L72 Big Cars

[mssl72]

The guys that like BIG cars will enjoy this. Last Sunday I had the pleasure of meeting up with 2 friends and we brought our cars together to check out and BS about things. The interesting thing is, the 3 cars are all 1966 Chevrolet Caprices, factory equipped with 427/425hp L72 engines. It's something you don't see everyday. Through various contacts with clubs and such, we have knowledge of 8 L72 '66 Caprices. Estimates of how many were actually built is something like 50. These 3 are currently in California. This spread of cars represents 3 different factories. Mine (Marina Blue/Black) was built in Norwood the first week (01A) of January 1966, the Black/Red car was built in Atlanta the second week (01B) of January 1966 and the Sandlewood Tan/Fawn car (all documents) was built in Doraville (a BOP plant outside of Atlanta) the fourth week (04D) of April 1966. The Sandlewood Tan car is going up on the Barrett-Jackson Auction on Thursday (lot 710), so we knew we had to get them all together for some pics before it goes to another owner. Here's a few pics.

http://tinypic.com/kc0zs9.jpg
http://tinypic.com/kc102d.jpg
http://tinypic.com/kc10cj.jpg
http://tinypic.com/kc10qw.jpg
http://tinypic.com/kc10uq.jpg
http://tinypic.com/kc110p.jpg

Don't cut the grass!
http://tinypic.com/kc116x.jpg

[JIM]

Cool collection of l-72's. I have a 68 l-72 bisquisk, M-22, 4;88's form the plant. Just bought a 69 427 Caprice. Its being delivered to Scottsdale as we speak. I sold the original Paint Lemonwood Yellow 66 427 SS Impala at Palm Beach last year.

Jim http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[SS427]

Mark,
You are right. You DON'T see that every day. That photo is as cool as this photo that you also don't see every day. All very nice cars. Especially like those Caprices with the factory console gauges.

[MosportGreen66]

That made my morning!
Very impressive... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[markinnaples]

Awesome, love those big cars. Nice pics.

[mockingbird812]

Serious brawn!!!!!! Great effort to get these together.

[Belair62]

Damn...now thats some cool stuff !!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Paul_S]

That's very cool to see all three original cars together. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif -It's about time. I wonder which one is the fastest? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif Hmmm... I have a very accurate guess.

I hope the auction brings good luck and a deserving new owner to the tan car. It would also be nice if the car stayed within reach in California.

Paul

[Draginwagon]

Absolutely Beautiful Cars. I myself have a 70 Townsman with the LS-5. (pic's in Misc. Dealers Section of photos) still learning how to attach to messages.
My Buddy has a 68 SS 427, he is the second owner, Dark Blue, bench seat with Fabric interior, also blue.
To me there is nothing like a Big Block Big Car.

[427TJ]

What??? No burnout shots??? (Just kidding.)

Think of it: You could order a '66 big Chevy with a 427/425. On the way home you could fill it with 100+ octane Supreme for 30 cents per gallon. The L72 gulped it down at a prodigious rate even when you were off the throttle but you just didn't care. Those were the days all right!

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

[Paul D]

Some of the unique neat "one off" things on '66 big car L72's are the four core HD radiator, idler pulley and bracket like '65 Z16, two snout air cleaner (different from '70 Z28), large Corvette exhaust manifolds, exhaust system and hangers with no resonatiors and turn downs behind rear wheels. and List 3247 carb ('66 L72 Corvette was List 3247).

Also, for plants that included options on the trim tag, an X indicated close ratio 4 speed (M21 or M22) which was only installed on L72 equiped big cars.

I have a '66 Impala SS L72 with in-dash tach, console gauges, M21, TI, and PS. Aztec Bronze Metallic/Black vinyl top/black interior. It runs like a scaled rabbit!

Paul

[QQGSX]

I have never heard of the "X" theory. However, I have heard that a "Q" on the trim tag indicated a 427/425 4 speed. My understanding is that the 1 through 5 option lists on the trim tag were to notify the Fisher body employees where to drill certain holes in the body for those options.Of course, not all factories put options on the trim tags.

I may be mistaken, but I believe the list # on the 427/425 big cars was 3246 in 1966.

Paul, where was your "66" built?

[Casey Marks]

NICE stuff !!!! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

[Paul D]

QQGSS, Yes, I believe your right on both comments. It is a Q on the trim tag that indications close ration 4 spd, and L72 (not an X). Also, the L72 carb List # is 3246 for big cars as you state. Sorry about my typos!

My car was built in St. Louis, S in the Vin #. It came from the factory with a 3.36 posi and M21.

Paul

[mssl72]

Thanks for the nice comments guys. It was fun to get them all together. The tan car is currently in Scottsdale getting ready for it's spotlight on Thursday. About the black car, I forgot to mention that the original window sticker is with it. It is the most loaded out of the 3 including power steering and brakes, AM/FM multiplex, and the comfort and convenience package. My car (blue) and the tan car both do not have power steering or brakes. It keeps you on your toes sometimes. As for gears, mine is a DN code, 4.10:1, black, DM code 3.73:1 and the tan, DH code 3.31:1. Transmissions are M20, M21 and M20 respectively. The Holley 3246 is the carb that would have been installed on an L72 passenger car. There is a little twist to that though. The 3246 is an "EE" code. On the build sheet for the tan car it shows an "EF" code. I find that odd that an "EF" code, Holley 3130 (1965 396/425 L78 carb) would be called out for a car built the 4th week of April 1966. It could have been a typo, maybe the fact of it being built in a BOP plant with some possible different codes. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[Turbo Regal]

One question for the experts: I know the L72 was available in big cars in '66,'68 and '69. Why none in 1967?

[Paul D]

Nathan, What I've heard about the '67 cars not having an L72 is that the Corvette powers prevailed and politically got it killed for the '67 model year. Apparently they thought an engine in the big car that was comparable to the Corvette would dilute the performance image of the Corvette.

Also, it's interesting to note that the Z24 option on the '67 big cars has the unique three chrome "stacks" on the top of the hood indicating that at least at one time Chevrolet was planning for a Tri Power engine in '67 big cars similar to the Corvette L71 427 435 horse L71.

My guess is that politics won out in 1967, but in '68 and '69 the L72 again became a RPO for big cars. Maybe the Corvette guys felt that with the Tri Power options and the L88 they were adequately maintaining there image as Chevrolets performance leader. Of course, then you have to ask yourself what happened in 1970 with the Chevelle LS6 450 hp option??

My two cents.... for what it's worth.....
Paul

[JoeG]

3's a charm-------------- http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[mssl72]

Maybe one day I can get my car to one of SCR events. Do they let luxury cars in? Here's a few interior shots.

http://tinypic.com/keyzc0.jpg
http://tinypic.com/keyzcz.jpg
http://tinypic.com/keyzhe.jpg

[SS427]

Yeah, me too. Then maybe we big car owners can show some of the Pony car owners that this big 'ole iron does have some muscle. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[GTO_DON]

NOT TO CHANGE THE SUBJECT BUT I HAVE A 68 SS427 L72 CAR. IT HAS 15 INCH STEEL WHEELS WITH WHAT LOOKS LIKE A PF CODE AROUND THE VALVE STEM. DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THERE WAS A 15 INCH WHEEL OPTION FOR THESE CAR? ALSO HOW CAN YOU TELL IF THE TRANS IS A M21 OR M22 WITHOUT TAKING IT APART? ALSO IT HAS A DN CODE ON THE REAR. ISNT THAT A 410? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Mr70]

That is a 4:10 posi prefix for a 1968 Passenger.

[Enoch]

On the build stamp on the trans it should end in a letter A=M-20, B=M-21, and C=M-22. Not all trans's have this suffix but most should.
Rich.

[GTO_DON]

I THOUGHT THAT WAS 69 AND UP. ONLY THING ON THE SIDE ARE THE DATE CODE AND THE VIN NUMBER.

[GTO_DON]

PIC

[GTO_DON]

ANOTHER http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gifNOTE THE 6000 REDLINE AND THE SS427 ON THE WHEEL http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Mr70]

I too think the A-B-C definition codes weren't used until 1969 +.
Maybe crash (http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/showprofile.php?Cat=0&User=367&page=8&what=showmem bers) could help clear this up.

[Enoch]

I believe you guys are right. I wasn't paying attention I thought it was a 69. Here is a picture of a 69 trans stamp I have . I will post a picture of a 67 with no stamp later.
Don getting back to how can I tell if it a M-21 or M-22. I have not been in a "QUIET" M-22 car. Does the trans wine at all.
Rich.

[mssl72]

Do you have a picture of the input shaft? The part that sticks out of the transmission.

[Draginwagon]

the 66 went for $56,000 (thursday night at Barrett Jackson), I was watching. The Buyer got a bargain in my book.
A beautiful Big Block Big Car with evry bit of documentation you could ask for. Better than a Hemi clone, The Real Deal L-72.
Congrats to the seller, however I am sure they will miss the car.

[Canucklehead]

The commentators seem to really like the car and pumped it quite well.

[427CARL]

Thanks for the Beautifull pictures!! 3 of any 427-425 is a moment of history. Wish I could afford those 3 air breathers! lol

[Paul D]

Is that the same tan Caprice thats in this years B-J?
Paul

[mssl72]

Yes Paul, it is. It pulled 59k last year when my friend Michael sold it. I don't know why the buyer is selling it now. I thought he was gonna keep it for a while. Maybe he didn't like the 3:31 gears. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif I'm curious to see how it does this year.

[JohnZ]

[ QUOTE ]
One question for the experts: I know the L72 was available in big cars in '66,'68 and '69. Why none in 1967?

[/ QUOTE ]

Older post, but I thought I'd respond - I had a Champagne '67 SS427 with an L-72 4-speed when I worked at Chevrolet Engineering; it was ordered for the Engineering Product Evaluation Fleet, built at Flint Assembly, and I tagged it and bought it out of the fleet with my employee discount when it got 3,000 miles on it, in December, 1966. It had this tag pop-riveted to the vertical surface of the driver's side fender reinforcement - still have the tag in my "old cars" tool chest. I drove the car for two years while I was at the Chevrolet Pilot Line and sold it in Flint in the fall of '68 when I bought a '69 Caprice 427.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-2/13522/67SS427.JPG

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

[Xplantdad]

How cool is that? Do you know the whereabouts of the car today?

[Paul_S]

Holy Crap!!... Find the VIN... dig through stuff and your brain to remember next owner. Very cool. Hey, what made you remove this tag from the car (you knew it was a "special" car)? I wonder how handy it was to have an L-72 to install if they were not at that plant for installation as an RPO.

Paul

[67BelAir427]

Post deleted by sYc

[mssl72]

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

Now that's really interesting! Where is it now?? Do you remember who you sold it to?? Everybody is gonna want to know. That's a unique car.

[3macs1]

[ QUOTE ]
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Now that's really interesting! Where is it now?? Do you remember who you sold it to?? Everybody is gonna want to know. That's a unique car.

[/ QUOTE ]
This is a car that was never built according to every B -body expert out there and every piece of Gm literature seen to date.This could rewrite the 67 Impala books.
This is not like finding an original zl-1 since GM documented they made them and we know how many . This is a conbination that GM clearly state they didnot produce and if that tag was posted by others I would probally be saying ya right since I have seen similar tags before.
Would love to hear more about this car. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

[Mr70]

Man that's sweet!
Among other questions that have been asked,How much did they take off for your employee discount,and what was the final total amount you paid for it?

[67BelAir427]

Post deleted by sYc

[Late BrakeU2]

[ QUOTE ]



Having said that,there are already doubters who have posted on other forums.




[/ QUOTE ]
Maybe those doubters need to get a life during the holidays..maybe he's spending time with family?. Geez,the guy has thirty posts in 2 1/2 years..Don't piss him off he just might turn in to thin air!

John Z,I'm the Mark that pm'ed you from California,just so you don't confuse the two eh? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[juliosz]

Marc,
I think patience is a virtue in this case. If you really knew who you're addressing here you would know he speaks only in fact. If others want to doubt, let them. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

[Xplantdad]

I agree with Mark from California...give it a rest for the time being. When he's ready...I'm sure that he'll expound more on the subject at hand. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

Happy holidays to everyone! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[mssl72]

I agree with Mark from California too. Hey! I'm Mark from California! I thought I was the only one. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Happy New Year!

[JohnZ]

[ QUOTE ]
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Now that's really interesting! Where is it now?? Do you remember who you sold it to?? Everybody is gonna want to know. That's a unique car.

[/ QUOTE ]

I sold it out of an ad in the Flint paper in the fall of '68 when I got the '69 Caprice; don't recall who I sold it to, but it's probably iron oxide by now from Michigan winters and salt. I removed the tag before I sold it as a memento, as it was definitely a "special" car (about 8 mpg, and at least two sets of rear redline tires in two years). http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

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

[MXZ]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
One question for the experts: I know the L72 was available in big cars in '66,'68 and '69. Why none in 1967?

[/ QUOTE ]

Older post, but I thought I'd respond - I had a Champagne '67 SS427 with an L-72 4-speed when I worked at Chevrolet Engineering; it was ordered for the Engineering Product Evaluation Fleet, built at Flint Assembly, and I tagged it and bought it out of the fleet with my employee discount when it got 3,000 miles on it, in December, 1966. It had this tag pop-riveted to the vertical surface of the driver's side fender reinforcement - still have the tag in my "old cars" tool chest. I drove the car for two years while I was at the Chevrolet Pilot Line and sold it in Flint in the fall of '68 when I bought a '69 Caprice 427.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-2/13522/67SS427.JPG

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

[/ QUOTE ]

What a story JohnZ. Thanks so much for sharing. Do you remember what it had for rear gear?

Also can you breifly explain the Engineering Product Evaluation Fleet? Testing a bunch of high HP factory hot rods?

[SS427]

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-2/13522/67SS427.JPG

John,
I missed this thread as I was out of the state over the holidays and just came across it today. You may recall that you and I e-mailed back and forth several years ago and you sent me a picture of the above. After hearing the complete story I was and still am a firm believer in this car existing at one time. It would be fantastic to come across it again though that is likely never going to happen.

Keep hanging around. We need your knowledge and experience that you can bring to us. Some of your plant stories are really exciting and informative. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif
Rick Nelson

[442w30]

Not quite L72, but I thought some of you would get a kick out of this car:

http://www.backyardwrenchheads.tv/

[TAU]

No, it was 1,856.

[TAU]

L72 count in '66 was 1,856.