1966 Corvette "Sting Ray" Convertible - $70,000

37 Hi-Res pictures can be viewed HERE

I purchased this car in 1990 as it was a number matching completely restored and documented car.  Shortly after purchasing the car the crankshaft broke damaging the engine beyond repair.  I replaced the engine with a professionally built RHS 383 cubic inch Magnum Special.  In addition I added another $2,800.00 in extras including a 5140 forged crankshaft internally balanced eliminating the need for an off balanced flywheel. I have all the original paperwork documenting all the extras.  For reliability I replaced the stock ignition with a modern GM electronic distributor and added two MSD (Multiple Spark Discharge Ignition) systems.  I also added an engine oil cooler, from a later model Corvette, for quicker oil warm ups when cold and additional cooling when hot.  The engine is a delight to drive as it has tons of torque and about 450 horsepower and idles at 800 to 900 rpms and never gets hot even at 95˚ in traffic.

 

From 1963 to 1969 I worked at Smith Chevrolet in Hammond Indiana and worked on many mid-year corvettes.  Over the course of the next years I upgraded the entire car, everything from a new heater core, electronic ignition, modern fiberglass suspension etc.  The list goes on and I have all the documentation.  The car comes with two steering wheels; the original wood wheel and a smaller padded black wheel.  The car presently has the black padded wheel installed as I find it more comfortable.  I upgraded the stock suspension to a fiberglass model with Gulstrand shocks and it delivers a smooth comfortable stable ride.  The body is all original and is in perfect shape with some minor stone chips from the 21,800 miles I put on the car.  Everything works is very reliable and should deliver years of fun driving. 

 

  • Complete frame off restoration and same owner since 1990
  • Clear coat exterior
  • 22,000 miles since restoration
  • Kelsey Hayes original knock off wheels
  • Stainless Steel Disk brakes with Dot 5 fluid
  • Professionally built 383 Racing Head Service (RHS) engine, 92 octane mild street tune
  • Roller cam, stainless roller rocker arms, holly carb all top shelf components
  • Dual MSD electronic ignition systems with two coils and an electronic distributor with MSD cap
  • Late model engine oil cooler; heats oil faster when cold, cools oil when hot
  • All mechanicals gone through by a certified Chevrolet mechanic
  • Big block factory hood
  • New Leather Seats with all new padding
  • Gulstrand Shocks with modern fiberglass suspension front and rear
  • Used consistently since purchase for summer cruses
  • 3.70 Positraction rear-end
  • Aluminum 4-speed with Hurst shifter
  • Garage kept
  • Stock Am/Fm radio although working it sounds terrible 
  • Original straight body with excellent chrome and well maintained
  • Two steering wheels an original wood wheel and a smaller custom black wheel
  • Runs and drives great; smooth controlled chassis
  • Receipts for all the work done

 

Chassis: Both front and rear springs have been changed to monospring fiberglass composite units. Shocks are now Guldstrand Bilstein. All calipers have stainless steel sleeves. Hooker chambered side-exhaust. Rear axle is a 3.70:1 positraction.   

 

Engine: Has dual MSD ignition systems with a modern electronic GM distributor. A roller cam with stainless steel rocker arms. 5140 forged crankshaft and connecting rods. An engine oil cooler. A Fluidamper full RPM performance harmonic damper. A Holley double pumper 650 cfm four barrel carburetor.

 

Interior: Stock AM/FM radio. Leather seat covers with correct foam padding. Simpson five-point seat belts. Hurst shifter. A leather-wrapped custom steering wheel (original Corvette wheel will be sold along with the car). 

      

The car has never been raced and only driven carefully during the summer on dry days. The change to new seat cushions and fiberglass monosprings give the car a much better ride without sacrificing handling. The owner is a former Chevrolet mechanic and has spent much time on improving the mechanicals and handling of this Corvette.

 

 

International Vehicle Appraisers Network

VEHICLE APPRAISAL


William G. Krieger
1660 Von Braun
(847) 352-8280
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
Cell: 847/354-0071
Email: hipogt@aol.com
www.hipogt.com

 

On May 27, 2014, an authorized inspector of the International Vehicle Appraisers Network, Bill Krieger of Elk Grove Village in Illinois, personally inspected and evaluated the vehicle described below for the purpose of providing an estimation of the vehicle's cash value today.  He inspected the vehicle's exterior, interior, chassis, and engine compartment. The evaluation is based upon authenticity, preservation/ restoration, maintenance and/or replacement costs.

 

Vehicle Year and Make: 1966 Chevrolet Corvette
VIN: 194676S110226
Body Style: Convertible
Color: Silver
Interior (color/material): Black leather

Vehicle Inspected at: Owner's location
Owner: James Mitidiero

Phone: 708/301-1062
Address: 15001 Wilco Dr., Homer Glen, IL 60491

Special Features

Odometer reading:(68,042)
Vehicle was originally powered by a 327 CID V-8 attached to a four-speed manual floor-mounted transmission. Some factory options on this vehicle were: AM/FM radio, 3.70 Positraction rear axle, “Stinger” hood, and cast aluminum knock-off wheels. Aftermarket items installed previous to purchasing vehicle are: Hurst floor shifter, Hooker headers and side exhaust. When owner purchased vehicle it had been carefully frame-off restored and had it's original matching-number engine. Soon after purchase, the powerplant was destroyed and the owner replaced it with the following

"Racing Head Service” engine:
  • Chevrolet 383 CID iron Magnum Special internally balanced engine with 10:1 compression ratio.
  • 5140 forged crankshaft and connecting rods
  • Roller cam with stainless steel rockers

Vehicle has had the following modifications since:

Drivetrain: Fluidamper performance harmonic balancer, dual MSD ignition systems, MSD coils using an electronic GM distributor, an engine oil cooler and a Holley 650 cfm double pumper carburetor.

Chassis: Guldstrand Bilstein shock absorbers, composite rear spring replacing the 9-leaf steel one, steel front coils have been replaced by a composite transverse monospring kit all calipers have been replaced by stainless steel sleeved ones.

Interior: leather seat covers with new foam padding, heater core, Simpson five-point seat belts and a custom leather-wrapped steering wheel (original Corvette steering wheel has been retained).

Comments

Engine/Engine Compartment: Engine compartment is clean, neat and in excellent condition. There is no sign of collision damage or repairs. Firewall and engine walls are painted correct flat black paint and are in very good condition. Engine is RHS Chevrolet that has been installed in a professional manner. Ignition shields have been removed but all other wiring is routed in factory looms and raceways. Ignition modules are dual MSD style that has been installed on the left engine wall.  Radiator is correct aluminum style with surge tank. Radiator, heater hoses and fuel lines have been replaced with steel braided style in very good condition. 

Chassis:

Underside of vehicle is in very good condition with frame rails displaying no rust, collision damage or repairs. Floor pans are in excellent condition with no broken fiberglass noted. There is no sign of oil leakage from the engine, transmission or rear axle. All suspension items are in very good condition including the monospring composite front suspension kit. Rear suspension is in very good condition with no rust, damage or worn items noted. There is no spare tire carrier. Wheels are original aluminum knock-off style in excellent condition with no curb scuffs, damaged ribs and detailed correctly. Tires are Goodyear Eagle GT+4 P215/70 R15” with no sidewall cracks.

Interior:

Black leather seats are in very good condition that are fitted well with no rips, cracks, or split seams. Plastic backs of seats are in very good condition with no cracks and installed well. Black carpeting displays no sun or water damage and is fitted well. Rear storage compartment carpeting is also fitted well and in very good condition. Dash padding has no cracks, tears or sun-damage. Instrument cluster and glove box faces are painted correct semi-flat paint. Instruments themselves are easy-to-read with clear lenses and bright faces. Clock does work. Radio face, controls and heater controls are all pit-free. Underside of convertible top is in good condition with some wear on side bolsters. Top irons are rust-free and detailed in correct semi-flat paint.  

Exterior:

Exterior paint has a very high gloss with no drips, runs and applied in a professional manner. The fiberglass body is in excellent condition with none of the usual waviness found in fiberglass bodies. Fit of both doors is very good with no misalignment with the rest of the body. The “Stinger” hood is fitted well with better-than-factory gaps. Chrome front and rear bumpers are both in excellent condition with no pitting, dents or misalignment. Stainless trim and pot metal items are both in excellent condition with no scratches, dents or pitting. Both of the headlamp doors line up well with the front nose displaying no stress cracks or fiberglass problems. When actuated, headlamp doors revolved easily, fast and aligned correctly.  Black flat Hooker side pipes have no rust and are detailed correctly. All glass is in very good condition with no cracks or delaminating noted. Driver's side wind wing has a small scratch and the windshield has a stone chip on the driver's side near the wiper. Black fabric convertible top is in very good condition having no cuts, rips tears, split seams or sun-damaged

Summary/Comments:

This example of a 1966 Chevrolet Corvette convertible is in excellent condition not only in appearance but in driveabllity. The RHS 383 engine has a great deal of power that started up immediately and ran with ease during the test run. The Hooker side pipes are fairly quiet and rattle-free. The composite front and rear monosprings provide a more comfortable ride without sacrificing excellent handling characteristics. Owner has complete maintenance history of the vehicle in addition to all sales receipts of items purchased. I would rate this vehicle to be in number two minus condition (out of six).

(Condition code: #1 – Excellent, #2 – Fine, #3 – Very Good, #4 – Good/Fair, #5 Poor but restorable, #6 – Parts car)

After careful evaluation of this vehicle, based on my expertise and experience (and after consulting Old Cars Price Guide, NADA, The Production Figure Book for U.S. Cars, the Internet, reviewing the InternationalVehicleAppraisersNetworkdatabase, etc., and after consulting with other Professional Appraisers, museums, and automotive experts, etc., when necessary, I appraise (estimate) this vehicle as having a cash value of $70,000.

I hereby state that I have no financial interest, ownership, or employment in/with any firm engaged in the purchase, sale, insurance or transport of motorized vehicles or in any firm engaged in the repair or restoration of motorized vehicles.  I further state that I have received no compensation for this appraisal, from any source, other than my fee.  Therefore I have no actual or potential conflict of interest in providing this appraisal.

                                    Signed __________________________________________William G. Krieger
 


CREDENTIALS

  1. Certified Appraiser in the International Vehicle Appraisers Network (nationwide association).  Appraisals accepted by every insurance company as well as banks, credit unions, IRS, and Courts of Law (expert Witness), etc.
  2. Senior Master Judge for the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) with over 100 National Judging Credits.  Served as Team Captain at AACA National Meets.
  3. National Meet Judge for the Mustang Club of America, the Buick Club of America, the Classic Thunderbird Club International.
  4. Has appeared in court as an expert witness.  
  5. Officer and newsletter editor of a regional Mustang Club of America car club – the Northern Mustang Corral located in Bourbonnais, Illinois. Has won several Golden Quill awards from Old Cars Weekly for the monthly newsletter “From The Corral.” The latest Golden Quill award was for the year of 2012.
  6. Guest Speaker on Appraisals before many clubs and organizations.  Guest Speaker on Classic Cars.
  7. Owner/restorer of two AACA National Award winning vehicles: 1957 Ford Sunliner Convertible, 1954 Buick Special.
  8. Owner/restorer of a 1965 Ford Mustang HiPo GT fastback that has won a Senior Grand National award in the AACA and won many gold awards in the Mustang Club of America.
  9. Owner of Senior Gold Buick Club of America medal winning vehicle: 1954 Buick Special.
  10. Member of Chicagoland Corvette Club and owner of a 1965 Corvette roadster.