Help requested for 1966 corvette (newbie)

**Gary Schisler** · May 23, 1999, 07:41 AM

Re: Help requested for 1966 corvette (newbie)

Welcome to the hobby. I think I can guarantee that once you open your wallet, it never seems to close.

The answers to your questions comes from The Genuine Corvette Black Book, by Michael Antonick and are as follow:

b. there were 9,958 coupes produced, 17,762 convertibles produced. The Corvette Black Book lists all options and how many of each were ordered. You might look for this on one of the internet book sites, Amazon or Barnes and Noble for example. c. the specific combination of colors and options that you have is very desireable, but, unfortunately, Chevrolet did not keep numbers on anything other than how many 350hp engines were orderered for example. Or how many hardtops were ordered, you get the picture. d. same thing with how many are left. Too many have been wrecked, resurrected/rebuilt or reconstructed.

There have been many posts on this, and other sites, asking or telling of rarity of combinations. There was a lengthy post a while back on this site that is certainly worth reading. You will have to search the archives for that message. Quite honestly, anyone that says this or that combination of options was 1 of xxx number is blowing a little smoke. Those figures currently are not available or do not exist (although they are rumored to be available in GM archives.

**Gary Schisler** · May 23, 1999, 07:41 AM

Re: Help requested for 1966 corvette (newbie)

Welcome to the hobby. I think I can guarantee that once you open your wallet, it never seems to close.

The answers to your questions comes from The Genuine Corvette Black Book, by Michael Antonick and are as follow:

b. there were 9,958 coupes produced, 17,762 convertibles produced. The Corvette Black Book lists all options and how many of each were ordered. You might look for this on one of the internet book sites, Amazon or Barnes and Noble for example. c. the specific combination of colors and options that you have is very desireable, but, unfortunately, Chevrolet did not keep numbers on anything other than how many 350hp engines were orderered for example. Or how many hardtops were ordered, you get the picture. d. same thing with how many are left. Too many have been wrecked, resurrected/rebuilt or reconstructed.

There have been many posts on this, and other sites, asking or telling of rarity of combinations. There was a lengthy post a while back on this site that is certainly worth reading. You will have to search the archives for that message. Quite honestly, anyone that says this or that combination of options was 1 of xxx number is blowing a little smoke. Those figures currently are not available or do not exist (although they are rumored to be available in GM archives.

**Bill Clupper** · May 23, 1999, 11:45 AM

Re: Help requested for 1966 corvette (newbie)

Peter, it's hard to tell from this if you are currently in the US or trying to manage this from England, but the advice here will be the same. If you have identified a car you think is of intrest, use the membership of NCRS to help find a competent member who will be willing to look at the car on your behalf. Even at a slight cost, this would be a very good way to avoid a serious (and expensive) long distance mistake, or at least might be able to provide you with an objective assesment of a car. An owners description might be perfectly accurate based on what that owner knows, but that owner's base of knowledge may not be adequate. Cars in the snowbelt have different consideratons (frame rust) that those frome more arid climates. Southern cars from costal areas can rival thier northernmost brothers for rust problems, which although repairable represent issues much more easily dealt with here in the US rather than overseas. If you have a specific car located, see if there is an NCRS chapter in that area and contact the Chaiman or Judging Chairman for potential references. Fellow members can be of great assistance. Feel free to contact me directly via e-mail if I can be of help. I've made many (but not all) mistakes that don't need to be repeated if I can be of help.

**Bill Clupper** · May 23, 1999, 11:45 AM

Re: Help requested for 1966 corvette (newbie)

Peter, it's hard to tell from this if you are currently in the US or trying to manage this from England, but the advice here will be the same. If you have identified a car you think is of intrest, use the membership of NCRS to help find a competent member who will be willing to look at the car on your behalf. Even at a slight cost, this would be a very good way to avoid a serious (and expensive) long distance mistake, or at least might be able to provide you with an objective assesment of a car. An owners description might be perfectly accurate based on what that owner knows, but that owner's base of knowledge may not be adequate. Cars in the snowbelt have different consideratons (frame rust) that those frome more arid climates. Southern cars from costal areas can rival thier northernmost brothers for rust problems, which although repairable represent issues much more easily dealt with here in the US rather than overseas. If you have a specific car located, see if there is an NCRS chapter in that area and contact the Chaiman or Judging Chairman for potential references. Fellow members can be of great assistance. Feel free to contact me directly via e-mail if I can be of help. I've made many (but not all) mistakes that don't need to be repeated if I can be of help.

**Jack H.** · May 23, 1999, 01:02 PM

Re: Help requested for 1966 corvette (newbie)

Strong/solid advice. ATTABOY. Also, poster should state what he wants the car for -- driver, show & shine, factory concours (Flight), or SERIOUS factory concours....

**Jack H.** · May 23, 1999, 01:02 PM

Re: Help requested for 1966 corvette (newbie)

Strong/solid advice. ATTABOY. Also, poster should state what he wants the car for -- driver, show & shine, factory concours (Flight), or SERIOUS factory concours....

**Lou Lapham** · May 23, 1999, 02:05 PM

Re: Help requested for 1966 corvette (newbie)

Peter-As an owner of a 66 convert i can tell you there are several variations that happened thru the model year.The previous reccomendation of the black book is a good one although you will need several other publications to really fill in the blanks.Noland Adams Corvette restoration book is one good source as well as M.F. Dobbins book Vette Vues Fact Book both of which are listed in back of the NCRS Driveline.One word of caution even these excellent publications contain errors and should not beconsidered last wordBeware of the high option car you desire as many fakes and add on option cars were created in the craziness of the late 80's in this country.Have an trusted apprasier look the car over if possible.I have personaly had contact with several high option 350 HP roadsters in the last 5 yrs and found very few good ones.Several were owned by fellow NCRS "Brothers" who were less than forthcoming about serious defects.Be very cautious many 300 HPs are now 350 HP cars numbers matching! Good luck.Lou

**Lou Lapham** · May 23, 1999, 02:05 PM

Re: Help requested for 1966 corvette (newbie)

Peter-As an owner of a 66 convert i can tell you there are several variations that happened thru the model year.The previous reccomendation of the black book is a good one although you will need several other publications to really fill in the blanks.Noland Adams Corvette restoration book is one good source as well as M.F. Dobbins book Vette Vues Fact Book both of which are listed in back of the NCRS Driveline.One word of caution even these excellent publications contain errors and should not beconsidered last wordBeware of the high option car you desire as many fakes and add on option cars were created in the craziness of the late 80's in this country.Have an trusted apprasier look the car over if possible.I have personaly had contact with several high option 350 HP roadsters in the last 5 yrs and found very few good ones.Several were owned by fellow NCRS "Brothers" who were less than forthcoming about serious defects.Be very cautious many 300 HPs are now 350 HP cars numbers matching! Good luck.Lou

**Joe L.** · May 23, 1999, 04:17 PM

Re: Help requested for 1966 corvette (newbie)

Peter----

The other responders have given you great advice and there's not a lot for me to add. So, I'm going to make my comments short and sweet:

The most important thing that you can do when purchasing a Corvette is to make sure that the frame is rust free and undamaged, make sure that the steel "birdcage" underlying the passenger compartment is rust free, and make sure that the body is not previously damaged or, if it was, well repaired. Everything else is VERY secondary. If you purchase a car with any of the above problems, regardless of price, you WILL REGRET IT.

**Joe L.** · May 23, 1999, 04:17 PM

Re: Help requested for 1966 corvette (newbie)

Peter----

The other responders have given you great advice and there's not a lot for me to add. So, I'm going to make my comments short and sweet:

The most important thing that you can do when purchasing a Corvette is to make sure that the frame is rust free and undamaged, make sure that the steel "birdcage" underlying the passenger compartment is rust free, and make sure that the body is not previously damaged or, if it was, well repaired. Everything else is VERY secondary. If you purchase a car with any of the above problems, regardless of price, you WILL REGRET IT.

**Wayne M.** · May 24, 1999, 11:04 AM

**Wayne M.** · May 24, 1999, 11:04 AM

Help requested for 1966 corvette (newbie)

Help requested for 1966 corvette (newbie)

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