One-Owner ’66 Corvette Remains an Unrestored Survivor!

With 55,000 miles on its 327 V8 since new, ’66 Corvette in Mosport Green never been hit, includes numbers-matching powertrain.

Though all Corvettes start with their factory pieces, more than a few undergo some modification. Others get into some sort of trouble, necessitating replacement bits. And, of course, some meet their end on the road, its parts finding their way into other ‘Vettes. Thus, an unrestored, all-original example becomes a prize in its own right.

Especially if the prize is a few decades old. Such is the case with this 1966 Corvette heading down to Kissimmee, Florida in January 2022 for the red carpet of Mecum Auctions. And what a prize it is.

The Corvette was purchased new by its current owner in Manhasset, New York after leaving the factory in November 1965. Between then and 1979, when it was last registered, the ‘Vette covered 54,844 miles. Once pulled off the road, the owner gave his car the best care he could, never once opting to restore it to its showroom condition.

Under the original Mosport Green hood, the ’66 Corvette holds a 327 V8 linked to a Muncie M20 four-speed manual. The combo sent all 300 horses down the driveshaft to the Positraction rear end. And the entire powertrain is entirely numbers-matching. The exhaust heat shields, spark plug shields, and air cleaner are three of many factory-correct pieces, and the engine stamp was logged by Al Grenning’s Classic Car Affirmation Service to confirm its original status.

Inside the Corvette, whose body’s never been hit, the black interior is as preserved as the rest of the car. The buckets and carpeting still look as good as they did at that New York dealership, as does the wood and metal steering wheel. Some of the black paint on the seat belt buckles has worn off. Yet, it’s exactly as it was once it left the road.

The originality and unrestored status this Corvette possesses is enough for the next owner to place it under NCRS judging for the coveted Bowtie award. Said award, given out once a year at the National NCRS Convention, is exclusive to unrestored, original ‘Vettes. This one would definitely roll away with the prize.

Photos: Mecum Auctions

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