Restored Corvette Sting Ray Roadster 427/425 HP 4 Speed

You can ask pretty much any Corvette guy what the ultimate vintage Vette is and he'll probably say a second generation roadster with Chevrolet's storied 427 big block. And investors clearly agree, since prices on these classics skyrocket year after year despite the state of the economy. There's no doubt those hallowed numbers have a special meaning, and every red-blooded gearhead owes it to himself to own at least one over the course of his octane-fueled life. Well, it's a good thing you found RK Motors Charlotte. This numbers-matching L72/4-speed car is a splendid candidate for any indebted owner thanks to a meticulous restoration that involved a roster of NOS components. So, what are you waiting for? It's time to square up and experience the Corvette of your dreams!

Before we go any further, I'll provide some background on this 'no expenses spared' sports car by decoding both its VIN and trim tag.

VIN: 194676S101064

* 1: Chevrolet
* 9: Corvette
* 4: V8
* 67: Convertible
* 6: 1966 model year
* S: Assembled at GM's St. Louis, Missouri manufacturing facility
* 101064: Production sequence number

TRIM TAG

* A17: Assembled on September 17th, 1965
* 66: 1966 model year
* 467: Convertible
* STD: Black vinyl interior
* S: Assembled at GM's St. Louis, Missouri manufacturing facility
* 350: Production sequence number
* 984AA: Sunfire Yellow paint

Many Corvette enthusiasts regard the C2 as Chevrolet's purest Corvette design. And that's very easy to understand given this roadster's small dimensions, purpose-built form and athletic demeanor. Of course, those qualities are best viewed through a beautiful restoration and, fortunately, the guys who reworked this Sting Ray did a fantastic job. Starting as a solid, hit-free body, this drop-top underwent a detailed, three year restoration that involved $20K in prep and paintwork alone. And since the previous owner's goal was to have a classic that's both striking and functional, he made sure the car's body was clean, laser-straight and much nicer than any factory-correct original. Once that level of fit and finish was attained, a buttery coat of correct 984AA Sunfire Yellow was sealed in a glossy clearcoat shell. And the rest, as they say, is six-figure, show-stopping history!

Thanks to a renewed dedication to motorsports, and a heavy influence from the original Mako Shark concept car, the second generation Corvette sports a very athletic appearance. At the front of this roadster, a stainless, body-width grille rides behind two chrome-trimmed parking lamps and a traditional 'razor blade' bumper. Above that grille, a red, white and black Corvette cross-flag emblem is affixed in front of a correct hood that's detailed with small chrome louvers and a bright “Corvette STING RAY” script. Behind that hood, satin-finished wipers and fresh stainless trim combine with a correct chrome mirror and new black top to frame lightly tinted glass. At the base of that mirror, simple heat extractors ride between correct chrome door handles, ornate fender emblems and polished stainless side pipes. And behind those pipes, a chrome-trimmed fuel filler is perfectly centered above a second “Corvette STING RAY” script, traditional, two-tone tail lights, a chrome-trimmed tag mount and two more 'razor blade' bumpers.

Tilt this Corvette's smooth hood and you'll find a fully detailed, 427 cubic inch L72 V8 that's authenticated by a familiar 3869942 casting number, christened with a correct “IP” suffix stamp and branded with a matching 101064 partial VIN. Introduced as a formidable companion for street prowling Sting Rays, this high performance big block utilizes solid lifters, high-flow heads and a high performance cam to turn stout 11 to 1 compression into 425 horsepower. At the top of the balanced and blueprinted mill, a chrome, correctly decaled air cleaner spins wind into a big, 4-barrel carburetor that's bolted to a Winter aluminum intake. Behind that carburetor, a traditional points distributor shoots spark through new Packard Radio TVRS wires. Below those wires, freshly restored exhaust manifolds funnel spent gases into chambered and shielded side pipes. And in front of those manifolds, a correctly shrouded radiator sends coolant through familiar GM hoses and reproduction tower clamps. This awesome Corvette's restorers did an excellent job of creating a clean, reliable engine bay that's every bit as detailed as the rest of the car. Vivid Chevy Orange paint covers the block from its oil pan all the way to its valve covers and, as always, looks great against a fully finished hood and Satin Black fenders. And details like a reproduction Delco battery, a rebuilt master cylinder, a correct Delco Remy ignition module and fresh stainless fuel lines ensure this roadster runs just as good as it looks.

Flip this big block Vette upside down and you'll find a restoration-fresh chassis that's much nicer than what rolled off Chevrolet's showroom floor. At the center of the car, a correct Muncie 4-speed, which flanks a 3885010 casting number with a matching 101064 partial VIN, utilizes NOS internals to spin a correctly marked driveshaft. That driveshaft twists a correct posi-traction rear end that utilizes a second round of NOS internals to spin civil, road-ready gears. At the ends of the car, a fully sorted double A-arm front and independent rear suspension is completely detailed down to its fresh shocks, correct springs and standard manual steering. Above that rebuilt suspension, original, never-hit floor tubs, which look factory fresh in every way, are bolted to a straight, Satin Black frame. At the corners of that floor, power, 4-wheel disc brakes mix good handling characteristics with quick and solid stops. At the edges of those brakes, 15-inch turbine wheels turn 205/75R15 BF Goodrich Silvertown Radials around bright chrome spinners. And everything from this Corvette's vivid inspection marks to its menacing exhaust system is fully sorted and ready to roll!

Open this Chevy's tossable doors and you'll find a correct Black interior that was completely replaced during the car's extensive restoration. Seating comes courtesy of firm vinyl thrones that are anchored between new seatbelts, bright stainless trim and a small chrome shifter. From the driver's perch, stock gauges bleed onto their bordering panels in a march toward a center-mount clock and aluminum-trimmed glove box. Below that clock, like-new carpet is protected by fitted, rubber floor mats and bright, chrome sill plates. Above those sills, stainless-trimmed door panels hang small armrests below traditional chrome handles and conservative black coves. In front of the driver, a satin-spoked steering wheel spins around a brilliant cross-flag emblem. And behind the passengers, a fully carpeted storage compartment boasts enough room for two suitcases and a bag of detailing supplies.

This stunning Sting Ray has an awful lot going for it: a coveted 427, a desirable 4-speed, a roster of NOS components and a fresh, multi-year restoration. Not to mention, one look at price books, a market analysis or your favorite classifieds will reveal that C2 prices have been virtually immune to dips and recessions. Simply put: Corvettes are great cars to own, and this wonderfully restored roadster is an investment-grade classic that'll serve you well both on the road and at the show!