Chassis No. 194676S110517

For those seeking to restore “America's Sports Car” to its most original state there are many ways to get there, yet not all Corvette enthusiasts are purely focused on “as-delivered” originality. Many Corvette collectors desire the elegant vintage looks of a stock Sting Ray with the added appeal of enhanced performance and mechanical reliability — exactly the combination found in this Sting Ray Convertible.

Beginning with a Nassau Blue Convertible built in January of 1966, the car was taken to County Corvette of Westchester, Pennsylvania in late 2013 to conduct a complete frame-off restoration. Over the next seven months, the expert team at County Corvette went over every detail. The focus was to restore the body and cosmetic features to retain an original and largely stock appearance, while upgrading mechanical componentry for enhanced performance and dependability.

The fiberglass body was carefully repaired and prepped, then received fresh coats of Nassau Blue color paint. Furthermore, three full wet coats of clear were applied and sanded smooth, then three additional wet coats of clear were applied and sanded smooth for optimum UV protection. The concours-level paintwork is complimented by NOS front and rear bumpers, and hand-polished bright work. The interior, with materials from Al Koch, was restored in the original White/Blue, as was the White soft top. The stock-appearing interior received a Vintage Air AC system with a rotary compressor that blows cold. This is a substantial refinement to the driving experience. Safety improvements were also a consideration. These took shape in the form of power steering, power brakes, three-point seat belts, and headrests. The dashboard features a useful voltage gauge in place of an ammeter, a master cutoff switch in the glove box, upgraded center dash and kick panel speakers, and a color-matched center console.

In advance of the restoration, the Corvette's engine, a 355 Chevrolet Performance small-block V8, was rebuilt in 2010 by Gregg Hekimian of Hekimian Racing Engines in Watertown, Massachusetts. Utilizing all new parts, less the original block that was machined and decked, Hekimian built a potent Hydraulic roller lifter engine that features Liberty forged I-beam connecting rods and Probe forged “flat top” pistons. Running 93 octane fuel at 10.1:1 compression, Hekimian's records – on file and available for review – show that it produces 370 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque at a low-down 2,500 rpm. An Edelbrock 650 Thunder Series carburetor and Edelbrock Dual Plane Aluminum high rise manifold feed the engine. Exit is through ceramic coated headers and Sweet Thunder 2½ inch side pipes, laying down the right exhaust note. Engine cooling is enhanced by a big-block radiator from DeWitts, assisted by dual electric cooling fans. A Tremec five-speed manual transmission with Ram clutch puts impressive power to the road through a 3.70:1 rear axle.

Completed in August 2014, the consignor notes that the car is exercised regularly, but only in ideal weather. With approximately 7,500 miles added in the past 10 years, the car remains visually stunning in person and is noted to be equally as clean underneath, as the photography will demonstrate. The consigning car specialist notes the car drives fantastically, with an excellent balance of comfort, handling, braking, and of course, power. For those searching for a high-quality example of America's Sports Car with enhanced performance and reliability, look no further.