1966 Corvette Big Block Coupe Could Prove to Be a Good Value

This 1966 Corvette big block coupe isn’t totally original, but that could make it more appealing for many.

Most Corvette fans – and collector car enthusiasts in general – are well aware that vintage Corvette values have soared in recent years. This is particularly true of the big block cars from the second generation, which are among the more coveted models in the sports car’s illustrious history. However, this particular 1966 Corvette big block coupe up for grabs at Bring a Trailer isn’t totally original, nor is it the higher-horsepower version of its kind, which might just make it a bit of a value when the hammer falls on this auction in a few days.

For starters, this 1966 Corvette big block coupe was originally finished in Laguna Blue, but was later repainted in red way back in the mid-1980s. Otherwise, one would be hard to tell that anything has been changed from the outside, which looks pretty original with the coveted stinger hood, side exhaust pipes, and 15-inch turbine wheels wrapped with Firestone Deluxe Champion goldline tires.

The same goes with the interior, which is quite tidy and finished in black with a Delco-branded AM/FM radio, Teakwood steering wheel, and nothing else really to note, save for a heater that’s been bypassed. The odometer shows 57k miles, though actual mileage is unknown. Underneath, the car’s four-wheel disc brakes were rebuilt back in 2007, which is also the case with the powerplant underhood.

That 427 cubic-inch mill was originally rated to produce 390 horsepower and was rebuilt by Rudy’s Garage in Costa Mesa, California a mere 1,000 miles ago at a cost of over $10,000. The powerplant is mated to a Muncie four-speed manual transmission, making it a truly desirable machine. However, there are some things worth noting for anyone willing to plunk down the cash needed to bring it home.

Those side pipes aren’t original to the car – as is the case with many similarly-equipped C2s – while the air conditioning isn’t working quite right and may not be original to the car as well. Regardless, while these little quibbles may turn off collectors, they might just also make this big block Corvette affordable for something that simply wants a nice driver and isn’t interested in bringing home prestigious awards for originality. And in that sense, it’s right up our proverbial alley.

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Photos:Bring a Trailer