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The 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
The 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray introduced the real "Big Block" 427 cubic-inch
engines. Models with these engines also came with a special bubble hood to accomodate
the "Big Block". Both the big blocks were originally marketed as bigger displacement
engines. The 425 horsepower engine was originally specified as a 450 and the 390
was originally 400. No changes to the actual engines was made but the literature
and badging was changed to the lower numbers. The side vents on the coupe dissappeared
this year. Backup lights were now a standard item and were incorporated into the
existing tail lights. Holley carburetors which were on some optional engines before
are now standard on all engines. Seats were updated to decrease wear and tear. The
knock off wheels were still available although the center cap now had a dull finish.
Headrests were optional for the first time and the interior door pulls are bright
metal. The headliner of the '66 Vette is foam and vinyl, an upgrade from the fiberboard
headliner previously used.
Production Options and Build Statistics
Total 1966 Corvettes Built - 27,720
Total 1966 Coupes - 9,958
Total 1966 Convertibles - 17,762
| Serial Numbers |
|---|
| Coupe | 194376S100001 - 194376S127720 | | Convertible | 194676S100001 - 194676S127720 |
The "Vehicle Identification Number" (also VIN or serial number) is located on a stainless steel plate welded to the right side hinge pillar cross-brace under the glove box.
Serial Number Decoder
| Position | Character | Description |
|---|
| 1 | 1 | Chevrolet Division | | 2-3 | 94 | Body Series: Corvette | | 4-5 | 67 | Convertible | | 4-5 | 37 | Coupe | | 6 | 6 | 1966 | | 7 | S | Assembled in St. Louis, MO | | 8 to 13 | 100001 to 123562 | Production Sequence |
Engine Serial Number Decoder
1966 Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block after the engine number.
| Position | Value | Description |
|---|
| 1 to 7 | 0001001 | sequential production number | | 8 | F or T | Flint, MI or Tonawanda, NY | | 9 to 10 | Carburetion & Transmission | - HH = 327-cid 300-hp V-8 with 10.5:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, and four-barrel carburetor
- HR = 327-cid 300-hp V-8 with 10.5:1 compression ratio, automatic transmission, and four-barrel carburetor
- HD = 327-cid 350-hp V-8 with 11.0:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, and four-barrel carburetor
- HO = 327-cid 300-hp V-8 with 10.5:1 compression ratio, automatic transmission, and four barrel carburetor
- HT = 327-cid 350-hp V-8 with 11.0:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, four-barrel carburetor
- HP = 327-cid 300-hp V-8 with 10.5:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, four-barrel carburetor
- KH = 327-cid 350-hp V-8 with 11.0:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, four-barrel carburetor
- IK = 427-cid 425-hp V-8 with 11.0:1 compression ratio, manual transmission
- IL = 427-cid 390-hp V-8 with 10.25:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, four-barrel carburetor
- IM = 427-cid 390-hp V-8 with 10.25:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, four-barrel carburetor
- IP = 427-cid 425-hp V-8 with 11.0:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, four-barrel carburetor
- IQ = 427-cid 390-hp V-8 with 10.25:1 compression ratio, Powerglide automatic transmission and four-barrel carburetor
- IR = 427-cid 390-hp V-8 with 10.25:1 compression ratio, Powerglide automatic transmission, four-barrel carburetor
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The body number plate is located on the engine side of the cowl. The Fisher Body Style Number identifies the model of Corvette. 66-19467 - Corvette Sting Ray convertible 66-19437 - Corvette Sting Ray coupe The body number is the serial number of the body. The trim number represents the color of the interior, the paint color is the exterior "Magic Mirror" paint color.
Production Options
| RPO | Description | Cost | Total |
|---|
| Prod. | % |
|---|
| 19437 | Base Coupe | $4,295.00 | 9,958 | 35.9% | | 19467 | Base Convertible | $4,084.00 | 17,762 | 64.1% | | N/A | Genuine Leather Seats | $79.00 | 2,002 | 7.2% | | A01 | Soft Ray Tinted Glass, All Windows | $15.80 | 11,589 | 41.8% | | A02 | Soft Ray Tinted Glass, Windshield | $10.55 | 9,270 | 33.4% | | A31 | Power Windows | $57.95 | 4,562 | 16.5% | | A82 | Headrests | $42.15 | 1,033 | 3.7% | | A85 | Shoulder Belts | $26.35 | 37 | 0.1% | | C07 | Auxiliary Hardtop (Convert.) | $231.75 | 8,463 | 30.5% | | C48 | Heater/Defroster Delete | N/A | 54 | 0.2% | | C60 | Air Conditioning | $412.90 | 3,520 | 12.7% | | F41 | Special Front/Rear Suspension | $36.90 | 2,705 | 9.8% | | G81 | Positraction Rear Axle (all ratios) | $42.15 | 24,056 | 86.8% | | J50 | Power Brakes | $42.15 | 5,464 | 19.7% | | J56 | Special Heavy Duty Brakes | $342.30 | 382 | 1.4% | | K66 | Transistor Ignition System | $73.75 | 3,686 | 13.3% | | L36 | 427ci 390hp Engine | $181.20 | 5,116 | 18.5% | | L72 | 427ci, 450/425hp Engine | $312.85 | 5,528 | 19.9% | | L79 | 327ci, 350hp Engine | $105.35 | 7,591 | 27.4% | | M20 | 4-speed Manual Transmission | $184.35 | 10,837 | 39.1% | | M21 | 4 Speed Manual, Close Ratio Transmission | $184.35 | 13,903 | 50.2% | | M22 | 4 Speed Manual, Close Ratio, Heavy Duty Transmission | $237.00 | 15 | 0.1% | | M35 | Powerglide Automatic Transmission | $194.85 | 2,401 | 8.7% | | N03 | 36-Gallon Fuel Tank (Coupe) | $198.05 | 66 | 0.2% | | N11 | Offroad Exhaust System | $36.90 | 2,795 | 10.1% | | N14 | Side Mount Exhaust System | $131.65 | 3,617 | 13.0% | | N32 | Teakwood Steering Wheel | $47.40 | 3,941 | 14.2% | | N36 | Telescopic Steering Column | $42.15 | 3,670 | 13.2% | | N40 | Power Steering | $94.80 | 5,611 | 20.2% | | P48 | Cast Aluminum Knock-Off Wheels | $316.00 | 1,194 | 4.3% | | P92 | Whitewall Tires, 6.70 x 15 Rayon Cord | $31.30 | 17,969 | 64.8% | | T01 | Goldwall Tires 7.75 x 15 Nylon Cord | $46.55 | 5,557 | 20.0% | | U69 | AM/FM Radio | $199.10 | 26,383 | 95.2% | | V74 | Traffic Hazard Switch | $11.60 | 5,764 | 20.8% |
Color Options for 1966
| RPO | Color | Cost | Ditzler | Dupont | Lucite | RMNumber | Soft Top Color | Interior Color | Total |
|---|
| Prod. | % |
|---|
| 900 | Tuxedo Black | $0.00 | DDL-9300 | N/A | 88-L | A-946 | Beige/Black/White | B-BB-BK-G-R-S-SI-WB | 1,190 | 4.3% | | 972 | Ermine White | $0.00 | DDL-8259 | N/A | 4024-L | A-1199 | Beige/Black/White | B-BB-BK-G-R-S-SI-WB | 2,120 | 7.6% | | 974 | Rally Red | $0.00 | DDL-71491 | N/A | 4688-LH | A-1744R | Beige/Black/White | BK-R | 3,366 | 12.1% | | 976 | Nassau Blue | $0.00 | DDL-13057 | N/A | 4690-L | A-1747 | Beige/Black/White | B-BB-BK-WB | 6,100 | 22.0% | | 978 | Laguna Blue | $0.00 | DDL-13188 | N/A | 4710-L | A-1826 | Beige/Black/White | B-BB-BK | 2,054 | 7.4% | | 980 | Trophy Blue | $0.00 | DDL-13199 | N/A | 4712-L | A-1825 | Beige/Black/White | B-BB-BK | 1,463 | 5.3% | | 982 | Mosport Green | $0.00 | DDL-43535 | N/A | 4713-L | A-1827 | Beige/Black/White | BK-G | 2,311 | 8.3% | | 984 | Sunfire Yellow | $0.00 | DDL-81540 | N/A | 4711-L | A-1828 | Beige/Black/White | BK | 2,339 | 8.4% | | 986 | Silver Pearl | $0.00 | DDL-32449 | N/A | 4621-L | A-1708 | Beige/Black/White | BK-SI | 2,967 | 10.7% | | 988 | Milano Maroon | $0.00 | DDL-50706 | N/A | 4689-LM | A-1746M | Beige/Black/White | BK-S | 3,799 | 13.7% |
Color Codes: B=Blue, BB=Bright Blue, BG=Beige, BK=Black, G-Green, L=Leather, R=Red, S=Saddle, SI=Silver, V=Vinyl, W=White, WB=White and Blue
Interior Colors
| RPO | Color | Cost | Total |
|---|
| Prod. | % |
|---|
| Std | Black / Vinyl | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | | 402 | Black / Leather | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | | 407 | Red / Vinyl | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | | 408 | Red / Leather | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | | 414 | Bright Blue / Vinyl | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | | 415 | Bright Blue / Leather | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | | 418 | Blue / Vinyl | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | | 419 | Blue / Leather | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | | 420 | Saddle / Vinyl | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | | 421 | Saddle / Leather | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | | 426 | Silver / Vinyl | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | | 427 | Silver / Leather | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | | 430 | Green / Vinyl | $0.00 | N/A | N/A | | 450 | White & Blue / Vinyl | $0.00 | N/A | N/A |
1966 Corvette Specifications
Mechanical Dimensions
| Feature | Coupe | Convertible |
|---|
| Wheelbase | 98 inches (2.489 m) | 98 inches (2.489 m) | | Overall length | 175.3 inches (4.453 m) | 175.2 inches (4.450 m) | | Overall width | 69.6 inches (1.768 m) | 69.6 inches (1.768 m) | | Overall height | 49.6 inches (1.265 m) | | | Front tread | 57.6 inches (1.463 m) | 57.6 inches (1.443 m) | | Rear tread | 58.3 inches (1.481 m) | 58.3 inches (1.481 m) | | Frame | Full-length ladder type with five cross members and separate body | Full-length ladder type with five cross members and separate body | | Ground Clearance | 5 inches (12.7 cm) | 5 inches (12.7 cm) | | Front suspension | Independent upper and lower A-arms; unequal-length wishbones; coil springs; anti-roll bar;tubular shocks | Independent upper and lower A-arms; unequal-length wishbones; coil springs; anti-roll bar;tubular shocks | | Rear suspension | Independent with fixed differential; nine leaf springs lateral struts and universally-jointed axle shafts radius arms and direct-acting shock absorbers | Independent with fixed differential; nine leaf springs lateral struts and universally-jointed axle shafts radius arms and direct-acting shock absorbers | | Steering | Saginaw recirculating ball, 17:1 ratio, 2.9 turns to lock, 41.6 turning circle | Saginaw recirculating ball, 17:1 ratio, 2.9 turns to lock, 41.6 turning circle | | Rear axle type | Hypoid semi-floating | Hypoid semi-floating | | Brakes | Hydraulic, vented four wheel discs 11.75-inch diameter, single calipers, total swept area 461 sq. in. | Hydraulic, vented four wheel discs 11.75-inch diameter, single calipers, total swept area 461 sq. in. | | Wheels | 6" wide 15" 5-lug steel disc | 6" wide 15" 5-lug steel disc | | Standard rear axle ratio | 3.55:1 | 3.55:1 | | Optional rear axle ratio | 3.08:1, 3.36:1, 3.55:1, 3.70:1, 4.11:1, 4.56:1 | 3.08:1, 3.36:1, 3.55:1, 3.70:1, 4.11:1, 4.56:1 |
Engine Specifications
| Feature | Base Engine | RPO L79 | RPO L30 | RPO L72 |
|---|
| Type | V-8, Overhead valve | V-8, Overhead valve | V-8, Overhead valve | V-8, Overhead valve | | Block | Cast iron block | Cast iron block | Cast iron block | Cast iron block | | Displacement | 327 cid | 327 cid | 427 cid | 427 cid | | Bore & Stroke | 4.00 x 3.25" | 4.00 x 3.25" | 4.251 x 3.76" | 4.251 x 3.76" | | Compression ratio | 10.50:1 | 11.0:1 | 10.50:1 | 11.0:1 | | Brake horsepower | 300 @ 5000 | 350@5800 | 390@5200 | 425@5000 | | Torque | 350 lb-ft @ 2800 | 360 lb-ft @ 3000 | 460 lb-ft @ 3600 | 460 lb-ft @ 4000 | | Main bearing | five | five | five | five | | Valve Lifters | Hydraulic | Hydraulic | Hydraulic | Mechanical Valve Lifters & Special-performance Camshaft | | Fuel supply | Holley Four-Barrel | Holley Four-Barrel | Holley Four-Barrel | Large Holley Four-Barrel |
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