1966 Nova SS L79 COPO options? Dealer options?

[sakowskimotors]

1966 Nova SS L79 COPO options? Dealer options?

Hello
I bought a very nice 1966 Nova Chevy II SS L79.
Around 79k original miles. I am not a nova expert, and I am trying to gather info about this interesting car. It is numbers matching and has a lot of options on it. Are they dealer drag race package installed?
I am interested in any info anyone can come up with. I love trying to figure these old cars history's out.

Here are some things about it. The interior is all original. I have checked the numbers on the 327 L79 engine and 4 speed trans, black bucket seats, etc.. The cowl and vin numbers including the dates on the engine, trans, and 12 bolt rear with original 4.11 gears all match up correctly.

The shifter is the old Hurst 4 speed with center console, there is a sun tach, 12 bolt 4.11 posi rear, aluminum flywheel, blow proof bell housing, 4 speed trans, correct engine, fuel pump in the trunk, on the rear suspension it looks like slapper bars and a slightly moved in rear springs. 4 gauge cluster original Stewart Warner gauges that look like they were wired in in 1966. The car is from the Willow Run Michigan plant.

I am wondering if this car might have had this drag racing package put on at the Yenko Chevy Dealer or somewhere else like that. I would love to figure out what dealership it started at, and what they did to it there.

I would love to find out all I can about the car.

Wil
www.sakowskimotors.com (http://www.sakowskimotors.com)

[John]

Welcoeme to the site.....there are alot of guys that know their stuff about Nova's here....I'm not one of them http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
...but someone will help you on this one..
....got any photos? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[SuperNovaSS]

Most L79 Novas got the treatment you describe from the first owners son after they bought the car. They were the hottest Nova available and did not have the option of factory guages, etc. Sounds like a cool car that has not been messed with for some time.


Jason

[JayR]

First, as far as can be determined, there were no COPO Novas in 1966. Only the 327/350HP engine made the L79 different from most other 1966 Chevy IIs. The L79 Chevy II engines had suffix codes that ended in ZG, ZI, ZJ, ZK, but most were ZI. A 3 speed column shifted transmission was standard. Wide and close ratio Muncie 4 speeds were optional. There were no L79 automatics. There was no factory gauge package, just a speedo, gas gauge and clock. Knee knocker tachs installed on the bottom of the dash could be obtained from dealers. 3:73 was the best you could order for rear gears from the factory. Posi was optional. Brakes were the same as all other Chevy IIs as were the monoleaf rear springs. The F40 HD suspension was an option. Many L79 Chevy IIs were dealer modified before going to their new owners. The car you have may be one of those. Hope this helps.
Bob

[SSjeff427]

Did 12 bolt rear ends only come on the L79 cars(Nova)?

[L-79 Nova]

Wil, did you get any paper work with the car? Protecto Plate, build sheet ect.? Ron.... Hi Bob!

[sakowskimotors]

I am trying to track paperwork down from the previous previous owner if possible. The engine is a matching ZI.
What is the F40 HD package exactly?

Thanks for everyone's help.
Wil
www.sakowskimotors.com (http://www.sakowskimotors.com)

Here is a story you guys will appreciate: I just got this car and it is sitting in my home garage. It has never seen rain since it was restored. One of my best friends is back from Iraq for a couple more days, and is at my house. We are going out for some food and beers but it looks like it might rain. I wasn't going to take the nova b/c possible rain, but then I thought about the situation and decided we are taking her out anyway. We had a great time winding through the gears that night. That L79 engine sounds so sweet.....

[sakowskimotors]

Does anyone know how I can track down which dealership this car was sold at / where the options were added?
It would be cool to track it down to Dealer adds at Yenko Chevy for example.
Wil
www.sakowskimotors.com (http://www.sakowskimotors.com)

[COPO_Anders]

I have seen 275 hp cars with the 12-bolt, but I guess it was an option on others than the L-79 cars.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[Schonyenko2]

Yes, you could get a 12 bolt in regular SS novas. I've had two with 12 bolts, and 1 with a 10 bolt posi.

[COPO_Anders]

One of the 275 hp cars with 12-bolt that I remember was a 1967 stationwagon, so it should not be SS-related.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[kwhizz]

[ QUOTE ]
Yes, you could get a 12 bolt in regular SS novas. I've had two with 12 bolts, and 1 with a 10 bolt posi.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah!!.......But were the Grill Extensions painted correctly.................LOL (Inside Joke)

Ken

[Mr70]

Just the ones on the right. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[JayR]

Most 1966 V/8 Chevy IIs were 10 bolts, but some 327/275HP cars and all L79's were 12's.
The F40 HD Suspension option was basically upgraded shocks, rear springs (still mono leaf) and sway bar. That's about all you could expect for $4.75, which is what the option cost in 1966.
Bob

[Schonyenko2]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Yes, you could get a 12 bolt in regular SS novas. I've had two with 12 bolts, and 1 with a 10 bolt posi.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah!!.......But were the Grill Extensions painted correctly.................LOL (Inside Joke)

Ken

[/ QUOTE ]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif That color on a 66 chevelle is about my favorite for that year. But I don't remember them having Garmans. I think they had, what they used to call a map, and they gave them away at gas stations, when they got done filling your tank, and smearin the bugs around on your windshield. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

[COPO_Anders]

Were sintered metallic brakelinings used commonly on L-79 cars or was that an unusual option ?

[JayR]

[ QUOTE ]
Were sintered metallic brakelinings used commonly on L-79 cars or was that an unusual option ?

[/ QUOTE ]

Rare option, even on Chevy II L79's. Same thing for transistor ignition. Frequently these options are found together on cars that were ordered by buyers who knew the 'go fast' potential of the L79.
Bob

[kwhizz]

I ordered the Metalic Linings on my L-79 ......the hotter they got....the better they stopped.......and believe me, they got a workout http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif......LOL

Ken http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif