1966 CORVETTE

  • The 1966 Corvette differed from the previous year because it had the following:
    • A plated, cast-metal grille with an "egg crate" insert
    • ribbed rocker panel moldings
    • chrome-plated exhaust bezels
    • spoke-style wheel covers
    • a vinyl covered headliner
    • the elimination of roof vents
  • The front fender sides again had three slanting vertical air louvers.
  • Inside, the seats had an extra amount of pleats.
  • Corvettes equipped with the new 427-cid V-8 came with a power-bulge hood.
  • The 10 lacquer exterior finishes offered were
    • Tuxedo Black
    • Ermine White
    • Nassau Blue
    • Mosport Green
    • Miland Maroon
    • Silver Pearl
    • Rally Red
    • Sunfire Yellow
    • Laguna Blue
    • Trophy Blue.
  • All convertibles came with a choice of a Black, White, or Beige soft top.
  • Interior colors were
    • Black
    • Red
    • Bright Blue
    • White-Blue
    • Saddle
    • Silver
    • Green
    • Blue.

I.D. NUMBERS

  • The serial number [Vehicle Identification Number -- VIN] was located on a stainless steel plate welded to the right side hinge pillar cross-brace under the glove box
  • Convertible Serial numbers ranged from 194676S100001 to 194676S127720
  • Coupe Serial numbers ranged from 194376S100001 to 194376S127720
    PositionCharacterDescription
    11Chevrolet Division
    2 & 394body series: Corvette
    4 & 567convertible
    37coupe
    661966
    7SAssembled in St. Louis, MO
    8 to 13100001 to 123562production sequence
  • Engine serial number
    1 to 70001001sequential production number
    8F or TFlint, MI or Tonawanda, NY
    9 to 10Carburetion & transmission
    • HH = 327-cid 300-hp V-8 with 10.5:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, and four-barrel carburetor
    • HR = 327-cid 300-hp V-8 with 10.5:1 compression ratio, automatic transmission, and four-barrel carburetor
    • HD = 327-cid 350-hp V-8 with 11.0:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, and four-barrel carburetor
    • HO = 327-cid 300-hp V-8 with 10.5:1 compression ratio, automatic transmission, and four barrel carburetor
    • HT = 327-cid 350-hp V-8 with 11.0:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, four-barrel carburetor
    • HP = 327-cid 300-hp V-8 with 10.5:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, four-barrel carburetor
    • KH = 327-cid 350-hp V-8 with 11.0:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, four-barrel carburetor
    • IK = 427-cid 425-hp V-8 with 11.0:1 compression ratio, manual transmission
    • IL = 427-cid 390-hp V-8 with 10.25:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, four-barrel carburetor
    • IM = 427-cid 390-hp V-8 with 10.25:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, four-barrel carburetor
    • IP = 427-cid 425-hp V-8 with 11.0:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, four-barrel carburetor
    • IQ = 427-cid 390-hp V-8 with 10.25:1 compression ratio, Powerglide automatic transmission and four-barrel carburetor
    • IR = 427-cid 390-hp V-8 with 10.25:1 compression ratio, Powerglide automatic transmission, four-barrel carburetor
  • Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block next to the engine number
  • The body number plate was located on the engine side of the cowl.
  • The Fisher Body Style Number 66-19467 identifies a Corvette Sting Ray convertible
  • The Fisher Body Style Number 66-19437 identifies a Corvette Sting Ray coupe
  • The body number is the production serial number of the body.
  • The trim number indicates the interior trim color and material.
  • The ten 1966 Corvette exterior colors were:
    • 900 = Tuxedo Black
    • 972 = Ermine White
    • 974 = Rally Red
    • 976 = Nassau Blue
    • 978 = Laguna Blue
    • 980 = Trophy Blue
    • 982 = Mosport Green
    • 984 = Sunfire Yellow
    • 986 = Silver Pearl
    • 988 = Milano Maroon
  • Upholstery Codes
    ColorVinyl UpholsteryLeather Upholstery
    BlackSTD402
    Red407408
    Bright Blue414415
    Dark Blue418419
    Saddle420421
    Silver & Black426427
    Green430431
    White & Blue450451

IDENTIFICATION

Series No.Body/Style No.Body TypeFactory PriceShipping WeightProduction Total
19437blue 66 vet
2-dr. FstBk Coupe - 2 passenger		$42952985 lb9,958
19467red 66 vet
2-dr. Conv - 2 passenger		$40843005 lb17,762

ENGINE

FeatureStandard EngineOptional Engine (RPO L79)Optional Engine (RPO L30)Optional Engine (RPO L72)
TypeV-8, Overhead valve
BlockCast iron block
Displacement327 cid427 cid
Bore & Stroke4.00 x 3.25"4.251 x 3.76"
Compression ratio10.50:111.0:110.50:111.0:1
Brake horsepower300 @ 5000350@5800390@5200425@5000
Torque350 lb-ft @ 2800360 lb-ft @ 3000460 lb-ft @ 3600460 lb-ft @ 4000
Main bearingfive
Valve liftershydraulicMechanical valve lifters & Special-performance camshaft
Fuel supplyHolley four-barrelLarge Holley four-barrel

TRANSMISSION

Standard Manual Transmission Optional Manual Transmission Optional Manual Transmission Automatic Transmission
three-speed manual all-synchromesh transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter High-performance four-speed manual all-synchromesh transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter Special high-performance four-speed manual all-synchromesh close-ratio transmission with floor-mounted gear shifter Two-speed Powerglide transmission (optional)

CHASSIS

FeatureConvertibleCoupe
Wheelbase98 inches (2.489 m)98 inches (2.489 m)
Overall length175.2 inches (4.450 m)175.3 inches (4.453 m)
Overall width69.6 inches (1.768 m)69.6 inches (1.768 m)
Overall height 49.6 inches (1.265 m)
Front tread57.6 inches (1.443 m)57.6 inches (1.463 m)
Rear tread58.3 inches (1.481 m)58.3 inches (1.481 m)
FrameFull-length ladder type with five cross members and separate body
Ground Clearance5 inches (12.7 cm)5 inches (12.7 cm)
Front suspensionIndependent; upper and lower A-arms; unequal-length wishbones; coil springs; anti-roll bar; tubular shocks
Rear suspensionIndependent with fixed differential; nine leaf springs; lateral struts and universally-jointed axle shafts; radius arms and direct-acting shock absorbers
SteeringSaginaw recirculating ball, 17:1 ratio, 2.9 turns to lock, 41.6 turning circle
Rear axle typeHypoid semi-floating
BrakesHydraulic, vented four wheel discs; 11.75-inch diameter, single calipers, total swept area 461 sq. in.
Wheels6" wide 15" 5-lug steel disc
Standard rear axle ratio3.55:1
Optional rear axle ratio3.08:1, 3.36:1, 3.55:1, 3.70:1, 4.11:1, 4.56:1

OPTIONS

RPO 898Genuine leather seat trim$79
RPO A01Soft-Ray tinted glass, all windows$15.80
RPO A02Soft-Ray tinted glass, windshield$10.55
RPO A31Electric power windows$59.20
RPO A82Headrests$42.15
RPO A85Shoulder harness$26.35
RPO C07Auxiliary hardtop for convertible$231.75
RPO C48Heater and defroster deletion$97.85 credit
RPO C60Air conditioning$412.90
RPO F41Special front and rear suspension$36.90
RPO G81Positraction rear axle, all ratios$42.15
RPO J50Power brakes$43.05
RPO J56Special heavy-duty brakes$342.30
RPO K66Transistor ignition system$73.75
RPO L79327-cid 350-hp V-8$105.35
RPO L36427-cd 390-hp V-8$181.20
RPO L72427-cid 427-hp V-8$312.85
RPO M20Four-speed manual transmission$184.30
RPO M21Four-speed close-ratio manual transmission$184.30
RPO M22Heavy-duty close-ratio four-speed manual transmission$237
RPO M35Powerglide automatic transmission$194.85
RPO N0336-gallon fuel tank for coupe$198.05
RPO N11Off-road exhaust system$36.90
RPO N14Side Mount exhaust system$131.65
RPO N32Teakwood steering wheel$48.45
RPO N36Telescopic steering wheel$42.15
RPO N40Power steering$94.80
RPO P48Special cast-aluminum knock-off wheels$326.00
RPO P927.75 x 15, white sidewall tires$31.30
RPO T0l7.75 x 15 gold sidewall tires$46.55
RPO U69AM-FM radio$199.10
RPO V74Traffic hazard lamp switch$11.60

HISTORICAL NOTES


  • Only two per-cent of all 1966 Corvettes had a three-speed manual transmission
  • 89.3 percent came with a four-speed manual gearbox
  • 13.2 percent had a tilting steering wheel
  • 20.2 percent had power steering.

1966 CORVETTE PHOTOS


1966 Corvette

1966 Corvette

1966 Corvette

1966 Corvette

1966 Corvette

1966 Corvette

1966 Corvette

1966 Corvette

1966 Corvette

1966 Corvette

1966 Corvette

1966 Corvette

1966 Corvette

1966 Corvette

1966 Corvette

1966 Corvette

1966 Corvette


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