1966 427-390 Potential Purchase

[Paul S.]

Group,

Glad to have joined such a great organization. I am viewing a 1966 427-390 that is all original this eekend and since this will be my first Corvette purchase does anyone have suggesstions on how to certify this car? I've grown up around Vette's and my father will be joining me to help verify the details on the car, but we both would like to get the opinions of this group to help us out.

I have verified the trim tag to the Corvette black book and all checks out, I have the VIN, and several other codes including the manifolds which check out, manifold part numbers, and the rear end. The carburator is the only number which appears to not be the original for the 66. The black book does not have the part numbers for some of these items so I have the 1963-1967 restorers guide - should I verify that the part numbers fall in line with the sequence of production, etc.

Any help for a potential new corvette owner would be helpful so I don't purchase a car that is not as advertised.

[Richard E.]

Re: 1966 427-390 Potential Purchase

Paul,
If i were buying my first corvette i would try and find a NCRS member in your area that may have judged midyears.You will probably have to pay them but it will be a good investment.Checking numbers in the "black book" is fine if the numbers were put there at the factory.

[Ronald L.]

Re: 1966 427-390 Potential Purchase

Paul,

Look at the threads we have here, spend a day looking at them, there are lists that tell you what to look for to avoid the cars that "grew 100 cu in after they left St Louis".

There are some very subtle details for the 66 BB that aren't even discussed is total detail that help to show whether its a real one or not.

And yes, best to find someone that knows these upside down and backwards and go with you or look at the car.

Look at the car as a whole, all the dates write them down and see if there are any inconsistencies.

You'll see my comments within the last year about some really bad fake jobs too.

[Dan T.]

Re: 1966 427-390 Potential Purchase

Paul, I hope you are involved in a chapter near you. Chapters have excellent people who are extremely good at not only judging these cars, but also helping people like yourself make a honest decision about the purchase. Having a couple of guys's look at the car can save you thousands of dollars. Like another member said, pay them to help you, it's money well spent in the long run.
Big blocks are the most altered vehicles in the Corvette hobby. So be ware. I don't want to scare you about the purchase, I just don't want you to get taken to the cleaners. Having a chapter help you is what this is all about.
Best Wishes,Dan Termeer 2325

[Michael H.]

Re: 1966 427-390 Potential Purchase

A friend of mine and I checked out a car for a guy in Florida and my friend identified a fake trim tag on the car but everything else was correct and original. Its well worth having a good judge to check out a car.

Mike

[Dick W.]

Re: 1966 427-390 Potential Purchase

Over 50% of the C-2's that I have inspected, in the last three years, have had "issues", trim tags, stamps, added side pipes, etc.

[Richard E.]

Re: 1966 427-390 Potential Purchase

I bet 30-50% of the midyears judged before Al figured out there IS a difference between repro's and original trim tags are in fact repro's...