We have many readers with a passion for C2 Corvettes, making me wonder whether there is an ultimate example that would capture their heart, imagination, and wallet. This 1966 Convertible could be a strong contender because it ticks many of the boxes a serious collector would want. It has been part of the same family since the day it drove off the showroom floor, giving it a known ownership history. It is an unmolested and highly-documented car, and the original owner ordered it with the most desirable drivetrain combination Chevrolet offered for that model year. All good things must end, with the family deciding to part with a classic that has been part of their lives for fifty-six years. The Corvette is listed here on Craigslist in Spokane, Washington, with an asking price of $75,000.
There is so much to like about this Corvette that it isn’t easy to know where to start. Its current location is Washington, but it appears it spent most of its life in California. The seller doesn’t supply any information on the state of the frame, but the drier climate should have helped preserve it in a structurally sound condition. An in-person inspection would confirm that and is a strategy I would always recommend as a standard part of any classic car purchase. One shot in the listing provides a brief glimpse of the underside, and all that is visible is mild surface corrosion. The seller indicates they treated the car to a repaint in its original shade of Silver Pearl in 1999, and it continues to present well. I can’t spot significant flaws or defects and no evidence of matte sections that can develop in cars with this paint color. The fiberglass is excellent, and the trim is above average for a driver-grade vehicle of this vintage. The Black soft-top is slightly wrinkled, but I suspect this is because it remains stowed most of the time. If the new owner keeps it raised for a while, the wrinkles will probably disappear. The owner includes the factory hardtop for those wanting to enjoy the Convertible on colder days.
Corvette buyers in 1966 faced a wide variety of drivetrain choices, but this car’s original owner didn’t mess around when completing their Order Form. They sought the ultimate performance model, ticking the box beside the L72 version of the 427ci V8. That big-block brought 425hp to the table, while they also selected a four-speed manual transmission and power steering. Performance levels for Corvettes with these specifications are legendary, and this car should have no trouble storming the ¼ mile in 13.5 seconds. If the driver is brave enough to keep their boot into it, that thumping V8 would run out of breath at 138mph. There are a few minor presentation issues in the engine bay, but the buyer could easily and inexpensively rectify these to improve the appearance. The ignition shielding is missing, but high-quality reproductions sell for around $270. If the buyer craves originality and is willing to be patient, clean original kits occasionally appear online on sites like eBay and Craigslist. The sticker is gone from the air cleaner, but the rest of the engine bay looks unmolested. The seller states that the car is completely numbers-matching and original, down to smaller items like the hose clamps. It is also in excellent mechanical health. It runs and drives perfectly, and there are no fluid leaks.
The Corvette’s interior isn’t perfect, but its condition is undoubtedly acceptable for a survivor-grade car. The seats wear Black leather that is free from significant wear. The leather has stretched slightly, but this is not unusual after more than five decades. The photos are limited, but they suggest the carpet and remaining upholstered surfaces are in good order. There is some wear visible behind the shifter, but this is common. The original owner chose a few options that helped increase this classic’s desirability. These include power windows, the beautiful teakwood wheel, and an AM/FM radio with a power antenna. The included documentation is about as comprehensive as you could hope to find in a car of this age and caliber. The buyer receives the original dealership paperwork from 1966, the Protect-O-Plate, the Owner’s Manual, and many other documents. It is hard to identify specific items due to the photo quality, but it appears that everything is present to track this car’s history.
Deciding to part with a classic car that has been part of your life for more than five decades can not be an easy choice, but it is one we have seen before at Barn Finds. There are many reasons why an owner might choose that path, but none would make the choice easy. This Corvette carries the hallmarks of a cherished family member, and while the asking price is hardly cheap, it does appear competitive. It is common to see vehicles with this engine and transmission combination sell for $90,000, although six-figure sums are not unprecedented. This one isn’t perfect, but it is an excellent driver that would command respect at a show or Cars & Coffee. I want to think that its next owners will continue the trend of care and respect and will retain the Convertible for another fifty-six years. The chances are pretty remote, but stranger things have happened in the classic world.
The ad was updated about 2 hours ago (it’s 9:15pm PST as I type). The price is now $85K. Barraged with offers at $75K?
About a hour away from me. They are asking 85K not 75K as listed on BarnFinds. With a 427 425hp option you won’t need to downshift when driving up steep grades:)
Maybe owned by one family for a long time but now in the hands of a flipper?
At least it has the desirable Halle carb.
138mph?
In 1966, the small block was the best option, not to mention cost saving. Better handling, a much nicer road car, be it for cross country traveling ,or on a twisting road course. I drove many C2s with a 327 4 speed, and I was never unhappy with them.
@Grant. Totally agree with your assessment.
I thought the hood support arm for big block C2’s was on the left side, not the right. I realize there are always exceptions but wonder what the explanation is.
65 396’s and early 66 427’s have the support on the right, later 66’s and 67’s have it on the left (using up 65 hoods maybe?????).
Is it me, or does this smell a little like a scam? “Halle” instead of “Holley” carb, engine “Suffolk” code instead of “suffix” code. And even at it’s recently increased asking price of $85000, it seems like it’s priced to cheap.
If it’s legitimate, it’s like a really nice example of a 66 big block, priced fairly in a crazy market. If it wasn’t 3000 miles from me I’d be real tempted to inquire further about it.
Listing in California car in Washington, Oregon plates. Also states mostly in California.
The exterior looks nice. What happened to the rest of the car? Did the Detailer fall asleep?
That is not a teak wheel it is the standard wood simulated plastic wheel
Wouldnt deal with someone who RE-NIGS on their price.Ive taken deposits on cars and got offered more money standing in front of me with cash in hand that Ive turned down.My word is worth more than money
The term is “Renege” and it means “backing out of a deal” Did the owner have a deal?
Very nice car, desirable color and options but does not have a teakwood steering wheel. Seems like most of the write-ups here mistakingly call the standard walnut grained plastic wheel (a nice looking wheel) teakwood. The teakwood steering wheels were a relatively rare option in 1965 and 1966 and are rarer now even though quality reproductions have been available for several years. Original teakwoods routinely advertise for $2000 – $2500.
Listing deleted.
Seems sketchy to me. The seller states the car is in Washington, plates are Oregon. Says car spent most its life in California and is listed in Los Angeles, California.
Great to see the owner did NOT add N14. Loud, obnoxious and ruins the lines of a 63 to 67 Corvette. I owned a Corvette in the 70s with side exhaust. It was cool then being in my early 20s. Today, after about 10 miles any sane person my age would not put up with that noise.
Pretty good guess that my tinnitus was caused by two 67 427 C2’s with side pipes in my early 20’s. Young, dumb, and full of….
GM’s hottest one even got hotter. The next 2 engines after the
L 72 will be the wild L 88 or the ZL 1. Smoking tires included.
65-67 are the best of the C2 for my decision. The only thing
every C2 is missing is a very low going front spoiler because
the car has too much lift below the floor.
The dusty engine bay seems to need a good detailing.