This is one of the most interesting '67's we've ever had the pleasure of knowing! An interesting car with a very interesting history.
So, a number of months ago, I got a phone call from a gentleman named Rich who proceeded to tell me about an ultra-rare '67 big block coupe. He was a bit cryptic in his description. He was the type who didn’t do email or internet. He said he knew of the car for 35 years. Just sitting in a remote town outside of a major metropolitan city in Pennsylvania. Of course any call that we have received over the last 35 years regarding a '67 big block can be viewed as a hoax or a reality. In fact, most of the stories we have heard could become a reality TV show. But none the less, we went along with the story teller. Said he would mail by USPS a copy of the tank sticker. A week later it showed up. It was a very poor copy to say the least. I brought it into Mike’s office for him to examine. He asked for Rich’s phone number. I, Jeff, gave it to him and said good luck Boss.
Mike spoke to Rich over the next couple weeks giving just bits and pieces of info. A puzzle that was slowly coming together. It was finally revealed that the car was residing in a small town no one ever heard of off the beaten path in PA. Rich continued to call until Mike became extremely frustrated and it seemed no one had a clue where the truth started and the fish stories ended. But Mike has taught us very well that you go along with every story until the truth be told. Mike knew he had to go see the car if he was ever going to be able to sleep at night. He decided that it wouldn’t be prudent to just head east unless another collection was to be viewed or one of the many car shows he attends. A date was finally etched in stone as they say. The trip actually became an international journey and after reentering the USA, Mike made his way to the ancient location which was written on a cocktail napkin one night while dining.
He figured it would be just another wild goose chase but he’s a stickler for putting in his full effort. Until the term, “Mission Accomplished” can be bellowed from the depths of his lungs. Old Marine Corps saying I guess.
When Mike arrived he was greeted by two brothers, trust me from the way Mike described them it was going to be a long day.
Mike can charm a Boa Constrictor in the jungles of Africa if he thinks he will be on the buyers signature line of a '67 big block title.
And charm he did. It wasn’t long and Mike and the brothers were talking Italian jokes and being invited over to sample authentic food specially prepared by the wife of the younger brother. Rich just stood there in amazement and watched as the pro told story after story. An hour passed and they hadn’t even discussed the '67 yet. Rich later told me that he never witnessed anything quite like it. Those two brothers never cracked a smile in the 35 years he knew them. It was after an hour and half and the younger brother passed a folder over to Mike to look at. Inside was a perfect '67 tank sticker belonging to a '67 Rally Red 427/400 factory AC Corvette Coupe. But this wasn’t just any 427 factory AC coupe. It took looking many times to finally realize that this was the only one ever produced radio delete 400 AC car to leave the St Louis plant. One of one, and done. Talk about super rare. Holy macaroni. Mike is now foaming at the mouth to actually be able to finally set his eyes on this car!!! Much more talk and car stories go on and on.
Fast forward……Mike, Rich and the brothers jumped in Mike’s rental and they proceeded to give him driving directions which seemed like they were going in circles. It appeared that they were just confusing the location so it would be hard to retrace later for some reason. When they finally arrive at an old typical east coast home, built maybe in the 40’s, everyone was asked to stay in the car while one of the brothers made the house ready to be entered. There sure was a lot of procedure and secrets going on here. When they finally descended the stairs to the basement/underground garage, hidden under car covers and blankets sat a 9k mile Rally Red 400 a/c Coupe. They told Mike it had been there, hibernating untouched for 34 years. During Mike's careful inspection he noticed the all original Mint interior, headrests and other really neat options. It was truly amazing how it survived all these years so perfectly. Having a peek underneath revealed the nicest floorboards he'd ever seen. Along with a perfect chassis and totally restored suspension.
The body and paint were spectacular! Lacquer paint that you can tell was sprayed back in the day when thinners and tints could be used with real leaded paint.
As the story goes, this refurbishing was done at literally no expense.
Any part that was original and perfect was reused and restored. Any part that was replaced was done so with NOS parts only.
Keep in mind, the time-frame we are speaking of was in the late 70s and early 80s.
When good original GM parts could be purchased at the source, Chevrolet!
After this painstaking restoration was completed it was time to get the old '67 big block Coupe out to its first showing.
After carefully unloading the car from its trailer, it was strategically placed on the lawn at the Concours show.
It was a couple hours after the show begin and all the spectators were literally drooling over this spectacular 1967 Rally Red Corvette 427 Coupe that along came a father and son. The boy held in his hands what looked like a hot wheels car.
As the two brothers watched carefully what the little boy was going to do next they literally were freaking out.
With his hot wheels car in his hand he gingerly ran over each fender as though the hot wheels car was driving along crest of those big block fenders.
Needless to say the two brothers nearly lost it. Freaking out they carefully loaded their rally red 427 big block Cpe back into the trailer and drove home.
Into their mothers garage it went and was stored for 34 years covered up never to see sunlight again.
That is to say, until Corvette Mike rescued it from the darkness and brought it back into the sunlight of Southern California.
Do not wait to bid, or to make an offer, on this one of a kind 400hp factory AC Corvette, as it is also available for sale in our showroom and will move fast. For more information, you can send us a question through eBay or call/text, us on our cell phones at: Jeff (661-510-3486661-510-3486) or Troy (714-712-0060714-712-0060).
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