Restored Corvette Coupe 327/365 HP with AC

Talk about a strange combination! Someone wanted a killer street Corvette, but didn't want to give up their luxury to get it. The result? This too-cool-to-be-believed 1966 Corvette coupe with a potent and detailed 327 engine, factory A/C, power steering and brakes, and a Powerglide transmission. Fresh out of restoration and with just 48,767 original miles, it features a spectacular Rally Red paint job that's poised to grab some trophies, an all-new interior, and a very rare OEM teak steering wheel. Yeah, I thought you'd like that.

The car has received a body-on restoration over the past several years, resulting in an extremely high-quality show car and a powerful cruiser. With such low mileage, there just wasn't any reason to totally disassemble this car to get it to its current level. There are no signs of previous damage, and the bodywork is exceptionally clean. I know I've harped on “over-restored” Corvettes, and this one borders on being too nice, but for a car that is built for the road instead of the concours circuit, I see no problems with that. Body panels show evidence of A LOT of block sanding to get them incredibly straight and smooth, while the paint was professionally applied and then buffed to an incredible shine. The owner calls it show quality, and I'm inclined to agree. Gaps are way better than new, with great fit to the doors even around the cut-outs on the roof (added by Sting Ray designer Larry Shinoda after tall test drivers complained of bumping their heads on the door frame). Look at how the crease that runs from nose to tail is laser-straight, even across panel gaps, and you know that someone took a lot of time to get this car right. And while you're doing that, check out the reflections in the paint - they don't get to be that smooth and distortion-free by accident. It took a lot of money to make this Corvette look this good.

It just wouldn't do to put that kind of paint job on a car and then reinstall worn trim, so every bit of shiny jewelry on this car is either a restored original piece or an exact reproduction item. The chrome bumpers are about ten times nicer than original 1966 pieces, and every bit of stainless on the body, from the rocker panels to the trim around the unique rear window, has been polished to an incredible shine. New emblems and badges have been installed wherever necessary, and are sharp and crisp. The new-for-1966 “egg crate” grille up front is beautiful, and I can't tell whether it's original or a reproduction. Out back, the famous Sting Ray taillights have been given fresh lenses that are as red and vivid as the paint job.

With Corvettes, no matter how nice the bodywork, it really is all about the power-train. The small block under the hood has been rebuilt and dressed up like a 327/365, although it is not an actual L76 motor but a later replacement. Correct “ram's horn” manifolds have been installed along with a correct intake. Bathed in Chevrolet Orange and topped by a correct Holley 4-barrel, it runs extremely well and sounds very potent. Correct Corvette finned aluminum valve covers have been installed, along with the requisite chrome distributor shield and air cleaner. You'll also notice that this car carries original factory air conditioning, power steering, and power brakes, a rare combination for a Corvette in 1966. Everything has been serviced and tuned, and all this one needs now is an enthusiastic new owner to put it on the road.

The transmission is a 2-speed Powerglide automatic, and before you turn up your nose at an automatic in a Corvette, I suspect the original owner of this car knew what he was doing. Go to any drag strip on a Sunday afternoon and take a look at the transmission under some of the fastest cars. For reliability and performance, it's awfully hard to beat a Powerglide no matter how good you are at shifting a 4-speed. Power steering is included and the system is fully functional. Disc brakes at all four corners have been rebuilt and stop the car confidently. The chassis is in largely original condition, so it's not over-detailed, but instead clean and showing signs of excellent care throughout its life. With no rust visible anywhere, you know this car lived in a dry climate and was never used in inclement weather, even when new. A beautiful set of 1967 style aluminum wheels with reproduction 215/65R15 Vogue gold-stripe radials look great and make this 'Vette handle like a much newer car.

The black interior has been restored to the same high standards as the bodywork, and features a great deal of new components. Seats are extremely comfortable, thanks to fresh foam underneath the reproduction seat covers, and the carpet exactly matches the original stuff. Door panels are new, and I've always liked the simple door latch mechanism on these cars - not over-designed, it's like a throwback to the earliest Corvettes more than a decade earlier. The dash is full of rebuilt gauges that all work properly, and the center of the dash features controls for the ice cold A/C and fully functional radio. The shifter sprouts out of a cool-looking aluminum plate on the console that also hides the ashtray. A new set of Corvette-logo floor mats have been installed to keep everything clean. And don't forget that gorgeous Teakwood steering wheel, which has been restored to new condition and is incredibly rare today.

Documents include an original owner's manual, accessory guide, and a warranty booklet with the original Protect-O-Plate intact, which is always cool.

Cars like this are a great way to have fun in the hobby. First, it's got all the go-fast parts that make it fun to drive. It's also got a lot of options, which makes driving it a pleasure no matter where you go. It's not a numbers-matching piece, which means you can actually drive the car without worrying about destroying a one-of-a-kind collectable. And best of all, someone else has already spent a bigger pile of money restoring it than you'll spend buying it. That's a screaming bargain in anyone's book. Few cars are as iconic as the C2 Corvette coupes, and there aren't many cars that look better in red than an early Corvette. If you're looking for a fully sorted, heavily optioned Corvette you can drive, look no further. Call now!