Beautiful frame-off restored 1966 Corvette Convertible 327/350 hp

Description

This is a gorgeous 1966 convertible with a 350 hp. 327 ci motor and 4 speed manual transmission that underwent an extensive frame-off restoration with very few miles put on the car since. While the car is largely stock with either original or period correct replacement parts the I do not believe it has the original motor though it too is a period correct L79. I believe motor was rebuilt during the restoration period though the stamp on the block does not appear original. Thus, I would consider this a head turning driver restored to a very high level. The car starts with ease and runs beautifully. I had an electronic ignition installed to improve reliability and drivability though other than that it is largely original. The factory options on the car include N32 Teakwood Steering Wheel & U69 AM/FM Radio. The car comes with a 1966 owners manual, some other original Chevy documentation, magazine ads from 1966 and hard copies of photos of the restoration.
Seller will assist buyer in shipping vehicle though arrangements and payment must be handled by buyer.
The following description was written by a 3rd party that I had inspect the car to provide an unbiased account of the condition of the vehicle.
Interior:
Seat, upholstery, carpet, door panels, pedals, battery and cables are all new service replacement components and not original to the vehicle. Trip odometer cable was installed improperly. The interior shows as fully restored and free of any shrinking or fading.
Exterior:
In 1963 the Mitchell-Bentley Body Company began building Corvette bodies for GM. This company was then sold to A.O. Smith in late 1963 and became known as the "Dow-Smith division of the A.O. Smith Corporation. Then in 1965, a portion of AO Smith was purchased by Dow Chemical and the company became known as DowSmith, Inc. AO Smith later went through several other owners as the fiberglass industry consolidated, and continued as the major supplier of Corvette body panels.
There were two body plants that supplied the Corvette plant. One, in Ionia, Michigan (AO Smith) molded body panels and built 50% of the Corvette bodies from January 1964 through the end of 1967 production. The other plant was in Saint Louis. The subject vehicle's body was manufactured by AO Smith, however it has one door (passenger side) from Saint Louis and one door (driver side) from AO Smith.
The body color of Ermine White is consistent with the trim tag displaying paint code 972. The paint color itself is within the shade variation from the factory. The factory applied paint system used in 1966 was acrylic lacquer with a distinct level of orange peel. The subject vehicle has body paint finished at a much higher distinctness of image with a lack of orange peel that is normally associated with an alternate application material and is therefore inconsistent with the factory application.
Body panels are blocked and sanded which is also inconsistent with the factory method. Bonding strips are intact. Evidence exists of fiberglass repair/replacement on the front fenders and top surround as well as the passenger side rear fender. Panel fit is inconsistent with GM factory tolerances. Ride height is typical of production vehicles. Minor aging on chrome bezel soft top attachments. Soft top fit needs adjustment at rear deck. Hood gasket is detached. Front grill pitted.
Glass dates:
PS Door: YJ - October 1966PS Vent: AJ - September 1966DS Door: YJ - October 1966DS Vent: YJ - October 1966Windshield: Service Replacement
Chassis:
Number one cross member has minor damage from jacking. Hood paint margin not typical of factory production. Oil filter canister silk screen instructions missing. Frame stencil missing. Exhaust system replaced with aftermarket aluminumized system. Shocks, ball joints and rear leaf springs are aftermarket style. Added body shims present at number one crossmember. Upper A Arms have excessive shims. Calipers exhibit minor aging.
Mechanical:
The engine stamp pad characters and stamp pad surface are not typical of GM factory production. The appraiser did not remove the valve covers so was unable to confirm the cylinder heads. Carburetor is a service replacement style manufactured after the vehicle was assembled. Air cleaner element, alternator, belts, coil, distributor cap and spark plug wires are afermarket. Minor fuel leakage noted on intake manifold.
Engine Casting Date: F23? [June 23] Year unknown. Not legibleStamp Pad Assembly Date: F112HT [November 24, 1966]Trim Tag Build Date: D18 [November 18, 1966]VIN sequence body build date: 7215 [December 1, 1966]Engine Casting Number: 3858174Transmission: Muncie M21Rear Differential: Not legible
Operations:
Vehicle has good ease of start. No apparent leaks or unusual noises. Runs well and idles smoothly.
Test Drive Results:
A road test was not conducted due to adverse weather conditions.
Summary:
Overall presentation of a driver quality corvette in good condition. The engine appears to start with ease and run well at idle. The interior is well presented with new front carpet and seat covers. The subject vehicle has one door from Saint Louis and one door from AO Smith. Additionally the vehicle has excessive shimming throughout the chassis as well as replacement front fiberglass panels. Panel fit is inconsistent with GM factory tolerances.