Vehicle Description
This is it. This is the one you've been looking for. No excuses
this time. Step up or go home, but you can't pretend that you want
a pedigreed C2 Corvette and not want to own this absolutely
gorgeous, frame-off restored 1966 Chevrolet Corvette 427
Convertible. The highlights: a matching-numbers L36 427/390 mated
to a matching-numbers Muncie M20 4-speed manual transmission, a
3.36 posi-traction rear end, a new frame underneath, both
convertible tops, loads of build photos and records, and it's
wearing its factory correct Nassau Blue-over-Black color
combination. This is the Mid-Year Corvette you swore you'd never
let get away again. Time to put up or shut up.
This incredible Corvette is restored just as it should be:
dialed-in throughout, yet not too perfect for overstepping the
condition these came in when they rolled off the factory floor.
NCRS guys (should you ever want it certified, this C2 is certainly
a candidate for a ribbon) are incredibly picky about
over-restoration, so taking your Corvette over-the-top is a big
no-no in that world, and if you want a pedigreed car, you'd better
forget about the words "flawless" and "perfect." Instead, they seem
to have worked overtime to make this car as imperfectly perfect as
the factory did, which means that the resprayed Code 976 Nassau
Blue paint looks great. Still, it's a driver-quality finish that
can be enjoyed in the sun, not chained up in some museum or snooty
collection. During the build, the body was completely stripped,
gallons of Nassau Blue basecoat were applied, and then it was
buried under a clear coat. So yeah, the shine isn't quite as soft
as it would've been in 1966, but the finish looks right, especially
out in the sunshine. Again, it's not some perfect trailer queen
that you'll be afraid to drive, and the annoying mustachioed
experts at car shows will find imperfections in the finish, but the
curb appeal of this C2 is through the roof. The restoration is 5+
years old, so there are some minor signs of use as well, but almost
nothing too serious that'll get you dinged at a club meeting where
you'll be the envy of everyone within a three-mile radius. Flashy
chrome bumpers sparkle against the glossy blue paint, the rocker
panel molding is always a favorite for Corvettes without side
pipes, and the Stinger hood, fender vents, and sporty gas cap out
back add just enough aggression to this sculpted beauty. And should
you ever be old enough to drive this Corvette in the rain, it is
equipped with a black canvas soft top and a matching blue
hardtop.
The black vinyl (although it could very well be leather, it's tough
to tell these days with such high-quality vinyl upholstery out on
the market) interior matches the STD trim tag and was restored
along with the rest of the car. Fresh hides on the seats have a
comfortable look with no signs of wear, which is very much in line
with the restoration's age and mileage. Newer carpets with matching
Corvette floormats, reproduction door panels with bright hardware,
and an excellent wood-grained steering wheel all help with the
inviting look inside. However, it hasn't been driven for quite some
time, so it could use an air freshener and a gentle, cool breeze to
knock the cobwebs away. The gauges show light patina and are likely
original, but that's okay because they're in wonderful working
order - including the clock, which is typically found inoperable
regardless of the level of restoration. A retro-style AM/FM/AUX
radio was installed in the center stack in the correct vertical
configuration, and it powers upgraded speakers that sound great
inside the hushed cabin. Seatbelts were added during the
restoration, and that's a good thing because the second you get
your hands on that chrome 4-speed shifter and feel the power in the
rear end, you'll recognize their importance.
The original, numbers-matching engine stands ably by, featuring a
427 cubic inch V8 - the largest displacement offered at the time of
its release, and good for 390 horsepower - as its foundation. The
engine runs excellent and is incredibly responsive thanks to a
recent work completed by the pros at Carolina Auto Machine, a shop
so reputable that several of us employ them for our vehicles. The
engine bay is detailed with all the correct hardware and decals.
There are no questionable "upgrades" to spoil the presentation,
with only the steel-braided spark plug wires and chrome distributor
shield giving away the restoration. The big-block pairs with a
numbers-matching Muncie M20 4-speed manual transmission to offer
the "hands-on" driving experience befitting the car's elevated
status. While competitors were still making disc brakes an option
on their performance cars, Chevrolet went all in and armed their
performance machine with power discs at all four corners for
dependable, fade-free stopping power. When this car was restored,
it received a brand-new frame and all-new suspension components, so
you can get the mirrors ready and show off the super-clean and
detailed undercarriage with great pride. And while solid rear axles
were about the only game in town elsewhere, you'll find an
independent rear suspension with a 3.36 positraction rear end on
display here that was well ahead of its time and affords this
Corvette the ability to handle sharp corners and uneven surfaces
with outstanding agility as it carves the asphalt on a set of 15"
Corvette wheels armed with 215/70/15 BF Goodrich radials.
If you've wanted one, here it is. 427 Corvettes don't show up very
often, and hundreds of fakes are running around. This frame-off
restored C2 checks out in every way that matters, and it was built
to be driven and enjoyed. Isn't that the whole point? Call
today!
