‘66 Laguna Blue Roadster with Optional Hardtop
Not a completely original survivor, but seems to be in excellent condition
This nice-looking C2 with performance updates is on the market for $67,000 and features an attractive one-year-only Laguna Blue exterior - one of just 2,054 in that color. The first thing I noticed was that the original wheels and wheel covers have been replaced with the aluminum Rally Wheels that were standard on ‘67 Corvettes.
The Craigslist ad is very confusing to me. For starters, this Corvette is listed under “Auto Parts” which I think is just a listing mistake by the seller. Furthermore, I’m confused about where the car is actually located - is it in Fremont, California, or is it in Newark, New Jersey? To me, it’s just not clear, but the pictures look like California.
The ad notes that a new black vinyl soft top has been installed and the color-matched factory fiberglass hardtop is a really nice addition. When I bought my ‘67 “back in the day,” it also had the factory hardtop and I can attest that it transformed the car into an all-weather proposition. (Cover your eyes for this next part: yes, I drove a pristine big-block Corvette through the miserable winters in upstate New York. Sorry!)
Wow, the dark blue vinyl interior looks immaculate, so it’s clear that the cabin has been fully refurbished. There’s no way an almost sixty-year-old interior would have held up this well.
As it sits, this C2 is far from original. A Smeding-built 383 engine now fills the engine bay and the power plant is apparently still under warranty. The ad claims that it produces 480 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque and it’s mated with a four-speed manual transmission and limited slip rear differential.
Along with the new engine, a new Holley 670 carb, new tach drive distributor with Petronix, and a new Optima red top battery have been installed. A recent clutch replacement and a brake job for the power disc brakes have also been performed.
The listing also mentions the original numbers-matching L79 327 on an engine stand, but it’s unclear if it is included in the sale.
The owner indicates interest in trades for a clean ’69 Camaro, and I assume the seller is also open to offers. Judging by the photos supplied with the ad, the frame looks to be essentially rust-free, and both the exterior and interior seem to be in excellent condition. I especially like the paint color - it reminds me of the Daytona Blue color that I chose to repaint my ‘67 coupe back in the 70s.
If all the information provided in the ad checks out, I think the asking price is about correct in the current C2 market, even though there have been modifications made to the car.
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/pts/d/union-city-66-corvette-c2-roadster/7833049014.html