After being stored from 1986 until 2016, this 1966 Corvette big-block convertible has been cleaned up and is ready to drive. It’s being auctioned here on eBay where bidding has already risen to more than $35,000 but the reserve hasn’t been met yet. Plan a trip to San Tan Valley, Arizona if you are the winning bidder!
Since that first picture was taken the Laguna Blue paint has been buffed to a nice shine and the wheels have been replaced with American Racing Torq-Thrusts (or copies). I’ll volunteer to be co-pilot for the trip home from Arizona!
The hardtop also came up to a nice shine. The ad also states that the frame is free of rust and that the original suspension is tight. The hardtop does need a replacement headliner but they aren’t very expensive.
The interior looks pretty nice, doesn’t it? The seller says it appears to be original. I would want a driver rather than a show car, so this would be perfect condition for me to enjoy. Do you prefer perfect cars or ones that you can drive a little without fear of destroying the condition of the car?
This is a replacement engine and we’re told it’s a 1969 unit. The seller states that it was replaced under warranty — I hope there is documentation of that. According to the ad the “mechanics have been brought back to life, brakes, carb, radiator, and all external engine components.” The seller just successfully completed a 100 mile drive in the car — I would have cheerfully volunteered for that task! So what do you think about this find that’s now ready for the street? Let us know in the comments!
Nice looking ride. And the Torq-Thrusts look good also. Curios about the 1969 CE replacement motor. I thought the warranty was 12 month, 12 K miles?
I’m not 100% positive, but I believe that the CE stamp on the pad (counter exchange) only means that it was purchased from a Chevy dealer, not necessary paid for by the factory as a warranty repair.
That’s correct. CE motors are warranty or over the counter dealer purchases. Unless this car was sold new very very late the timing doesn’t support it being a warranty block.
I have a couple of friends that buy CE engine whenever they can. They usually sell them to people restoring non-matching number muscle cars. The buyers of these engines almost always claim it was a warranty replacement done by the dealer. Unless there is paperwork, I wouldn’t believe it unless there is documentation to back it up, it should be treated as a story designed to wring more money from potential buyers bank account.
Steve R
I’ve been adulting since 1986, this car looks better than I do.
I liked the dish mags better. There is nothing wrong with Torque Thrusts, but these are the new design and differ from the vintage version.
Steve R
For me,this is the perfect driver. Like the color,TT,side pipes and BB. Doesn’t get better. Price @ $42k now.
I am with Steve R – I like the dish mags better. I doubt the motor was under warranty as original warranty would have expired. I think it was purchased from a Chevrolet dealer in 1969 or 1970.
Otherwise, nice looking ride with the side pipes. I wouldn’t do much to it as it seems to be a solid driver.
The GM warranty in 66 was 24/24. In 67, GM went to a 5 year, 50,000 mile warranty, and shortly after started the CE program as a way to track block replacements under warranty. Sometimes CE blocks were sold over the counter, but normally, service replacement blocks just had blank stamp pads.
Being a 69 casting, the engine in that car couldn’t have been replaced under 66’s 24/24 warranty. The seller claims that it’s a 69 435 block and heads, but CE blocks had no markings on them to identify what horse power or cubic inch they were. Also, CE blocks were only sold as bare blocks, or “fitted” (crank, pistons & cam installed) blocks, never as complete engines with heads.
Even with the replacement block, it looks like a pretty nice car, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the price climb a lot higher.
A “fitted block” is a block and pistons. No cam, crank, rods, and timing set.
Looks a dang sight better than the ’63 a few days ago!
Non original engine, no soft top, bbc on top of that (not a fan of bbc), I’ll pass on it. Can’t trip with it unless you keep the top on, and the ones I know of (bbc) are thirsty for hi-test fuel.
Hope the buyer whoever that is likes it.
It is a nice looking car, and if I was buying it, I would enjoy it as summer driver. I am grateful for the other posters taking the time to explain the procedure of the counter exchange engines. I have a 1968 casting Corvette 427, and I knew about the warranty replacement, but I did not know how, or where and when the blocks were numbered. The engine I have has the complete serial number stamped on the pad.
I will say that GM was pretty good about honoring the warranty, because my buddy had a new 66 425 HP Vette, and he missed a shift, which resulted in a valve keeper failing. The complete head and damaged piston was replaced, no questions asked.
I love the look of the side pipes, but if a person is going to drive for any distance, wear earplugs.
Bob
I believe the question of whether it was replaced under warranty or not would depend on the in service date or date of sale, just because it was titled as a 66 doesn’t mean it was sold in 66. If it was sold in 67 and the engine was replaced in 69 in could easily have been within the warranty period.
Mid year Corvettes sitting on the back lot not being sold that model year were about as rare as two women sitting quietly on a park bench.
This car is very close to me, if anyone is serious I, if you are not a buyer ,or have a reason to see it. I think sellers get all the looky loos they can stand.
NOW, this is what a real corvette looks like! Everything after the 60s is just junk!
As the 1323rd Corvette off the line in 1966 (and probably in September of ’66) it is POSSIBLE it is a warranty motor…but highly doubtful.
No power steering and no power brakes (might as well be no radio with the side pipes) but hey, drop a 5 speed in it and it would be a great driver.