Some classics are guaranteed to draw crowds, and the inherent desirability of the 1966 Corvette Convertible means it is easily part of that list. However, our feature car lifts that to a higher level following a meticulous restoration. This car needs nothing, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for bringing it to our attention. However, it is more than a pretty face, with the car retaining its potent numbers-matching drivetrain. The seller has listed the Corvette here on Craigslist in Dallas, Texas. They set their price at $79,900, and while that is a lot of money, this is also a lot of car.
The C2 Corvette had firmly cemented its place in the market by 1966, with 27,720 buyers taking one home during that model year. The Convertible was the popular choice, accounting for 64% of that total. Our feature car underwent a faithful restoration, although it is unclear when this occurred. It wears the same Rally Red that was selected by 3,366 buyers, teamed with a Black soft-top. The seller indicates that this ‘Vette has spent its life since the restoration in climate-controlled storage. Combined with the dry location, its impressive presentation and rust-free status are unsurprising. The paint shines magnificently, and if there are any imperfections, they are too minor to show. The fiberglass shows no evidence of cracks or distress, while the top looks flawless. I suspect that the bright trim received a birthday during the build because it shines as beautifully as the paint. The glass is crystal clear, and the car sits on its original steel wheels with the correct hubcaps.
Buyers ordering a ’66 Corvette in Rally Red could choose from interior trim in Red or Black. The first owner selected the latter in leather, perfectly complimenting the soft-top. As with the exterior, there is nothing that warrants criticism. The upholstered surfaces are spotless, and there is no carpet wear, while the dash features gauges with clear lenses and crisp markings. I can’t spot any aftermarket additions, with the ‘Vette retaining its original AM/FM radio and power antenna, and the beautiful Teakwood wheel. The restorer had an eye for detail, fitting what I believe is a reproduction instruction card to the radio controls. It is common to find these cars with some functional issues, but everything inside this Corvette works as it should.
The sticker price for a 1966 Corvette Convertible was $4,084, but if the buyer invested an additional $105.35, they received a car with genuine performance credentials. That was the choice made in this case, with that money securing the desirable L79 version of the sweet 327ci V8. It sends 350hp and 360 ft/lbs of torque to the road via a four-speed manual transmission. With a ¼-mile ET of 14.2 seconds and a top speed of 146mph, this classic can leave a standard Corvette eating its dust. There is plenty of good news for potential buyers, starting with the fact that this is a numbers-matching vehicle. That is a genuine consideration if someone is viewing its investment potential, as is the presence of the original Protect-O-Plate. The seller holds documentation that seems to confirm that the odometer reading of 80,000 miles is genuine. They also confirm that the car runs and drives perfectly, ready to provide the buyer with immediate motoring pleasure.
The asking price for this 1966 Corvette Convertible isn’t pocket change, raising the question of whether the figure is justified. These classics were once a rock-solid investment proposition, but values dropped slightly during 2024. However, they are showing signs of recovery, meaning now could be the ideal time to secure one to park in your garage. Should this be the one? I don’t see why not, because it appears to be an absolute gem. If a C2 has been on your radar, is this one that you might consider pursuing further?
No mention of knockoff wheels?
They aren’t knock-off’s but wheel covers with the look
Nice looking car, but I drove a coupe a few years ago and it wasn’t all that inspiring…
But definitely cool
No. They’re wheel covers that get stolen.
Air cleaner?
That’s the correct air cleaner for a ’66 L-79.
Needs rally wheels and white lettered tires then it will pop! Nice looking and well taken care of!
Oddly, you can barely see that it wears redline tires.
Did they even have RWL tires in ’66? I bet this came with whitewalls originally.
When I bought my 66 coupe in 1978, it had the original steel wheels but no hubcaps. About a year later a pickup pulling a trailer passed me on the freeway – 66 Corvette hubcaps on the trailer l!! I chased him for over 10 miles before he would pull over (some crazy in a 67 Chevelle wagon honking and waving – I don’t know if I would pull over either!) It was a borrowed trailer so he couldn’t sell me the hubcaps but I found out the owner was from my wife’s home town about 150 miles away. Every time we visited my inlaws I would bug the owner, it took about 5 years but I finally wore him down and he sold me a cherry set of 4 caps.
To answer a couple of the questions here, that is the correct air cleaner, just missing the engine/horsepower sticker. Also, red line tires weren’t available from the factory – your choices were blackwall, whitewall or gold line stripe tires. Red lines became available in 67 and the gold lines went away.
Too bad it’s not $45,000.
When they rebuild the car from ground up this is what you pay for. I, too, see $45,000 as a more realistic price when you get it stock and no one has messed with it.
The C2 Vette is still my favorite “America’s Sports Car” and this one has the right engine and tranny to go along with its stunning looks. Unfortunately, my money tree died, or else I’d be cruising this one.
When I was 16 years young I worked at a Gulf gas station and we had to do everything. This woman came a few times a week and she drove a 66 Vette.One week she came in for another fill-up. But this time she had a ForSale sign in the window asking $ 2600. How times have changed.
At the time, we never knew what we had.
Remember the old gas station attendant pledges?
W/O asking, we will …
Pump the gas into your car
Clean your windows for you
Check under the hood looking at your oil level, radiator level and battery condition
Check the air pressure in your tires
Today, even Jesus couldn’t get the non teen person manning the gas pump register controls inside the comfy convenience store to come outside to do any of the above. lol
What are 16 yr olds doing today?
They are sitting in their parent’s basement playing video games.
😂 I did all that when I was 16! Loved it!
Mostly complaining about how minimum wage should be $25 an hour.
It’s got that beast of an engine under the hood like I had in my ’63. Where it felt happy at 90mph. The only thing missing is the pot which drove the hp from 340 to 365. No problem with mine although I still prefer the 300hp motor. All you need. Wish I had kept mine.
I too have some heartburn with $79,900 for this car, although my reasons are personal and not necessarily what a valuation tool such as Hagerty’s might put it at. For one thing, I think those stock wheel covers really detract from the looks. A set of ’67 Rally’s with redlines would be stunning, (keep the factory hub caps for the purist) Also, the L-79 is a great motor, (I’ve had 2 of them) but the asking price is in big block territory. Still, it is a really nice car.
Bought a 65 stingray convertible 396 425 hp silver &black interior in 1971. 18 years old $1100 buck from a ford dealership. Man that thing would fly