1966 caprice 4 door 427

[jrn101]

hi iam new to this site as you can tell.this seems to be one of the few sites where people really know what they are talking about and seem to be really helpful.anyways...i just bought a 1966 caprice 4 door with a 427 from the origional owner and i was just wondering if this car has any desire to it being its a 4 door.its a typical wisconsin car and would need a complete restoration.also does anybody have any idea where i could find out how many were made like this.i bought the car cheap enough where i cant loose on it. i could always pull the engine,tranny and rearend and scrap the rest.any help would be great.thanks

[Xplantdad]

Jason, These guys may be able to help:

http://www.impalass427.com/

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

[Don_Lightfoot]

I imagine a lot of these big brutes were used for towing. I remember back in 1966 there was a 1966 Impala 4 door sedan on our local Army Base. It had a 427 and a good sized trailer was in the driveway. However, a 427 Caprice four door hardtop could very well have been ordered as a luxurious highway cruiser.

Man, that Caprice would cruise on the thruway and be so comfortable http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[mssl72]

Welcome to this site and congratulations on the '66 purchase. Big block 4 doors are becoming more desirable in general, but it sometimes depends on on what the car is all about and who's buying it. I wouldn't mind having one myself. Having room is a problem for me. I'm not at home right now (freezing my butt off in Rochester, NY), so I can't give you any numbers on build quantities at the moment. Off the top of my head, there were less than 4,000 427/390 (L36) cars built in the '66 production year. I'm only talking about full size Chevrolets and includes all body styles (Biscayne, Bel Air, Impala, SS, Caprice, wagons, 2 and 4 door). There aren't any production totals around to let you know how many L36 Caprice sedans made in '66. Chevy didn't keep detailed totals back then. When I get back to the WARM coast, I can give you more exact numbers. I'll be back in LA next week. Hows the body on the car? Color, options?

[budnate]

howdy..I am big car fan and we talk big cars over at here.. http://www.chevytalk.com/

only a few of us nut case big car guys here it seems.

Bud.

[jrn101]

thanks for the info so far.the car is your typical wisconsin car.it would need a full and complete resto.as fas as options,427/turbo 400?,power drum brakes and a 12 bolt rear.thats about it.the lower quarters are rotted.everything else looks ok at a quick glance.the color is a greenish maybe like a seafoam green with black interior.i was going to look more closely today but its about 15 degrees here in milwaukee.i got the car last night in a NOT so nice part of town.the car is almost 100% complete except for the dual snorkel air cleaned is missing.if i knew how to post pictures i would.maybe i can figure it out.thanks again for the info .

[RPOZ26]

I know of a 66 caprice four door that hads a lot of options,327,4 speed,12 bolt,factory tach,Am tape multplex radio,vinly top,cloth interior and a trailer hitch.It would make a nice tow vehicle for a race car. How bad is your car rotted? If you have pictures you can email then to me and I'll post them for you. Ed
[email protected]

[RPOZ26]

engine picture

[RPOZ26]

picture 2

[JQ]

[ QUOTE ]
hi iam new to this site as you can tell.this seems to be one of the few sites where people really know what they are talking about and seem to be really helpful.anyways...i just bought a 1966 caprice 4 door with a 427 from the origional owner and i was just wondering if this car has any desire to it being its a 4 door.its a typical wisconsin car and would need a complete restoration.also does anybody have any idea where i could find out how many were made like this.i bought the car cheap enough where i cant loose on it. i could always pull the engine,tranny and rearend and scrap the rest.any help would be great.thanks

[/ QUOTE ] Welcome to the site Jason, would you happen to know if it's a 390hp or 425hp 427. cool car...JQ. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[RPOZ26]

picture 3

[GeorgeLyons]

Air clnr would be single snorkel, everyone I ever saw had painted valve covers. This would be killer donor car for a solid Biscayne 2 door sedan project. Tuff to find but they are out there.

[olredalert]

------Cast iron intake and quadrajet. Hmmmm,,,,390hp???...........Bill S

[mssl72]

Definately a L36, 390hp car. Yes, it would have been a Turbo 400 backing it up. As previously stated it would not have come with a dual snorkle air cleaner. Only L72's (427/425hp) came with them in 1966. Also the valve covers would have been painted. Even '66 Vettes had painted ones. Lots of people like to dress them up. Doesn't chrome make them more aerodynamic?!?! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hmmm.gif

Anyway, the car could be a lot worse. I think it would be great to restore. You don't see them too often. Here's another website you should check out. I've been a member with them 10+ years. web page (http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/fullsizechevroletclub196566/)
More Later. Have fun.

[PeteLeathersac]

Hey....cool car, don't kill it!!! . An L-36 four door hardtop is a neat piece! . Don't forget if it's a Canadian built unit, the documents are available from GM Canada Vintage services. . Those sure were the days....cars like these peacfully sucking gas with a family on summer holidays! . Better start looking for an old tent trailer too? ~ Pete

[bad1racing]

Pete,Not a tent trailer.Tent trailers require a 6cyl.Small travel trailers 12-16ft require a 327-350CI.Go for the 18-24ft. trailer,he has a 427CI big block.All in all cool car.Big cars are making a comeback.

Kendall

[TDW]

I've got a 1974 26' Airstream that would look cool behind that car.

[jrn101]

i looked at the car a little more today.i took the code off the of the front of the engine.it has the vin number stamped on the block wich also matches the vin for the car.it is also stamped JR.i cant seem to find a JR code anywhere.hopefully somebody can tell me what it is or where to look.a site i looked at for casting numbers says the block is a 66-67 427.any help would be great.thank you

[TDW]

1969 JR Chevrolet 396 265 Mt Police, hdc

Found this at www.nastyz28.com..In (http://www.nastyz28.com..In) the BB engine ID section.

[RPOZ26]

I think you could even tow this 1955 38'Spartan Royal manor with it. Ed

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d46/RPOZ28/019_7A.jpg

[RPOZ26]

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d46/RPOZ28/caprice10.jpg

[RPOZ26]

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d46/RPOZ28/caprice12.jpg

[Casey Marks]

[ QUOTE ]
I think you could even tow this 1955 38'Spartan Royal manor with it. Ed

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d46/RPOZ28/019_7A.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]

In 1955, what the HELL would you use to tow that thing, a dump truck ??? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[mssl72]

As I promised here are the numbers I have from 1966 GM docs.

L36 427/390hp production- 3,287

As for how many were Caprices out of that number...nobody knows. There isn't any known documentation. There were however 73,962 4 door Caprices built and 449 were exported.

M40 Turbo 400 transmission- 86,897

That's about as specific as I can get. I do have totals for other options as well.