C2 '66 427Coupe 4Sale on Autotrader

[Nassau65]

Would I be right in thinking that the car would be worth more (to the purists?) if it still had the original 427 engine/block in it? In good working order of course. See it still has the 427 Turbo Jet 390 HP air filter sticker on it.

Stateside, it would be at least 30-40% more if it had its original 427ci in it.
The 454ci is a popular choice as a replacement Big block motor, but the corvette community is “matching numbers” mad so once the original motor was gone the price for the purist plummeted.
Wouldn’t personally bother me, but it would many.
I suppose the 427ci air cleaner decal is there to complement/match it’s fender badges for if/when the hoods open at shows.
All the majority of people would see/look at is a monstrous engine sitting in the bay anyway.

 

[Nassau65]

The “matching numbers” craze has dominated the corvette scene since the early 70’s. Before then it didn’t really enter the hobby.
Corvettes before 1960 are exempt from this matching numbers craze as no records were kept ie motors were not stamped with chassis number.
Certainly on Big Block cars the original motor is BIG plus. There are many forgeries out there . There are more 1967 427/435 cars out there than Chevrolet actually built. Go figure?

 

[Mr. Cricket]

Looks nice, if not lovely? Club members car who has passed? Has the club stickers on the windscreen. Does anyone know the car? Not sure why you would put a 454 engine in a 427?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509056093560?sort=relevance&searchId=eb04403a-b87c-45bd-8584-74b9486534d7&advertising-location=at_cars&make=Chevrolet&model=Corvette&page=1&postcode=KT12 5PH&year-to=2025&fromsra&backLinkQueryParams=channel=cars&postcode=KT12%205PH&distance=&make=Chevrolet&model=Corvette&homeDeliveryAdverts=include&advertising-location=at_cars&year-to=2025&flrfc=1

Just been to see it but it was pissing down so no test drive. I like it and yes it's LOUD

I cannot fit another in the garage so I've just tested the water with the NW region about moving this on which pains me but change is good I guess.

 

[Nassau65]

You know you want it.
And, when it’s time to move it on, it’s in resale Red.

 

[Nassau65]

Get a re stamp 427 and hey, you’re in the “matching numbers” game.

 

[Mr. Cricket]

Get a re stamp 427 and hey, you’re in the “matching numbers” game.

I could take this one out I guess but no, don't think so

Get a re stamp 427 and hey, you’re in the “matching numbers” game.

Thing is a lot of the high HP motors were blown up. No rev limiter so zero protection then BOOM. It's rare to see a 390, 425, 450 with the original block

 

[Nassau65]

So true. And back in the day it was easier to just put another engine in . Certainly for quickness , which was a great plus as these were every day vehicles back then. You needed it for work etc.

I’ve heard stories of people removing their 427 motors and replacing them with 350’s during the US’s first oil crisis ( 1973) to save on fuel costs. A friend sold his Mustang 429 due to fuel costs and bought a pinto. He was a Ford employee so got the discount.
He did think about removing it, ( the 429) and reinstalling a 302, as he loved that car

 

[Mr. Cricket]

So true. And back in the day it was easier to just put another engine in . Certainly for quickness , which was a great plus as these were every day vehicles back then. You needed it for work etc.

I’ve heard stories of people removing their 427 motors and replacing them with 350’s during the US’s first oil crisis ( 1973) to save on fuel costs. A friend sold his Mustang 429 due to fuel costs and bought a pinto. He was a Ford employee so got the discount.
He did think about removing it, and reinstalling a 302, as he loved that car

People did that and at that time you can't blame them they were daily drivers afteeall.

Thought about the '66 454 over a vino tinto and I like it so I'll be making a call tomorrow morning. Did I mention, I love Corvettes

 

[Nassau65]

People did that and at that time you can't blame them they were daily drivers afteeall.

Thought about the '66 454 over a vino tinto and I like it so I'll be making a call tomorrow morning. Did I mention, I love Corvettes

Much better than collecting paintings.

 

[Chevrolet]

This red one ain't bad either, and only £213k

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506023059807?sort=relevance&searchId=a1f38717-9bab-49b4-bf8c-30f1c0c4b4f2&make=Chevrolet&model=Corvette%20Z06&page=1&postcode=KT12%205PH&year-from=new&advertising-location=at_cars&fromsra&backLinkQueryParams=channel%3Dcars%26flrfc%3D1%26make%3DChevrolet%26model%3DCorvette%2520Z06%26postcode%3DKT12%25205PH%26year-from%3Dnew

 

[Mr. Cricket]

The Z06 AC loaned me twice now is £155K

 

[Roscobbc]

People did that and at that time you can't blame them they were daily drivers afteeall.

Thought about the '66 454 over a vino tinto and I like it so I'll be making a call tomorrow morning. Did I mention, I love Corvettes

Its 15 years or so since I 'mothballed' the perfectly running and 'humble' 390 L36 427, installing the brand 'new' 570 hp 4 bolt stroker engine in my '68.
I still have the matching numbers L36 engine so can return to stock quite simply. Even 20 years or so ago parts for rebuilding and 'hopping-up' closed chamber 427 and 396 engines were relatively short on supply and correspondingly expensive whereas 454 engines were made long in to the 90's and later so were then plentiful (although less so today).
Reality was/still is that the later open chamber 454's benefitted from a huge array of aftermarket and less expensive stock components.
Even though 30/40 years ago C2/C3 Vettes were collectible there were many who 'pulled' a hi-po small block or big block engine out of a srap yard or crash damaged car to put in a hot rod, Camaro, hot rod or stick into another otherwise 'cooking' Vette to increase its value.
And of course the 'donor' vehicle would simply have the original engine replaced with a lo-po 70's emission era engine (probably sourced out of the very same scrapyard) and then sold-on to an unsuspecting buyer.
Guess a few of these made there way over to our shores where buyers and perhaps sellers too (being generous here) would be totally unaware of the engine change.........and lets face it a 'green' buyer looking for his/her first American car/Corvette could probably be sold anything with a V8 engine and they would be fooled.