Paul Dehnert's Killer 1966 396/375 Chevelle!

[Paul D]

The radiator tag is VI, see pic.

[TimG]

Great car, Paul. But if it goes to Vettefest, you'll need to kick something out of the trailer and that would be my '67. This car was in Woodland, CA for quite some time, suprised Charley let it slip out of town.

[MYSTERYCHEVELLE]

Good Rag Tag picture! Paul has the exhaust been replaced? I am curious if it has the LONG style or more common Short style exiting behind wheels? and what the Gas tank looks like.. signs of black out vs. bare steel? I would not have thought your car would have SMOG, no surprise there, it also has the appropriate SHROUD for the radiator and not a FINGER GUARD ( as most 66 and 67 SS's should have finger Guard ) Yours having the heavy duty radiator option, got the Shroud

[Xplantdad]

Some much good info here...keep it coming!

[Paul D]

Here's a pic of the exhaust exit and a better view of the gas tank. I believe it's just unpainted steel with 40 years of patina.

Yes, the exhaust has been replaced with stainless steel pipes and mufflers. I understand that L78 Chevelles as well as L72 big cars did not have rear resonators, and therefore the exhaust exited right behind the rear wheels. Although I may have missunderstood your point on long vs. short exits, I assume mine is and was the "short" exit. I know on big cars a way to help determine whether it was an original L72 is the unique location of exhaust pipe hanger mounting holes in the frame. I assume that's the case with Chevelles and L78 also. Is that correct?

[MYSTERYCHEVELLE]

Paul

The short vs long style exhaust/tail pipe on 66 SS Chevelles had nothing to do with the engine size.. L-34, L35, L-78.. but did have to do with time the car was built.. The LONG VERSION had the tail pipes exiting at the Left and Rear Bumper Corners. This was the standard on 66 SS until FEB. 1, 1966 when a shorter version was authorized. This shorter version had the Tailpipes exiting behind the rear tires below the quarter panels.. and this short version was maintained and continued into the 67 Model year where all 67 Chevelles had their tail pipes exiting. (The tail pipes also had a very unique cut at the end, I like to call it a Fancy Cucumber cut) This is not to say one could not find a late 66 with Long style pipes.. as several examples have been documented beyond February 1966, but likely that was just plants using up their supplies. My DEC. 1965 66 SS has the long style. No resonators on any 66/67 SS Chevelle exhaust systems, no matter what the hp rating.

[kwhizz]

[ QUOTE ]
Paul

The short vs long style exhaust/tail pipe on 66 SS Chevelles had nothing to do with the engine size.. L-34, L35, L-78.. but did have to do with time the car was built.. The LONG VERSION had the tail pipes exiting at the Left and Rear Bumper Corners. This was the standard on 66 SS until FEB. 1, 1966 when a shorter version was authorized. This shorter version had the Tailpipes exiting behind the rear tires below the quarter panels.. and this short version was maintained and continued into the 67 Model year where all 67 Chevelles had their tail pipes exiting. (The tail pipes also had a very unique cut at the end, I like to call it a Fancy Cucumber cut) This is not to say one could not find a late 66 with Long style pipes.. as several examples have been documented beyond February 1966, but likely that was just plants using up their supplies. My DEC. 1965 66 SS has the long style. No resonators on any 66/67 SS Chevelle exhaust systems, no matter what the hp rating.

[/ QUOTE ]
Mike Crown

Again........the knowledge base available on this site is beyond belief..

Ken

[firstgenaddict]

WOW... I have nothing else to say... WOW

[mmcporter]

Paul,

They are only original once. Congrats on preserving this piece of musclecar history. It's gorgeous.

[BJK 67]

Because Paul & I are partner's on another car, I talked him into letting me take it for a drive (alone)--it drives just like you think a "new" 396/375 1966 Chevelle should drive/run .
It was a good day!!