'66 Chevelle SS396 Convertible, Black on White, LS6 Transplant

[scuncio]

Clean looking car - would be interesting to know whether the claimed '70 LS6 engine has a partial VIN to a car that still exists.

Link to 1966 Chevelle SS396 eBay auction (https://www.ebay.com/itm/225598958240?mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5337538513&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1)

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/YgEAAOSwi15kaHO2/s-l1600.jpg

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/j8kAAOSwQzRkaHO4/s-l1600.jpg

138676K193826

*Note: When you click on this link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission from eBay. These commissions help to provide financial support for the sYc site.

[Too Many Projects]

I was JUST going to post this... I know the owner, he bought this from the original owner in 1969-'70, I've never been clear on that timeline, when he was still in high school. He has always claimed the original 396 was removed and a crate engine was dealer installed shortly after the original owner bought it and was an L72 427. Terry, another friend of mine, has known Bob since the mid seventies and Bob always claimed he had the paperwork, but Terry never did see it. The discrepancy of it now having a legitimate appearing LS6 is a mystery to me and Terry. Neither of us has inquired if the dealer swapped the engines. Unfortunately, Bob has dementia and isn't dependable for info anymore. His wife has power of attorney and sold the car to the dealer without telling Bob. In his lucid moments, he still talks about the car and thinks he owns it. It's very sad to see what she has done.

Anyway, the car is as nice in person as in the pics. Bob did have it repainted in the 80's and pampered that car from the day he bought it. Terry has ridden in the car with Bob many times over the years and he said the mileage is accurate.

In today's market, I feel the price is very fair and it would be a very nice car to have and drive as part of a collection.

[southernfriedcj]

In today's market, I feel the price is very fair and it would be a very nice car to have and drive as part of a collection.

What's the price? I didn't see a BIN.

[67since67]

I remember seeing this Chevelle at the Street Machine Nationals in St Paul many years ago. Remember it as a nice car represented as an L72. - Bill W

[70LS6454]

Is it possible that there is still the 427 in there and maybe the dealer isn’t aware? Either way I would Love to own this one regardless.

[Bill Pritchard]

What's the price? I didn't see a BIN.

On the dealer's website, the listed price is $69,980.

[427.060]

What's the price? I didn't see a BIN.

On their website they are asking $69,980

[luzl78]

Is it possible that there is still the 427 in there and maybe the dealer isn’t aware? Either way I would Love to own this one regardless.

Could be a 512 block?

[Too Many Projects]

Having a date and application code on the block would, also, negate the crate engine theory. No pic of the partial vin... possible it has been creatively stamped ??

https://www.yenko.net/forum/cache.php?img=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn05.carsforsale.com% 2F009322a813e66e4cc9d0ba9d668053cf6c%2F800x600%2F1 966-chevrolet-chevelle-convertible-ls6-454.jpg

[napa68]

Does this trim tag look authentic? Can someone decode this for me?

I have a customer that is interested in the car.

Thanks,
Tim

[Too Many Projects]

I can decode it, Tim, but with whatever is covering it, all the digits look fuzzy/shallow. Is it real ? I'm not the best to judge. It does have the stamped hole for shoulder belt option.
763-B is Black bucket seat interior
F-1, F is Marina Blue and 1 is White convertible top... I'll have to ask Terry if this was the original colors. It's always been Black on Black as long as I've known it, but it was painted much before that time.
WD W is tinted windshield. D is power top
2LG, L is 4 speed, G is console

[Too Many Projects]

Well, LOTS of new info from Terry. The car was blue with white top when Bob bought it, BUT it had the white interior, contrary to the trim tag, which calls out black. He called another friend who went to school with Bob and he confirmed the interior was white when Bob got it.

Bob had it painted Black and a Black top, eventually, installed.
NOW, Bob had a control freak wife who never let him spend money for repairs or maintenance and Terry said the car will vibrate at 55 plus mph due to, what he believes, is the input shaft/bearing in the trans. This could, also, be as simple as a seized u-joint. Terry also said the car would wander and not handle very well when he drove it. He thinks the steering will need repair.
Unless the dealer did any of these repairs, the car needs mechanical work to bring it up to safe and reliable driving condition. This isn't a car to buy, sight unseen, the potential buyer needs to inspect and drive in person, or have a reputable third party evaluate it. Could be why the price seems a little low for a low production number '66 SS convert.
Still no idea from Terry or Darcy how the LS6 got in there. They were always of the belief it was an L72.

Bob is a little younger than me and would have graduated in '71-72, so the timeline fits that the LS6 could have been in there all the time and Bob just believed it was a 427 because of the emblems... :dunno:

[napa68]

I spoke with the owner (Danny) of the dealership. When I ask..... "does everything work ?" and the first answer I get is...... "everyting on the car is manual" I get turned off right away.

In the video provided on the website, the steering wheel is not straight. The answer I received was to the effect their test route is mostly curved roads. He had to get back to me to let me know if the wheel was straight. He tried telling me there was a loose bolt that had to be tightened and now the wheel is straight:thumbsdown:

I had also asked is they owned the car or it was consigned? He told me they bought the car from the long term owners son (which more or less confirms the story). If they own the car, why didn't they put tires on it? The fronts are severely cracked / dry rotted (that's a raging liability for a dealer). He insisted it was a 1970 dated LS6 in the car.

It had the feel of a puppy mill type dealership. I waived my customer off of it.

[southernfriedcj]

No sale @ $45,300.

What do y'all think it's worth?

[Too Many Projects]

That high bid may be very accurate for worth, but it will never be bought for that. The dealer probably has that much in it.

[scuncio]

Relisted in the link below, and currently at $23,100 with the reserve not met.

Seller posted some pics of the underside in this new auction. Looks pretty clean underneath.

Link to 1966 Chevelle SS396 Convertible eBay auction (https://www.ebay.com/itm/225643439205?mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5337538513&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1)

https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NDgwWDY0MA==/z/XLkAAOSw2Mpkd2aq/$_57.JPG?set_id=2

https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NDgwWDY0MA==/z/DTQAAOSw1X5kd2ap/$_57.JPG?set_id=2

*Note: When you click on this link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission from eBay. These commissions help to provide financial support for the sYc site.