1966 Chevrolet Corvette 327 Coupe

Speaking of options, there is no shortage of them on this example. With the important boxes ticked - power steering, power brakes and air-conditioning - the original owner of this C2 also opted for a rare factory automatic transmission, which suits the laid-back driving style of the big-displacement, small-block V8 engine perfectly.

Imported by our vendor around six and a half years ago from Alabama, this C2 is believed to have had three former owners whilst in the states, in Florida, Pennsylvania and Alabama, respectively. With the last owner in Alabama having owned the car between 2011 and 2015, they spent a significant amount on the vehicle, and the US documentation that has been photocopied in the history folder is all courtesy of the prior owner.

During their ownership, our vendor reports that they have had no major issues with the car, and has had the following works carried out by UK specialist Claremont Corvette:

General servicing

Brake fluid changes

New sump gaskets

New belts

New fuel pump

New horn relay

Electronic ignition

Having been featured in American Classic magazine in July 2017 (Issue 315) the car has seen little use over the last two years, having been kept in a heated garage and run regularly to ensure all systems are still working as they should.

With plenty of attention wherever you go - petrol stations are a particular conversation hotspot according the the vendor - this C2 Corvette is a sure-fire head-turner and conversation piece, so don’t expect to fly under-the-radar.

Once we managed to tear ourselves away from simply staring at this C2 with our jaws wide open, we can see that the bodywork and paint on this example is absolutely stunning upon closer inspection, with nothing more untoward than the odd stone chip here-and-there as far as we could see, and only a slight crack near to the passenger side A-pillar.

The lower ‘side skirt’ mouldings all remain in excellent condition, and we saw no impacts, dents or mis-aligned body panels. The ‘hidden’ headlight mechanism works fantastically - as you can see in the photographs - and there is no damage to any of the lenses.

Up close, we did note that the wheels could benefit from a refurbishment as the chrome has begun pitting, but they still remain in excellent condition with no kerb damage or major chips. Speaking of chrome, the bumpers and details are all in fantastic shape, with only one flat patch noted on the offside (passenger side in this case) rear bumper, which is shown in the photographs below.

White upholstery can be a magnet for trouble, but the interior of this C2 has evidently been cherished and cared-for, as it presents wonderfully throughout. The seats are both in excellent shape with no rips, tears or major scuffs, nor any notable staining. The door cards have a couple of light marks on them from regular use in areas such as the door catches and handles, but these too are free of damage which is excellent news.

Up above, the headliner shows no signs of sagging or drooping, whilst the rear load area is also fantastic with minimal signs of use for a car of this age.

Elsewhere in the interior, there are various chrome fixtures and fittings which display a wonderful age-related patina in keeping with the car’s mileage, whilst the dashboard is free from any sun damage or cracking.

As far as we could tell, all systems are working correctly and as they should be, including the rotating light mechanism.

Hinge forward the bonnet, and the 327ci ‘small block’ V8 in this Corvette is positively gleaming, having been kept in tip-top condition throughout our vendor’s tenure with the car. The vendor does note that he is unable to state whether the engine is the original item or not, but it is the correct size, type and model for the car.

Firing into life with relative ease and settling into a characteristically lumpy V8 idle once warm, this C2 is an absolute joy to drive. Whilst most cars were manual, the factory automatic transmission in this one makes it far easier to live with in our opinion, and is in excellent shape with no untoward behaviours and the kick-down system working as it should.

Out on the road, the car behaves fantastically, with no sign of any unwanted noises, creaks, clonks or bangs, and garners plenty of attention wherever it goes. Our only criticism is that the steering wheel needs adjusting, as it currently sits about 20 degrees to the right, but the car runs straight and true with no crabbing, scrubbing or other behaviours associated with a bad alignment.

Looking underneath the car, we’re struck by just how clean and solid this C2 looks to be. As far as we can see, there is no cause for concern under here, with even exposed areas such as the exhaust system and suspension components being in excellent shape.

The only known fault with the car is that the power steering ram has a slight leak, though the vendor tells us that service kits are available for around £40, so this shouldn’t break the bank or cause any headaches.

Included with the car is a brief history from it’s time in the US, with numerous old ownership titles, photocopied invoices and export paperwork.

From its time with our vendor, there is the import and shipping paperwork, UK registration documents, and several invoices from specialist garage Claremont Corvette showing significant expenditure over the last few years.

There is also a spare set of keys, the V5 showing 0 former UK keepers, and various owners guides and manuals.

Usable and drivable, yet retaining the usual air of intrigue and mystery that classic American cars enjoy here in the UK, this 1966 Corvette Stingray 327 really is an absolute gem of a car, and as one of our team puts it, it is “an excellent example of a very desirable car in a very desirable specification” - talk about hitting the nail on the head!

With a wonderful UK support network and easy-to-source parts, it’s no wonder so many classic car enthusiasts rave about how rewarding it is to own a ‘yank’ here in England.

This example is presented in outstanding condition throughout - both mechanically and cosmetically - and would take pride of place in any collection. As such, we estimate a value of £45,000 to £60,000, and we expect this to be a popular auction for obvious reasons - good luck!

Viewing is always encouraged and as stated this car is located at THE MARKET headquarters near Abingdon; we are open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm and to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing to make an appointment. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.