Bloomington Gold Corvette Stingray L79 327 V8 4 Speed

Second generation Corvettes just keep getting hotter. It may have started with the big block cars but their small block siblings, when properly outfitted, are starting to command some serious money. As with all Corvettes, the key to value is authenticity. From the original L79/Muncie M21 drivetrain to the date coded glass and seatbelts, this freshly restored 1966 Corvette Stingray stays true to its roots in every way imaginable. The car is a recipient of both NCRS Top Flight honors as well as Bloomington Gold certification meaning it's just one Gold Spinner certificate away from the most prestigious award in the Corvette world – the Triple Crown. Building a car to this level takes an amazing amount of resources and dedication that would be impossible to recreate for the asking price. If you're in the market for a beautifully restored C2 that looks great, drives better and can hold it owns on the show field, they don't get much better than this.

A reproduction window sticker breaks down the original options found on this Vette:

19437 Corvette Sport Coupe: $4,265.00
Destination Charge: $108.85

Saddle trim: $0.00
4-speed close ratio transmission: $184.35
Positraction axle / 3.70 gear: $42.15
Milano Maroon paint: $0.00
Tinted Windshield: $10.55
Wood steering wheel: $47.40
Push button AM/FM radio: $199.10
775x15x2 Polyglas tires: $46.35
350hp Turbofire V8: $105.35

TOTAL AMOUNT: $5,009.00

Assembled at GM's storied St. Louis, Missouri manufacturing facility in early 1966, this amazing Top Flight C2 was delivered to Daniels Motors in Colorado Springs, Colorado. A gentleman from Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania bought the car, driving it a mere 43,123 miles over the course of the next 33 years. After changing hands a few more times, 2008 marked the beginning of an intensive two year frame off restoration. At some point, the car was painted black so returning it to its factory color was priority number one. The body was removed from the frame, carefully sanded and shot with a fresh coat of Code 988 Milano Maroon. Neither unnaturally straight or overly glossy, the finished body looks like a C2 Corvette is supposed to look – composed without being too perfect. Panel fitment is slightly better than factory and doors can be shut with one finger.

The C2 Corvette design drew heavy inspiration from the Mako Shark concept car, offering the finished car a sportier demeanor. At the front, a body-width grille sits inside a show-worthy stainless border which is flanked by two chrome-detailed parking lights and topped by a mirror-like 'razor blade' bumper. Above that bumper, a red, white and black Corvette C2 cross-flag emblem graces the forward-tilting hood. Behind the hood, satin finished windshield wipers clear great looking date-coded factory tinted glass which is framed by like-new stainless trim and a chrome driver's side bowtie mirror. Below, familiar vertical heat extractors ride between correct chrome door handles, classy red, white and blue cross-flag emblems and dent-free stainless rocker moldings. And at the back of the car, a highly detailed fuel filler cap is centered above a second black and chrome “Corvette Sting Ray” emblem, four correct red and white tail lights, two more razor blade style bumpers and two fully integrated, stainless trimmed exhaust tips.

Lift the Corvette's hood forward and you'll find the car's original 327 cubic inch V8 which wears a correct 3858174 casting number and a matching 113083 (February 5, 1966) partial VIN. Introduced as the ultimate option for Sting Ray owners who wanted to be just as quick in the corners as they were on the straightaways, Chevrolet's lightweight L79 utilizes a wide bore block, a forged steel crank, forged aluminum dome pistons and the first high performance hydraulic camshaft ever put into production car to turn a stout 11:1 compression ratio into 350 horsepower and 360 lb./ft. of torque. At the top of the engine, a chrome open element air filter funnels wind into a correctly dated, and fully restored, Holley 3367 4-barrel carburetor that's complete with polished stainless fuel lines. Below, a Winters aluminum intake distributes atomized fuel from its home between the double hump heads. At the back of the engine, a chrome-capped points distributor sends spark through metal sleeved wires which snake around correct cast iron exhaust manifolds. Bright Chevy Orange paint covers the block from its oil pan bolt to its chrome oil tube and contrasts well against the satin black engine bay. Correct decals and tags are present and accounted for and niceties such as an NOS Delco Remy voltage regulator, a reproduction Delco yellow cap battery and an authentic GM thermostat housing ensure that this pristine Corvette is always ready for the road.

Put this Vette on a lift and you'll find a fully restored chassis that looks much like it probably did when it rolled off the showroom floor. At the center, a rugged Muncie M21 four-speed transmission, which wears a correct 3885010 casting number, a P0127 Muncie stamp (January 27, 1966) and a matching 113083 partial VIN, provides rock solid shifts behind the small block. Further down the driveline, the Around the drivetrain, a fully restored double A-arm front and independent rear sports suspension is completely detailed down to its F41-spec transverse rear spring. At the corners, standard equipment four-wheel disc brakes provide excellent cornering and quick stops. Above that rebuilt suspension original, floor tubs are bolted to a straight and clean satin black frame. Power meets the road through standard 15 inch steel wheels which spin a fresh set of 7.75 Goodyear gold line tires around pristine, stainless wheel covers.

Swing open the curved fiberglass doors and you'll find an attractive Saddle vinyl interior which provides an excellent contrast against the car's Milano Maroon exterior panels. The foam underneath the seat covers has seen just enough show parades to both keep its composure and feel comfortable and the like-new carpet, protected by both carpeted and rubber floor mats, still features its correct tan shading. At the front of the car, stylish aircraft-inspired gauges, which appear to be rebuilt originals, look fantastic next to the brushed metal panels on the glove box and center console. At the sides of the car, great looking stainless trimmed door panels hold chrome handles for the cars doors and windows above perfectly placed armrests. Above the seats, a new vinyl headliner is stretched tight between new visors and a fully functioning dome light. Between the seats, the dash flows into a waterfall design which begins at a continuous motion clock and cascades through a correct Delco AM/FM radio to the base of a fully functional chrome 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 C2 Corvette cross flag horn button. Behind the seats, a fully carpeted storage compartment shows no signs of use at all.

Documentation includes several build and show pictures, including the car's black paint phase. An amazingly thorough chart breaks down every major piece of the car from block castings to seat belt production dates while two copies of a reproduction window sticker ensure everything present is supposed to be there. Naturally, there is documentation of the Top Flight and Bloomington Gold awards as well as the AACA First Junior Award the car claimed earlier this year.

This 1966 Corvette presents the unique opportunity to not only own an incredible car but take home the biggest honor in the Corvette world with your name on it. If a C2 has been on your automotive wishlist, don't miss the chance to put this amazing Corvette in your garage today!