Numbers Matching L79 4 Speed Corvette Coupe with A/C

Corvette fans, if you haven’t noticed yet, RK Motors is turning into your one-stop-shop for all things Corvette. From Bloomington Gold certified 427/435 roadster to this gorgeous Mosport Green 1966 L79 coupe, there’s a mid-year Corvette here for everyone’s taste and budget. Speaking of this particular coupe, it is 100% matching numbers and includes sidepipes, knock-off wheels, and a matching leather interior. Personally, if I could have only one Corvette, this is probably the one I would take home and keep forever.

The car comes with a reproduction window sticker that includes the factory options added during the restoration. Beautifully finished in rare Mosport green (code 982, the car’s original color) and complemented by a dark green leather interior (originally code 430 green vinyl, the leather was added during the restoration), this example includes many other factory options including Soft Ray tinted windshield (A02), knock-off wheels (P48, added during the restoration), 3.36 geared Positraction (G81), wide-ratio four-speed transmission (M20), side-mounted exhaust (N14, added during the restoration), gold stripe tires (T01) and AM-FM radio with power antenna (U69). With power, style, looks and comfort it is no wonder well-restored Corvettes such as this one remain an excellent value and a good investment.

Personally, I’m a big fan of Mosport Green. Not only is it fairly rare, but it’s a subtle and sophisticated color that stands out in a big way from all the Rally Red and Silver Pearl C2s you’re likely to see at shows. I love how the iridescent paint emphasizes the shapes and character lines on Larry Shinoda’s brilliant Sting Ray design, and I’d argue that there hasn’t been a better-looking Corvette built since. Look at the way the light plays off the surfaces—is this a brilliant car or what? The paint and body work were extremely well done several years ago when this car was given a frame-on restoration, and it is holding up very nicely. Gaps are probably better than factory new, and the finish is still deep and lustrous. The headlight doors align well, too, and the weatherstripping was all fresh when the car was painted, so it seals up beautifully, making it an outstanding long-distance cruiser combined with the ice-cold A/C and the powerful L79 motor.

During the era, many knowledgeable Corvette performance enthusiasts selected the L79 327-cubic inch V8 for power. With its stout 350 horsepower output, the L79 small-block V8 option provided peak performance approaching that of the vaunted big-block cars, all in a lighter package that maintained the Corvette’s stellar handling and weight distribution. In addition, the L79 was quite easy to maintain, with its hydraulic valvetrain and single Holley four-barrel carburetor. The L79 option added just $105 to the Corvette’s base price, making it a screaming bargain. The matching numbers engine in this coupe has been detailed for show, with correct Chevy Orange paint on the block, cast aluminum valve covers, and chrome air cleaner and ignition shield. Hoses and clamps are correct, and you’ve undoubtedly noticed the modern A/C compressor from Vintage Air, added during the restoration to make this a truly usable car. Not over-done, the engine bay of this car looks highly authentic and backs up that appearance with judging sheets and several awards at major shows. This is a car that shows every bit as well as it runs.

Helping out in the performance department is the original, matching numbers Muncie M20 4-speed manual transmission, which feeds a 3.36-geared Posi out back. The body has apparently never been off the frame, and it presents as a tidy, but original chassis. Brakes were 4-wheel discs in 1966, and do an excellent job of reigning in the horsepower, and the all-independent suspension is surprisingly supple, given the car’s rather large performance envelope. The side exhausts were added during the restoration, and all the parts are correct in appearance and function, and it sounds killer. There’s nothing like a high-winding small block breathing through a lightly muffled exhaust to evoke racing’s greatest era. Topping off this spectacular car’s presentation is a set of 15-inch bolt on knock-off replicas wearing modern radials with gold stripes for a period-correct appearance.

You’re going to love this car’s interior. Originally code 430 green vinyl, the seat covers were replaced with optional green leather items that look authentic and raise the elegance factor inside this fantastic plastic sports car. The contrast between the comfortable-looking dark green leather and lighter green carpets and woodgrained steering wheel might look more at home in a hand-made car from England than in a Chevy from St. Louis. The dash is beautifully finished and is full of functional gauges and a working clock, as well as the optional AM/FM radio, which was a very popular accessory, despite its rather steep $199.10 price tag (almost double the cost of the L79 engine!). As I mentioned, the A/C has been cleverly integrated into the car and works extremely well—probably much more effective than the factory setup would have been. Embroidered floor mats, as well as a set of clear plastic mats, are included.

There’s quite a bit of documentation with this car as well. This Corvette Coupe earned a NCRS Second Flight Award in 2010. It also comes complete with an impressive collection of manuals and documents, including Judge’s scorecards from NCRS, an owner’s manual and sleeve, a reproduction Protect-O-Plate and a new window sticker that reflects the car’s current options. There’s also a 1966 Corvette sales brochure.

You’re correct in assuming that I really like this car. The gorgeous original color combination along with the factory-fitted body panels and matching numbers L79 V8 and four-speed drive-train make this a very special car. Although its performance is excellent with the optional L79 engine, what really makes this car special is the beautiful interior. Its green-on-green color combination is very rarely seen today and perfectly complements the Sting Ray’s beautiful lines. An extremely well-maintained example, this Corvette coupe exudes a level of class and sophistication that usually aren’t associated with the thundering V8 that lives under the hood. Call now, you won’t be disappointed!