A 1967 Chevrolet Corvette convertible sold for $167,400 at the GAA Classic Cars auction in July 2026 in Greensboro, North Carolina. While the sale price is certainly impressive, it is not the most important part of this Corvette’s story.
The real value lies in its history, documentation, and the prestigious NCRS Duntov Award it earned — one of the highest honors a Corvette can receive from the National Corvette Restorers Society.
A Rare 1967 Corvette C2 Big-Block Convertible
This Corvette, chassis number 194677S115915, is a final-year C2 Sting Ray convertible finished in Marina Blue over Bright Blue.
Under the hood sits the legendary L71 427 cubic-inch Turbo-Jet V8, producing 435 horsepower through a factory tri-power setup featuring three two-barrel carburetors. Power is delivered through a Muncie M21 close-ratio four-speed manual transmission and a Positraction rear differential.
The car retains several highly desirable factory components, including:
- Its original numbers-matching engine
- Factory transistor ignition system
- High-performance off-road exhaust package
- Correct 7.75×15 redline tires
On paper, this already makes it a highly collectible Corvette. However, what separates this car from countless other “numbers-matching” Corvettes appearing at auctions every year is what happened after its restoration.
The Importance of the NCRS Duntov Award
The Corvette earned the prestigious NCRS Duntov Award, named after Zora Arkus-Duntov, the engineer widely credited with transforming the Corvette from a stylish sports car into a true performance machine.
The Duntov Award is considered the highest achievement awarded by the National Corvette Restorers Society. It is intentionally difficult to obtain because it requires far more than a beautiful restoration.
First, the vehicle must achieve a score of 97 percent or higher in NCRS Flight Judging at the National Convention. This process evaluates the car down to extremely small details, ensuring that the restoration closely matches factory specifications.
But the Duntov Award requires another step: Performance Verification.
Unlike a purely visual inspection, this test confirms that the Corvette can actually operate as it did when it left the factory. The vehicle must properly run, brake, shift, and perform according to original standards.
A car can look perfect, but NCRS created the Duntov Award to prove that it is also mechanically correct.
A Decade of Proven Documentation
This Corvette achieved both Top Flight honors and the Duntov Award in 2010. It was later selected for display at the NCRS National Convention Duntov Award event in 2017, and its Performance Verification was reconfirmed in May 2020.
That timeline matters.
A single successful judging event proves that a car was excellent on one particular day. A decade of documented evaluations proves that the vehicle remained properly maintained and preserved over time.
For serious collectors, that type of history is often just as valuable as the car itself.
One of the Rarest C2 Corvette Configurations
The 1967 model year holds a special place in Corvette history. It was the final year of the second-generation C2 Sting Ray before Chevrolet introduced the C3 generation in 1968.
Chevrolet produced 22,940 Corvettes for the 1967 model year, including 14,436 convertibles.
Among the entire production run, only 3,754 Corvettes — both coupes and convertibles combined — were equipped with the powerful L71 427/435-horsepower engine.
A final-year C2 convertible with a tri-power big-block engine, original components, and NCRS Duntov Award certification represents a very small fraction of Corvette production.
Why Documentation Matters in the Collector Market
For classic car buyers, “numbers-matching” should only be the beginning of the investigation, not the final proof.
Serious collectors look for:
- Original NCRS judging sheets
- Performance Verification records
- Restoration documentation
- Long-term ownership history
Mileage claims on pre-1968 vehicles should also be viewed carefully. For classic cars of this era, odometer readings are often based on owner statements rather than guaranteed records, making documentation even more important.
The Market Paid for Proof, Not Just Claims
The Corvette’s sale at GAA Classic Cars demonstrates that collectors continue to value authenticity and proven history.
A price of $167,400 is certainly notable, but the true significance of this Corvette lies beyond the auction result. Its combination of rare specifications, factory correctness, and long-term NCRS documentation makes it far more special than a typical restored classic.
In the world of collector cars, a badge, a specification sheet, or a “numbers-matching” claim can attract attention. But verified history is what creates lasting value.
For this 1967 Corvette, the most important number was never the auction price — it was the proof behind the car.
