NCRS Top Flight Corvette Roadster 427 V8 4 Speed

Straight off the showroom floor, Corvettes are special cars. It's part of what draws all kinds of enthusiasts to them, and a good reason why most owners take such excellent care of them. It's an idea that's been around as long as the Corvette itself, and it's why we occasionally run across cars like this stunning 1966 roadster. Even before its frame-off restoration, this Sting Ray was an incredibly well maintained example of vintage American muscle. And today, it's a true investment grade 427/4-speed car that's been certified NCRS Top Flight on the chapter, regional and national levels. If you're looking for a fun collector car that you can enjoy and watch appreciate in value, this Vette is the perfect choice!

A simple breakdown of this Chevy's VIN and trim tag verifies the authenticity of its current restoration:

VIN: 194676S116170

1 – Chevrolet
9 – Corvette
4 – V8
67 –Convertible
6 – 1966 model year
S – Assembled at GM's St. Louis manufacturing facility
116170 – Production sequence number

TRIM TAG:

* H01 – Assembled on March 1st of 1966
* 66 – 1966 model year
* 467 -- Convertible
* A-5039 – A: Manufactured at A. O. Smith's Inoia, Michigan facility, 5039: Manufacturer's sequence number
* 450 -- White and blue vinyl interior
* 976 -- Bright Blue paint

Bolted together at GM's storied St. Louis manufacturing facility in early 1966, this slick Top Flight C2 is the kind of classic that you can look at and virtually sense top-notch caretaking. In the summer of 1999, the car was completely restored to NCRS standards by Still Cruisin' Corvettes of Haymarket, Virginia. That frame-off reboot began with solid fiberglass being lovingly sanded and carefully shot with a correct coat of GM code 976 Bright Blue basecoat. With the body painted, the car's doors and lids were adjusted to better-than-factory fit. And finally, a deep clearcoat finish was added to ardently accentuate Bill Mitchell's razor-sharp style lines. That being said, this roadster is neither unnaturally straight nor overtly glossy. And overall, its finished body looks like a vintage Corvette should look – composed without being too perfect.

Drawing heavy inspiration from GM's famous Mako Shark concept, the second generation Corvette offers planar lines and tidy proportions that convey a stylish and sporty demeanor. At the front of the car, a body-width grille sits inside a show-worthy stainless border which is flanked by two bullet-style parking lights and a familiar 'razor blade' bumper. Above that bumper, a red, white and black Corvette cross-flag emblem perfectly complements a chrome “Corvette String Ray” script that's best viewed when the car's hood tilts. Behind that hood, satin-finished wipers clear Soft Ray glass that's framed by straight stainless trim, bordered by a chrome bowtie mirror and capped by either fresh white canvas or an unrestored hardtop. Below that mirror, familiar vertical heat extractors ride between correct chrome door handles, more red, white and black cross-flag emblems and dent-free stainless rocker moldings. And at the back of the car, a highly detailed fuel filler is centered above a second black and chrome “Corvette Sting Ray” script, correct red and white tail lights, two more 'razor blade' bumpers and two stainless-trimmed exhaust tips.

During its detailed restoration, this Sting Ray's long-running warranty replacement 427 was fully rebuilt to factory specifications by Tony's Corvette Shop in Gaithersburg, Maryland. And not only does the big mill carry a correct 3869942 casting number, it also comes with a full specs sheet that lists every part and procedure involved in its rebuild. Top dead center you'll find a chrome-topped open element air filter that, along with bright stainless fuel lines, feeds a correct Holley 4-barrel carburetor. Under that carburetor, a color-keyed intake sits on a solid Chevy Orange block that's been hot-tanked, magnafluxed and bored .033 by machine. Bolted to the sides of that iron block is a pair of fully restored exhaust manifolds and a pair of correct oval port heads that have been fitted with Manley valves, Competition rollers and Competition springs. Under those high performance heads an original crank, which was hot-tanked and magnafluxed just like the block, combines with a Competition camshaft, original rods, TRW forged pistons and Competition push rods to create stout 9.75 to 1 compression. That compression is sparked by a chrome-capped points distributor which arcs through familiar Packard Radio wires. Cooling for those arcs is provided by a correct radiator and an original GM water pump which routes fluid past a Competition timing chain via reproduction GM hoses and a correct array of clamps. And detail components like a full set of Federal Mogul rings, a full set of Federal Mogul bearings and a high performance Melling oil pump make sure the monster motor runs just as good as it looks.

Flip this big block Vette upside down and you'll find a fully restored chassis that's in good shape, and today, looks much as it did when it rolled out of the factory. At the center of the car, a rugged Muncie M20 4-speed utilizes big 3.70 gears and a GM posi-traction rear end to deliver the neck snapping launches and potent acceleration Duntov Corvettes are famous for. At the ends of the car, a fully restored double A-arm front and independent rear suspension is completely detailed down to its transverse rear spring. At the corners of the car, standard equipment four wheel disc brakes mix excellent handling with quick stops. Above that rebuilt suspension, clean and exceptionally solid floor tubs, which look factory fresh in every way, are bolted to a straight, satin black frame. Below that suspension, power flows to the ground through standard 15 inch steel wheels which spin a fresh set of 205/75 Goodyear Weatherhandler white walls around pristine, stainless wheel covers. And everything from this Corvette's leak-free fuel tank and Chevy Orange oil pan to its correct off road exhaust system is fully sorted and ready to hit the show field.

Swing this Sting Ray's light fiberglass doors open and you'll find a correct combination of white and blue vinyl that looks fresh off the showroom floor! The car's seat foam and white covers have logged just enough show parades to keep both their comfort and composure. Its like-new carpet, which is protected by high quality rubber floor mats, still features clean blue shading. At the front of those buckets, stylish aircraft-inspired gauges and a brushed metal accent panel look great inside traditional black cowls. On top of that carpet, a waterfall center stack hangs a continuous motion clock and a correct Delco AM/FM radio above a chrome, fully functional shifter. In front of the driver, a nicely restored Corvette Rally wheel props glowing satin finished spokes and a slick wood rim around a pristine cross-flag horn button. At the sides of the cockpit, white, stainless-trimmed panels anchor chrome door and window hardware above perfectly placed armrests. And behind the seats, a fully carpeted storage compartment shows no signs of use at all.

During its long stint on the show circuit this roadster racked up many prestigious accolades. Its sale includes the following three awards:

* 1999 NCRS Top Flight Chapter
* 2000 NCRS Top Flight Regional
* 2003 NCRS Top Flight National

In addition to those awards, the car's sale includes an original owner's manual, a small album of restoration photos and a small stack of restoration receipts.

Quite honestly, they don't get much better than this expertly restored 1966 Corvette Sting Ray. It's a highly correct car that you can drive and enjoy while racking up big-time trophies. And best of all, with its fresh restoration and highly desirable 427/4-speed drivetrain, it's only going to increase in value. If you've been searching for a fully sorted classic that looks, and more importantly, feels right, don't miss your opportunity to make this stunning '66 yours!