Check out this 66 Chevelle

[Material_Boy]

http://www.gaaclassiccars.com/index.php/auction-listings/36-1966-chevrolet-chevelle-ss

There is an auction this weekend in Greensboro NC. This looks like a nice original/survivor big block. Ain't to many 375's out there. I perused the listing of cars that will be going on the block and it looks like there is some nice stuff there. Looks like most have a reserve. My buddy and member here, Tommy Nolen, is on his way there to check out a few. He specifically wants to look at the 61 Pontiac Ventura that supposedly was one of Ronnie Sox's first drag cars. Tommy likes those old cars. To him anything 65 and up is a new car. LOL.

Man I like that Chevelle.

Dave

[Pulnaway]

Va tags...Bring it home!

[Material_Boy]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pulnaway</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Va tags...Bring it home! </div></div>

Yeah, I noticed that. Where in Richmond are you? We've probably run into each other somewhere along the way. Maybe you should be in Greensboro bringing that baby back to Va. LOL. I think it goes on the block tomorrow.

Dave

[Postsedan]

Oh Jacquie....where art thou?

This beauty is calling your name <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

Dan

[Don_Lightfoot]

Agree Dave, that Chevelle is a beauty. Yes Dan, it is right up Jacquie's alley <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif

I am a current Chevelle owner and owned a few new ones back in the late 60's and early 70's. However, I am on board with your buddy Tommy regarding that 61 Ventura Super Duty (http://www.gaaclassiccars.com/index.php/auction-listings/88-1961-pontiac-ventura-super-duty). Something about early 60 Pontiacs which just get my juices flowing. And it's &quot;BLUE&quot; to boot <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/Can-I-Have-It.gif

[Craig_Maiorana]

My old boss will be there ... Greg's classic cars out of Durham n.c ... go say hello if anyone attends the auction .. tell him craig says hello

[Shevelle]

Way ahead of ya Dan. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif

[Postsedan]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Shevelle</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Way ahead of ya Dan. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif </div></div>

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

Dan

[STR8SS]

Don't think I have ever seen an L78 with 3:07 gears?
Strange combo...

[GTO_DON]

220 mph top speed <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif

[Bill Pritchard]

Wow. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/drool.gif

[Ngtflyr]

I know of a 67 Camaro l78 with 3:07s

[kwhizz]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GTO_DON</div><div class="ubbcode-body">220 mph top speed <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif </div></div>


&quot;And&quot; good gas mileage.............

[Shevelle]

For those interested in the outcome:

1966 Chevelle SS L78 SOLD (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcX5BdHlFqI)

Congrats Mr. Helms!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[Tommy Nolen]

The '61 Pontiac sold for 182,500

[Xplantdad]

Wow...Jeff Helms bought it <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif

[Postsedan]

Congrats Jeff.....I still say a new lady should of owned it <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

Dan

[Pulnaway]

Dave, Im in the WestEnd. How about yourself? Im in the finishing stages of resto-moding a 72 Corvette. As soon as thats done I have a 1926 Hacker,single rear cockpit race boat to do. My wife would not like it if I brought anything else home for a while!

[PeteLeathersac]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pulnaway</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...As soon as thats done I have a 1926 Hacker, single rear cockpit race boat to do...</div></div>

'61 Pontiacs and L78 Chevelles always get me going but that Hacker comment sure has my ears up!
Love to know more about it if you're sharing, pics/length/what motor originally and now also any history?

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
~ Pete

[Pulnaway]

Pete, Its 22 ft long which fits it into the Jr Gold Cup size. The big name Gold Cups boats were 28ft or more...Like EL LAGARTO. Not sure what was original drivtrain...maybe a Scripps. This boat had a 460 in it and that was switched out with a Ford 300 6cyl. I bought the boat out of Tenn. and It had also been in SC. at one time. Its going to get a LS swap.

[Material_Boy]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pulnaway</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Dave, Im in the WestEnd. How about yourself? Im in the finishing stages of resto-moding a 72 Corvette. As soon as thats done I have a 1926 Hacker,single rear cockpit race boat to do. My wife would not like it if I brought anything else home for a while! </div></div>
Hey Scott, I work in downtown and live in Chester. I will be on the lookout for your Corvette. PM me when you are going to take her out.Would love to see it. I like restomods!. The boat sounds interesting too. As far as the wife, well I don't know if I can help you much there. LOL.

Take care and look forward to meeting you.

Dave

[Pulnaway]

I see on the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals Facebook page the 66 will be there! Fresh from the auction and off to the big show!

[Material_Boy]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pulnaway</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I see on the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals Facebook page the 66 will be there! Fresh from the auction and off to the big show! </div></div>

Thanks for the heads up. I am going to be there and I will look for it. That thing sold for some serious money.

Dave

[cheveslakr]

Jeff's a smart man, only a few of these cars left. His collection is 1 that no one can duplicate without a time machine!

[jeffschevelle]

Hey, guys. Ordered some correct tires for the car today, and hopefully they will get here in time to get them on before the car leaves for Chicago!

The best part of the auction was that the original owner was there. Car was titled to his wife, but it was very clearly his car! He remembers every little thing about it. See the pic!

He said he ordered it specially with the 3.07 axle because even though he wanted plenty of HP he also wanted good economy in highway driving. He said he told the dealer he wanted an M20 (for the lower first and second gear ratios), but it arrived with the M21. He said he was going to make them change it, but he said &quot;After I drove it, it took off just fine, and I liked being able to shift into 2nd to pass at highway speeds, so I told them to leave the M21 in it.&quot; Thank goodness he didn't have the trans changed!! And I can vouch for that 2nd gear comment -- I drove it Sunday and hit 95 in second gear with plenty of pedal left <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif

POP was with the car, along with every state inspection receipt documenting the mileage. And to my great surprise, when I went through all the loose papers in the glove box Sunday, there was a Broadcast Sheet!!!!!! With all the codes, including the specific order code for a 66 L78, and the code for the L78-specific radiator <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif I'm glad the seller didn't mention that, or KP might have bid a couple more times! It is the shipper's copy, which I have never seen one of those. It still has the hole-spine on one side for the other sheets of the carbon copy set-up.

The original owner also assures me that he has the Window Sticker and the dealer invoice stowed away with other important personal papers at his home. He said he would find them and get them to me. Keep your fingers crossed!

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2013/11/full-5512-7722-2013_11_09_14_36_47_172.jpg

[Xplantdad]

Awesome Jeff!

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jeffschevelle</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hey, guys. Ordered some correct tires for the car today, and hopefully they will get here in time to get them on before the car leaves for Chicago!

The best part of the auction was that the original owner was there. Car was titled to his wife, but it was very clearly his car! He remembers every little thing about it. See the pic!

He said he ordered it specially with the 3.07 axle because even though he wanted plenty of HP he also wanted good economy in highway driving. He said he told the dealer he wanted an M20 (for the lower first and second gear ratios), but it arrived with the M21. He said he was going to make them change it, but he said &quot;After I drove it, it took off just fine, and I liked being able to shift into 2nd to pass at highway speeds, so I told them to leave the M21 in it.&quot; Thank goodness he didn't have the trans changed!! And I can vouch for that 2nd gear comment -- I drove it Sunday and hit 95 in second gear with plenty of pedal left <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif

POP was with the car, along with every state inspection receipt documenting the mileage. And to my great surprise, when I went through all the loose papers in the glove box Sunday, there was a Broadcast Sheet!!!!!! With all the codes, including the specific order code for a 66 L78, and the code for the L78-specific radiator <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif I'm glad the seller didn't mention that, or KP might have bid a couple more times! It is the shipper's copy, which I have never seen one of those. It still has the hole-spine on one side for the other sheets of the carbon copy set-up.

The original owner also assures me that he has the Window Sticker and the dealer invoice stowed away with other important personal papers at his home. He said he would find them and get them to me. Keep your fingers crossed!

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2013/11/full-5512-7722-2013_11_09_14_36_47_172.jpg
</div></div>

Priceless picture.

Hard to believe these type of cars are still out there.

Congratulations on your new baby.

Ryan (I'll look for you at the show to say hi)

[Shevelle]

Where's the LIKE button?! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif

Congrats Jeff! Couldn't have gone to a more deserving guy! Looks like I'm going to miss seeing it in person at MCACN this year, but hopefully we will be back to NC next year and I'll get a chance to see it then. Great 66 SS Survivor!! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif

[Steve Shauger]

Well the word travels quickly,this was going to make a surprise appearance in our Vintage Certification display. It looks to be a really fantastic car, but the owner is even better. I will tell you this car will continue to be pampered and couldn't have a better caretaker... Congratulations Jeff, looking forward to seeing you at MCACN with your spectacular 67 Chevelle SS as well.

[Material_Boy]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: paceme</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well the word travels quickly,this was going to make a surprise appearance in our Vintage Certification display. It looks to be a really fantastic car, but the owner is even better. I will tell you this car will continue to be pampered and couldn't have a better caretaker... Congratulations Jeff, looking forward to seeing you at MCACN with your spectacular 67 Chevelle SS as well. </div></div>
Jeff,
Congrats on the purchase of what looks like a spectacular car. You don't find them like that very often. Looking forward to seeing it at the MCACN.

Dave

[jeffschevelle]

Have any of you ever seen a 66 square port 858 head without the bosses and small threaded holes between each exhaust port for mounting spark plug shields?


On my new acquisition - survivor 66 L78 - the Passenger side 858 head has the bosses and holes as it should. And every 858 head I have ever seen has the bosses and holes, and Colvin's Chev By the Numbers book also says that they all have them.


67 square port 391 heads do not have the bosses.


While I was inspecting the car, I saw no bosses or holes on the driver side head, so I was afraid that head had been changed, or thought that maybe it was an extremely early 391 head since this is a July built car with a T0630EG engine. So I removed the valve cover, and it is in fact a 1966 858 cast head, with date F 17 6. Perfect for the assembly date of the engine.


I have pics of a set of F 22 6 dated 858 heads that do have the bosses and holes. So obviously Tonawanda did not change all the 858 head molds at same time. So I can only speculate that they must have changed one mold as a prototype, cast some heads, they worked okay, so they just used them in regular production and one ended up on this car.


See the pics. First pic is the driver side weird head, no bosses. Second pic is the casting number of this head, and third pics if the casting date of this head. I did not remove the valve cover on the passenger side yet to check the date on that side.


Any other ideas?


Thanks - Jeff

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2013/11/full-5512-7887-psgr_side_858_head.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2013/11/full-5512-7888-driver_side_858_head.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2013/11/full-5512-7889-dr_side_casting_no_858.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2013/11/full-5512-7890-dr_side_cast_date_f176.jpg

[JimSC]

I'll for sure stop and look this one over. Dad had one new (Marina Blue/325hp) for a few years as our family car, so I always always always stop at every '66. Can't wait!

[DWR]

Do your other 858 heads and all other have the X cast after the F in PERF.

[jeffschevelle]

Found this on NCRS about a July build 66 Vette with both style heads - http://www.ncrs.org/forums/showthread.php?65903-66-858-head-with-no-spark-plug-boss&amp;mode=hybrid

So looks like they must have changed one or more, but not all, of the molds.

That makes this one 66 Chevelle and one 66 Vette that I can find on the entire internet as having came with this odd head!

[DW31S]

Congrats on the new purchase! Yes, there are still some cars out there, and this one proves it. It also proves that the General built cars that were &quot;less than perfect&quot;. We all strive to restore cars to our idea of &quot;perfection&quot;, and here is proof that not everything is as the books and records say they are. Kudos to Jeff for showing us the cold, hard facts that unrestored, original cars &quot;tell no lies&quot;. I love it!!!