Description
Details:
Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale this beautifully restored and highly authentic 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray (C2) 427 ‘Big Block’ Coupe.
Powered by Chevrolet’s legendary 427 cubic inch 390 HP engine, mated to a 4 speed manual gearbox, this car is presented in its original colour scheme of Sunfire Yellow (paint code 984) with a black vinyl interior (interior code STD).
As a testament to this car’s originality, it retains its often missing Owner Protection Plan and New Vehicle Warranty book which still contains the Chevrolet Protect-O-Plate. All the original and correct tags are present on the car, which along with the stamped numbers and casting numbers confirm this to be a very original and correct car. Importantly, the car retains its original ‘matching numbers’ engine and 4 speed manual gearbox.
The car is also listed in the ‘Complete Corvette Restoration and Technical Guide – Vol 2 1963 Through 1967’ written by Noland Adams, which also confirms the numbers.
The first owner, Michael Sprague from Santa Maria in California, took delivery of his new Corvette on the 28th January 1967. The car was sold to him by Chevrolet dealer, Home Motors in Santa Maria and it was delivered with the following options: power steering, power brakes, telescoping steering wheel and an AM/ FM radio.
It is not known how long Sprague owned his Corvette, however, there is an application for an Arizona Certificate of Title and Registration on file dated 16th March 1977. At that time the car had been acquired by Nathaniel Bloomfield from Tucson, Arizona. That application states that Bloomfield had acquired the car from Hoffman in Tucson and it also notes the previous Arizona title had been granted on the 17th March 1976. There is an Arizona title on file dated the 8th December 2010 in the name of The Bloomfield Family Partnership Nathaniel Bloomfield. We therefore conclude that Bloomfield was a long term custodian of the car, having owned it for some 33 years.
The car was acquired in the USA by David Harber from Classic Car Restorations in Banksia Beach (Bribie Island) in Queensland in late 2010. There is an import approval on file for this car and a 1971 Chevrolet Corvette, dated the 17th November 2010.
The car arrived in Australia early 2011 and it was sold to the current owner shortly thereafter. He had been on the lookout for a Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray (C2) 427 ‘Big Block’ Coupe for some time, but could not find ‘the right car’. Once he saw this car he immediately new he had found what he was looking for . . . a totally original, correct and matching numbers example in a unique and highly sought after colour scheme. He immediately engaged the services of Corvettes Down Under on Bribie Island to restore the car to its former glory.
The car was stripped back to a bare shell and assessed. It was noted that all the correct bonding strips were still intact suggesting the car had never been involved in an accident.
Considerable effort was devoted to ensuring the car was restored exactly as it was built in the factory back in the day. Wherever possible, the original factory markings were carefully preserved. The car was subsequently refinished in its original Sunfire Yellow, while the beautifully preserved interior was retained in largely original condition, with new carpets fitted.
All the mechanicals were found to be in excellent condition and required only a superficial refresh.
Since the restoration was completed, this Corvette has been used only sparingly. Given the car’s limited use and combined with the owner’s meticulous attention to detail, it presents as though it was restored just last year rather than nearly 15 years ago! The paint is still in excellent condition, retaining a strong depth of colour and high gloss finish. The black stinger on the bonnet provides a striking contrast to the Sunfire Yellow paint. All the window rubbers were replaced during the repaint, with the exception of the quarter glass rubbers, which were in good condition and therefore retained. The bright work on the car is simple and it all presents well. The glass throughout the car is in good condition and features the correct etching, indicating it is most likely original. Importantly, the panel gaps are excellent throughout, which further reinforces the originality of the car and the fact it had been so well preserved.
The car is fitted with the correct rally style wheels with the correct rally trim rings. They are in excellent condition with no kerb rash evident. The wheels are shod with Maxxis MA1 tyres, size 215/ 75/ R15 both front and rear. The tyres are date stamped 3820 (week 38, 2020) and are still in good condition.
Open the door and you are welcomed by a beautifully presented interior. Probably the first thing that will catch your eye is the wood rimmed steering wheel which is in excellent condition. Looking around it is hard to fault anything! As noted previously, the interior is most likely original and just wonderfully preserved. The seats are in excellent condition with no rips or tears visible. They are comfortable and provide ample support. The dashboard, which is often a weak point on these cars, is in excellent condition and presents almost like new. The centre console and door cards are similar well presented. All the instruments are clear and very well presented, though the speedo is not currently working. The carpet was replaced during the restoration and it presents ‘as new’.
Behind the seats you will find a carpeted storage area, which is in very good condition.
Underneath the long bonnet sits the mighty 427 cubic inch, 390 HP V8 engine with a four barrel Holley carburettor. The chrome air cleaner carries the “427 Turbo-Jet 390 HP” decal, a subtle reminder that this car is the real deal. The engine bay is exceptionally well presented, with everything neat, clean and tidy. All hoses were replaced during the restoration, with careful attention paid to ensuring the correct factory style markings were retained. It’s a strong example of the level of detail applied to preserve originality and authenticity throughout the car.
During the restoration the owner decided to have a high torque starter motor installed. The original unit will accompany the car.
Even from cold, the car starts easily. At the turn of the key, the engine bursts to life with that familiar American V8 rumble before quickly settling into a smooth, steady idle.
The 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray C2 427 ‘Big Block’ Coupe represents one of the most iconic and muscular expressions of American performance from the 1960s. The car is recognised for delivering effortless torque and formidable straight line performance.
Out on the road this car is an absolute blast . . . the driving experience is totally visceral! The engine provides almost unlimited power, is incredibly responsive and put simply ‘just wants to go’. It delivers a raw connection between driver, machine and the road. The 4 speed Muncie gearbox is smooth both up and down the box. The car handles well and the brakes pull the car up quickly and in a straight line when needed.
Accompanying the car is an excellent history file with its original book set (including the protecto plate), US titles, restoration documentation and photos, an original sales brochure, a Corvette assembly manual as well as various receipts. There is also a spare wheel and a jack.
Today, a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray C2 427 ‘Big Block’ Coupe is considered one of the most desirable of all Corvettes, admired for its combination of striking design, rarity and serious performance credentials. They are rare cars and seldom come to the open market in Australia. Finding one in this condition is increasingly difficult, making examples such as this particularly special and highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Highlights:
- Highly desirable and collectible top of the range C2 Corvette.
- Matching numbers and presented in its unique and striking original colour scheme.
- Beautifully presented, highly original example.
- Good history file, including Owner Protection Plan and New Vehicle Warranty book which still contains the Chevrolet Protect-O-Plate.
- Ready to show, use and enjoy.
Price AUD $249, 950.
Background:
The Chevrolet Motor Car Company was founded in Detroit, USA in 1911 by Swiss race car driver and automotive engineer Louis Chevrolet, his brother Arthur Chevrolet, William C Durant and investment partners William Little (maker of the Little automobile), former Buick owner James H. Whiting and Dr Edwin R Campbell (son-in-law of Durant). In 1912 they were joint by RS McLaughlin, CEO of General Motors in Canada.
The first Series C Classic Six prototype was ready months before Chevrolet was actually incorporated. However, the first actual production car was not built until 1913 when in the fall of that year the new 1913 model was introduced at the New York Auto Show.
The company was merged into General Motors in 1917 and subsequently became a division of that company. Chevrolet is an iconic American brand that is well known the world over.
The 1950’s and 1960’s were a time of great change in America and the automobile played a significant part in the American way of life at that time. Chevrolet is recognised as producing the great American family car, however, Chevys have also enjoyed much success in motor racing. The small block V8 is considered by many to be one of the greatest engines of all time and the Corvette is perhaps the company’s crowning achievement.
In the 1950’s sales were declining and brand manager Thomas Keating was eager to reverse course. The solution he came up with was a sports car. The project was code named “Project Opel”. General Motors’ chief stylist Harley J. Earl came up with the design and in January 1953 the EX-122 concept car made its debut at the GM Motorama in New York City.
The Chevrolet Corvette is without doubt America’s most popular sports car. Since its introduction in 1953, the Corvette has gone through many iterations and is an ‘automotive icon’ recognised throughout the world. The first generation, or C1 series cars, were produced from 1953 to 1962 and are often referred to as the ‘straight axel’ cars because independent rear suspension was not introduced until 1963 on the second generation or C2 series cars. The C1 cars can basically be divided up in four periods. The first series C1 was produced from 1953 until 1955, the second series C1 from 1956 until 1957 and the third series from 1958 until 1960 and the fourth series from 1961 until 1962.
In October 1962 Chevrolet introduced the successor to the C1, the C2 which quickly became known as the Sting Ray. The C2 became the first Corvette to be available as a roadster and as a coupe. The C2 was in production from 1963 through until 1967. That 5-year production period became known as the ‘mid-year Corvette production years’. Each year a new improved model was introduced. As a result the 1967 model is regarded as the best model and the one to have. The C2 Corvette was available with either a ‘small block’ 327 cubic inch V8 engine or a ‘big block’ 427 cubic inch V8 engine, each offering different power options. In total 117, 966 C2 Corvettes were produced.
