When a seller lists a car for sale and says that the pictures speak for themselves but don’t do it justice, you know you are dealing with something special. That appears to be the case with this 1966 Corvette because it presents superbly and has no apparent needs beyond a new home. Its condition and health mean the new owner could fly in and drive home behind the wheel of this classic. The Corvette is listed here on eBay in Dardanelle, Arkansas. Bidding sits below the reserve at $50,795, but you can be sure that figure will climb before the hammer falls on this auction.
Nassau Blue was easily the most popular shade on the ’66 Corvette color palette, with 22% of buyers ticking that box on the Order Form. This is one of those cars, and finding fault with its appearance is virtually impossible. It shines like a new penny, and the close-up shots reveal no flaws worthy of mention. The fiberglass is free from cracks and other issues, with the panel gaps appearing tight and consistent. The seller doesn’t mention any prior accident damage or repairs, and if the odometer reading is verifiable, this classic may be original and unrestored. The listing includes several underside shots, and piecing these together confirm that the frame is structurally sound and free from rust. The chrome and glass are excellent for a survivor-grade vehicle, as are the aluminum wheels. I’m unsure whether these are factory items because they don’t rate a mention in the listing. If an in-person inspection confirms they are the real deal, they add significantly to the car’s value and desirability.
The theme of impressive presentation continues inside this Corvette. The carpet on the driver’s side exhibits what appears to be some staining and fading, but its minor nature and lack of significant wear mean the new owner could leave it untouched to preserve the car’s survivor status. Ordering one of these classics in Nassau Blue restricted buyers to interior trim in four colors, with this car’s original owner selecting Bright Blue. There are no signs of wear or abuse and no aftermarket additions. The wheel looks excellent, and the gauges feature crystal-clear lenses and crisp markings. It isn’t loaded with factory options, although potential buyers will view the power windows and factory AM/FM radio favorably.
The engine bay houses the only genuine mystery with this Corvette. It features a 327ci V8 that sends 300hp to the road via a four-speed manual transmission. This powerplant represented Chevrolet’s entry-level offering but could still push the Corvette beyond 130mph. The seller is unsure whether the car is numbers-matching, but they confirm it is in excellent health. The underside shots reveal a range of new suspension components, with the seller stating they recently replaced the exhaust. They claim it has a genuine 45,000 miles on its odometer, and while they don’t mention verifying evidence, the condition makes the claim plausible. Do you fancy flying in and building a relationship with your new classic as you drive it home? That could be a reality with this Corvette.
The bidding history on this 1966 Corvette suggests that people like what they see and are willing to put their money where their mouth is. The seller claims it needs nothing, and examining the supplied photos seem to support that statement. The new owner might choose to replace the carpet, but doing so is not essential. The thought of driving home behind the wheel of this classic sounds attractive, and the car’s mechanical health makes that possible. When choosing my classics, I lean towards cars wearing the Blue Oval badge, but I wouldn’t object to finding this Chevy in my garage. Would you?
This is a Corvette I wanted as a kid-lighter than the big blocks, it should handle much better; the knockoffs were cool stuff in my book, and with the 327/325 hp set up it was the coolest answer to the XKE to come out of the USA.
Does our taste in some things change as we get older? For the most part yes-like steering away from spicy as we get older and find the craving for sweet.
In this case though, personally it would be a little of both to satisfy both palate and palette.
Just took a quick look at the ebay pics. First noticed gig is what happened to the spark wire and distributor chrome housing set? Secondly, unless I’ve lost my touch, the engine is not the original.
The rest of the car seems all there, as in, screamingly at someone to pay attention to me.
.My second car was the 67 big block 427/435hp version. Bought it in 70 from my uncle who owned the dealership. This body style is it. Period. I really can’t go into any thing else on this car other than it’s gorgeous. I would have to touch it for more. I feel that it’s been stored quite a while. Good luck!
Another huge problem.. the gaps being perfect. NO CAR of the before like 80? Came from the factory with perfect panel alignment
Updating that 350 to fuel injection with CDI ignition is all it needs with the 4 speed. My eye tells me wheels are hub caps but if Corvette did a knock offs option, that would be someone who knows someone in GM to get that on there, and it’s possible. Much more likely those are caps and no guilt in putting some period Centerlines or Cragars on there. That color and body is begging for centerlines. Nothing too fat, nothing too low profile. Outside CIRCUMFERENCE of stock TIRES is the target. It could probably get 17″ Centerlines with 70-80 cm tires. But definitely need to study original tire specs, work backwards. Even if original, the ugly tires and hubcaps to my eye reduce the overall beauty of this Vette.
Greg, a review of plenty of documentation shows that Real Knock Offs were available during the regular order process from 64-66 with bolt on alloys in 67. 63 is the year of leaking issues and question if ANY Corvette was delivered with knock offs from the factory (some sets made it to the parts departments or from engineering). Yes they included a bolt on spindle with indexing studs to key the wheels to, 5 aluminum finned wheels, 4 retaining nuts and a leaded hammer to remove & install.
Now plenty of aftermarket ones out there (minor differences) so if Original adds a lot more value to the car. These are not hubcaps.
Hey Billy, the chrome distributor housing went away with the original’s tach drive distribution as so many of these barn finds Vettes do. I, also, noticed that this car didn’t have power brakes. Stopping this beast for high speeds would require both feet and a prayer. Also, to me, A hard top or t-top Vette diminishes the classification of a sports car. I preferred rag tops with removable hard tops. I am sure we all wished we still had the classics we once owned. Those were the days. The kids today don’t have a clue as to what represents the definition of a true sports car. Best regards
Thudpucker; You say it so well. I guess maybe I’m stuck back in the late 60’s-early 70’s. What memories we have stored away with visually no boundaries. Wouldn’t it be great if you and I had the opportunity to share with the younger “x” generation all of the different ways we used to gain h.p. out of a stock 265 c.i. Chevy without turning a bolt to throw a camshaft into the beast. Kinda makes you go huh! Thanks for the thought and the thinking.
If this was all original, you wouldn’t be buying it off the same sight you can buy a stretch Armstrong and a used lazy boy. It would be at a legit auction where all the numbers would be authenticated.
Ummm, okay. Nice car but no way pay a dime over 25k for nostalgia. For 50k I can get something really cool and modern and way more comfortable.
The statement ” the panel gaps appearing tight and consistent.” Screams problem.. no car ESPECIALLY fiberglass came with perfect panel alignment up until maybe the mid 70s
What a ridiculous comment. Including American cars, most cars DID have uniform gap fitment. What you might be confused by is that as manufacturing was able to improve tolerance fitment of everything, gaps became closer together for aerodynamic improvement and rigidity. But uniform gap fitment has been excellent in the vast majority of mass produced cars, especially when Toyota came to USA.
Investigate the wheels. Use it as a negotiation if it’s sketchy. This is an excellent candidate to get modern fuel injection with CDI ignition and drive it with confidence. Better wheels like Centerlines if those are some dealer add would be period correct. If they are real knockoffs, that would require custom spindles and brakes, which I’m not a Vette expert, so it’s possible in limited runs they did knockoffs for rallying. Corvette was very competitive in GT racing. If they are original knockoffs, and actually aluminum wheels not hubcaps on steelies, and actually knockoffs, the car is easily worth the asking price.
Yes, you could get knock offs i64-66, no special brakes either. Very common option back then.
Yes please on this one … and thank you!
Actually $55k is where this belongs. Low HP, power windows, 4 speed, knock offs (if original) 66 coupe with average miles and excellent condition. Looks like the real motor but needs verification. Radio shielding is $500 or so for repop. Looks like a nice car. Great colors, only color better would be the blue and white interior.
The seller has had it for 4 years, plenty of time to check if the engine block numbers match. It is so simple, takes hardly any time, and would be a great selling point that could make a good deal of difference in $$.
My take is, whenever a seller says they aren’t sure if it’s original engine, then it isn’t.
Thudpucker; You say it so well. I guess maybe I’m stuck back in the late 60’s-early 70’s. What memories we have stored away with visually no boundaries. Wouldn’t it be great if you and I had the opportunity to share with the younger “x” generation all of the different ways we used to gain h.p. out of a stock 265 c.i. Chevy without turning a bolt to throw a camshaft into the beast. Kinda makes you go huh! Thanks for the thought and the thinking.
Hey Jerry a comment like that mean you can’t afford the car keep driving your Pinto
Had a POS 67 like that same color I stuck a396 in it behind it was a M-21 4 speed the driver widow would fall in the door the steering wheel was a big hooping circle felt like I was driving a demonic skateboard wouldn’t trade it for the world oh to be young and dumb as a box of rocks again
From looking at those front calipers, this thing was in a damp garage. Not a big problem, they all leak eventually. I have replaced several of them on my 50 year old Corvette. I try and drive it often to keep the brake fluid flowing. The steel bores of the calipers rust. Stainless steel helps. This car is about where it should be price wise. Not worth much more.