Imagine wanting a 1966 Corvette convertible your entire life but realizing that it’d be too expensive to buy one that was in showroom quality condition. Then, imagine deciding you’d want to do a frame-off restoration if only you could find a donor car that was priced appropriately, but realizing that even a heavily used 1966 Corvette might be prohibitively expensive. But then, you begin searching Ebay and find a 1966 Corvette convertible that was heavily damaged in a fire that was so reasonably priced that, despite the severity of its damage, you decided it was worth chasing…and so you bid.
That’s exactly the sceneario here.
When the 1966 Corvette rolled off the assembly line in St. Louis, it became one of the most popular model years of its generation. In total, GM built 27,720 units, of which 17,762 were convertibles. The car was popular because it offered massive horsepower thanks to GM’s decision to introduce the 1966 Corvette with an assortment of small- and large-block engines. But one of the most coveted of them all, a 427 cubic inch engine, would become the powerplant of choice for serious enthusiasts, and a popular option for future collectors looking to add a second-generation StingRay to their stables.
The car that we’re about to share with you today started life that way, but today, is literally just a shell of what it once was. Ebay seller “bb67” has posted a 1966 Corvette Convertible for sale on Ebay. But unlike most Corvettes listed on Ebay, even those that may require some minor (or even major) work, this car is generously listed as a “project car.” In truth, it is a rusted out (those parts that are steel), badly singed rolling chassis that is scarcely a ghost of its former self. Yes, project car indeed…more like donor car for frame-off restoration.
That’s not to be critical of bb67’s posting.
Here are the facts:
1.) The car was trapped in a burning building which caused heat damage to the car’s exterior. Fiberglass, or FRP (fiberglass reinforced plastic), while durable, does not hold up well to the high temperatures of a fire…and this car reflects that. In fact, bb67 is very transparent of the fact that the car he/she is selling has suffered damage to its exposure to high temperatures. But the body, while singed and warped in areas, is not completely destroyed – although it is difficult to ascertain the full extent of the damage solely from pictures. Still, there are many components – such as the windshield trim – that appear to be intact. Additionally, the owner states that the original VIN tag is still present and intact, which will provide good information to anyone looking to restore the car.
2.) In addition to the fire damage, the Corvette has a rotted-out frame in its rear. The birdcage also shows rot and will require significant repairs.
Although the car is in pretty rough shape, this Corvette was a pretty spectactular machine when new. Based on the available information, the car originally came equipped with the desirable 427-cubic-inch V8 rated at 490 horsepower and was paired with a four-speed transmission. Also, the car was finished in silver paint and featured a black interior. Although the interior is gone, the exterior still sports (though badly deteriorated) the silver exterior paint. Anyone considering a full-on restoration of this car – even a professional restorer – should realize that the work to resurrect it will be significant. However, in addition to the remnants of the body and the chassis, the current owner also has a pair of doors and a deck lid that will help with the restoration efforts.
Interestingly, there is still considerable interest in this Corvette. At the time of this posting, and with two days left on the auction clock, there are already 14 bids on the car with the current high bid standing at $8,100.00. As this car will be a MAJOR undertaking for the winning bidder (assuming their intention is to restore it after purchasing it), we are hopeful that we’ll be able to track its progress in the months (and possibly years) to come. What’s more, we’ll be interested to see how much higher the bidding goes before a winner is announced on Thursday at 5:04pm CST.
For anyone considering placing a bid on this car, the Corvette is currently located in Columbia Station, Ohio. Needless to say, the winning bidder will have to trailer this car back to its final destination. If you happen to read this and are the winning bidder on Thursday, we hope you’ll contact us at Corvsport.com by clicking here. We’d love to follow your progress with this unique 1966 Corvette!
