One of the potential downsides of owning a pristine classic car is that there will always be an underlying fear that it could be chipped or damaged whenever it is taken out for a drive. That is where cars like this 1966 Corvette Coupe can fit into the equation. This is no trailer queen, although there is no reason why it couldn’t be. What is on offer is a clean and tidy survivor that could see regular use without the fears that I’ve just mentioned. After 42-years in his possession, the owner has decided that the time has come to part with his classic toy. It is located in Sarasota, Florida, and he has listed it for sale here on Autotrader. The owner is asking $52,000 for the ‘Vette, and it would appear that he is pretty firm on that price. I have to say thank you to Barn Finder Bob M for referring this 1960s icon through to us.

The Corvette rolled off the production line finished in Nassau Blue, but it has received a color change at some point in its life. It now wears Bryar Blue, which was a 1972 Corvette shade. It isn’t clear whether the repaint has happened under the current owner’s stewardship, or whether it predates it. The color is an attractive one, but when you look closely, it does carry plenty of chips and marks that signify that it hasn’t been sitting idle for the past 42-years. There is nothing that I would class as particularly horrendous, and it still presents well enough for a driver-quality car. The owner states that there is no sign of any collision damage, which would also indicate that it has remained accident-free over the last four decades as well. The owner makes no mention of any rust problems with the car, and its ownership history doesn’t indicate that the vehicle has spent any significant time in locations that might make it particularly prone to these issues. The owner has recently had the headlight motors rebuilt, which should eliminate any problems there. The Soft Ray glass is believed to all be original, and it looks to be in good condition. The exterior trim and chrome present quite well, especially for an unrestored classic of this vintage.

The paint appears to be the only major area of this Corvette that is not original, because it is a numbers-matching vehicle. What we find lurking under the hood is a 327ci V8, and being the L79 version, it produces 350hp. All of those ponies find their way to the rear wheels via a 4-speed manual transmission. At 3,159lbs, the Corvette is not the lightest of sports cars. I mean, it’s no porker, but it does still carry a little bit of weight. Even so, the drivetrain combination in this car should be capable of slingshotting the vehicle through the ¼ mile in 14.2 seconds. That’s pretty fast in anyone’s book. It wasn’t merely about raw acceleration, either. This is a car that should be capable of powering on to a top speed of 149mph, which is also pretty respectable. When I look at classic cars, I always feel a certain sense of reassurance when one appears that has been in the long-term stewardship of one owner. It isn’t a hard-and-fast rule, but that is usually a sign that the vehicle has been treated with a certain amount of respect. It is even better when that classic is also a numbers-matching vehicle. That usually means that it has never been pushed hard enough to make those horrible and expensive noises that are generally followed by a deafening silence. Judging by the information provided in the listing, it would appear that this Corvette has been appropriately maintained. The engine was treated to a full rebuild to original specifications several years ago and has only accrued about 9,000 miles since. At the same time, the transmission received new bearings and synchronizers, which means that it shifts smoothly and cleanly. Recent work includes a significant refurbishment of the brakes, a rebuild for the carburetor, along with a similar treatment for the starter and alternator. I’m sure that once you’ve read through that list, you won’t be surprised to learn that the Corvette starts, runs, drives, and stops perfectly.

The theme of originality continues when we take a look inside the Corvette. In reality, there are no significant problems that require immediate attention. The carpet has suffered some apparent fading, but that is the only issue that would seem to be worth raising. However, a new carpet set will cost around $300, and the interior would look pretty nice if this were fitted. The original radio remains in situ, and one great feature is the fact that this Corvette is equipped with factory air conditioning. This is said to blow cool. However, it could use some work if it is to function at its best once again. The owner suggests that a new drier and a compressor rebuild will be on the agenda. Given the amount of relief that the system can provide on hot days, I would suggest that this would be money well spent.

The reality is that if this 1966 Corvette Coupe was a pristine example, then it could potentially command an asking price of $70,000, or possibly more. It isn’t pristine, but it does appear to be an honest and clean survivor that could be driven and enjoyed immediately. If it is structurally sound, then returning it to an immaculate state should be a reasonably straightforward undertaking.  That sounds like a tempting proposition, but part of me can’t resist the idea of driving the Corvette as-is. It could stand proud and would be making a statement that it has lived and that it has been enjoyed exactly as its maker intended. After all, enjoyment is what the classic car experience is supposed to be all about.