If it’s not a “true survivor,” then maybe it’s “a real time capsule.” It’s most definitely a very clean 1966 Corvette convertible on eBay in Homer City, Pennsylvania. It’s being sold by an owner who’s had it for more than 53 years. This one won’t go cheap. It’s already up over $70,000, with the reserve not met.
“I bought it in 1970 when I got out of the service from a friend of my dad,” the owner says. “The car is exactly as it was when I bought it.” The custodial care was exceptional because the car has its original paint, original 327 and four-speed manual, all five of its original wheels, both tops and side exhaust.
The interior is also original, he says. Even the tires are original to the owner’s purchase! (Note: Do not take any long trips on 53-year-old tires.) Anything that was ever replaced is still with the car, including the original carburetor and master cylinder. The car has power steering and power windows. If you were wondering, no mice or cats have ever made nests in this Corvette, which has been kept in a climate-controlled garage. It’s never been hit. But is that 327 a bit tired at 59,000 miles?
The ’66 Corvette was a good year for the marque. Built between September 1965 and July 1966 at the St. Louis Assembly Plant, 27,720 were produced. That was up 4,200 over 1965. There were only small changes to the car for ’66, including a decorative front grille, chrome-plated exhaust bezels, the spoke-style wheels seen in the photo, ribbed rocker panel moldings, shoulder harnesses with headrests, and roof vent delete.
The ’66 was the first year for backup lights and tinted glass. The VINs on ‘66s go from 194376S100001 to 194376S127720, and if it’s a roadster like this one the fourth digit is 6. The photo above shows ’66 Corvettes being delivered. Note all the suits and ties. Those were the days.
Who’s going to argue that this is “one sweet ride”? The question is more whether you can afford it. Classic.com puts the ’66 Corvette as selling for an average of $88,633. So this one might have a ways to go before the reserve is met.
1966 was not the first year with back-up lights. I had a 1964 convertable with tons of options, back up lights was one of them. The car had ps, pb, electric windows, am-fm radio, automatic and factory ac. It was one of those cars you wish you had never slip out of your hands.
66 was the first year back ups were standard, mandated I believe as part of the first Federal safety laws that were put in place in the mid 60’s. Back ups were available in 63, 64 & 65 as either a stand alone option or part of a “Convenience Group”, depending on the year.
You are correct gbvette62 about C&C group. I am looking at that PA classic cars plate. I know for a fact they were issued unsequential numbers starting with 10000. In 1981, I got a classic plate for my 1964 Impala while attending Penn State. The plate, which I still have, was number 24078. This one is in the 30s. No way was that plate issued in 1970, when I was 14. And in 1970, there was no PA classic car plate. Nit picking I know. That nonsense aside, this is a very nice car, certainly not many white on green cars made. BTW, PA has long done away with the purple on white classic plate. I have lived here most of my 67 years and while a newspaper reporter for many years, covered PennDOT and knew several higher ups in the department.
Is it me or can anyone else relate to the crazy prices that these earlier model Corvettes are bringing these days? I would love to own one but just can’t justify spending that much.
Friend not what you buy it for but what you sell it for !!! Pennies to make dollars!! Vetts are the best investment out there! Gotta Make money!!!!
If you over pay you don’t make money. Prices can always come down just like they go up.
While I definitely agree with you, it bewilders me even more that people are paying as much or more for a 289 ci. Mustang from the same era.
Worth every penny. My C8 cost way more than that. If I didn’t have the C8, I’d be all over this gem.
That might be one of the reasons that the older Corvettes are going up in price. The C8 is a lot more money than ever, so it is normal to compare what your $$ can buy going brand new or classic.
The gentlemen in suits are also wearing whatever the plural of “fez” is, and are members of the Omaha Tangier Shrine Temple “Corvette Patrol” precision driving team. They started picking up the cars at the St.Louis plant in 1957. The image is on Page 114 of “Birthplace of Legends” The Story of Corvette Production at the St.Louis Assembly Plant 1953-1981., by Peter Licastro.
That is so cool, Frank. Thanks for the information. Here’s more on them Shriners:
https://www.motorious.com/articles/handpicked/1962-chevy-corvette-tangier-shriner/
Zzzzzzz! Another Corvette. Yawn.
You must bore easy …
Knockoff wheels were not original. My uncle has a 66 that he’s owned since 1972 that still has the original spinner hubcaps and original (Laredo spare tire). Other than that very nice car!
Actually I retract that previous comment. I think they may have been a factory option and misunderstood. Sorry for any confusion on my part.
I had a1964 Stingray convertible that I bought in 1966 for $2.1K, and like someone else said, I wish I still had it. I sold it in 1969 for $2K. It was my work car that I called on customers in. I’d dearly love to have this white 66 but I doubt that I could enjoy it like I did my 64 for fear of it getting damaged or stolen. I want to thank the owner of it for not changing the shifter to to a Hurst with that T-handle like so many others have done.
I don’t think those wheels were on the car when new. Only 4% of 1966 Corvettes came with knockoffs. Second the 66 knockoffs were painted dark grey between the fins, as were the 65’s. The 64 knockoffs were “natural” color between the fins as those on this car are. So they are either off of a 64 or much more likely are aftermarket. Real K-H knockoffs are worth $10,000-$15,000 or more. Repros can be bought all day long for $2,500.
Owner says he bought the car in ‘70, so he is implying they came on the car when he purchased it. I’m guessing that in ‘70 the Kelsey Hayes repops weren’t really a thing yet so there is a reasonable chance that they were installed by the original owner and could have been pull offs from a ‘64. Researching which wheels are on the car would certainly be worth while.
My comment is directed to Neil.
Since you have a C8 you must realize the huge difference in performance and handling.
I was thinking as I was reading the write up for this car, that as much as I would love to own it, I would rather spend some extra money to get a C8 instead.
Performance wise you can’t beat it, and they are pretty jazzy looks wise too.
Enjoy that C8 Neil!!
Every since GM drop that 427/435 tri-carb in the 67 Vette won’t nothing else do l don’t care how nice a 66/67 is but that’s just me. I don’t feel like that about any other muscle car for some reason. The way I see it if you’re purchasing the car you want get the one you really want. This Vette is gorgeous but that big block I’ve got to have. Beautiful Vette though.
Neil,.
I am in the same boat with my C-8. I previously owned a 59, 65, 66, 68 69, 2020, 2021, and now a 2023. Only the last 5 were new. The mileage was terrible on the old ones, but what fun.
The car offered for sale looks terrific. I too, wish I could swing the purchase.
Hey guys, I’ve been watching all these oldies but goodies along with you guys. Great cars! I’m up here in upstate new York working on my truck gmc big block, of course I’m a gm man! Anyway I’ve had all the muscle cars in the 50s, 60s and 70s. Starting with a 58 apache 3100, a 63 split window corvette fuel injected which I paid $1500 for, a 66 corvette conv with a hardtop, 427/425 hp with side exhausts. Bought it from the original owner for $1800. Came with pwr steering, disc brakes, pwr windows, am/fm radio, ac and 4 speed. Also side exhausts. What a car! Then picked up a 68 Chevelle ss with a 427/500 hp (motor was built) with a 4speed. Another runner.Then picked up a 70 chevelle ss with a 454/460 hp special from the factory also built to 600 plus. This one had a 3 spd auto built with quick shift kit, shifted like a standard and burned tires between gears. Had linelock One of the fastest cars I owned! Also had a 66 impala 427/425 hp 4 spd bench seat. It had a cam,. Also a pop up pistons headers with stainless steel chambered exhaust. Sounded unbelievable! Picked up a 69 impala custom with a 350/325 hp with dual exhaust. Had all the goodies. I’ve had 4 rivieras a 63, 68, 70 and a boat tail 73. Great cars! Also a 68 caddy sedan Deville loaded with every imaginal option. Then I got a 69 Eldorado loaded would smoke those front tires with the 500 c.i. monster! I just can’t list all the motorcycles and trucks that I’ve had over the 55 years I’ve been driving including many more vehicles, been real lucky! Now only if I just had one of those oldies, maybe my 56 Vickie or my 39 Ford pickup, hell , thank God for memories! Signing out for now, Tommy Tompkins, keep on posting!
Great journey tommy
My first Vette was a. 1960. 283 2×4.Round rough but it was my car.Loved it
Not many trophies like you in my 40+ car(and trucks)adventure but had about every Chevy engine, and yes, one 409. My little brother is a mechanic so several cars were bought cheap then modified. I retire next week with 50 years behind American cars.
Thanks for taking me down your memory lane. It brought back mine.
Hey pal, your not gonna believe this but I had a 45 Ford pickup, 8 ft bed with a 409 balanced, blueprints with 12.5 to 1 pop up pistons, full race cam with high rise edelbrock manifold with 2 x 4s. Had headers with caps that opened with cables. 600 plus hp. What a truck, couldn’t keep trannys, drives shafts or rears in it! I had forgotten about that truck until I read your post, thanks Mr. D for the memory!