1966 big block corvette convt.

[Parnelli]

I am looking at a 1966 corvette convt. 427-450 HP. # matching, protect-o-plate. Full restoration. Does anyone know what this car is worth?

[TimG]

This has the potential to be a valuable car. It really must be an early car to be classified as a 450 horse car. There was an excellent article in the last Corvette Restorer magazine on just what cars are really considered 450 horse cars. If it is a 425 or 450 really should not adjust the value much if at all. These cars can bring from $60,000 to $80,000 with documentation, original engine and in roadster form. It would be best if it has been judged at an NCRS or Bloomington event. Also important is who restored the car. A Nabers restored car of this type would fetch $75,000 easy.

[Alwyn678]

Do you have any pictures of the car? I agree the car would probably be up in the 80's with the correct documentation

[Parnelli]

Thanks for the info guys. I don't have pictures, but going to look at car today to check out doc. and #'s. Resto was done at Corvette City in Denver. Valve covers are orange, is that correct or should they be chrome?

[MosportGreen66]

Hello,

I own an early production 66 with a 450 HP engine. There are actually quite a few of them for sale on the Internet. I have seen a red on red convertible, teak wood wheel, tele wheel, am-fm, M-21, ac, car for sale for about 65,000 and thats without milking the seller. Now, your better off trying to find a car the is unrestored because people trash the [censored] out of Corvettes. There is so much junk out there. I recommend trying to find a Corvette in the NCRS Drive-Line because then you have Judges and other reputable men only a phone call away for some advice. Sorry my car is NOT for sale. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif[/img]

good luck finding a car!

-Dan

PS I just got home from the NCRS National in Hershey, PA and it was a blast! Tons of rare cars like 21 1953 Corvettes, 7 L-88 cars (1 1967 L-88), and some other Sebring racers!

[MosportGreen66]

Wow, I was so excited for a Corvette thread I did not even read your last reply. The engine colors should be as followed.

Orange:
Valve Covers (the only time you will see chrome plated covers is on a L-89 aluminum heads car).
Block
Heads
water pump
oil pan

Silver: (for lack of better word)
intake (unless you have a 1966 Corvette with a 427/390 HP car is the intake then orange like the rest of the engine.)

Over sprayed areas:
-The sides of the intakes should be lightly glazed with orange over spray
-The exhaust manifolds should have an area of 3-4 inches of over spray closer to the top of the units. Then the rest of the unit should be a flat blackish-brown.

I had my Corvette treated to a Frame Off resto and I have to say your pricing is a bit low for a VERY correct 450 car. You also have to take into mind if the car is a coupe/convertible, trans, options, awards (NCRS Bloomington)? Everything plays into the cost of the car. I can post a picture of my engine for reference if you need one. The car has won NCRS Sportsman awards, Top Flights (98.2, 98.6), NCRS Performance Verification, and Duntov awards (98.7). My car is worth about a buck and a quater. Also, I have gotten 3 or 4 offers for more.

-Dan

[Parnelli]

Mosportgreen66 sounds like you have very nice car. Went to look at this car today #'s are matching. Block #IP also has vin on block. M21 trans, orig. glass hard top stainless brakes, radio delete. 79,000 miles on car. 3,000 on resto, orig. interior, p.o.p. matches #'s. Not orig. Hurst shifter with corvette handle and not sure about rear end. Said to have 3:70's posi, but # on rear end is FB 9 28 65. I think this is 4:11 posi can this be correct rear?

[MosportGreen66]

Yes, A 427-450 with 4:11 gears sounds like a Corvette I know very well. I have 4:11s in my car. It is a serious combination! Send me some pictures of the car. I will help you out with them. Find out what plant the Corvette was built. (AO Smith or St. Louis) and that will determine if those side-pipes are original. NO AO Smith built car had side-pipes! Just a heads up.

-Dan
What other options are on the car?

[Parnelli]

Thanks Mosportgreen66, I'm learning alot. I believe car came from Sutliff Chev. in PA. I have no pics to post of car. Other options are N14, K66, F41, tinted glass. From info I have posted, what is the price range this car would fall into? Thanks

[MosportGreen66]

Not matter what car you trying to price, it is very hard to determine the price without seeing the car. But I will do my best. The biggest object in the car you want to be original is the engine. BUT, just because the engine is number's matching, does NOT means it original. Today the common term to determine if the engine is original is "original number matching." This should eliminate any chance of having the engine be a number matching restamp. Now lets move inside the car. If the restorer replaced the interior with junk repro parts, and replaced the gauges with units from Mid-America, then your going to have to have to change them (which is big bucks for correct NOS) if your going to show the car NCRS or Bloomington. A new interior for a Corvette from Al Knoch with NOS gauges is close to $5,000+. Your side pipes are a quick fix if your car is from the AO Smith plant or if your car is a non side pipe car from St. Louis. You did not mention anything about the paint-condition so I don't know if the car has crack fiberglass or bondo all over. Assuming that the engine is the original unit, and you have a convertible with possible side-pipes, your looking at a restored car that should be a properly priced at $50,000-$55,000. Unless some of the assumptions I have made are wrong about this car, it should get a little more money at around $60,000. Be sure to look under the car so you can see if any leaks are present. My STRONG advice is write Ray Morrison (the 1966 Corvette Team Leader from the NCRS) an e-mail and tell him the deal. He will give you a VERY honest opinion about the car your looking at. Hope this helps.

-Dan
[email protected]