Vehicle Description
1966 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
Combining the racing-style chassis of the defunct Corvette SS
concept with a new, highly-styled fiberglass body gave the original
Sting Ray concept model the sleek, muscular style of a classic
muscle car. Built to take on the soon-to-be-banned
manufacturer-sponsored professional racing circuit, and although
certainly capable on the track, (at least enough to take a Sports
Car Club of America National Championship in 1960), the Sting Ray
concept was eventually retired from racing and significantly
modified with the addition of a passenger's seat, among other
things, and displayed as a show car. Also driven by Mitchell as his
personal car on weekends, this model had a lasting and profound
effect on the design and styling of future Corvette models to come
- starting with the C2 model line in 1963 through 1967, which
actually bore the Sting Ray nameplate. This line boasted the
now-classic muscle car look of peaked fenders, a short tail, and a
long nose.
For consignment, a numbers matching C2 Stingray which was restored
20 years ago and still maintains its luster. With its sharklike
pointed nose, hood stinger, peaked fenders, and snubbed rear, one
can easily see the similarity to the ocean predator from which it
is aptly named. Our consignor states that this car comes with a
full makeup of options from 1966, although with no paper trail it
is difficult to weigh which ones were really available in 1966, so
lets just say its loaded!...for bear, with a fresh rebuild on the
engine less than 1K miles ago, and presenting in "arrest me" Rally
Red.
Exterior
One look at this roadster's silky Rally Red aesthetics, of which a
mere 3,366 out of a total production of 27,720, (approximately 12.2
percent), of sting rays came with this color for the 1966 model
year, is sure to make even the most jaded blue oval aficionados
stop and take notice. At the front of the car, bullet-style marker
lights, show worthy split bumpers, and a red, white and black
cross-flag emblem cage a stainless egg crate grille. Behind that
grille, a new-for-1966 "Corvette STING RAY" emblem adorns a
sculpted, a big block vented bump up for the hood. At the sides of
that hood, shark gill-esque simple heat extractors ride between
ornate fender emblems, dent-free rocker trim, (rockers are sans
side pipes for this car), and an optional power antenna on the bump
up rear quarter edge. On the way back to that antenna, a chrome
bowtie mirror reflects fresh stainless trim, which traces
factory-tinted glass under the white canvas convertible top with a
plastic rear window. A convertible year round as there is not a
hardtop to go with this beauty. Let the sunshine in! Moving to the
back of the sports car, 2-tone tail lights illuminate a
chrome-trimmed fuel filler and second "Corvette STING RAY" emblem
above a chrome-trimmed tag bracket, two more show worthy split
bumpers, and just below dual rear exit exhaust pipes which peek
through chrome bezels in the rear roll pan. 15-inch turbine style
wheels with knockoff hubs are wrapped in skinny white-walled
215/75R15's on all 4 corners. Overall this car is an excellent
presentation. Paint is the deep end of the pool, and hard to find
any faults on it.
Interior
With its iconic double brow dash, which presents in very good
condition, nice and clean in the instrument front, and center
console, all is looking good, and has all panels showing straight
as arrows and very clean. It's all correct here even the vertically
mounted AM/FM radio, and chromed shifter and above the radio a
chronograph clock with several chromed pulls surrounding it
including the AC option controls. Buckets, like the door panels are
red leather, and are also in good low back bomber style condition,
with inner tuck and roll stitched leather, and smooth outer
bolsters. These seats have seat belts. Some chrome trimmings are on
for the sides and cover the hinge to access the rear storage and
delineate the front from the backs of the chairs. Carpeting is a
beautiful red and very clean and above floats the double brow dash,
black fronted on the driver's side with several circular gauges and
a few chromed pulls and knobs. This driver's side of the dash is
the wood rimmed steering wheel with 3 pristine shiny spokes and a
center horn ring. On the other side below the second eyebrow, is a
black rimmed glovebox with a silver door panel insert. All this is
hooded by a crack free fade free padded dash top in deep red.
Speaking of doors, their panels are pristine and original looking
with shiny knobbed actuator, a turn knob for the lock and chromed
window cranks, along with some thin chromed trimming. This car's
interior is just lovely, and leaves me red with envy.
Drivetrain
All numbers matching here with the GM orange/red painted block and
valve coverings for this 427ci L36 V8, (3869942), topped by a
single 4-barrel carb underneath a shiny chromed open sided air
cleaner covering. Very clean master cylinder for power brakes and
steering in within these confines. Muncie provides a 4-speed manual
transmission strapped on back, (also codes correctly for this
year). Our consignorstates this engine underwent a total rebuild
less than 1,000 miles ago, and it is looking spiffy under a bump up
big block hood. A 3.70 posi rear axle takes this rated at 390hp
mill's power to the road.
Undercarriage
Nearly showroom with just slight patina and solid framing, floor
pans and rockers all unremarkable. This car sports power disc
brakes on all 4 corners, and rail like handling is from front
independent coil springs, and rear sports independent suspension
with a frame mounted differential unit, double universal jointed
tubular axles, and a transverse multi leaf spring.
Drive-Ability
Our consignor states he had had a multitude of enjoyable
experiences with this car, and when you get behind the wood rimmed
wheel, one can definitely see why. It fired right up and those 427
cubes have limitless power to put on the asphalt. Handling is on
the rails, and braking described as power assisted, is bias free
for the panic stop. The power antenna works fine, and the
headlights turn on, and roll up and down smoothly.
Beautiful design, excellent fiberglass and supple leather along
with a powerful rebuilt 427ci numbers matching mill, and we have a
red streak in our midst, that can put plenty of trophies on your
mantle, as well as a smile on your face. Plenty of options on this
car add plenty of value, and it's a way back machine for sure
gracing our Hallowed Halls!
194676S116317
1-Chevrolet
94-Corvette
67-Convertible
6-1966
S-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
116317-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
G10-March 10th Build
STYLE 66 467-1966 Corvette Convertible
BODY S5111-St Louis Body #
TRIM 408BM-Red Leather
PAINT 974AA-Rally Red
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
