So great and so lasting is the impact of the original Sting Ray body style for the Corvette that it is rather surprising to remember that it only survived a five-year run, making it the shortest-lived basic body design in the car’s history, if we follow the factory guidelines and recall that its predecessors were all variants of the initial 1953 theme. Some may not qualify as rarities with robust production numbers signifying their popularity, but those that have survived without being subjected to abuse or modification continue to gain increasing recognition for what they truly represent: a genuine, classic sports car – the best that America built in this time, and as such, commands the admiration and respect of the world.

In 1967, the role of the Mark IV 427-cid big-block V-8 engine grew even more. It was acknowledged by a new-for-1967 hood scoop that was aggressive in style and covered all versions of the 427 engine. The lower three engine choices remained unchanged from 1966, but significantly were able to add an automatic Powerglide transmission as an option with the 390 and 400 horsepower versions.

At the top of the ladder for performance were two additional powerplants, both capped with a triangular-shaped air cleaner that covered a new manifold fitted with three two-barrel Holley carburetors. These were connected by a system that sensed vacuum in the venturi of the center carb (not in the manifold, as commonly seen with other multi-carb situations) to open the throttles of the two outboard carburetors gradually as the engines need for additional air and fuel increased. This new system (as seen on this exceptional example) was reported by Car & Driver magazine to “result in an astoundingly tractable engine and uncannily smooth engine response. As soon as its rolling…say at 500-rpm’s, you can push the throttle to the floor and the Corvette just picks up with a turbine-like swelling surge of power that never misses a beat all the way up to 140-mph. And you get the same response – instantly – in any gear any time you open the tap. On the whole, the Corvette’s three deuces are as smooth and responsive as fuel injection.”

The 1967 Corvette big-block coupes and roadsters are undoubtedly among the most collectable cars of the period. With the introduction of the Sting Ray in 1963, Corvette engineers created a performance-oriented, yet very usable, sports car. Subtle styling changes, refinements, and the addition of disc brakes only improved the mighty Corvette, which by 1967 combined snug touring comforts with unparalleled big-block power, as seen with this special car.

The 427-cid, 435-hp Corvette on offer was originally built on February 24, 1967 and then sold through Commonwealth Chevrolet in the Boston, Massachusetts area. Our Auctions America Specialist with supervision over this outstanding car conveys that it is “perfect and correct, including having original matching numbers for its driveline.”

It is stunningly finished in Code 986 Silver Pearl with Black interior, and has the visually appealing and desirable side pipe exhaust system. The Black interior nicely complements the black hood stinger and the seats feature the rare RPO A82 headrests that were found on only 1,762 Corvettes in 1967 from the 22,940 cars produced. From this total, only 8,504 were built in the Coupe configuration, and only 3,754 cars left the factory with the coveted RPO L71 engine option which cost an additional $437.10 in period.

Among the other equipment on this C2 Corvette are the highly desirable four-speed close-ratio manual transmission, power windows, four-wheel disc brakes, AM/FM radio, Posi-traction rear end, transistor ignition system, tinted glass, Rally wheels and redline tires. The Corvette was frame-off restored and this process was completed in 2010. From that point, it was Bloomington Gold Certified in June, 2010. Further accolades are found with a NCRS Top Flight Award in June, 2011 and Triple Diamond Certification in November, 2013 at The Muscle Car & Corvette Nationals. Documentation is seen in the form of a copy of the shipping data report, original tank sticker and original window sticker. This is a pure and spectacular 1967 L71 Corvette Coupe that has been, and will continue to be, admired and prolific wherever the best of their kind are gathered.