Everyone loved the new Corvette Sting Ray coupe in 1963, except the people who drove them. The division on the rear window produced a blind spot, so in response to customer complaints Chevrolet broadened the backlight on the ‘64s into a horizontal wraparound, with a much improved rearward field of view. Other changes were largely cosmetic.

For 1965 Corvette heralded in subtle appearance changes, available big-block engines, as well as four-wheel disc brakes. In 1966, only modest changes were made, in anticipation of a redesign for 1967, which in the end was postponed. Nevertheless, 1966 was a record-breaking year, with nearly 28,000 Corvettes sold.

This 1966 Corvette is a very tidy coupe model. Former owner Albert Molinaro, of Los Angeles, performed a mechanical restoration in 1991, and in 1996 subsequent owner Mary Corbett, of Santa Monica, had the paint and trim redone. Invoices for these operations, and for other service back to the 1980s, accompany the car. The silver-blue paint is excellent, a quality job, and the brightwork is very good. The black vinyl interior is likewise, with matching carpet on the floor.

The car has the 350-hp version of Chevy’s 327-cid small-block V-8, clean and attractive in correct red with aluminum valve covers and intake manifold. It is correctly detailed without being overdone. The transmission is a four-speed manual. Other equipment includes air conditioning, power windows, AM/FM radio with power antenna, an electric clock and tinted glass. The tires are Goodyear Eagle GT radials, on factory knock-off alloy turbine wheels.