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Garage Find 1966 Corvette Convertible

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Looking dusty and somewhat forlorn, this 1966 Corvette convertible has been in this garage since the late 1980’s (the seller has owned it since 1973). It’s located in Grand Rapids, Michigan and is listed for sale here on eBay. Current bidding is just over $20,000 as I write this. Thanks goes to Jim S for the tip!

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I’ve always liked the factory aluminum wheels with the three-eared “knockoff” hubs. The auction listing does note that these are reproduction items, which to me adds credibility to the seller–they didn’t have to point that out. The car also has stainless steel Disc Brakes (I’m guessing this means either the lines or calipers?), and is also equipped with an AM/FM radio, a teak steering wheel, and a stainless steel exhaust system.

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Looking inside, apart from the dust this doesn’t look bad at all. And I love that it’s a 4-speed rather than the automatic. As a matter of fact, this is only one year away from my favorite Corvette combination of 1967 + convertible + small block + 4-speed. That would work just fine for me!

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I look at this car and I wonder why it’s sat for so long. The seller does tell us that the 327 will need to be rebuilt, but that’s not terribly difficult, and parts are available anywhere. And as enthusiasts know, there’s plenty of specialists out there for anything else the car might need. With only 67,044 miles, I wonder why the car needed so much work in the first place, though. With the low retail price for a nice car in a value guide approaching $60,000, it will be interesting to see how high this diamond in the rough goes! What do you think?

Comments

  1. Avatar Brian

    WHY do people store their convertibles with the top down???

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  2. Avatar RHurstolds74

    Only 4 photos, seriously? No reserve though. Put a tarp under it, but couldn’t cover it up as well?

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  3. Avatar Dan

    Stainless brakes mean the calipers have been rebuilt with stainless seal liners for the caliper pistons…brake fluid draws moisture and if these cars sit for ages, the cylinders for the pistons rust and lock them up…

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    • Avatar dj

      I’ve replaced a bunch with the stainless calipers. It’s not worth the extra money.

      Like 0
  4. Avatar 1ST-RAT

    That is not a Teak steering wheel.

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  5. Avatar JW

    Well I for one will take a 63 Split Window model as soon as the wife hits the powerball.

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  6. Avatar Ian C.

    It looks really good. I also love how its a 4 speed manual. Also it is a mystery why people store convertibles with the roof down.

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  7. Avatar grant

    Is that a bellhousing on the floor?

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    • Avatar Rocco

      Where? I see a rubber mat on a box.

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  8. Avatar Ken Z

    Air cleaner is on the passenger side floor.

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  9. Avatar Michael Jacobs

    People are out of there minds…I would never bid on a car unless I could crawl all over it…if I owned Id get my lazy ass ,drag it out of the garage,wash it..maybe buff it..clean up eveything..I know this site is the barn deal..but Im not buying this trendy barn fresh crap…there I feel better…

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    • Avatar Mark S

      Hi Michael to add to what your saying the same lazy guy that also piled crap all around it also neglected to put the top up. If you leave them down the material goes to crap every where there is fold and it also drys out and shrinks. They need be up and stretched out and treated with proper conditioners. This car will very likely need a new top, something to consider when negotiating a price. Personally I never did likes convertibles this car is a pass for me.

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    • Avatar Tom Member

      Thank you Michael and Mark. I went on a rant the other day on barn finds with that POS 57 Chevy Hard Top supposedly in storage since 1966 (maybe stored at the bottom of a lake!). It felt better too! I can’t agree more with your comments.

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  10. Avatar DRV

    Great find in great condition ….clean up and rebuild mechanicals for 15k and you have a nice original.

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  11. Avatar piper62j

    Mold and mildew are big problems in a car stored open-air like this one.. The carpet jute, seat padding and door liners hold moisture from the air and provide a breeding ground.

    I restored a 67 Vette that was stored in a garage on a dirt floor with the top up.. Even the exhaust system was rotted off when we got it.. The interior smelled so bad, two of the guys wore dust masks from the body shop so they could strip it.

    The car turned out great and the owner proceeded to store it yet again in the same garage.. Go Figgaahhh!!!

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  12. Avatar Chebby

    ONE barn-dirt picture for posterity, then please wash your car and air up the tires. You are trying to sell something, after all.

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  13. Avatar Barzini

    As many times as I have seen these cars emerge from long periods of storage, it never fails to shock and puzzle me to see a new one. I can only ask why?

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  14. Avatar Steve

    “Stainless Steel brakes” could also just mean the parts are from SSBC (Stainless Steel Brakes Corporation)

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  15. Avatar Keith

    I’d love to own one of these early C2 corvettes but way too much $$$. This one has potential though. I like!

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  16. Avatar Al8apex

    Michigan use = frame rot

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  17. Avatar leiniedude Member

    I agree with Chebby. Being this rig has been in the garage for 25+ years, I would think you could isolate one restoration piece a year. Tranny one year, Rear end next and so on. Probably saving the small block for last. Even on a budget you could use two years on the more expensive items. I know time can be short sometimes, but it looks like they had some time to play ring toss on the front knock off.

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  18. Avatar PRA4SNW

    I think it is refreshing to see it being sold by the original owner with a real story instead of a flipper.

    If you are a serious buyer, you can ask him to his face why he decided to store it like this? As for me, if I was interested, I wouldn’t care why he did it, just glad that he is selling it.

    Like 0

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