Fire Ravaged: 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

Few sights are sadder than a classic car that has suffered at the hands of unfortunate circumstances. Such is the case with this 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible. It was once a proud and noble beast, but a fire has taken a heavy toll. There are further issues for potential buyers to consider, but they haven’t prevented the Corvette from receiving attention since the seller listed it here on eBay in Columbia Station, Ohio. Bidding has scorched (sorry!) past the reserve to reach $8,100 at the time of writing.

Chevrolet offered Corvette buyers a choice of ten paint shades in 1966, with this car’s original owner 1-of-2,967 to select Silver Pearl. It would have been a dazzling machine when new, but those days are long behind it. It is unclear when it suffered the fire damage, but there is barely a trace of the original paint. I noted panel damage on the passenger side rear quarter panel, and there is a chance the rest of the fiberglass may have suffered due to heat exposure. The seller includes a few additional panels in the deal, although it is worth noting that this Convertible is a “what you see is what you get” proposition. However, that isn’t the end of the story because the seller admits there is rust in the birdcage and frame. They don’t specify how bad the birdcage is but confirm the rear section of the frame is completely rotted. The shopping list keeps growing and will include almost every trim piece and a complete glass set.

The Black vinyl interior trim would have perfectly complemented this Corvette’s Silver Pearl exterior, but it appears most of it went up in flames. There may be little that is salvageable because the wiring is undoubtedly toasted, and the gauges won’t have enjoyed exposure to high temperatures. Every part required to return the interior to its former glory is readily available. However, with the list growing longer by the minute, this is shaping up as an expensive build.

Potential buyers must accept this Corvette is a roller because its engine and transmission are long gone. Chevrolet offered Corvette buyers two versions of the 327ci V8 in 1966 and the same number of 427ci options. This car’s original owner selected the L36 version of the big-block, teaming it with a four-speed manual. With 390hp and 460 ft/lbs of torque on tap, this Convertible would have been seriously fast. It would have romped through the ¼-mile in 13.8 seconds, and the 427 should have hauled it to 149mph. It is worth noting that with the L36 adding only $181.20 to the sticker price, it represented excellent bag-for-your-bucks. It is little wonder that 5,116 buyers ticked that box on the Order Form.

Many readers will look at this 1966 Corvette Convertible and immediately put it in the “too-hard” basket. That is understandable because returning it to its former glory will take deep commitment and a thick wallet. However, the fact that it has attracted fourteen bids suggests a few people are willing to give it a go. Will you be among them, or is it more than you are prepared to tackle?