Fantasy Junction

Description

1966 Chevrolet Corvette 427/450 Roadster
s/n 194676S101400, Engine no. T0917IP 6101400
Fathom Green with Black Interior

Corvettes are among the most sought after sports cars in the collector hobby. Superb restorations are found all over the world, featuring exact details, accurate finishes, and certificates lauding perfection. Cars with pristine restorations can indeed be enjoyed, but there is something special when a certain car emerges combining miles of history, racing victories and unbroken provenance. Such is the case with this unique and truly special 427 Corvette roadster.

Unlike so many restored cars, this particular Corvette distinguishes itself with an unprecedented pedigree of ownership, racing, and preservation, resulting in a car that could never be duplicated even when undergoing a rigorous or costly restoration. This sort of car can only happen one way, in the hands of dedicated and passionate enthusiasts, driven to create a legacy of performance ownership. Not only is it a rare car, it is equally at home at historic racing events and cruising back roads – not a stripped down race car, but a road ready car sporting factory original interior.

The story of this amazing Corvette begins when the second owners (husband and wife enthusiasts) purchased the car in March of 1968. The original owner purchased the car from Harry Mann Chevrolet in October 1965. Harry Mann Chevrolet of Los Angeles was known for delivering many special Corvettes to L.A. enthusiasts. This car was one of three 427/450 cars sold in Southern California for the1966 model year. Shortly after the purchase, the original owner was drafted and dispatched to Vietnam, forcing him to sell his prized Corvette. The new owners discovered the car just after being married, taking this Corvette on their honeymoon. The young automotive enthusiasts would spend the next 45 years driving, racing, and showing their pride and joy, weaving family, friends, and vacations into race after race, while building up a room full of trophies and awards.

From 1968-1973, the couple competing at SCCA Solo II and Solo I events, spending over 40 weekends each year at local autocrosses and racetracks. Local circuits included Riverside International Raceway (posting 150 mph on back straight with a best lap time of 1:43), Pomona Fairgrounds Race Facility, Carlsbad Raceway, Santa Maria Airport, Willow Springs Raceway, Bakersfield (Famoso) Race Facility, San Jose Raceway, Ontario Motor Speedway, San Diego’s Jack Murphy Stadium, and Orange County International Raceway where they competed in Top Eliminator drag races. Under the Road Race configuration, wearing street tires, they recorded a 12.75 second run at 117mph…earning the “Top Eliminator” award for the event.

The competition history further includes countless dash plaques and over 192 trophies amassed over a 4-year period. Documentation includes numerous photographs featuring events, documented races, and personal recollections including the 1971 SCC/SCC Slalom Championship Champion Class B-W (women) award from Richie Ginther (won in 1970,1971, and 1972). The couple also won 1st place at the 1971 WSCC (Western State Corvette Council) in both days for both women and men’s classes. Other competitive highlights include winning the Powder-puff Top Eliminator Championship three years in a row as well as the Men’s Champion for Top Eliminator.

In 1969, the couple repainted the car using 18 coats of Fathom Green lacquer (the car was originally delivered in Mossport Green), which is the paint it wears today. They later added Mossport Green stripes, painted the front fender inserts, and added a third pair of taillights. A final touch was the addition of original 1965 GM factory knock-offs (set of 5) and factory side pipes, installed in 1968. After the 1973 race season, the owners retired the Corvette from competition, choosing to use it as a weekend car and occasionally showing it. In 1985, still running 11:1 engine compression using high-octane leaded gas, the owners commissioned a complete engine rebuild, arriving at “Thunder Alley” in Culver City, CA. This automotive enclave was the home to the likes of TRACO Engineering (Penske/Donohue TransAm fame) and Dick Guldstrand. TRACO performed a full engine rebuild, reducing the compression to 9.2:1, making it suitable for unleaded pump gas, while bumping the horsepower to 490. Engine details included:

· Factory L88 open chamber aluminum heads
· Carrillo rods
· TRACO custom cam
· Blue printed and balanced engine components
· Accu-sump oil pump with pre-start oiler
· “Black Ice” aluminum radiator
· 3:36 Positraction (spare set of 3:70 gears)
· Mickey Thompson valve covers (won at Top Eliminator event)
· Dick Guldstrand personally installed fresh engine

Included with the sale is the complete engine specifications and blueprinting documents from TRACO. Note that the cam specifications are not specifically named on the invoice as these were considered proprietary information.

After much deliberation, the couple decided to sell the car to a new owner. The current (and third) owner purchased the car in 2013 and decided to prepare it for vintage rallies and touring events. He commissioned a local specialist to prepare the car for the 1000-mile Targa California where it performed perfectly. However, upon returning home from the event, the car ingested a loose air cleaner bolt. Thankfully damage was only minor when Northern California expert Randy Peterson of Peterson Motorsports was called upon to address the best solution. Delivering the motor to LJ Corvette Motorworks of Napa, CA, the engine was comprehensively rebuilt to a total of $15k to ensure it would perform to the high standards attributed to this car. Included in the rebuild:

· Forged pistons and new rings
· Magnaflux crankshaft and rods
· All new bearings
· Steam boiled block bored and honed
· Complete valve job with resurfaced heads
· All new rocker arms and pushrods
· ARP head studs and bolts
· Rebuilt balancer
· New starter and fuel pump


Today the condition of this car remains timeless and thus reflects not only the original character, but reveals the essence of a true performance car with decades of participation. Having travelled 126,000 documented miles since new, the 40-year old paint, while tired, still manages a reasonable shine, complete with storied patina. Under close inspection, the paint shows light cracking and minor areas of checking. Around the perimeter of the fuel filler, there is evidence of bubbling from fuel contact. The fender lips have been cut to allow room for 10-inch competition tires, but have been properly executed. As it sits, the exterior presence is certainly deserving of preservation given the history it retains. The interior remains original throughout and in remarkable condition considering the age, with only one minor, repairable seam split on the bottom cushion of the passenger seat. Of course there is no overlooking the extensive dash plaques that honor the numerous events this car participated in over the years. All instruments and switches function properly, with the exception of the clock. The roll bar installation was done as a “bolt-in” and thus can easily be removed. The soft top mechanism was modified, allowing the top to be raised and lowered without compromising the added safety of the roll bar. The soft top material was replaced over 20 years ago, but simply has not been used and thus remains in very nice condition, showing only light hazing on the plastic window.

The engine compartment remains tidy and properly prepared for use either in vintage events or casual driving – if in fact there can be anything casual about a 427 Corvette. Details include nicely finished vintage M/T valve covers, updated lines and ignition wires, and properly maintained original components. The underside of the car is unrestored and in keeping with the use and driving this car has seen – undamaged and honestly presented.

Given the performance nature of this car and the substantial horsepower, it is a surprisingly docile car to drive. The engine turns over quickly and settles into a deep, willing idle, without raspy thumping. The current set up favors street driving, but make no mistake about it, when the right foot gives the command, you’re awakening 50 years of performance history. Power comes on in giant gulps without hesitation. Steering is light and very responsive, while handling is quite nice given the front engine and all that rear end power. The brakes have excellent bite to them, pulling down straight from higher speeds. There is no slipping with the clutch or chatter off the line. The gearbox is smooth and easy to operate. Of course decades of performance superlatives continually grace these big block roadsters, but one need only drive a 427 Corvette to realize how true each one literally is. And this particular example is certainly among one of the most capable road cars available.

The previous and current owners have documented every service from day one with copies of receipts included in the sale. The car comes with numerous photographs documenting the history of the car, written documentation, and records of recent work performed on the car. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a special and important car, ready to use and enjoy as originally intended by the builders, and in the spirit of the adventurous team of long-term owners who raced, drove, and cherished this unique and documented example of performance history.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608