One of the biggest hurdles facing enthusiasts who are searching for a 1966 Corvette Sting Ray equipped with a 427ci V8, is finding a decent example for less than $80,000. If you are one of those people, then this car might be just what you are looking for. Not only does it present beautifully, but there is a very healthy big-block lurking under the hood. After more than 17-years in his care, the owner has now decided to part with this stunning classic. It is located in Quincy, Florida, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has reached $51,100, but the reserve hasn’t been met. For those of you who can’t stand the rigors of an auction, there is a BIN option. This has been set at $62,500.

Under the current owner’s stewardship, the Corvette has been treated to some fairly extensive restoration work. The Nassau Blue paint has a consistent and shiny finish, and while the owner does admit to there being a few minor chips around the wheel wells, there is nothing that shows in the supplied photos. The fiberglass is free from any form of cracking, while the panel gaps are nice and tight. The trim, chrome, and the glass all appear to be close to faultless. Adding to the distinctive appearance is the beautiful set of original cast aluminum knock-off wheels. Once again, these appear to be in excellent order.

If there is one piece of bad news with the Sting Ray, it is the fact that it is not a numbers-matching car. It isn’t clear when or where the original 427ci V8 went, but it has been replaced with an identical engine of 1967 vintage. However, it does wear all of the correct ancillary components. This brute of an engine produces 390hp, which would be enough to propel the Corvette through the ¼ mile in 13.8 seconds. Bolted to the back of the big-block is a 4-speed manual transmission. The presentation of the engine bay wants for nothing, but this isn’t a car that is all about looks. It is said to not only run and drive perfectly but an extensive collection of documentation covering the past 17-years of ownership, including complete service records, is included in the sale. For those of you who might fancy their Corvette with a bit more attitude, the owner has a full side exhaust setup available for an additional $500. This includes the solid rear fascia in the correct color and would make the 427 sound extremely tough. If that isn’t your cup of tea, then it wouldn’t be the end of the world. The Corvette has only logged 500 miles since the current exhaust was fitted.

If I were going to find anything to be critical of with the Sting Ray, it would be the stretching and wrinkles on the seats. This detracts from an interior that is otherwise close to perfect. The carpet looks very nice, while there are no obvious faults with the door trims or the dash. The genuine Teakwood wheel adds a touch of luxury, while the Corvette also comes equipped with an AM/FM radio. It is evident that the carpet has been replaced during the restoration work, as have the door trims. The original door trims are included in the sale, but since there have been some parts replaced, the next owner might consider replacing the seat covers to return the interior to a pristine state. New covers can be found for around $475 a pair. If the foam is looking a bit sad, then another $230 will secure new foam as well.

This 1966 Corvette Sting Ray is ready to be driven and enjoyed immediately. It might not be completely original, but it is a classic that is still guaranteed to attract plenty of admiring glances and comments. I would be very tempted to replace the seat covers, but I would probably decline the owner’s kind offer of the side exhaust. I know that the 427 would sound glorious breathing through that system, but why fix something that isn’t broken? When you look at the vehicle’s overall condition, it is pretty easy to see why there have already been 47 bids submitted up to this point. Will one of our readers be the person who submits the 48th?