The 1966 Chevy Corvette was subtly changed from the previous year. The fourth year of the Sting Ray had an elongated vertical “Corvette” script on the hood (new for ’66) and tail, as opposed to the previous year’s more rounded “C,” more pleats in the seats to better distribute weight at the seams, and a bright, square mesh grille. The roof vents on coupes were eliminated, and the center cones on knock-off wheels had a brushed rather than polished finish.
One of the more significant changes for the 1966 Chevy Corvette was the displacement growth of the Big Block engine. Introduced for the 1965 model year, the 396 cubic-inch Mark IV big block was rated at 425 horsepower. For 1966, the Big Block grew to 427 cubic inches, and was available in 390- and 450-horsepower versions. Early in the production run, the solid-lifter 450-horsepower L72 427 was downgraded to 425 horsepower with no changes to the engine itself, presumably to dodge the ire of watchful insurance companies.
Our feature 1966 Chevy Corvette coupe is an unrestored survivor in remarkable condition. This Corvette has had single family ownership from new, amassing just 10,672 miles over the course of fifty-six years. It is finished in its factory Tuxedo Black hue over a black leather interior. Powered by the 390-horsepower 427 cubic-inch Big Block, this Sting Ray features a four-speed manual transmission and Positraction rear differential. It is further equipped with transistor ignition, radio, whitewall tires, and side-mounted exhaust. Knock-off wheels were added a few years after purchase.
In 1977, the Chevy Corvette coupe was displayed at the annual Bloomington Corvette Corral, and received a Second Place trophy, losing out to a car that had been freshly repainted. This initiated a debate that led to the creation of the Bloomington Gold Certification the following year, and the recognition of highly original, unrestored Corvettes. It has been driven sparingly in the intervening years, and has been remarkably well preserved. In that time, it was been displayed at the 1993 Chevy Vette Fest Nationals and featured in the Chevrolet and Corvette Showcase. The Corvette was inducted in the Bloomington Gold Great Hall in 2014 as the 1966 Certification Prototype, with the notation that it “changed judging direction.”
Accompanied by the original Protect-O-Plate, dealer invoice from Brigance Chevrolet, salesman’s business card, sales literature, owner’s card, service records, glove box paperwork, new car order form, cancelled checks, period photos, and assorted title and registration records, this impressive Chevy Corvette Sting Ray coupe sold at Gooding & Company’s 2022 Amelia Island auction for $533,000 inclusive of buyer’s fee.
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Comments
THE TRIPLE CARB 427 WAS RATED AT 435 HP, BUT IT WAS MOSTLY FOR BRAGING RIGHTS. ONLY THE 390 NP VERSION COULD BE HAD WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANS. BY THE WAY, THE 390 HP HYDRAULIC CAM WAS EXACTLY THE SAME CAM AS THE MALIBU 360 HP 396. I BOUGHT THAT CAM TO PUT INTO MY 396. IMPALA.
Talking about “triple-carb” carburetion on a 1966 C2 is irrelevant. It wasn’t OEM.
In this case it’s not about a rare engine option, or “big tank” or any of that. This car did big, big money because it’s an unrestored original car with desirable options and plenty of paperwork, to prove everything. Congrats to the family that owned the car from new, incredible job keeping this nice for 50+ years.
Just a beautiful machine love it !!!
Zora Arkus-Duntov, RIP. One of the truly great car guys during the heyday of General Motors. Where or where have all the great car guys gone?
A truly rare and special find, albeit with an equally impressive price.
Amusing that there was actually a *discount* applied off the original sale price. Wow. I suppose it could have actually been a cagey way of writing in a trade-in value, but it still sounds funny.
I’m envisioning somebody saying, “I’m not buying this incredible example of automotive mastery, that will be a standard that all others will be judged by in 50 years, unless I get a discount. No sir.”
were those alarm locks standard in 1966? Notice the lock above trim name on left front fender. Is that factory? If it is not, I would think it would lower the value of this car alot. Who could ever bring themselves to drill a hole into a car like this?
galen issac:
Good eye. Good catch. Attention to detail counts. A+ to you.
A special icononic vehicle such as this Corvette should have had factory offered cast aluminum valve covers with raised lettering spelling out CORVETTE and the bow tie on the big block engine offerings. I know this would be a vendor sourced item from some job shop in Michigan, Indiana or Ohio, to GM, but it would have been a really cool touch.
Even Toyota in the sixties had cast aluminum valve covers on their little overhead cam four cylinder engine ( 8 RC ), whereas Pinto and Vega had cheap stamped steel valve covers. Which brand survived and thrived?
The plain stamped steel valve covers are Meh. The cost accountants had their influence. Also of note, and critically missing on the stamped orange valve cover on this vehicle is the sticker: Made in Tonowanda Plant, for that big block engine. So in reality that engine is truly incomplete if you are looking at full authentic genuine detail.
Glad to see this unit survive.
If there are NOS or OEM factory cast aluminum 1966 Corvette valve covers available for this car, I sure would install them and just save the stamped steel ones. These stamped steel valve covers look like what came on my 66 Impala 396. Honestly, it’s hard to believe GM actually built these big block Corvettes with the stamped steel valve covers!
No, this was an aftermarket alarm installed in period.
This car had T. I. My 67 427 had T. I. I had person tell me once that all big block Corvettes came with T.I. Anyone know if this is true. My book by Nolan Adams doesn’t mention it.
Realized auction prices to me are suspect, subject to shill pumping of the bid prices. And buy backs for the consignee by anonymous third parties. ???
There is a corvette collector who bought a 65 chevy from a newspaper ad. He lived in a northern ND town. The barn stored car was sold by a woman who said it reminded her of her deceased son. Husband passed also.
This corvette was black and had a 396 with low miles on it.
I saw this car sitting on a side street. Got the story from my brother who lives there.
Tesla stock value is purely based on hype, hubris, puffery, and cult interest. It’s a very dangerous short, but eventually the stock price will adjust to reality. Just as water always seeks it’s own level.