1966 Chevy Corvette Coupe Big Block Arizona Auction Bound
February 24, 2025 4:05 am
1966 Chevy Corvette Sting Ray production totaled 27,270 units, with 9,958 coupes and 17,762 convertibles leaving the St. Louis assembly plant. Standard equipment for the 1966 Corvette included a 300-horsepower 327 Small Block, a three-speed manual transmission, vinyl seat covers, a power radio antenna, a vinyl soft top for convertibles or an auxiliary hard top in lieu of the soft top at no additional cost. Wheels were painted steel with wheel covers.
The 1966 Chevy Corvette received a handful of aesthetic changes from the previous year. The ‘Corvette’ script on the passenger side of the rear deck was more vertical in appearance with an elongated ‘C’. An additional Corvette emblem was added to the driver’s leading edge of the hood. The grille was a cast square mesh, with a plated finish. The functional vents on coupes were eliminated. Backup lights, previously part of the RPO Z01 Comfort and Convenience Group, became standard equipment, and were incorporated into the inboard taillights.
There were interior changes to the 1966 Chevy Corvette, as well. The seat bottoms and seat backs had more pleats than the year before, allowing better weight distribution. As with the exterior emblems, the glovebox-door Corvette script was more vertically oriented. Interior door pulls were made of bright metal, and headrests were an available option for the first time. Headliners in coupes and convertible hardtops transitioned from fiberboard to vinyl-covered foam early in the production year.
There were changes in the powertrain selection with the introduction of the 427 cubic-inch Mark IV Big Block that replaced the 396 cube Big Block from the previous year. The 427 was available as RPO L36 which was rated at 390 horsepower, or RPO L72 which was rated at 450 horsepower early in the model year, but was reduced to 425 horsepower without any changes to the equipment, presumably to stem insurance companies from refusing to cover it. Small Block engines displaced 327 cubic inches. As mentioned previously, the stock 327 produced 300 horsepower. RPO L79 produced 350 horsepower. RPO K66 Transistorized Ignition was mandatory on the L72, and optional on RPOs L79 and L36. Holley carburetors were standard equipment on all engines.
Available transmissions for the 1966 Chevy Corvette included the standard three-speed manual, RPO M20 wide-ratio four-speed manual, RPO M21 close-ratio four-speed manual, RPO M22 heavy-duty close-ratio four-speed manual, and RPO M35 Powerglide two-speed automatic transmission.
1966 would be the final year RPO P48 Knock-off wheels were available, but the center cone had a dull finish as opposed to the bright cone on the ‘65s. The area between the fins had a dark gray finish.
Our feature 1966 Chevy Corvette coupe is finished in Sunfire Yellow over a black interior. It is one of 5,258 equipped with RPO L72, the 427 cube Big Block making 425 ponies. The rat motor is backed by the Muncie M21 close-ratio four-speed gearbox that sends power to the 4.11 Positraction rear differential. Equipment includes power steering, F41 Special Front and Rear Suspension, cast aluminum knock-off wheels wrapped in Firestone Goldline tires, transistorized ignition, telescopic steering column, Delco AM-FM radio, off-road exhaust, and rare J56 Heavy Duty Brakes – one of only 382 so equipped.
