Blank Canvas: 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Project

This 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible is a “what you see is what you get” project. The owner passed away before bringing their dream to reality, and it appears that a friend is selling the car on the family’s behalf. The body is in good condition, and the restored frame looks perfect. The deal includes many parts, but with no motor or transmission, it is a blank canvas for a restoration or a restomod build. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting this promising project listed here on eBay in Springfield, Nebraska. Bidding has raced past the reserve to $8,000, meaning this Corvette is days away from finding a new home.

This Corvette is something of a mixed bag, although it is also a sound foundation for a project build. The hard work on the body is complete. It features new front and rear clips that look excellent. The late owner added an aftermarket big-block hood, giving the car a more aggressive appearance. The Trim Tag confirms that the first owner ordered the car in Mosport Green. Still, considering the car’s overall lack of originality, the winning bidder probably won’t feel obliged to apply a fresh layer of the factory shade. Beneath the surface is a 1965 Corvette frame that was stripped and restored. The windshield frame is rock-solid, and the deal includes both a hard and a soft-top. It is missing many parts, and the seller states that three of the four bumpers require a trip to the platers. They suggest throwing the fourth in the trash, because it is beyond salvation. Most of the remaining bright trim should present acceptably for a driver-grade build, but the buyer needs to source a replacement windshield.

This Corvette is titled as a 1966 model, although the frame is from a 1965 example that succumbed to fire damage. It has been stripped and restored, with no evidence of rust or other problems. The late owner restored the 3.55 rear end and installed some hard brake and fuel lines. However, the car should be considered purely as a roller. It is set up to accept a small-block V8, but with the project at this point, bolting in a big-block is a realistic option if the buyer wishes to create a fire-breathing monster. Alternatively, a modern fuel-injected Crate Motor would deliver impressive power, but would be more user-friendly than a period-correct powerplant. There are no hard-and-fast rules in cases like this, because the buyer won’t be molesting a pristine, numbers-matching classic to create the car of their dreams.

The blank canvas theme continues inside this Corvette. The images confirm that the car retains its dash frame, gauges, glovebox door, seat frames, and radio. Its first owner ordered the ‘Vette with the standard Black vinyl trim, but the current seats feature non-matching covers. The reality is that the winning bidder faces a complete retrim, leaving them to choose between authenticity or something more luxurious, like leather. The seller also admits that the vehicle is missing many of its small components, like brackets, bolts, and screws. Discovering what is AWOL and sourcing those parts may not be expensive, but it would be time-consuming and frustrating at times.

Enthusiasts are sometimes reluctant to tackle an unfinished project build, fearing that it might hide some rather nasty surprises. However, this 1966 Corvette Convertible appears to raise no such doubts. It has already attracted 23 bids, and with the Listing View and Watch List tallies of 254 and 98, respectively, it appears that plenty of people wish to give this classic a second chance. The big question is what path they would choose. It is a prime candidate for restoration, although the missing drivetrain components could allow the winning bidder to pursue a restomod approach. The decision will probably hinge on budget and personal taste. So, which path would you choose?