1966 Chevrolet Corvette

Description

It's OK if you've been watching TV auctions and figured that you'd never be able to afford a clean mid-year Corvette roadster. After all, they're all six-figure cars now, right? Wrong. This gorgeous Sunfire Yellow 1966 example, complete with its matching-numbers L79 and a 4-speed no less, is a great example of a driver's Corvette that won't break the bank.

Code 984 Sunfire Yellow is a brilliant color on a mid-year Corvette. It's bold, but not in-your-face the way red might be, and gives the high-revving roadster a more subtle demeanor. Underneath that spectacular paint, the fiberglass body is quite nicely rendered, with crisp details and expert attention to detail. Heck, just look at the crease that encircles the body, which is incredibly easy to sand away when working the fiberglass. There are no stress cracks in the usual locations around the headlight doors, and the substrate is so smoothly finished that the surface is like liquid. Add in some beautiful chrome bumpers, crisp new emblems and badges, and suddenly this car looks like it SHOULD cost a million bucks.

The black interior works superbly with the yellow bodywork, giving it plenty of contrast yet retaining that upscale feel. It certainly appears that the interior work is fresh, with upgraded leather seats that offer a warm, inviting look and a woodgrained steering wheel. Recent carpets, beautifully finished door panels, and those twin hoods make this a first-class cabin with exactly zero needs. The original AM/FM radio remains in the dash (it was an extremely popular option, more than 95% of all 1966 Corvettes had one), someone took the time to include a reproduction radio tag to add to the factory look. All the original gauges are functional and look quite good for being nearly half a century old. Overhead there's a new black folding convertible top plus a color-matched hard top, but the great thing about Corvette roadsters is that you hardly ever see the top-they're purely for emergencies.

The 327 cubic inch V8 under the hood is the original, matching-numbers L79 small block 350 high horsepower, that sounds like nothing else in the Corvette stable. With a snarling, ripping exhaust note, this most potent 327 is the ideal dance partner if you enjoy going around corners as much as brute acceleration. The engine bay was nicely detailed with Chevy Orange paint, those beautiful cast aluminum valve covers, and correct chrome tinwork on the air cleaner and ignition system. The original Muncie M20 wide-ratio 4-speed gives it long legs around town and the stock suspension means it rides and handles correctly. This 'Vette also offers an ultra-clean undercarriage and a brand new exhaust system that sounds just right. Four recent 205/75/15 Firestone whitewall radials have been fitted to the original wheels with spinner hubcaps for the perfect vintage look.

Yes, this car is every bit as nice as it looks, and as I've said many times before, big block Corvettes are great for impressing guys standing around in a parking lot, but if you want to impress yourself out on the road, get a high-winding small block. Call today!