1966 Chevrolet Corvette 427/390Hp Convertible (LHD)

Description

The sensational new Sting Ray of 1963 was a major step forwards for the Corvette with a steel box-section chassis designed by Zora Arkus-Duntov clothed in stunning bodywork in either convertible or coupe form under the direction of Bill Mitchell, GM's new Head of Styling. Initially sold with the classic small-block 327-cid V8 with either manual or Powerglide automatic transmission, the Sting Ray was a big improvement on the road thanks to independent suspension all round and - from 1965 - the addition of Delco disc brakes on all four wheels. With the muscle car arms race in full swing by the mid-1960s, Chevrolet soon looked to install a big-block V8 in their only true sports car to extract more performance and so for 1965 the 396-cid V8 was available as an option. Lasting for one year only, the 396 became the now legendary 427-cid V8 for 1966, either in 390 hp (L36) or 425 hp (L72) versions. Recognisable by the new egg-crate grille and ?Corvette Sting Ray? script added to the bonnet, all '66 427 Corvettes also got a unique bonnet with a scoop to clear the massive lump underneath. When tested by Car Life magazine, a 427/425 four-speed convertible turned in numbers that are still impressive today, with 0-60 mph coming up in just 5.7 seconds and the quarter-mile dispatched in 14 seconds flat. Available either as a coupe or convertible, the latter actually outsold the former with 17,762 ragtop Corvettes made compared to 9,958 coupes. Although succeeding generations of Corvettes have become more technologically advanced, none has quite managed to capture the style, presence and driving pleasure of the original 1963-67 Sting Rays and, in 427 big-block guise, many collectors regard this as the ultimate incarnation of America's only true sports car.