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1966 Chevelle History
The 66 Chevelle was entirely redesigned with forward-thrusting front fender edges,
smoother body contours and a more rounded appearance overall. Four Chevelle
model series were available in 1966. The base model was still the Chevelle
300, offered as a 2 or 4 door sedan. The Chevelle 300 Deluxe was available
as a 2 or 4 door sedan and 4 door wagon. The 1966 Malibu was available as a
2 door sport coupe, a new 4 door sport sedan, 2 door convertible, 4 door sedan
and a 4 door station wagon. Fifteen exterior colors were again offered, six
of them new for the 66. The Chevelle Super Sport 396 became a separate model
and was offered in only a 2 door sport coupe and convertible versions. |
In 66 the Chevelle SS became truly super. Gone were the sixes and small blocks;
in their place was one powerplant only, the muscular 396ci Mk IV V-8. Also
with it came many styling changes. These changes included a redesigned grille,
taillights, fenders and new roofline with a sporty recessed window. Appropriate
“SS 396” emblems in the blacked out grille and on the rear cove panel, “Super
Sport” rear quarter script and those legendary “396 Turbo Jet” front fender
crossflags added to the attraction. 1966 also marked the first appearance of
the aggressive looking twin non functional hood scoops with chrome side facing
grilles which were standard on the SS 396. |
In base form, all Chevelle SS’ for 1966 were equipped with a 325hp 396 cubic
inch engine. A floor shifted heavy duty three speed manual transmission and
a non posi 12 bolt rear end fitted with 3.31:1 gears. The six and eight cylinders
would not be available again in the Super Sport until 1971. |
Buyers wanting to up the horsepower of their new Super Sports could also choose
between two optional 396 Mk IV big blocks. The L34 rated 360hp or the L78 rated
at a whopping 375 horsepower! The L78 396 featured large rectangular port heads,
a solid lifter cam, 11:1 compression and a Holley four barrel carburetor mated
to an aluminum intake manifold. The optional transmission list included the
M20 wide ratio four-speed. M21 close ratio four-speed, and the new M22 Muncie
“Rock Crusher” four-speed, as well as the Powerglide two speed-automatic. |
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Production
numbers 1966 |
Model  Production |
300 Sedan 2-dr
model# 131116-
V6
model# 132116- V8
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11,468
2,135
|
300 Sedan 4-dr
model# 131696- V6
model# 132696- V8
|
11,869
3,193
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300 Deluxe 2-dr Sedan
model# 133116- V6
model# 134116- V8
|
9,176
3,005
|
300 Deluxe 4-dr Wagon
model# 133356- V6
model# 134356- V8
|
5,183
5,028
|
300 Deluxe 4-dr Sedan
model# 135369 V6
model# 136396 V8
|
5,122
19,905
|
Malibu 2-dr Coupe
model# 135176- V6
model# 136176- V8
|
28,180
130,540
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Malibu 4-dr Wagon
model# 135356- V6
model# 136356- V8
|
3,757
17,978
|
Malibu 4-dr Sedan
model# 135396- V6
model# 136396- V8
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5,122
19,905
|
Malibu Convertible
model# 135676- V6
model# 136676- V8
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2,549
11,636
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Malibu 4-dr Sedan
model# 135696- V6
model# 136696- V8
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16,428
27,351
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SS, Coupe
model# 138176- V6
model# 138176- V8
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0
66,843
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SS, Convertible
model# 138676- V6
model# 138676- V8
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0
5,429
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