CITYSLICKER wrote:CATTY, MY DREAM CAR WAS 1966/67 SUPER SPORT, TO THIS DAY, I STILL DREAM OF ONE, RED WITH BLACK INTERIOR
There’s something formal, yet trim and tough about the styling of Chevrolet’s 1966-’67 Chevelle–like a mixed martial arts fighter in an Armani suit.
Buying a 1966 or 1967 SS 396 Chevelle today is not difficult, as they’ve never been in short supply: 72,272 SS 396s were built in 1966 and 63,000 were built in 1967. Of course, some of the more desirable performance drivetrain combinations and options are rare and will drive the price of a car up. Chevelle SS 396s are perennially in demand, so you won’t find them at fire-sale prices. But this isn’t news to anyone who has shopped second-generation Chevelles for the last 30 years–they’ve always commanded prices on par with rarer muscle cars.
In addition to the two-year-only styling, Chevelle SS 396s are popular because they are comfortable to drive and drag race. With the exception of the stock brakes, the Chevelle’s road manners are surprisingly modern. While wheel hop can be an issue at the drag strip when in factory trim, Chevelles can be made to launch smoothly with the help of aftermarket traction aids.
The 1966-’67 SS 396 was available only with the 396, but it came in a few different flavors. For 1966 and 1967, the base SS 396 engine was the 325hp 396. Standard fare for this engine included a two-bolt main block, hydraulic lifters, 10.25:1 compression, a cast-iron manifold and typically a Rochester four-barrel. The optional L34 396 was rated at 360hp in 1966 and 350hp in 1967. This engine also used a two-bolt-main block with a more aggressive hydraulic cam and a cast-iron manifold topped with a 4160 Holley carburetor. An open-element air cleaner replaced the standard closed unit used on the 325hp engine. Though you won’t find it listed in the brochures, there was a third 396 offered during the 1966 model year: the L78 375hp engine. The L78 was based on the four-bolt main 396 block and had a solid-lifter camshaft with .520-inch lift, 11:1 compression, rectangular-port heads with 2.19-inch intake valves shared with the Corvette 427, an aluminum intake manifold and a 780-CFM Holley carburetor.
https://www.hemmings.com/blog/article/1 ... le-ss-396/
My nephew inherited my brother's 66' Chevelle when he past away. Although it's no where near the condition of the one shown here. Often asked if he would sell it, to no avail. Could be a good thing, the cost to restore it would be astronomical. The wife wouldn't have that. Good luck in the endeavor, Cityslick. I say, go for it!
Merry Christmas
..I fell in love...cruised Gaffney a many of nights in that car..sold it when I joined the Navy...give anything to have that car again..