OK, let’s cut to the chase, this ’66 Chevrolet Corvette is wearing a big-block hood and was in possession of said engine at one time, but it’s a roller now. That’s it, over and out, right? No, every car tells a story so let’s see if we can coax one out of this project base. It’s located in Richland, Washington and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $20,100 with 51 bids tendered so far.

Originally silver and now wearing primer, the seller purchased this ‘Vette three months ago for its drive train, which has obviously been removed – more on that to follow. Apparently it sat for years as it got bounced from one body shop to another over a stretch of 35 years, which in itself, seems like a stretch, but that’s the story. The seller adds, “The body has had some glass repairs done right and some need redone and finished, it needs glass work it’s a Corvette…. The rear wheel wells are flared just a little“. The seller further adds, “The body is not bolted down the doors have a couple of bolts just to hang them, bumpers, grille, dash on and on so they are not bolted down just hung“. Looking at the rear left valance above the bumper, I’d agree, this Corvette is going to need some glasswork. The seller also advises, that not being a “Corvette guy”, he doesn’t know if all of the parts are included but he has checked to see that the “important stuff” is present.

So, what happened to the engine? As mentioned, this ‘Vette is wearing a big-block hood, so if it’s genuine, that would have meant either a 390 or 425 gross HP, 427 “Turbo-Jet” V8. The seller’s quarry, in this case, was a Chevrolet Performance Parts ZZ427 which is a more recent take on the original 427 engine. It’s a 480 HP edition with aluminum heads and retails for over $11K.  It was attached to a Tremec five-speed manual transmission which would make for a pretty serious performer. As to what his plans for the removed engine and transmission are, there is no disclosure.

The interior is a work in progress. There is new seat foam in place, though the passenger seat backrest is missing, and a new carpet is included. The instrument panel looks complete and the vertically mounted Delco radio has been restored. The seller mentions that the vent windows are missing, however. It’s really a mixed bag environment and an extensive accounting of what’s there and what isn’t will need to be undertaken.

The good? There is a lot of preparatory work that has occurred – it seems like a sound project base. The bad? Besides the obvious powertrain matter, it’s the Easter egg hunt for parts – what’s there and what’s not. And then there’s the price of entry to just get one’s foot in the door. What do you think, a worthwhile project?