| NO3 36.5 Gallon Gas Tank
Rally Red
Black Leather Interior
M20 4 Speed Transmission
L79 327/350 HP
G81 Positraction Rear 4:11 Axle Ratio
J50 Power Brakes
A31 Power Windows
K66 Transistor Ignition
N14 Side Mount Exhaust System
N40 Power Steering
A01 Soft ray tinted Glass
A82 Head Red Seats
N36 Telescoping Steering Column
N32 Teakwood Steering Wheel
P48 Aluminum Knock Off Wheels
P92 White wall 4 Ply Tires
U69-FM Radio
U74 Hazard Warning Switch
2002 Quebec Regional NCRS Top Flight Award
2002 Queen City Chapter NCRS Top Flight Award
2004 Ontario Canada NCRS National Top Flight Award
2007 Minnesota NCRS Regional Top Flight Award
2022 Northeast NCRS Chapter Top Flight Award
2024 Northeast NCRS Regional Top Flight Award
2021 Bloomington Gold OEM Award
2024 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals Gold Concourse Award
2024 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals Triple Diamond Award
Part of the Joe Verrillo Tanker Collection
This 1966 Corvette Coupe N03 Tanker is one of only two Corvettes equipped with the N03 36.5-gallon fuel tank option exported to Canada in the 1966 model year known to exist.
It was ordered new by Gilles Bureau, whose father owned the only Chevrolet dealership in the town of Rouyn-Noranda, Canada. Mr. Gilles Bureau's goal was to drive from his hometown to Montreal as quickly as possible.
Ordered with 18 factory options, this Tanker quite literally checks every box. Finished in Rally Red with a Black Leather interior, it features the L79 327/350-horsepower engine, Muncie M20 4-speed manual transmission, G81 4.11 Positraction rear axle, J50 vacuum power brakes, N40 power steering, K66 transistorized ignition system, N14 side-mounted exhaust, A31 power windows, A01 Soft Ray tinted glass, A82 headrest seats, N36 telescopic steering column, N32 teakwood steering wheel, P48 aluminum fast take-off knock-off wheels, P92 whitewall tires, U69 AM/FM radio, and U74 hazard warning switch.
Mr. Gilles Bureau explained in a handwritten letter to restorer Bruce Smith in the early 1990s that shortly after taking delivery of the Tanker, he took it to a performance shop and had the camshaft swapped for a higher-lift version and the carburetor rejetted for more performance. Included with the letter was a copy of a speeding ticket he received for traveling 150 KM/H in a 70 KM/H zone, and a photo of him with the Corvette on delivery day in front of his father's dealership.
The Corvette would change hands over the years until ultimately ending up in the collection of renowned Tanker enthusiast K.D. James, who is well-known in Corvette circles for his passion for Big Tank Corvettes and his impressive collection.
Eventually, the Tanker found its way into the garage of Corvette restorer Bob Gregory. When K.D. decided to sell the car, Bob immediately contacted Bruce Smith and told him, You have to buy this car. Bruce, a dedicated Corvette enthusiast, jumped at the opportunity and acquired the Tanker.
Though the Corvette was in need of a full restoration, Bruce, his brother Scott, and Bob were up for the challenge. Together, they completed a comprehensive restoration. Bruce even managed to trace the ownership history all the way back to the original owner, with whom he corresponded.
Once the restoration was complete, Bruce decided the Corvette deserved to be shown for the first time back in its home country of Canada at the 2002 Quebec NCRS Regional in July of that year. He would go on to exhibit the Tanker at numerous NCRS events, earning multiple Top Flight awards.
After 28 years of ownership, Bruce passed the car on to a new caretaker his friend Joe Verrillo, a Corvette collector, restorer, and owner of Verrillo Motor Car Co. in Clifton Park, NY. Joe would take the Tanker back out for judging and earn an NCRS Top Flight Award, a Bloomington OEM Gold Award, and most recently, a MCACN Gold Spinner and Triple Diamond Award. |
