Vehicle Description
Between 1966 and 1969, the L78 396 Turbo-Jet engine was the most
powerful "Regular Production Option" engine available in the
Chevelle. The Camaro didn't even get this motor until '67. That
engine, plus factory correct paint, code R-R, and interior, code
761-A, make this a highly collectible muscle car.
Let's start by talking about how great the rest of this car is for
a minute, and get back to that motor a bit later. A '66 Chevelle is
considered by many people to be the best-looking muscle car of all
time and you can see that that the fit and finish on this
particular car is outstanding by the way the light reflects off the
body lines. Flanked by 4 headlights, an SS 396 emblem in the grill
leads the way, and is topped by a unique louvred hood, concealing
the prize inside. Graceful curves flow down the length of the car
leading to the Super Sport script that is actually spelled out on
the rear fenders. A rectangular black panel between the tail-lights
spells out Chevelle SS 396, which is echoed in the rectangles of
the back window and bumper, for a really neat and clean look. Red
Line tires on red steel rims with Chevy wheel centers are a sweet
combination on this car and complete the look.
The rectangular theme continues in the interior which lends a
rock-solid look and feel to it. Open the door and you will see this
in the door panel and the panels sewn into the seats. Sit in that
seat, grab that two spoke wooden steering wheel, and check out the
dash. The central gauge cluster is dominated by the speedo with
fuel and battery gauges to the left of it and temp and oil gauges
to the right. An old school tach is mounted next to the steering
column and switches are within easy reach along the top edge of the
dash with the radio and ventilation controls in the center. Keeping
with the simple but effective theme of this car, a Hurst 4 speed
shifter for the manual transmission resides, unconfined by
consoles, in the center of the floor. The nice sized trunk in this
car means that you can load up whatever you might need, for
wherever you might like to go.
Now back to the motor in this car. Open the hood and you will
notice a very neat, clean, and stock, engine compartment. The
engine itself was a new design, developed to replace the Y series
big blocks, and was introduced at the 1963 Daytona 500 as the Mark
II. By 1965 it was in production street cars rated at 425HP. It's a
little unclear about why the power output rating for '66 was
changed to 375 HP, even though no changes were made to the engine,
or power output, for '66. Hmmm? The important thing though, is that
the Chevelle was the only intermediate line car to receive this
engine for '66. That makes it pretty exclusive. The rest of the
drivetrain on this car is solid too. A Muncie 4-speed transmission
sends the power back to a 12-bolt rear end. Coil springs front and
rear hold the car up off those Red Line tires giving the car just
the right amount of rake and good handling.
Make a point of coming on down and checking this car out. It
probably won't stick around long.