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1966 Chevrolet Chevelle

The Chevelle was Chevrolet’s entry into the “intermediate” segment, and was manufactured from 1964 through 1977. The 1964-’65 cars were very similar, likewise with the 1966-’67 models. 1968-’72 Chevelles are close in size and shape, and many parts over this 5 model year run are interchangeable. Although some of the sheet metal and trim changed over the years, 1973-’77 Chevelles are typically grouped into one “generation”. The 1977 model year spelt the end of the Chevelle nameplate, and the mid-size Chevrolet would continue on as Malibu.

Time to get serious about horsepower to weight ratio at Chevrolet. In 1966 the division’s masters were taking notice of what was going on with the other two manufacturers. They dropped the lower horsepower models in lieu of the higher output V8’s.

In this effort of re-design, the body was restyled with widened quarter panels and fenders. A new grille and rear panel were introduced as well as a new interior. The SS model only came with the big block 396 although featuring two different horsepower configurations: 325hp or 360hp. A third option was not marketed by GM but available through a dealer option. The L78 396 had an output of 375hp.

The Malibu continued its reign as the leading seller of the Chevelle because it boasted the highest number of model and trim options.

Standard 6-cylinder versions offered 120 horsepower, and can be optioned up to 375 horsepowered V8. Body styles range from a 2-door sport coupe to 4-door wagons. Due to the mid-sized body and powerful optioned drivetrains, the Chevelle became a significant car for the burgeoning muscle-car market. The performance aftermarket took hold and offered a wide variety of bolt-on parts to give the owner an ability to personalize their vehicles.

Chevelles were assembled in Arlington TX, Atlanta GA, Baltimore MD, Flint MI, Framingham MA, Fremont CA, Kansas City KS, and Van Nuys CA, In 1964-65 GM of Canada sold an Acadian Beaumont under the Pontiac badge. Acadian Beaumonts were built in Oshawa Ontario Canada and Sainte-Therese Quebec Canada. There are many similarities between the Chevelle and the El Camino, which was a coupe utility derivative of the 2-door wagon.

AVAILABLE MODELS:

1966 Chevelle 300

  • Body Styles
    • 2 Door Sedan
    • 4 Door Sedan
  • Engine Options
    • 194 cubic inch 120 horsepower 6 cylinder (base)
    • 230 cubic inch 140 horsepower 6 cylinder (optional)
    • 283 cubic inch 195 horsepower V8 (base)
    • 327 cubic inch 255 horsepower V8 (optional)

1966 Chevelle 300 Deluxe

  • Body Styles
    • 2 Door Sedan
    • 4 door sedan
    • 4 Door Wagon
  • Engine Options
    • 283 cubic inch 220 horsepower V8 (optional)
    • 327 cubic inch 275 horsepower V8 (optional)

1966 Chevelle Malibu

  • Body Styles
    • 4 Door Sedan
    • 4 Door Sport Coupe
    • 2 Door Sport Coupe
    • 2 Door Convertible
    • 4 Door Wagon
  • Engine Options
    • 194 cubic inch 120 horsepower 6 cylinder (base)
    • 230 cubic inch 140 horsepower 6 cylinder (optional)
    • 283 cubic inch 195 horsepower V8 (base)
    • 283 cubic inch 220 horsepower V8 (optional)
    • 327 cubic inch 275 horsepower V8 (optional)

1966 Chevelle SS396 (Super Sport) Information

  • Body Styles
    • 2 door sport coupe
    • 2 door convertible
  • Engine Options
    • 396 cubic inch 325 horsepower V8 (base)
    • 396 cubic inch 360 horsepower V8 (optional)
    • 396 cubic inch 375 horsepower V8 (optional)

1966 Chevelle VIN Decoder:

First Character: Division of General Motors

  • 1 ~ Chevrolet

Second and Third Character: Series Designation *

  • 31 ~ Chevelle 300, 6-cylinder
  • 32 ~ Chevelle 300, 8-cylinder
  • 33 ~ 300 Deluxe, 6-cylinder
  • 34 ~ 300 Deluxe, 8-cylinder
  • 35 ~ Malibu, 6-cylinder
  • 36 ~ Malibu, 8-cylinder
  • 38 ~ SS396, 8-cylinder

Fourth and Fifth Character: Body Style/Model

  • 11 ~ 2-door sedan 
  • 17 ~ 2-door sport coupe
  • 35 ~ 4-door station wagon, 2-seat
  • 39 ~ 4-door sport sedan
  • 67 ~ 2-door convertible
  • 69 ~ 4-door sedan
  • 80 ~ 2-door sedan pickup

Sixth Character: Year of Production

  • 6 ~ 1966

Seventh Character: Final Assembly Plant

  • A ~ Atlanta, Georgia
  • B ~ Baltimore, Maryland
  • G ~ Framingham, Massachusetts
  • F ~ Flint, Michigan
  • K ~ Kansas City, Missouri
  • Z ~ Fremont, California

Eighth through Thirteenth Digits: Sequential Production Number

The sequential starting number for the 1966 Chevelle was 100001 at all U.S. Chevelle assembly plants. Each assembly plant sequenced Chevelles of all series/models without regard to specific series/models. For example, if a series 13435 station wagon followed a 13667 Malibu convertible, the sequence number would be one unit higher for the wagon. It's also entirely possible to have the same sequence number from all six 1966 U.S. assembly plants with the only difference between the VINs being the plant code.

Production at the Kansas City and Baltimore plants exceeded 100,000 units sometime in early June so the VIN sequence from that time frame to the end of production would be 2nnnnn for each plant.

* The El Camino is not a separate series nameplate but rather a body style in both the 300 (53/54) and Malibu (55/56) series although it's often listed as such. The base (53/54) El Camino is a 2-dr sedan pickup body style with 300 trim where the (55/56) El Camino is a 2-dr sedan pickup body style with Malibu trim.