66 chevelle

[Dennis60]

this may seem like a stupid question but my 66 is a chevelle malibu. I have had people argue with me that they never made such an animal. All sites for parts and even this site list chevelle and malibu as two different categories. I dont have any documentation listing models /makes options etc. so what is the difference.

[G.A.S.]

this may help. http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/chev...ibu-60086.html .
Not the best but basic infromation you may be looking for

[highlandlake]

Not a stupid question at all. Chevrolet didn't make it easy on us because they changed the application of the name 4 or 5 times over the last 45 years.

All Malibus are Chevelles, but not all Chevelles are Malibus. (I'm talking pre-1973 here)

If you owned a 1966 Chevelle 4-door sedan taxicab model, you would give your left arm to have a 1966 Chevelle Malibu. (Utility vs. Cool)
That's the easiest way I can explain it.

In 1966 the Chevelle came in about 7 different models. 4 door post sedan, 4 door hardtop, 2 door post coupe, 2 door hardtop, 2 door convertible, station wagon and the El Camino 'truck'.

[highlandlake]

Oh yeah, Dennis I forgot to mention......have some of those people arguing with you put their money where their mouth is. Bet them $10.
Then prove it. Keep a copy of the 1966 Chevelle dealer brochure (costs $10 on E-Bay) under your floor mat.
Maybe also bet them that they can't name all the variations that your car came in that year.
Take the $10 each time, buy beer, sit back and laugh at them. opcorn:

[MrPbody]

Yup. ALL Malibus were Chevelles, not all Chevelles were Malibus. Malibu was a trim package, optional on Chevelle. SS was, as well. The "plane janes" were called "Deluxe" (who knows why...). I've seen a grand total of 1 (one) '66 Malibu SS. An old friend had it when new. He has pics, and sure enough, it has SS396 badges AND Malibu "script". He claims it's one of one... Maybe. I also have seen an Olds 442 Vista Cruiser, that Olds insists doesn't exist, yet records show 88 of them "got out". One of the better hot cars I've ever been associated with was a '66 300 Deluxe (2-door "sedan") we "did" a 427 for, in '78. TH400, 435 HP 427 (bored to 434, Edelbrock Torker, Holley 850, L-88 cam, 12:1), 4.88 gears. That thing was an ANIMAL! Went 11.70s in street trim! Not such a big deal today, but then? BIG DEAL!

'66 is a cool car. The first manual transmission I ever drove was a '66 SS396. My older sister owned it in '68. I thought it was the shit . UNTIL... I was riding with her one afternoon, and a neighbor pulled up next to us at a light. He was driving his '66 GTO. They raced. The GTO was blowing the tires off the car and blowing the Chevelle in the weeds at the same time. I was IMPRESSED (at 14, who wouldn't be?). It was a few years later, I learned a 325 HP 396 (only engine option for '66 SS) was no match for a 365 HP 389 (TriPower..). By '67, the 375 HP version of 396 was on the option list. BIG diference... It took a Ram Air car to even stay with the big engine'd Chevelle. Beat it? Only on a real good day...

Love that '66! Make the bet. Win the prize!
Jim

[Rodie40]

Yes Chevy is the make, Chevelle is the model, and Deluxe 300, Malibu and SS are trim packages.
You could have a 66 Chevelle Deluxe 300, or a 66 Chevelle Malibu, or a 66 Chevelle SS. I know because I've been lucky enough to have had one of each.

[Dennis60]

Thank you for the input - it is a 66 chevelle Malibu (not ss) - full power factory air. visit my ad on Kijiji with some picts if your curious

[Z15]

learned a 325 HP 396 (only engine option for '66 SS)

All 1966 Super Sport Chevelles came with the base 396-325 hp engine. The 396 engine was offered in three factory horsepower ratings; the standard 325 hp, the optional 360 hp RPO L34, and the optional 375 hp engine RPO L78. The 375-hp L78 engine option was offered by Chevrolet for the ‘66 Super Sport Chevelle from day one of the ‘66 model year. At the beginning the 1966 production year, Chevrolet Marketing believed that the L78 engine option would interest only a small, specialized sector of the general car buying public. The L78 was not initially promoted by Chevrolet as an engine option to the Chevrolet dealers or the general public till around Feb. ' 66. They produced 3,099 1966 L78 SS 396 cars.

There were 46,277 L35 325 hp (1865 were in the El Camino)
There were 28,989 L34 360 hp

[MrPbody]

Z15,

Actually, another brought that issue to my attention just yesterday. I stand corrected. I read it somewhere, the 325 was the "only" one, obviously a place I shouldn't take too seriously. My apologies!

Jim

[erector55]

I have a 1966 chevelle malibu sedan with a 283. Does anybody know how rare this car is? Or is it rare? It is a totally rust free car. Interior and bumpers, wheels are excellent, but all original. What kind of value does this car have, I can't seem to find any information, but I like the car.

[highlandlake]

Originally Posted by erector55

I have a 1966 chevelle malibu sedan with a 283. Does anybody know how rare this car is? Or is it rare? It is a totally rust free car. Interior and bumpers, wheels are excellent, but all original. What kind of value does this car have, I can't seem to find any information, but I like the car.

General Motors built a lot of Chevelles in 1966. Do you have a 2-door or 4-door sedan?
If it is a 4-door with a 283 it is not rare at all. There are still quite a few on the road today. Four door cars aren't very collectible.
If it is a 2-door sedan it is not as common as a hardtop, but not as collectible.
The 283 was the common choice for engine, next to the straight-six motor.
There were three or four larger V-8's that were available that cost more money to buy at the time, and are considered more desirable.
If your car is a 2-door with little to no rust and good original components it might be worth about 5-6 thousand. A four door would be worth less than that. If you like the car keep it, they are nice fairly reliable cars.
Go to Chevelles.com and join for lots more information.
Tom

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