familiar 3892657
casting number behind a correct "HE" suffix stamp and a matching
104092 partial VIN. Fully sorted and ready to roll, that high
performance L75 left the factory twisting solid 10 to 1 compression
into a stout 300 horsepower. At the top of the spry mill, a
polished air cleaner funnels wind into a correct Holley 4-barrel
that's threaded onto clean stainless fuel lines. Below that carb, a
cast Chevrolet intake perfectly complements stamped Chevrolet valve
covers. At the back of that intake, chrome-cased ignition shoots
spark past correct exhaust manifolds. And at the front of those
manifolds, a beefy aluminum radiator cycles coolant through pliable
hoses and correct tower clamps. Naturally, brilliant Chevy Orange
paint coats the engine from its clean oil pan all the way to its
painted oil filler and, as always, looks great against GM's Satin
Black bay. As expected, correct textures and decals are present and
accounted for. And details like a correct alternator, a familiar
Harrison expansion tank and a modern AC Delco battery ensure this
Chevy runs every bit as good as it looks.
IT IS AS IT WAS
Flip this Vette upside down and you'll find a solid chassis that
was carefully sealed in corrosion protection during the car's most
recent restoration. Behind the small block, a numbers-matching
Muncie hangs a familiar 3885010 casting number next to a 1967 (7)
Muncie (P) assembled on November (S) 4th (04), 1966 build stamp and
a matching 104092 partial VIN. That storied gearbox twists a
familiar Corvette third-member that's finished with a posi-traction
differential and fun, 3.36 gears. At the ends of the car, a fresh
double A-arm front and independent rear suspension is completely
sorted down to its tough transverse leaf, optional power steering
and bright paint tags. Above those sturdy bones, undercoated floors
ride a straight, Satin Black frame. At the corners of those floors,
a quartet of discs mixes good handling characteristics with quick
and solid stops. And alloy turbines twist 205/75R15 BF Goodrich
Silvertown Radial redlines around red-detailed center caps.
A NICE PLACE TO SPEND TIME
Between this C2's doors you'll find a correct Black interior that's
been fully restored to factory specifications. Tight vinyl seats
frame a thin console that's equipped with a correct chrome shifter.
In front of that shifter, a monochromatic dash hangs crystal clear
telemetry over a correct Delco AM/FM pushbutton radio. At the sides
of that dash, stylish door panels front factory power windows. And
in front of the driver, a Rosewood steering wheel laps a familiar
cross-flag emblem.
This Top Flight Vette has it all: great looks, excellent power and
a fully sorted restoration that would take big money to duplicate.
If you're in the market for some solid Detroit muscle that's poised
to build equity for years to come, you're looking at your next
classic!
HIGHLIGHTS
National award winning Sting Ray that's benefitted from two
body-off, nut-and-bolt restorations
ClassicCars.com has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States, successfully making the Inc. 5000 list in both 2015,
2016, 2017 and 2018. This prestigious accolade represents the continued growth of the company, and ClassicCars.com's dominance as the world's largest online marketplace for
buying and selling classic and collector vehicles.
The Stevie Awards, the world's premier business awards recognized
ClassicCars.com's first-class Customer Support team with a Stevie Bronze Award in 2019, celebrating the team's skills as exemplary customer support specialists.
In 2016 The Journal, brought to you by ClassicCars.com, was celebrated as the SECOND MOST INFLUENTIAL automotive blog in the world by NFC Performance.