So many clone SS cars, so little time...at least that's what it feels like when you're looking for the right car. Well, here's a true 138 body car - 396 SS hardtop! On top of that, it's a numbers matching motor car! If that wasn't enough, it's an LC code Ermine White painted roof over a Tropical Turquoise body - one of seven!
Start with some numbers. Here's the body tag broken down: 05C=3rd week of May build
ST66-13817=two door sport coupe, 1966 model year
FL1=Flint, MI assembly plant
8306 BDY=Body tracking number
TR776-A=Dark Turquoise interior trim
L-C PNT=Tropical Turquoise/Ermine white two-tone
WO=Tinted windshield, two-tone paint
2M=Powerglide transmission
And the drivetrain:
Engine pad T0321EK H6F136xxx=Tonawanda assembly, 3/21/66 assembly, '66 396-325hp RPO L35, Powerglide transmission, Holley Carb, 136xxx sequential VIN (matches body VIN) Transmission is a turbo 400, non original, 1969 date code Rear axle code CI 02 21 B=3.73 posi, 2/21/66 assembly date, Buffalo NY plant
So how rare is the exterior paint? The research I did online dug up sites showing 66 Chevelles painted the various factory colors. When it came to the LC combo, though, all I found were requests for photos of a car with that scheme! It's odd that more cars didn't come like this (although a white vinyl top is far more common) because it looks outstanding. The paint itself is in great shape, with excellent shine and an excellent color match. The exterior chrome and stainless is nearly all new (save for some terrific original pieces,) the glass is all new as are the lights and lenses. The bumpers are in excellent shape as well, and there are new taillights and bezels. Augmenting an already stellar presentation is a full set of new, highly polished American Racing Torque Thrust II's wearing 225/70 front and 255/70/15 rear BFGoodrich Radial T/A's - they're just right for the car! You might pick up from the pictures that the rocker moldings aren't up to par with the rest of the car, but we've got them on order right now and they'll be on the car in no time.
Inside, the light and dark turquoise two-tone interior's had a quite a makeover. There are new interior handles and window cranks, vent levers and a ton of trim. The gauges are all nice and bright and lie under a brand new dash pad. New seat covers over new foam on the bucket seats help out on longer trips, the floor console is in great shape and makes shifting a lot more fun and a new headliner, carpet set and door panel set finish everything off nicely.
The undercarriage is finished in Eastwood chassis black, and features new everything. A new tank feeds new fuel lines, the brake system's fully rebuilt, we have receipts for all body mounts, bushings, tie rods, ball joints and everything else that suspends or steers the car! A fat 2.5 inch exhaust with Flowmasters lets everyone know you're coming through without being overbearing. The 3.73 axle's been rebuilt and has all of the receipts to prove it. The car's been together for a couple years and is no stranger to cruising, so you know it's sorted out better than most! Popping the trunk reveals splatter paint that covers the restored trunk area which holds a new jack and spare tire on top of the new trunk mat. It's a cruiser car special trunk, too - plenty of room for coolers and suitcases in here!
We'll finish up in the engine room. The numbers-matching motor is cleaned and detailed beautifully. There's a set of chrome valve covers and a chrome air cleaner to dress things up a bit, too. The paint on the underside of the hood is as nice as the rest of the car, and some liberty was taken when the inner fenders were carefully painted deep gloss black instead of plain satin. The alternator and power steering pump as well as their respective brackets are clean and fresh, as well. A new Die Hard battery ensures quick starts while a fresh tune up keeps things rolling. And roll well it does - our shop manager took the car for a ride to compare this car to his (I do the same with the Mopar B bodies for the same reason) and came back disappointed... in his own car! The car drives straight down the road without diving one way or another, stops in a straight line, is as free from rattles as you're likely to get in a 1966 vehicle, and it had plenty of power. Cool, eh?
It's awesome looking, it's fast, it's a real, numbers correct big block car, and it's a super rare color combo... can you say "collectible?" '66 Chevelles are getting their due in the market, but you still have an opportunity to buy before the prices really skyrocket! Give us a call, or come by for a test ride - you won't be disappointed! |
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