1966 Corvette History

1966 Corvette History

The 1966 Corvette became even meaner thanks to the optional L72, 427 cid pushing 425 horsepower (even though the earlier L72 showed a 450 bhp sticker on the air cleaner, which GM recalled later in the year and applied the 425 bhp sticker). Apparently it felt more like 450+ horses sucking you back on this year's extra pleated leather seats.

The L72 option also came with a power-bulge hood. Besides the improved seats, the interior saw a change on the headliner which was now covered with vinyl. The exhaust bezels received a chrome job. The rocker panel moldings showed a ribbed design. The front grille was changed and presented an insert resembling an "egg crate".

Production for the 1966 Corvette stood at 22,720 units, of which 9,958 were coupes, and 17,772 were convertibles.

Corvette trivia for 1966:

On February 5th, Roger Penske/Sunoco 1966 Corvette (#6) powered by a 427 cid engine, finished 1st in the GT+ 3000 class at the Daytona Continental 24-hour race, held in Daytona, Florida. The car was driven by Dick Guldstrand, George Wintersteen and Ben Moore.

On July 30th, the film "Batman" was released in USA theaters by Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation. In one of the scenes there is brief showing of a nassau-blue '66 Vette convertible. For more interesting Corvette trivia and events which took place in 1966, check out Ken Polsson's page Chronology Of Chevrolet Corvettes.