1966 Chevrolet Chevelle

Description

Clean summer drivers don't get much better than this 1966 Chevy Chevelle. With a 350 cubic inch small block and a 4-speed, it's plenty entertaining to drive, while the sharp blue flanks look great hammering down the highway.

Freshly reskinned for 1966, Chevy positioned the Chevelle as a car that could do anything. With a wide variety of engines, transmissions, body styles, and options, it could be anything from an economical commuter to a scary fast track terror. This one seems to have landed somewhere in the middle, and if you're anything like me, you're probably pleased to see that this one hasn't been over-dressed in fake SS livery. Instead it has quality bodywork on top of a pretty straight car. The current bright blue paint is somewhere in the neighborhood of Marina Blue or maybe Danube Blue, but who can argue with the way this car looks today? With handsome hardtop styling and those classic flying buttresses (the tunneled rear window), this car has always been in fashion and in demand. A simple full-width front grille emphasizes the car's basic integrity, and with a cowl-induction hood, the standard grill works rather well. Chrome on both bumpers is very good, and the stainless sure looks like well-maintained original stuff.

Like the body, the interior appears to have been restored as needed, and today combines original and new components. Dressed in bright white with dark piping, its simple, elegant design shows you what Chevy was aiming for in '66, with a full-width speedometer, and simple high-mounted controls for things like the lights and wipers. The seats are in good shape, with the only significant wear item being a bit of scuffing on the driver's side where you would climb in and out of the car. Carpets are very good, thanks to a set of heavy-duty rubber floor mats, and who doesn't dig the industrial look of a 4-speed sticking out of the transmission tunnel? A monster tach with shift light has been strapped to the steering column and auxiliary gauges were mounted down low in the traditional fashion. A thick steering wheel is a nice upgrade over the skinny plastic factory unit and an AM/FM/CD stereo provides the entertainment. The very clean trunk has correct spatter finish paint and a new mat, as well as plenty of space for all your stuff on a road trip.

Under the hood there's a built 350 cubic inch small block with all the traditional hot-rod parts, including aluminum heads, a Holley carb, Edelbrock intake manifold, MSD ignition, and long tube headers. Bathed in a bright coat of Chevy Orange, the engine looks very fresh and you can tell this is where a lot of the money was spent. Edelbrock valve covers and a chrome air cleaner add some flash and power steering and power brakes are part of the package, making this Chevelle a pleasure to drive. It's backed by the aforementioned 4-speed manual and a 12-bolt rear end. The undercarriage is largely original but remains in good shape and it all rides on a set of traditional Chevy Rally wheels and 235/60/15 BFGoodrich T/A radials.

Get in, turn the key, and start enjoying it immediately. The small block under the hood makes all the right sounds and thanks to the 4-speed, it's quick enough to surprise more than a few newer muscle cars. Don't let this car get by you, because nice ones are getting more difficult to find all the time. Call today!