427/4-Speed: 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

The owner of this 1966 Corvette Convertible purchased the vehicle 21-years-ago, and it has been his pride and joy for all of these years. He has heaped plenty of TLC on the car, but he has now decided that the time is right to part with the spotless classic. It is located in Gold Hill, Oregon, and listed for sale here on Corvette Forum. The Convertible could be yours by handing the owner $85,000. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Larry D for spotting this beautiful Corvette for us.

The owner refers to the relative rarity of the Corvette’s color combination, and it is something that probably deserves some deeper investigation. While it isn’t easy to nail down exact figures on this combination, it is worth noting that only 1,190 Corvettes rolled off the production line wearing Tuxedo Black paint. That represents a mere 4.3% of total production and makes it the rarest color by quite a decent margin. When you combine that total with the fact that Black cars could be ordered with virtually any interior trim color, there is some justification for the owner’s claim. The vehicle presents superbly, with the owner admitting that it has received a cosmetic restoration under his stewardship and that this was completed around 10-years-ago. It isn’t like he has done his best to wear it out in this time because the Corvette has accrued 2,000 miles over the past 21-years. Therefore, it is no surprise that the paint is close to perfect, with no significant chips or marks. The fiberglass has no cracking or crazing, while the Black soft-top is just as impressive as the rest of the exterior. The chrome and trim show no evidence of significant deterioration. While the knock-off wheels aren’t genuine, they are a period set of high-quality Western reproductions that are in excellent condition.

Chevrolet offered buyers a world of choice for interior trim when they ordered their ’66 Corvette finished in Tuxedo Black. The original owner chose Red vinyl, and the contrast is stunning. As is the case with the exterior, there isn’t a lot to be critical of here. The upholstered surfaces are free from rips and tears, while the seat upholstery shows no evidence of stretching. The carpet hasn’t developed the fading that is so common in Corvettes, while the dash and console look factory fresh. There have been no aftermarket additions, and everything works as it is supposed to. This includes the often troublesome clock, which has to rate as some kind of a minor miracle. The interior isn’t loaded with optional extras, but it does feature its original AM/FM radio that receives its signals via a power antenna.

The Corvette is a numbers-matching classic that features a 427ci V8, an M21 4-speed manual transmission, and a Posi rear end. This big block is the L36 version that should be pumping out 390hp. This combination is potent enough to fire the Corvette through the ¼ mile in 13.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 149mph. Sometimes people look at the power output of the L36 and queried why buyers would choose it over the L79 version of the 327. The 427 only brought an extra 40hp to the table but cost 80% more than the L79. That didn’t seem to make it a smart buy. However, the power figures were only part of the story here because when you consider the torque figures, the truth emerges. The 327 will produce 360 ft/lbs, which is a respectable number. Buyers who chose the big-block had 460 ft/lbs at their disposal, making the Corvette a more potent proposition off the line and providing excellent flexibility and acceleration from low speeds. That was enough to convince 5,116 buyers to part with the cash for the 427, making it a relatively popular choice for buyers. Unfortunately, the owner doesn’t provide any information about how well the vehicle runs or drives, but a few things point to a positive story. Long-term ownership usually means that a car has been treated with respect. After all, if you thrash any car within an inch of its life, it is unlikely to survive that sort of treatment for two decades. The engine bay presents as nicely as the rest of the vehicle, with no evidence of fluid leaks or other problems. The owner claims that the Corvette has a genuine 44,000 miles on its odometer. With the reputation that these drivetrains have for longevity, it means that he hasn’t made any attempt to wear out the Convertible. All of that gives us cause to be optimistic about the Corvette’s mechanical health.

For any buyer seeking a turn-key C2 Corvette, this 1966 Convertible has to be worth a closer look. It wears the rarest paint color, it is very original, and its condition appears superb. The C2 has also represented an excellent long-term investment, with values continuing to climb steadily. It isn’t unusual to see them top $90,000, while six-figure values aren’t a rarity. You can head out today and find some nice examples in the market that are cheaper than this one, but you will struggle to find one that rolled off the line wearing Tuxedo Black. I believe that when you combine its color, mechanical specifications, and overall condition, the asking price appears to be highly competitive. What do you think?