1966 Chevelle

The 1966 Chevelle was slightly redesigned in this year, with only minor changes from the 1965 Chevelle body. These minor changes though were a vast improvement in appearance and appeal. Gone were the flat boxy features of the 65 Chevelle and in were more rounded body lines, and a much more aggressive stance for the 1966 Chevelle body style.

The 1966 Chevelle was increasingly more popular then the 1965 Chevelle, because of these subtle body style changes. In 1966 General Motors produced 412,155 Chevelles, and out of those production numbers 72,272 were of the two door Super Sport Chevelle body. The 1966 Super Sport Chevelle started at $2,700, which was $100 more than the $2,600 price of the convertible, and $300 more than the base price of $2,400 of the standard two door coupe.

The 1966 Chevelle came in several body styles including a two door sports coupe, a two door convertible, a four-door coupe, and a four-door station wagon. In addition to these body styles the 66 Chevelle also was available in three different trim styles: 300, Malibu, Super Sport.

66 Chevelle 300

300 sedan 2-door 6 cyl
300 sedan 4-door 6 cyl
300 sedan 2-door V8
300 sedan 4-door V8

300 Deluxe 2-door sedan 6 cyl
300 Deluxe 4-door sedan 6 cyl
300 Deluxe 2-door sedan V8
300 Deluxe 4-door sedan V8
300 Deluxe 4-door wagon V8

66 Chevelle Malibu

Malibu 2-door coupe 6 cyl
Malibu 2-door coupe V8
Malibu convertible 6 cyl
Malibu convertible V8
Malibu 4-door sedan 6 cyl
Malibu 4-door sedan 6 cyl
Malibu 4-door sedan V8
Malibu 4-door wagon V8

66 Chevelle Super Sport

Super Sport coupe V8 66,843 produced
Super Sport convertible V8 5,429 produced

The 1966 Chevelle had a wide range of engine options. There were eight total engines that you could purchase with the 194 cui. straight six barely pumping out 120 horsepower at the bottom, and the stump pulling 396 cui. V8 that pumped out 375 hp @ 5600 rpm and 415 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm.

1966 Chevrolet Engine

6 cyl 194ci 1bbl Carburetor 120 hp @ 4400 rpm 177 lb-ft @ 2400 rpm
6 cyl 230ci 1bbl Carburetor 140 hp @ 4400 rpm 220 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm
V8 283ci 2bbl Carburetor 195 hp @ 4800 rpm 285 lb-ft @ 2400 rpm
V8 283ci 4bbl Carburetor 220 hp @ 4400 rpm 295 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
V8 327ci 4bbl Carburetor 275 hp @ 4800 rpm 355 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
V8 396ci 4bbl Carburetor 325 hp @ 4800 rpm 410 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
V8 396ci 4bbl Carburetor 360 hp @ 5200 rpm 420 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm
V8 396ci 4bbl Carburetor 375 hp @ 5600 rpm 415 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm

With all of these engine and trim options available the 1966 Chevelle SS 396 is the one that everyone wants and remembers. This car came with the standard 325 hp turbo-jet V-8 sporting 396 cubic inches, but if you wanted even more performance there were two other versions of the 396 cui. engine available. A 360 hp turbo-jet V-8 and the legendary 375 hp turbo-jet V-8. Along with the three engine options the 66 Chevell SS 396 also came with twin simulated hood air intakes, fender moldings, a blacked out grill, and SS 396 badges.

Performance

There were two magazines that did performance test on the 66 Chevelle SS 396, and here are their findings.

0-60 mph Quarter Mile Time Engine Source
6.0 sec 14.7 sec @ 99.9 mph 396ci/360hp Car & Driver 3/66
n/a 15.0 sec @ 97.8 mph 396ci/375hp Car Craft
n/a 14.4 sec @ 100.2 mph 396ci/360hp PopularHot Rod