66 coupe NOM big block

[Craig S.]

My dental hygenist knows I am vette nut and they have a 66 project car they have had for years and years that they have apparently lost interest in and want to sell. No price mentioned yet, I have heard they have invested around $10k so far in the car, with another $7K or so to finish per whoever they have had working on it here in Tucson. I got a note Monday from her husband saying bodywork 95% complete, 427 engine, NOM.

Now I have been around the block on this and have no clue what I will find when I see it, if it has a good body/frame etc, how the bodywork or bond seam repairs were done, etc etc etc. Apparently it is in the raw glass stage, and needs an interior. I don't know if he has any history or paperwork yet....and I am more familiar with 67's since I have an L79 coupe.

For 66, what are the tell tale signs I should look for to see if this was an original 427 car? Tach redlines..( I am sure several for various versions but I suppose some were common for SB's too) Battery placement (is it on the LH side like my 67 AC car?) How about the fuel feed line config....I heard BB's angle forward differently in a different area than SB's? Then there are the obvious items like rear diff codes, heavy duty caps vs straps, etc, I know about.

What's anyone's thoughts if it is just a decent nice driver with a good body (that's a big if...depending on what I see) in this condition....just rough ranges of price.....if I go look this weekend I can get back with more details. Thx!...Craig

[Jack H.]

Re: 66 coupe NOM big block

It's getting hard to find mid-year cars much below $20K, let alone one that might have been a BB. You might consider visiting the STORE at this website and ordering a '66 Technical Information Manual and Judging Guide to read-up on telltale differences in addition to what others post in this thread....

[Jack H.]

Re: 66 coupe NOM big block

It's getting hard to find mid-year cars much below $20K, let alone one that might have been a BB. You might consider visiting the STORE at this website and ordering a '66 Technical Information Manual and Judging Guide to read-up on telltale differences in addition to what others post in this thread....

[Craig S.]

Re: 66 coupe NOM big block

Thx Jack - my wife had discussed more detail when she was at the dentist recently...apparently the lineage is traced back to the original owner, Don Johnson the actor, and the husband spoke with his manager and verified it was indeed his car. It is a California car, so I suppose that means there is missing smog gear too (like I had on my 67 and had to find). I realize that actor ownership doesn't add any value, but it may lend creedence that it may be an original BB car. It sounds like he was really trying to do a good job fixint it up, but I don't know who has been doing the work or their competency to do NCRS quality work. I am making an appointment to see it this weekend, just spoke to the owners wife. If the total ownership history is known, that certainly adds some credibility....Craig

[Craig S.]

Re: 66 coupe NOM big block

Thx Jack - my wife had discussed more detail when she was at the dentist recently...apparently the lineage is traced back to the original owner, Don Johnson the actor, and the husband spoke with his manager and verified it was indeed his car. It is a California car, so I suppose that means there is missing smog gear too (like I had on my 67 and had to find). I realize that actor ownership doesn't add any value, but it may lend creedence that it may be an original BB car. It sounds like he was really trying to do a good job fixint it up, but I don't know who has been doing the work or their competency to do NCRS quality work. I am making an appointment to see it this weekend, just spoke to the owners wife. If the total ownership history is known, that certainly adds some credibility....Craig

[Jack H.]

Re: 66 coupe NOM big block

I'm not so certain that celebrity status in the ownership chain (documented) doesn't add SIGNIFICANT value under certain circumstances.... Corvette Mike made big deal over a 396 car in the early 90's that was originally purchased by Fonda (Easy Rider). There are a handful of collectors who target prior celebrity owner status as a key criteria for purchase and inclusion in their vintage 'stable'.... However, in this neck of the woods (certainly around the ski town of Vail) Don Johnson's involvement with the car might be construed as a detriment!

[Jack H.]

Re: 66 coupe NOM big block

I'm not so certain that celebrity status in the ownership chain (documented) doesn't add SIGNIFICANT value under certain circumstances.... Corvette Mike made big deal over a 396 car in the early 90's that was originally purchased by Fonda (Easy Rider). There are a handful of collectors who target prior celebrity owner status as a key criteria for purchase and inclusion in their vintage 'stable'.... However, in this neck of the woods (certainly around the ski town of Vail) Don Johnson's involvement with the car might be construed as a detriment!

[Patrick H.]

Re: 66 coupe NOM big block

Jack,

Fonda's car was a big block M-22 car, a rare find. I saw it for sale at Bloomington and watched the now-present owner inspecting it. It was a nice car, too. In the end, the value of that car actually has little to do with its previous owner, but a LOT to do with the boxes he checked.

Oh how I wish I would have had the cash to buy that car. Today it would be for a song. Of course, med school hardly allowed for spare funds.

Patrick

[Patrick H.]

Re: 66 coupe NOM big block

Jack,

Fonda's car was a big block M-22 car, a rare find. I saw it for sale at Bloomington and watched the now-present owner inspecting it. It was a nice car, too. In the end, the value of that car actually has little to do with its previous owner, but a LOT to do with the boxes he checked.

Oh how I wish I would have had the cash to buy that car. Today it would be for a song. Of course, med school hardly allowed for spare funds.

Patrick

[Craig S.]

Re: 66 coupe NOM big block

I spoke with the owner tonight and have an appt to see the car tomorrow. He is not mechnaically inclined nor knowledgable in vettes, the guy that did the bodywork is a longtime member in the Tucson Corvette Club and owns a 58 fully restored. Apparently the owner had the car at this guy's house for 6 years, but didn't cough up the money to finish it all the way. It had been modified to remove the rotating headlamps in the past and a previous owner had some type of concealed headlight built into the body, and it has been restored to original. I am not familiar with the midyear period custom headlight options, but, to me this sounds like the front nose would have had some mods performed. Apparently there was some minor front bodywork done in the left front as well, not sure if any body panels were replaced of bond seam work etc. Ohter than that it is all original body panels with minor stress crack repairs. At least when I look at it it will be in raw gray glass so I can see everything, check for original panels etc. The tachometer is 6500 redline, so, maybe it did have a 425 originally....if so, can any 66 experts lend me some pointers to check for tomorrow afternoon? I have no clue about the current engine vintage, buildup, if the original intake / holley is in place etc. I plan to take my digital camera and maybe I can get some shots.....thx!...Craig

[Craig S.]

Re: 66 coupe NOM big block

I spoke with the owner tonight and have an appt to see the car tomorrow. He is not mechnaically inclined nor knowledgable in vettes, the guy that did the bodywork is a longtime member in the Tucson Corvette Club and owns a 58 fully restored. Apparently the owner had the car at this guy's house for 6 years, but didn't cough up the money to finish it all the way. It had been modified to remove the rotating headlamps in the past and a previous owner had some type of concealed headlight built into the body, and it has been restored to original. I am not familiar with the midyear period custom headlight options, but, to me this sounds like the front nose would have had some mods performed. Apparently there was some minor front bodywork done in the left front as well, not sure if any body panels were replaced of bond seam work etc. Ohter than that it is all original body panels with minor stress crack repairs. At least when I look at it it will be in raw gray glass so I can see everything, check for original panels etc. The tachometer is 6500 redline, so, maybe it did have a 425 originally....if so, can any 66 experts lend me some pointers to check for tomorrow afternoon? I have no clue about the current engine vintage, buildup, if the original intake / holley is in place etc. I plan to take my digital camera and maybe I can get some shots.....thx!...Craig

[Don Ursery]

Re: 66 coupe NOM big block

Craig, I can't wait to hear what you discover tomorrow. Here's a few things to look for if it's a 427ci, especially a 425hp. The Engine Suffix would be IK. The Engine Block would be 3855961. The Carburetor would be Holley R3247A, #3886101. Distributor would be #1111093. Alternator would be 1100693 w/o AC, and 1100694 w/AC. On the VIN plate located under the Glove Box on the support rail, (I realize these can be replaced), but look for the VIN # to match, the color of the car to match...ie. a Mosport Green would be 982 (I have a 327 '66 Coupe/Mosport Green). Good luck, I hope you buy it! Don

[Don Ursery]

Re: 66 coupe NOM big block

Craig, I can't wait to hear what you discover tomorrow. Here's a few things to look for if it's a 427ci, especially a 425hp. The Engine Suffix would be IK. The Engine Block would be 3855961. The Carburetor would be Holley R3247A, #3886101. Distributor would be #1111093. Alternator would be 1100693 w/o AC, and 1100694 w/AC. On the VIN plate located under the Glove Box on the support rail, (I realize these can be replaced), but look for the VIN # to match, the color of the car to match...ie. a Mosport Green would be 982 (I have a 327 '66 Coupe/Mosport Green). Good luck, I hope you buy it! Don

[Craig S.]

Re: 66 coupe NOM big block

Don - thx for the tips! I know the engine is not correct, but I have hopes it was an original 425 HP car. Thx for the part and casting numbers. I am going armed with my Colvin books, NCRS spec guides, Noland volume 2, Vette Vues 63-67 guide, and my Sony camera with an empty 160MB card. I don't have a website, but if someone can tell me how I can post pictures such that everyone can see or link to, I am willing. I realize I may find an engine with an Edelbrock manifold, and all kinds of other stuff wrong.....who knows at this point. The guy that did the work knows a lot I am sure, but, I haven't contacted him yet as I don't want to tip him off the owner is selling as he may then get interested. Thx again!....Craig

[Craig S.]

Re: 66 coupe NOM big block

Don - thx for the tips! I know the engine is not correct, but I have hopes it was an original 425 HP car. Thx for the part and casting numbers. I am going armed with my Colvin books, NCRS spec guides, Noland volume 2, Vette Vues 63-67 guide, and my Sony camera with an empty 160MB card. I don't have a website, but if someone can tell me how I can post pictures such that everyone can see or link to, I am willing. I realize I may find an engine with an Edelbrock manifold, and all kinds of other stuff wrong.....who knows at this point. The guy that did the work knows a lot I am sure, but, I haven't contacted him yet as I don't want to tip him off the owner is selling as he may then get interested. Thx again!....Craig