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’80s Special! 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Custom

With its ’67 Big Block hood, side-pipes, and five-slot mags, this 1966 Chevrolet Corvette in Troutville, Virginia would have been top of the heap in any High School parking lot of the ’70s or ’80s. Now it seeks a new owner here on craigslist in Roanoke, Virginia. Thanks to reader Ian C. for spotting this slightly customized C2 Corvette listed for $24,900.

In some cases “Custom” refers to what’s nearly the opposite of custom, a low-end trim level offered by the factory with no customization whatsoever. This Corvette, however, has been modified after the fact at the front and rear. The rollover headlights are bonded to the nose, and the grille-mounted rectangular headlights suggest work done in the late ’70s to mid-’80s when rectangles were all the rage. Please tell me those aren’t Mustang tail lights.

The interior looks fairly stock except for the Hurst T-Handle shifter. The window crank on the floor operates the adjustable exhaust cutouts. (Not really; just checking to see who’s paying attention.)

Described as “a 350 engine,” this probably-not-original small-block V8 appears to have benefited from some aftermarket bolt-ons. This is a “running driving car” folks.

The convertible body comes only with the hard top shown. The seller suggests that it “Needs restoration or drive as is,” and I’d be tempted to do just the latter. Does every C2, or every Corvette for that matter, need to be put back to perfect better-than-factory condition? Wouldn’t this primer-colored custom draw more attention than another perfect one? I hope the buyer considers driving it as-is, after a required once-over for safety of course. You could enjoy the ’80s look for a while, anyway, before making it a carbon-copy of 20 other Corvettes you’ve seen before. What’s your opinion on the matter?

Comments

  1. Avatar Gaspumpchas

    Hmm not a Corvette guy, maybe you guys could give your opinion as to whether this could ever be returned to stock? The Stock look of this car is so stunning I hate to see something like this customized. Def need to see the underbelly. I am all for p*ssing off the purists, but I don’t think I’d have the stones to be seen in public in this one. all this MHO, as customizing is what it says, modifying to your tastes. The 80’s weren’t kind to this one.

    Cheers

    GPC

    Like 12
  2. Avatar edh

    Those taillights are terrible.

    Like 15
    • Avatar DayDreamBeliever

      Yep. And they do look Mustang….

      This really gets me: “Some modification to front and rear body.” Some? Ya think? LOL!

      Could be a fun driver, if it is mechanically sound. Paint over that awful primer, and keep putting gas in it as the miles roll by. I do have to question the console trim piece. Looks like it needs to be pushed forward half a foot. This does need a lot of work to be presentable, but what the heck, it is a C2. Check the frame, add color, and go. But replace the brakes master cylinder with a dual unit and replumb before you head out.

      Like 3
      • Avatar PatrickM

        I mostly agree. But, if it were me, I’d have to check it bumper-to-bumper. Not really a fan of this one. From Roanoke via Ward 9, IMO.

        Like 0
  3. Avatar Bob S

    As a former Corvette owner, seeing the customizing that was done on this car hurts the eyes. I understand that the car wasn’t worth a lot at the time these changes were made, but even back then I never saw a custom Corvette that I really liked. It is just a matter of taste.
    The person buying the car is going to have to want to drive it with the changes that have been made or spend some serious money returning it to original.
    They do look like Mustang lights to me, but the thing that bothers me the most about the lights, is that I think they are placed too far inboard.
    If it was closer, I would consider an offer on it, with the idea of returning it to a stock looking driver.
    Bob

    Like 10
    • Avatar DonC

      As a former owner of 3 stock beautiful Corvettes, this one is a travesty. Such a shame.

      Like 2
  4. Avatar Pat

    A friend in high school put an exhaust cutout in basically the same place on his 6 cyl 63 falcon wagon.

    Like 4
  5. Avatar BillS

    I would call this “butt ugly” but I think that is a disservice to most butts.

    Like 5
  6. Avatar ACZ

    Not as bad as that 68. Nothing wrong with custom anything, Corvette or other. Just, if it’s done tastefully. Flared wheel wells look great on this body style, so does the hood. Tail lights could have been done a lot better and taking the bumpers off is asking for trouble. The first tap in a parking lot is fatal. Considering what has been done, the price should be lower. There’s too much left to do.

    Like 3
  7. Avatar ben dobreuenaski

    Let’s see quarter panels, nose and tail panels. Yup I would say drive it but I would wear a Disco shirt, bell bottom pants, gold chains and floppy hat. Wait I think Ill pass.

    Like 3
  8. Avatar Steve S

    If I was to get this I would have to change the custom back to stock since it looks like the person that did the custom didn’t know what they was doing the stock headlights and taillights look slot better than the custom ones they put on it and change it back to the 427 that came in it and change the gear shift back to the stock one and change it to the 4 speed manual transmission and the flared wheel wells would also look like crap on this body style of Corvette and older and some newer

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Morley Member

    The licenses plate on my 1959 El Camino says “Corvettes Suck” And now you see why

    Like 2
  10. Avatar Wrong Way

    It’s okay, but what or why would anyone pay that kind of money for a 60s vette that has been all chopped up and ruined? Too much money for what it is.

    Like 1

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