1966 Chevrolet Corvette

Description

With all the people treating mid-year Corvettes as investments, it's easy to forget that they're pretty nice cars to drive, too. This 1966 Corvette packs a smart-running 327 that's a joy to run through the gears, reminding us all why it's been America's favorite 2-seater for more than sixty years.

Wearing code 976 Nassau Blue, just as it did when it left the factory in 1966, and thanks to a quality restoration it shines up brilliantly today. Good fiberglass underneath is a big part of the equation, and thanks to expert work it probably has better finish quality than when it was new. The doors fit well, the edges are crisp and well-defined, and there's no arguing with the timeless good looks. Nassau Blue was by far the top color choice in 1966 but it's easy to see why, as it gives the Corvette a sporty but subtle look that tells you all you need to know about why these cars are so special. Take it to the track on one day and to the office the next; Nassau Blue does both equally well. Chrome was still in style and it looks right on the Corvette, with shiny bumpers, bright rocker panel trim, and, of course, the four round taillights with their bullet-shaped lenses. And while it's not a split-window, the rear window is still virtually unobtainable; fortunately it's in great shape along with the other glass.

The interior is also correctly restored in code 418 dark blue vinyl, which does a pretty darned good impression of leather. It's so dark that it almost looks black, but that's the great thing about Nassau Blue: it matches almost everything and looks great doing it. The seat covers have a very pleasant broken-in look that enhances the interior's appeal in a way that nothing but time can duplicate. Matching carpets and door panels look right and the lovely woodgrained steering wheel adds a bit of warmth to the cabin. There's a vertically-oriented AM/FM radio in the center stack, still a somewhat unusual option in 1966. The big, round gauges show bright markings and vivid orange needles and are surely too nice to be original, and the tach is correctly marked for a 327, particularly those with a 4-speed like this one. In back, there's actually decent storage space for road trips, an activity for which this car is ideally suited.

The engine is a 327 cubic inch small block, but is not numbers-matching. It's based on a 1963-vintage 2-bolt block and has been rebuilt with a few extras that make it a superb runner. Obviously it's been detailed correctly with Chevy Orange paint and dressed up with chrome items throughout the engine bay. Turn the key and it barks to life through headers and a throaty stock-style exhaust system and offers the kind of reliability that you'd expect from a car of this caliber. The 4-speed slots neatly through the gears, spinning the original rear end. The chassis shows well despite the fact that the restoration is a few years old, and all 1966 models came with 4-wheel disc brakes and a fully independent suspension, so it feels modern out on the road. Beautiful aluminum knock-off wheels look fantastic and wear 205/75/15 gold stripe tires for an authentic touch.

Nicely finished and wonderful to drive, this is a reasonably-priced C2 Corvette that's ideally set up to have fun on the road. Isn't that why you own a Corvette in the first place? Call today!