Here’s Why A 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Tanker 427 Is Worth Today

 Is the 1966 Corvette Tanker 427 an overpriced classic or an undervalued stable of Chevrolet history?

The 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Tanker 427 is a classic piece of American car culture and a hot collector's piece as well. Powered by the Mark IV big block engine which got an uptick in power for 1966, this monstrous V8 engine puts out 425 hp and propels the Corvette down the drag strip at absurd speeds with a 4.8 second 0-60 mph time. This special edition C2 Corvette is the crème de la crème of its brethren and is a racer's fantasy.

History Of The 1966 Corvette Big Tank Coupe

In 1963, Corvette launched the brand new Sting Ray which was the opening of the gates for a plethora of special edition high performance Corvette's. Crafted by the legendary Zora Arkus-Duntov and his team it featured independent rear suspension and was fitted with 4-wheel disc brakes in 1965. Also in 1965, the famous Mark IV big block was introduced and then for 66' enlarged to 427 cu-in for a thunderous 425 hp. This allowed Chevrolet to compete in FIA sanctioned endurance racing abroad against its European counterparts and against the iconic and classic Shelby Cobra's at home. To help it during endurance racing a 36 gallon fuel tank was added as well to get those extra miles needed to come out on top. While it was an absolute monster on the track, in the streets it was even more so, and to handle all its power with a curb weight of 3225 lbs an experienced driver was required. Overall, it is an extremely rare and sought after Corvette by collectors all over the world with the chops to prove it.

How Much A 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Tanker Is Worth Today

For such an iconic and rare nameplate the 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Tanker 427 must-go for a hefty price tag, right? Well, if you were smart enough to grab one up back in 1966 it would only have set you back $1,818 dollars. Granted, this was a lot of money for the day so hence only 66 where ever made in this specification making it one of the rarest corvettes of all time. Today however, purchasing one of these beasts will set you back quite a bit more. Classic.com reports that 1966 Corvette Tanker 427 sells at an average of $94,043 dollars with pristine condition examples going for up to $165,000 dollars. That's only for the regular 1966 Corvette's equipped with the L72 427 engines too, as the Tanker models tend to run much higher at double or even triple that. Even at these prices though, picking up 1 of the 66 tanker Corvettes is absolutely worth it, and they will only continue to go up in value as we continue to transition from an internal combustion engine age into the new electric one. Luckily, they do come up for sale every now and again on auction. Guaranteed to turn heads everywhere it goes, if you own a Tanker 427 you are automatically in a league of your own in power and in style.

Why The Tanker 427 Was A Special C2 Corvette

What sets the Tanker 427 apart from other Corvettes and puts it in its own class? The biggest and most obvious feature is the larger fuel tank that can hold a staggering 36 gallons (RPO N03 option). This allows for the endurance style racing that these vehicles were frequently used for and critically aids in needing less fuel stops, so you can save time overall. Paired to the mighty L72 427/425 HP V-8 engine was a 4 speed manual transmission. The special Tanker 427 saw only 15 examples built with the close-ratio Muncie M22 “Rock Crusher” transmission and driven by racer Anatoly “Toly” Arutunoff. Other features on the 1966 Corvette Tanker 427 listed include a L72-mandatory K66 transistorized ignition, F41 Heavy Duty suspension, G81 Positraction rear end, A82 headrest seats, the A02 tinted windshield and C48 heater delete. Each Corvette was ordered to specification from the factory so many come with completely unique combination of equipment that enhance their appeal even further.

A few other small touches that are unique to the Tanker 427 are a 200 MPH speedometer, a tachometer with 8,500 RPM redline, a flat-black hood, exhaust headers and rear-exit exhaust pipes, plus a racing roll bar. Its distinct coloration and furniture make each 1 of the 66 extremely hard to miss prowling the streets. All in all, you are getting a genuine piece of Americana with plenty of history behind it and many stories as well. Seated at the helm of a 1966 Corvette 427 Tanker, you will leave scorch marks and burnt rubber in your wake while screaming down the tarmac at ludicrous speeds with the biggest possible smile on your face.