Daily Slideshow: Retro Review: The 1966 427 Corvette Way Back When
A Corvette with a 427, a wet surface, and bias-ply tires. What could possibly go wrong?
Looking Back on a Different Era
The 1966 C2 Corvette is a bonafide classic, especially when spec'd with the big boy 427 cubic inch V8. What happens when you look at the C2 through a different lens? If you were to take the Corvette off the pedestal its earned through decades of praise and admiration and viewed it as a living, breathing, being of the present. How would we look at the 427 C2 if we lived in the era devoid of cell phones, internet, social media, and the Kardashians? Thanks to Super Street, we've got some archived shots of the C2 during a rainy press event in November of 1965. Click ahead for a trip back in time.
Only for the Brave
It's 1965, the C2 Corvette is about to make a splash in the ever-growing horsepower wars. The pre-existing 396 V8 has been bored out to 427 and it now features a 3-barrel carburetor derived from NASCAR technology. Specs land somewhere in the 390-425 horsepower range. Torque is more than sufficient for the fiberglass-bodied coupe. Gear ratios vary from 3.08 to the uber low 4.56. Coupled with a durable 4-speed manual transmission and 4.11 gears, the 427-equipped C2 runs from 0-60 in 5.6 seconds. The quarter mile? That's over and done with in a mere 13.4 seconds at a trap speed of 105 mph. Chevy claims that when spec'd with 3.08 gears, the Corvette has a top speed of 170 mph while dipping into the redline at 6,700 rpm. Whether that's true or not, there's no way anyone's getting to those speeds in the rain.
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Taming the Beast
In this era, tire technology has a long way to go. Bias-ply tires on this monstrous Vette might as well be rubber tipped paintbrushes. Anywhere and everywhere you go, you're sure to light up the rear tires and turn rubber into smoke. On the wet surface presented during this road test, the Vette is best-reserved for seasoned professionals. The good news? The black soft top keeps Mother Nature outside while you're busy sawing at the wheel. After all, the C2 is a front-heavy product with very little to hold it down in the rear. Consider it the Pam Anderson of 60's sports cars.
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Where the Magic Happens
Inside of the 66' Vette, you'll find a common sports car package for the times. The steering wheel has a large circumference and a thin rim. The seats are positioned low in the cockpit and while they are comfortable, they don't offer much in the way of lateral support. Obviously, there are no fancy "Digital Cockpits" a la Audi technology which will debut over 50 years later, but the basics are all there. Speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, oil pressure gauge, etc. If you want an AM/FM radio, it'll set you back $199.10. Of course, when you have a 427 and a convertible top, you've already paid for your soundtrack. The radio might as well be white noise.
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The Cost of Performance
The average American income is $4,658.72. The 1965 C2 Corvette starts with a base price of $4,225.75. As a potential buyer, you can either save an entire year's salary or leave your family starving, the choice is yours. The 427 cubic inch motor will cost you $18 less than the optional radio ($199). The four-speed transmission is also a bargain in comparison to the radio, coming in as an $184.35 up-charge. In total, the price as tested for this C2 is $5,259.20. When factoring in inflation, the cost of the Corvette in 2018 would be just a shade under $42,000. Not bad for a future classic with a monster of a motor and an appreciation arrow pointing straight up.
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