Another great Bill Mitchell design …
I have a bucket list of ten cars I would buy when I win the Powerball. You might have thought since I love AMCs that maybe a 1970 AMX would be first in line. I would make the list but number one would be a brand new Corvette ZR1. The second would be a C2 Corvette, like this week’s spot, a 1966.
Priced at $4,295, ($41,347.06 in 24 dollars) Chevrolet’s most expensive model and broke sales records. Optioned with a 427 cubic inch fuel injection package and dual outside exhaust was the most popular combination. The three-speed manual was also popular with buyers with almost 90 percent going out the door equipped. There were two new V8s for the 66 and depending on how they were set up would put out 390 or up to 425 hp which at the time was insane. It was capable of doing 0-60 in 5.4 seconds.
Other changes for 66 was a new egg crate grille design, chrome-plated exhaust bezels, spoked wheel covers, power steering, power brakes, leather seats, and tinted and electric windows. The Vettes equipped with the new 427-cid V-8 engine came with a power bulge hood design that was popular with the younger buyers. Also appearing were new restyled wheel covers along with an all-new rocker trim styling design.
RELATED Spot: Chevy’s other performance car in 75, the Cosworth Vega.
Inside the dashboard was also new. Sales for the 1966 model year broke records, even though they were priced at $4,295, making it Chevrolet’s most expensive model.
What are they worth now? With the base 327 engine according to Hagerty, one in Fair condition is $40,400 all the way up to $98,900 in Concours condition. Equated with the 427, $45,000 to $119,000. The convertibles bump up the price of entry just a bit.
Thanks for stopping by and checking out this week’s spot. Come back next Friday for another one of my finds along with some of its history and have a great weekend.
Savage On Wheels 
I owned a 66 vette 427 roadster with rode pipes all black with 4 speed I bought just before going to Vietnam. I kept it for 10 years and really liked the car. It was the only car I made money on to buy a new trans am and paid cash for when the kids came along. At 76, the stingray is still my favorite vette.
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Me too. a 63 Split Window.
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