While it might be a complete classic, this 1966 Corvette hasn’t moved under its own power for more than a decade. The owner purchased it intending to perform a frame-off restoration, but other plans have gotten in the way. He has decided to part with the Corvette, so he has listed it for sale here on eBay. The Corvette is located in West Sacramento, California, and bidding has reached $33,200 in this No Reserve auction.
The owner doesn’t overwhelm us with information on the Corvette or its history. He provides no information on any potential rust issues, but if the car has spent most of its life in California, there is a chance that it is structurally sound. That doesn’t mean that it will be a quick 5-minute fix to return it to the road. The seller had intended to perform a frame-off restoration, and given the vehicle’s potential value, this could have been a smart move. It would also have provided an opportunity to repair a few spots of damage to the Corvette’s fiberglass. The worst of this is above the rear wheel arch on the driver’s side, and I think it would be a specialist’s job to fix this properly. The rest of the body looks respectable, while the same appears to be true of the trim and glass. The trim isn’t pristine, but it would look okay on a driver-quality car.
The owner doesn’t indicate whether the Corvette is a numbers-matching vehicle, but it does come equipped with a 327ci V8 and a 4-speed manual transmission. I can’t be sure whether this is the 300hp version or whether the Corvette is equipped with the optional 350hp L79 motor. It isn’t clear why the Corvette was initially parked, but it is worth noting that the engine hasn’t fired a shot in at least a decade. Getting it running again could be straightforward, although I suspect it would need a thorough check and a fuel system flush before anyone turns the key. The owner does float the idea of a restomod build, and if there are significant issues with the existing engine, that is a possibility that would be worth considering. However, if this is a numbers-matching car, I would be inclined to do everything in my power to revive that 327. That could make a significant long-term difference to its potential value.
The interior follows this Corvette’s overall theme of being complete but needing work. The dash and carpet look good, but the seats will need new covers. It’s a shame that the wheel is cracked, and I’m not sure whether it is repairable. The first thing that I would do would be to treat the interior to a thorough clean. A few pieces have a question mark hanging over them, so that would be the most affordable starting point. There have been no aftermarket additions, and even the original AM/FM radio remains intact.
The listing for this 1966 Corvette would seem to raise as many questions as it answers. It shows promise as a project car, but how viable it is depends on its structural state. Fully restored, this could have a potential value of more than $75,000, provided that it is numbers-matching. The owner does float the idea of tackling it as a restomod project, which is a possibility. Which would you find more attractive, a restomod, or a faithful restoration?
It’s got a restored value of about 75k and it’s already at 35k, and no word on the health of the engine or frame. The world’s gone mad.
Just visit Portland and you will know how mad…
Nice Corvette regardless of the HP, I really pray it is not resto-modded!!
Lol I live in Portland!
Or Seattle.
Or Washington, DC a month ago!
I live in the Washington, D. C. area, in Maryland and it is plenty humid here. But, the BF write up says the car is in Sacramento, Ca. and has been for a long time. Humid? I don’t know. But, California cars a said to not rust a lot. Hmmm…
If the car spent its life in that area of California rust shouldn’t be a problem. Engines aren’t expensive to rebuild compared to body work or rust repair. Serious buyers know that and will contact the seller for more information. This is likely a good starting point for a restoration, they know paying more upfront will save considerable time and money on the back end.
Steve R
This appears to be an L79 327/350 hp based on the I take and on the 6000 redline on the tach
Intake
I agree by looking at the intake and valve covers. Not a guarantee but the price is right if it doesn’t
go too much higher.
I would agree with the L-79 assessment based on the 6000 RPM redline and the aluminum intake manifold and finned aluminum valve covers, all L-79 hallmarks.
L79 has high rise manifold …
Am I missing something here or are people looking to spend $35k on an unknown project with questionable engine and drivetrain. I understand these cars go for $75k restored but after body work, engine rebuild, drive train and interior re and re I gotta believe you would be in it for another $40k, and that does not include labour. This must be for someone who needs to get away from their partner or is into charity work! Please explain? I own a 63 convertible which I restored so I guess I am no longer a dreamer.
Typical of somebody who knows nothing about how to ID the cars pedigree. There is a build plate riveted to the birdcage under the glove compartment. GM used numbers and letters to list the cars features. Next to that plate is the build number. By the way the valve cover on this car denotes a 350 and, or a
365 HP, not a 300 HP engine, it would be orange, If are original to the car. If you were to buy the car, plan on keeping it. The cost to make it right will be way more then it would sell far.
If you just look at the past couple of years and Auction prices, it would support that the only way to make money is a “Resto-Mod”. The modified cars
are going for double if not triple or more ,than restored cars. Nothings carved in stone ,but statistics support ,modified cars.
I am wrapping Up a Full Restoration on a 1967 Chevelle I bought New 12/66. I started out wanting just a Good Paint Job as the car was all original, had 188,000 Miles on it and it still drove Great.
But then several Friends said I definitely should Freshen Up the Motor before Painting it as it had to come out to do it. Then they mentioned it would be nice to swap my Powerglide to a TH350 – I could put the PG up in case one of my Sons wanted to someday put it back Original. Welllllll, I began what I considered an “Amateur Restoration”, i.e., Took the Car to a Race Car Builder and told him I wanted to keep the 327 – but at my age, I always had wanted something with a little more HP. $10,000 Later, I have it!
Then I took it to the Body Shop. Told them I wanted a Quality Paint Job BUT Not a Trailer Queen as I was going to drive and enjoy my Car! They offered me a Body Off for around 20 Grand – of they could do a “Partial”. i.e., Remove Doors, Front End, Bumpers, Paint Engine Compartment, etc. for about 10 Grand. Took the Partial for $10G. Oh, Yeah, I bought it New as a Non A/C Car Soooo, at my age, I guess I needed Vintage Air. Ended up with about 5 Grand there as I didn’t know that in addition to the Vintage Air Cost, one has to have Electric Fans – Preferably Dual Fans – All Kinds of Brackets; Different Pulleys, On and On……………..Bottom Line: I’m in about $35,000 – AND New Interior will be done Next Month as it’s on Back Order!!! Since I’ve owned it for 54 Years Last Month, I would like to think it’s worth that in “Sentimentality” as I’m sure it’s not Monetarily! (But for some reason, My Wife doesn’t share my Sentiments even though We went on our Honeymoon in it 7 Months after I bought it!) Don’t know why She cares. I sold 4 Expensive Collectible Guitars and 25 things that go Bang to Pay for this endeavor. (She DID Offer to use one of the Bang Things on Me! LOL!)
That price includes the $20K finders fee.
post to track comments
Aluminum intake = 350 horse power 327. 365 was discontinued after 1965. L79
There is no substitute for cubic dollars, restoration is expensive, but so is modifying. The buyer should do whatever makes em happy. A non running small block and everyone conjecturing over the output ? C’mon man,and you all know that most of the time the numbers were bogus anyway.
The engine doesn’t have a smog system which was required in CA in 1966. I had a 66 that I bought in Oct 65 in Oakland CA. I removed the smog system and had to plug the exhaust manifold. I see no indication that the system was on this car.
What Grant said, the world has gone mad. Truth be told, and I follow C2 prices EVERY day, are at best holding steady, or dropping. The newest one is now 54 years young. No matter how you look at it, these cars are more than a half a century hold and quality was horrible when new. There is a book out, written by a quality control manager, who worked at St. Louis in the early to mid 60s. He said EVERY car off the line had to go to the body shop for at least some repair, and some as many as four times. And these cars were by no means high volume, such as today’s pickup trucks and useless SUVs. In 1966, GM built about 27,000 Corvettes. Funny how it is shown with bare rims, knockoffs and wheelcovers. The listing has been pulled. The car has no side exhaust in one photo and the rear valance has no exit holes for tailpipes. Yet another photo shows stupid kiddie mod exhaust that looks like some retard’s 30 year Acura driven by an illegal punk. From what I see, this is a scam. Grant is right. Top dollar on this car is $75,000, on its very BEST day and you’re looking at 40K minimum to restore. Paint and body is $20,000 today. I just finished restoring a 70 coupe and am way over my head. But we love our cars.
There have been a lot of somewhat negative comments about this car. Maybe that’s why the ad has bee taken down. Plus, I wasn’t aware that the ’66 had a one piece rear window. I thought only the ’64 had those.
Most Corvette enthusiast know 1963 was the only year of the split window but, that’s why you read and learn. The same as speculation , you can only guess or assume without more proof or pictures, or being there in person . So then you need to know where to look and know the numbers : engine code , plant code , suffix code , horsepower and year are all in these stampings . Things do get changed over the years that could or hide or tell the truth about a Diamond in the rough car . This car by what little pictures it has , could be worthy of a purchase – it’s all about the numbers and condition . The less it matches up correct, the less true value it has .