Vehicle Description
Chassis No. 194676S110517
For those seeking to restore "America's Sports Car" to its most
original state there are many ways to get there, yet not all
Corvette enthusiasts are purely focused on "as-delivered"
originality. Many Corvette collectors desire the elegant vintage
looks of a stock Sting Ray with the added appeal of enhanced
performance and mechanical reliability - exactly the combination
found in this Sting Ray Convertible.
Beginning with a Nassau Blue Convertible built in January of 1966,
the car was taken to County Corvette of Westchester, Pennsylvania
in late 2013 to conduct a complete frame-off restoration. Over the
next seven months, the expert team at County Corvette went over
every detail. The focus was to restore the body and cosmetic
features to retain an original and largely stock appearance, while
upgrading mechanical componentry for enhanced performance and
dependability.
The fiberglass body was carefully repaired and prepped, then
received fresh coats of Nassau Blue color paint. Furthermore, three
full wet coats of clear were applied and sanded smooth, then three
additional wet coats of clear were applied and sanded smooth for
optimum UV protection. The concours-level paintwork is complimented
by NOS front and rear bumpers, and hand-polished bright work. The
interior, with materials from Al Koch, was restored in the original
White/Blue, as was the White soft top. The stock-appearing interior
received a Vintage Air AC system with a rotary compressor that
blows cold. This is a substantial refinement to the driving
experience. Safety improvements were also a consideration. These
took shape in the form of power steering, power brakes, three-point
seat belts, and headrests. The dashboard features a useful voltage
gauge in place of an ammeter, a master cutoff switch in the glove
box, upgraded center dash and kick panel speakers, and a
color-matched center console.
In advance of the restoration, the Corvette's engine, a 355
Chevrolet Performance small-block V8, was rebuilt in 2010 by Gregg
Hekimian of Hekimian Racing Engines in Watertown, Massachusetts.
Utilizing all new parts, less the original block that was machined
and decked, Hekimian built a potent Hydraulic roller lifter engine
that features Liberty forged I-beam connecting rods and Probe
forged "flat top" pistons. Running 93 octane fuel at 10.1:1
compression, Hekimian's records - on file and available for review
- show that it produces 370 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque at a
low-down 2,500 rpm. An Edelbrock 650 Thunder Series carburetor and
Edelbrock Dual Plane Aluminum high rise manifold feed the engine.
Exit is through ceramic coated headers and Sweet Thunder 2� inch
side pipes, laying down the right exhaust note. Engine cooling is
enhanced by a big-block radiator from DeWitts, assisted by dual
electric cooling fans. A Tremec five-speed manual transmission with
Ram clutch puts impressive power to the road through a 3.70:1 rear
axle.
Completed in August 2014, the consignor notes that the car is
exercised regularly, but only in ideal weather. With approximately
7,500 miles added in the past 10 years, the car remains visually
stunning in person and is noted to be equally as clean underneath,
as the photography will demonstrate. The consigning car specialist
notes the car drives fantastically, with an excellent balance of
comfort, handling, braking, and of course, power. For those
searching for a high-quality example of America's Sports Car with
enhanced performance and reliability, look no further.
