Highly Awarded: 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

When an owner lists a classic car for sale, and you have to scroll through a selection of photos of certificates, awards, and commendations before you reach pictures of the vehicle itself, you can be sure you’re dealing with something extraordinary. Such is the case with this 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible. The photos seem to be proof positive that this is an immaculate and original survivor in the true sense of the word. It presents beautifully, but the owner has decided that the time is right for it to go to a new home. Therefore, he has listed for sale here on eBay. The Convertible features a BIN of $85,900, but the option is available to submit an offer.

Locating a 1966 Corvette wearing Tuxedo Black paint is like hitting the jackpot. This was the rarest shade, with only 1,190 buyers ticking that box on the Order Form. The next rarest is the Trophy Blue that graces the panels of this Convertible. A mere 2,054 buyers selected this stunning shade of Blue, representing just over 5% of all Corvette buyers in that model year. This classic presents as impressively as you might expect from an unrestored survivor that has been treated with respect. The seller indicates that it has been garage-kept since new, and when you look at its overall condition, this claim is easy to believe. The paint shines beautifully, and since they don’t show in the supplied photos, you would have to think that any flaws or defects are minor. The fiberglass looks excellent, with no signs of crazing or other issues near the bonding strips. The owner supplies no underside shots, but given the condition of the rest of the vehicle, it would be pretty safe to assume that the car is rust-free. The factory hardtop is perfect, while the Corvette also features a soft-top. The chrome shines as wonderfully as the paint, while I can’t spot any issues with the glass. The vehicle has won a list of awards as long as your arm, including several highly coveted Bloomington’s Certifications. These include Gold and Benchmark Awards, which is about as good as it gets for a classic Corvette.

Opening the doors reveals an interior that adds to the appeal of this Corvette. The original owner ordered it upholstered in Code 418 Blue vinyl, and it seems that it remains original and unrestored. There is some slight stretching on the seat bases, but the overall condition is close to perfect. There is no evidence of wear or physical damage. The dash appears excellent, as does the console. Refreshingly, there is little in the way of fading on the carpet, nor is there wear on the beautiful wood-rimmed wheel. It isn’t loaded with optional extras, but the factory AM/FM radio remains intact.

Lifting the hood on this Corvette reveals its 327ci small-block V8 that should be producing 300hp. Bolted to the back of this motor is a four-speed manual transmission that sends the power to the 3.36 Posi rear end. The reality was that there weren’t any slow Corvettes within the 1966 model range. This car is no exception and would be capable of romping through the ¼ mile in 14.7 seconds. A buyer could order a more potent version, but that figure stands proudly for what is essentially the entry-level version of the Corvette. For enthusiasts, learning that this ‘Vette is numbers-matching is more great news when considering its authenticity and earning potential as a long-term investment. Unfortunately, the seller provides no information on how well this classic runs or drives. If the presentation of the engine bay is an accurate indicator, the news should be positive. As well as the award certificates, the seller includes the original Owner’s Manual, Protect-O-Plate, Window Stickers, Title, and Dealer Sales Agreement. There’s no doubt that comprehensive documentation will aid the potential value of any classic car, so this one seems to come up trumps.

It is inevitable that many people will find the idea of owning an award-winning classic car to be attractive. If you fall into that category, this Corvette could be the car for you. The C2 Corvette has remained a staple of the classic scene for several decades, although they were largely forgotten in the 1970s and early 1980s. They now command impressive prices, and values have done nothing but head relentlessly upward. That means that not only could the buyer find themselves behind the wheel of a beautiful classic, but they could also become the owners of a car that would make a rock-solid long-term investment. I can’t think of a downside to that idea, can you?