Vehicle Description
Blue chip classic car investments don't get much better than
bonafide, pedigreed mid-year Corvettes with matching numbers and a
host of provenance. This impeccably nut-and-bolt restored 1966
Chevrolet Corvette L72 427 coupe features a veritable dream team of
highlights, including a numbers matching 427 L72 V8 mated to a
close-ratio 4-speed manual transmission, factory power 4-wheel disc
brakes, an F-40 suspension, factory side pipes, and a slick Laguna
Blue livery. And with an NCRS 'Top Flight' award on its resume, you
can rest assure that the price tag is dead-on - mid-year Corvette's
simply don't get much better than this.
With just a little over 2,000 Laguna Blue Sting Rays made in 1966,
presenting one in this handsome dark blue leisure suit is quite a
rare treat indeed. Despite those rather conservative production
numbers, the dynamic shade has been a favorite color of many
enthusiasts and looking at this stunning 'Vette, is there really
any question why? Embodying the finest of the Corvette spirit, it's
both sporty and elegant, giving the Corvette the ability to blend
in anywhere, from the track to a high-end restaurant in a swanky
part of town. Of course, the high-end bodywork certainly helps,
with laser-straight fiberglass that's likely better than it was
when it was new, as evidenced by the NCRS 'Top Flight' certificate
this coupe was awarded with in late-2007. Corvette fans will be
looking for the usual flaws, such as cracks around the headlight
doors, a hood that sits too high or too low, and rounded-off edges
on the perimeter body line, but the work was all expertly done and
lives up to expectations. Sure, it's been driven, shown, and
enjoyed since it was comprehensively restored several years back,
so upon closer examination a discerning observer will find a few
signs of gentle use, but the presentation is still firmly in the
top driver-quality arena and the curb appeal is simply off the
charts. Features like the big block 'Stinger' hood and its
accompanying NOS vents, front fender 'gills', bright side pipes,
and fish-bowl style wraparound rear window (NOS) are all part of
the mid-year package, and for my money the sexy C2 coupe is the
best-looking Corvette ever made. The chrome is all beautiful,
shiny, and clear, providing just the right amount of bling for the
otherwise dark color palette, and the correct badging found
throughout the car (especially the '427' fender emblems) ensures no
one will ever mistake this Sting Ray for a pretender.
The list of newer and restored gear inside is equally extensive,
and the cabin is in fantastic shape starting with the Bright Blue
seat covers, which replace the original materials exactly. Firm yet
supple foam underneath makes them as comfortable as they look, and
with only gentle use since the work was completed, they have that
perfect 'showroom-fresh' look that makes fully restored 'Vettes so
appealing. Of course, they didn't stop with just seat covers, as
this coupe also features gorgeous matching door panels and
hardware, an imperfection-free dash pad, and plush carpets with
factory-correct pile and weave and new padding and insulation
underneath. All the knobs and handles look to have been restored or
replaced with NOS pieces, and even the original vertical Delco
AM/FM and telescoping wheel were completely restored. No component
was overlooked in the cabin and everything looks factory-fresh,
including the teak steering wheel and the full array factory gauges
(featuring a tachometer with a towering 6500 RPM redline) with all
their crisp, clear markings. The chrome shifter that manages the
4-speed manual transmission feels incredible in the hands of
drivers from all experience levels, and it's nestled inside a
super-clean center console that splits the bucket seats. Simply
put, this cabin is better than new.
There's definitely something magical about a 427 V8 in a Corvette -
it's what legends are all about. This particular motor is in fact
the numbers-matching L72 425 HP Turbojet block, which was the
nastiest powerplant on the streets in the mid-60s. Despite that big
horsepower and towering torque curve, it's a remarkably docile
beast when you're tooling around town, but snarls and roars through
the factory side pipes when you've got the hammer down. The
drivetrain was completely rebuilt, and the builders expertly went
through every single component as well, correctly rebuilding the
vast majority of the original parts rather than replacing them with
NOS components. The engine bay is dressed properly, with Chevy
Orange on the block and restored original valve covers, a chrome
air cleaner, and correct blue stripe cooling hoses, plus the
all-important '427' decal on the air cleaner. The close-ratio
4-speed manuals transmission was completely rebuilt as well and
shifts very smoothly, spinning the also rebuilt posi-traction rear
differential. It's remarkable how much room those cackling side
pipes free up underneath, but it gives you a great view of the
beautifully preserved/restored floors and F-40 suspension prove
that this is a Corvette with nothing to hide following the
nut-and-bolt restoration. Power 4-wheel disc brakes are a great
idea in a car with this much horsepower and the factory knock-offs
look great and are shod with 205/75/15 BFGoodrich Silvertown
radials that take you back to 1966 all over again.
Offered with its original window sticker, original warranty plate,
original owner's manuals, NCRS documentation, and a big binder full
of the car's verifiable history, this is an incredibly special
piece we're proud to have under our roof. If you've been dreaming
of a C2 Corvette, this one is the perfect combination of driver and
pedigree, so you can enjoy it without worrying about driving the
value out of it. Call today!
