1967 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

300-HP, 327-cid V-8 engine that many consider the pinnacle for drivability
Finished in original Goodwood Green with black vinyl seats and black top
Fresh radial blackwall tires on beautiful rally wheels
A delightful and drivable Corvette convertible

They say all good things must come to an end and such it was for the second generation of Americas Sports Cars, the Corvette Stingray. Starting in 1958, Ed Cole, by then the General Manager for all things Chevrolet, created the Q-Corvette team. These would evolve into what are today known as the C2 Corvettes. Coles team focused on development of a better handling chassis that would incorporate four-wheel independent suspension, eventually have disc brakes on all four wheels, better weight distribution along with other revolutionary ideas. For outside beauty, GMs Director of Styling, Bill Mitchell, who had succeeded Harley Earl in the latter part of the 1950s, had attended the Turin Auto Show in Italy where he had become fascinated by the Alfa Romeo C52 Disco Volante experimental coupe and roadster. He brought back to his Studio X in the basement of the General Motors Tech center in Warren, Michigan, hundreds of photos and notes where his talented team of stylists could work their magic. As early as the 1961 model year, hints of Mitchells ideas started to materialize on production Corvettes and with the completely redesigned 1963 Stingray, it was game on. No other production car, American or otherwise had the flair and style as the new Corvettes. For five years, these cars were the envy of millions of gear-head driven youths. Improvements in performance and handling were constant goals under Ed Cole and Mitchells teams created facelifts that freshened that original creation. For 1967, Chevrolet build these models as the Corvette for the thinking driver and many experts agreed with that statement and considered that in base form, with the 300-HP, 327-cid V-8, it was the perfect real-world Sport-GT car. Considered by many critics and owners, 1967s were the best C2 Stingrays, as they were now equipped with the four-wheel disc brakes Ed Cole had campaigned for, and stability was improved was with wider, more road-gripping tires and more efficient wheels. Construction quality was at is zenith this season with superior body quality and exterior finishes. For real motoring enthusiasts, many consider the 300-HP version of the 327 to be a perfect blend of performance, handling and style, sort of a sweet spot where all the elements of a sports car combined. There were bigger displacement engines with lots more horsepower, but this base model was still able to pull 16-second quarter-mile runs and go from 0 to 60 MPH in just 7.8 seconds.

This wonderfully fascinating 1967 327/300 Corvette convertible has lived a good life. This Stingray is not a trailer queen nor is it a contender for any special recognition in critical judged events. But what it is, is a drivers delight. Well-maintained and looking quite handsome in its original color of Goodwood Green, this awesome machine is powered by a 300-HP, 327-cubic-inch small-block V-8 and backed up with a four-speed transmission. Its interior shows signs of this being a veteran of the open road; used, but not abused. While the odometer shows just under 38,950 miles, its true mileage is unknown, and at some point, the original engine was replaced with a substitute block. It does have four-wheel disc brakes and is fitted with a set of attractive rally wheels while riding on Nexen 205/175R15 blackwall tires. Cosmetically, this convertible presents a pretty picture with no flaws noted in the bodywork, a paint finish that is smooth and was professionally applied,. The interior appears to be quite original and features correct interior appointments, such as the instruments and Delco AM-FM radio, which remain in place. Ready for any weather, the black folding top which can be raised or lowered with little effort. Best of all is that powerful rumble from that well-tuned engine that resonates through the side-mounted exhaust pipes.

For someone who is looking for a clean, fun-to-drive V-8-powered sports car, someone who fits the bill for being a thinking driver and who is looking for enjoyment on the open road, this is a rare find that has it all, except you behind the steering wheel. This can be remedied with the right bid.