Duntov Award Corvette Sting Ray Roadster 427 V8 4 Speed

You can ask pretty much any Corvette fan what the ultimate vintage Vette is and he'll probably name a second generation roadster with Chevrolet's storied 427. And investors clearly agree, since the prices of 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 find out exactly why. With that in mind, it's a good thing you found RK Motors Charlotte as this numbers-matching, highly original L72/4-speed roadster is a splendid candidate for any curious car guy. Thanks to meticulous maintenance and a careful restoration, it claims multiple national awards. And if you're a discerning enthusiast who wants a classic that's both significant and entertaining, it's the car of your dreams!

Not only does this exclusive Sting Ray carry NCRS Top Flight and Bloomington Gold honors, it's also a recipient of the highly coveted DUNTOV Award. Here's a detailed breakdown of the car's original VIN and trim tag.

VIN: 194676S118302

* 1: Chevrolet
* 9: Corvette
* 4: V8 engine
* 67: Convertible
* 6: 1966 model year
* S: Assembled at GM's St. Louis manufacturing facility
* 118302: Production sequence number

TRIM TAG:

* H21: Assembled on April (H) 21st (21), 1966
* 66: 1966 model year
* 467: Convertible
* A: Body assembled by A.O. Smith
* 5410: Body production sequence number
* 430: Green vinyl interior
* 982: Silver Green paint

Refinished in correct Mosport Green basecoat, this handsome C2 is a cool and refreshing change from the sea of red and black Corvettes that floods all the major shows. That said; this roadster was certainly intended to be a showpiece from the word go, and one look at the car's silky smooth body proves its rebirth was both thorough and professional. We all know second generation Vettes can be a challenge to correctly restore. But this drop-top has all the signs of an expert job, including great panel alignment, good gaps and no signs of cracks or stress marks in any of the usual trouble spots. What's more, the soft glow of the car's 'aged-to-perfection' clearcoat somehow seems more accurate than most modern paint jobs. And overall, this first class NCRS champ, which looks fantastic in person, is simply exquisite throughout!

Not surprisingly, every piece of chrome on this DUNTOV award winner resides in a 100% show-quality state. Whether that means an excellent original piece was refinished to better-than-new condition, or fresh reproduction items were installed, the car's caretakers certainly did their homework to ensure this C2 is both accurate and impressive. At the front of this old school show queen, bullet-style marker lights, a show worthy bumper, and a red, white and black cross-flag emblem cage a stainless egg crate grille. Behind that grille, a new-for-1966 “Corvette STING RAY” emblem adorns a 'bubbled', big-block-exclusive hood. At the sides of that hood, simple heat extractors ride between traditional door handles, ornate fender emblems and correctly detailed rocker guards. Opposite those guards, mirrored wipers combine with a chrome bowtie mirror, fresh stainless trim and either a body-matched hardtop or correct white soft top to frame like-new glass. And behind that glass, familiar Corvette tail lights illuminate a chrome-trimmed fuel filler, a second “Corvette STING RAY” emblem, a chrome-trimmed tag bracket, clean bumpers and pristine stainless exhaust tips.

Tilt this Corvette's cowl 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 118302 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 raucous mill, a chrome, correctly decaled air cleaner spins wind into a big Holley carburetor that's bolted to an aluminum Winter intake. Behind that carburetor, a chrome-capped ignition system shoots spark through silver-sleeved plug wires. Below those wires, freshly restored exhaust manifolds funnel spent gases into big, true-dual exhaust pipes. And in front of those manifolds, a correctly shrouded radiator sends coolant through pliable hoses and reproduction tower clamps. This Corvette's restorers did an excellent job of creating an authentic and impressive 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 rebuilt alternator, stainless fluid lines and a fresh Delco battery ensure this roadster runs as good as it looks.

Flip this Vette upside down and you'll find a solid chassis that's in good shape, and today, looks much as it did when it leaving the showroom. At the center of the car, a tough Muncie 4-speed utilizes a posi-traction differential and big, 3.70 gears to mix neck-snapping launches with potent acceleration. At the ends of the car, a fully sorted double A-arm front and independent rear suspension is completely detailed down to its gray shocks, transverse spring and standard manual steering. Above that suspension, original, never-hit floors, which look factory fresh in every way, are bolted to a straight, Satin Black frame. At the corners of that floor, standard, 4-wheel disc brakes mix good handling with quick stops. At the edges of those brakes, original Kelsey-Hayes turbines spin 7.75-15 Firestone Deluxe Champion goldlines around bright chrome knock-offs. And everything, from the car's fiberglass tire tub to its factory replacement exhaust system, is fully sorted and ready to roll!

Swing this Chevy's light, fiberglass doors and you'll find a correct Green interior that, unlike most vintage convertibles, displays no cracking or annoying color issues. Thanks to the car's maintenance and restoration, its firm, vinyl seats still have years of life left in them. There's stain-free carpet that, thanks to carpeted and Corvette-branded floor mats, still features even shading. At the front of the cockpit, stylish, deep-set gauges and a brushed metal accent panel look great inside Chevy's traditional, dual-cowl dash. In the middle of the floor, a waterfall center stack hangs a continuous motion clock and a correct AM/FM radio above a chrome, fully functional shifter. At the sides of the car, scuff-free door panels center perfectly placed armrests in pristine stainless trim. In front of the driver, a gorgeous teak wheel spins glowing satin spokes and a slick wood rim around a pristine Chevrolet horn button. And behind the passengers, a carpeted storage compartment displays very little wear.

The sale of this award-winning roadster includes:

* A vintage window sticker
* Factory warranty paperwork
* A vintage owner's manual
* A vintage marketing brochure
* A large photo album
* Paperwork for its Bloomington Gold certification
* NCRS judging sheets
* A copy of its May, 1996 feature in Corvette Fever magazine

This stunning Sting Ray has an awful lot going for it: a numbers-matching big block, a correct Muncie 4-speed, a life of great maintenance, and the kind of award recognition most car enthusiasts only dream about. 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!