1966 Corvette Big Tank Coupe Is One of Just 15 Produced

Thanks to its M22 gearbox and other rare options, this 1966 Corvette big tank coupe is a truly desirable former racer.

In the world of the Corvette, there are certain terms that are commonly used to signify a special or rare example, and sometimes, those monikers refer to nothing more than rare or desirable options. Such is the case with the “big tank” cars, which refer to, well, nothing more than an optional, 36-gallon fuel tank that was offered mainly for the benefit of racers that wanted to be able to go further without having to stop to refuel. As one might imagine, not a ton of cars equipped with this special feature were built in total, but this 1966 Corvette big tank coupe up for grabs at Mecum’s Glendale auction next month is a bit rarer than most.

This 1966 Corvette big tank coupe is one of just 15 produced, in fact, thanks to its rare combination of options, but also because it’s equipped with the Muncie M22 “rock crusher” four-speed manual transmission. Like many similarly equipped cars, it was purchased new by a racer – Anatoly “Toly” Arutunoff – who bought the C2 at Capital Chevrolet in Nashville, Tennessee and promptly exported to Germany. There, Arutunoff used it to much success in Grand Prix racing as one of the few privateer entrants.

After receiving an extensive body-off restoration, this 1966 Corvette big tank coupe now looks better than new, and it’s equipped with an array of desirable features other than its larger fuel tank and transmission, too. That list includes GM’s 427 cubic-inch L72 big block V8 cranking out 425 horsepower, J56 heavy duty brakes (one of 382 from this particular model year), J50 power assist, K66 transistorized ignition, F41 Heavy Duty suspension, G81 Positraction rear end, A82 headrest seats, the A02 tinted windshield, and C48 heater delete.

On top of all that, this C2 also features some pretty interesting items like a 200 mph speedometer, an 8,500 rpm tach, a flat-black hood, headers, rear-exit exhaust pipes, and a roll bar – just like proper race car. The C2 comes with some documentation as well – namely, the original bill of sale, Statement of Origin, and Homologation Recognition Form – and is clearly a pretty special piece of Corvette history, making it an enticing one to watch when it crosses the auction block next month.

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Photos:Mecum Auctions

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