1966 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray Convertible L79 327/350 V8, 4-Speed Muncie, 4-Wheel Disc Brakes Why This Car Is Special The 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray sits at the peak of the C2 generation, which ran from 1963 through 1967. Of all five years in that generation, enthusiasts consistently rank 1966 and 1967 as the most refined. The split rear window of 1963 is more polarizing than pure; the 1964 and 1965 were still evolving. By 1966, Chevrolet had sorted out the ergonomics, refined the body lines, and expanded the engine lineup to include some of the most capable small- and big-block combinations ever offered in an American sports car. Total Corvette production for 1966 came to 27,720 units, split between the coupe and the convertible. This car is the convertible. What makes this specific 1966 Corvette Sting Ray worth serious attention is its factory engine code. The L79 was the 327 cubic inch small block tuned to 350 horsepower the highest output version of the 327 offered that year. Chevrolet accomplished this with a high-compression ratio, a more aggressive camshaft profile, and larger-port cylinder heads compared to the base 300-horsepower 327. The result was a small block that ran hard without the weight, fuel consumption, or insurance implications of the big-block 427. Among Corvette buyers who understood what they were looking at, the L79 was a smart, driver-focused choice. It was quick enough to be genuinely fast and light enough to handle well. The VIN on this car decodes to a 1966 Corvette convertible, built at the St. Louis assembly plant, with the 327 V8 and a 4-speed manual transmission all of which aligns with the equipment present on the car today. Factory color was Mosport Green, code 982, a medium green that was exclusive to 1966. The car has since been repainted silver, which is fully disclosed. The undercarriage and structure tell a cleaner story than the paint change might suggest. Features List - 327 cubic inch L79 V8, factory rated at 350 horsepower - Holley 4-barrel carburetor - Muncie 4-speed manual transmission - 4-wheel disc brakes (front and rear) - Independent rear suspension - Dual exhaust with chrome tips - Hidden retractable headlights - Black convertible soft top - Chrome front and rear bumpers - American Racing Torq-Thrust wheels - Corvette Sting Ray badges (front fenders and rear deck) - Wood rim steering wheel - Black leather bucket seats - Center console with 4-speed shift gate - Tachometer (dash-mounted, factory cluster) - Dashboard clock - Delco AM radio - Seat belts - Recent repaint (silver over factory Mosport Green) - Clean undercarriage Mechanical The L79 327 is the engine to have in a C2 Corvette if you want a car that drives rather than just shows. At 350 horsepower from 327 cubic inches, this engine produced more power per cubic inch than any other small block in the 1966 Corvette lineup. It used 11.0:1 compression, a hydraulic camshaft with more duration and lift than the base engines, and large-port cylinder heads shared with the more powerful small blocks. Chevrolet paired it with a Holley 4-barrel carburetor, which provided crisp throttle response and reliable fuel delivery. The combination was factory-tested to run in the mid-14-second range in the quarter mile in period testing, which was competitive with much larger displacement engines of the era. The Muncie 4-speed manual is the correct transmission pairing for the L79. Muncie transmissions were produced in Muncie, Indiana, and supplied to GM's performance divisions throughout the 1960s. They were known for their strength and precise gating. The 4-speed gives the driver full control over power delivery, which matters in a car with this much torque from a relatively short stroke engine. Four-wheel disc brakes were a significant option on the 1966 Corvette. In 1965, Chevrolet introduced disc brakes across all four corners as an available option, replacing the drums that had been standard. By 1966, this car c
