How to Tell a Real 1966 Chevelle SS 396 from a Fake!

[@GMCTIM]

One of the most beautiful cars GM ever built ! Love the 66 chevelle ! 👍🏻✌

[@thomasseliger2982]

The valance panel between the grill and trim was silver. 396 was offered as 360 hp not 350 hp. Front drum brakes were all that were available. The seat edge trim on the bottom of seat was the color of the seat.

[@backyardbarnfinds]

I was waiting for the 360hp comment! lol

[@butchking154]

never seen a silver valance from the factory

[@jimthomas1989]

​@@butchking154, both of my 66 Chevelle Super Sport cars has silver and the steel panels are even stamped 138

[@williamking6531]

I believe the three 396 engine horse power ratings were: 325, 360, and 375 HP. The 375 HP had solid lifters (which were replaced on recall from GM), 4-bolt mains, duel feed Holley carb on a high rise manifold, 11:? compression and you could order limited slip rear axle down to 4:88. I sure there was more but I can't remember every detail. I had one of the 375 HP with 4:88's that I ordered back in 1966. Added Big Thomas headers, American mags. a Sun Tach and Mickey Thompson slicks. Was one of the quickest cars in my home town. Sorry to this day I traded it in for a vette.

[@brianhayes7618]

My favorite car of all time

[@darkmanzz]

I wanna rummage though those shelves-- my chevy sense is tingling

[@user-bq4un2zx1s]

I had a 66 Malibu hardtop with a 327 and Saginaw 4 speed. It had been optioned with a console and strato bucket seats. I bought it in 1968 for $1,600. Super nice car.

[@spamsquirrel]

Another way to tell is that on the quarter panels, in the gutter under the trunk lid towards the front of the car, there is a stamp of the first 5 numbers of the VIN. The same thing goes for the rocker panels underneath. Plus... If you take the rocker panel trim off you will see vent holes along the rockers... Another thing is that the big block cars had 3/8" fuel lines, whereas the small block cars had 5/16". I own a 67 SS and I can easily spot a fake.

[@jimthomas1989]

Parker ? The 66 SS had different gauge clusters than the Malibu , the panels were also stamped 138 . I have both a 138 and 136 in 1966 models and have studied them over 20 years , I can spot a Fake instantly !

[@randymassaro8111]

My high school buddy had one with a Holley equipped, hydraulic lifter 360 HP. It was quick but he needed more and in 1970 we installed a new crate LS6 454. Now THAT was quick at 12.5 in the 1/4 mile !

[@jamescon55]

STILL quick 😏👌

[@adamvalenzuela6626]

I own a 66 chevelle coup 327 power glide full bench seat. I like the smooth ride it has. Thank you for the nice video.

[@wickedpony4633]

Another educational video. Keep them coming. Thanks.

[@Mike-rx4in]

Your videos are great! 1966 Chevelles are awesome vehicles!

[@kylekyleson373]

I currently have a 1966 Malibu convertible. It has the boxed frame , it's not a SS however. It is Blue and believed it was called Marina Blue. I did not know about that SS frame reinforcement you pointed out. Interesting fact. Mine came with the 283 Automatic. I have owned it for 25 years and yes it has the same rotted trunk floor. Hopefully I will be buying a new full trunk pan this spring.

[@jamescon55]

Unless you are doin a frame off on your car? You will find that installing the one piece FULL floor in your car IS impossible (less ya remove the rear tail pan). So, the 3 piece trunk floor will be your best bet for a frame on build. Best of luck. Marina Blue on what color interior is yours btw? 🤔 Happy Restoring and Cruizin 😎

[@kylekyleson373]

@@jamescon55 Jim ,my plan is to get the whole floor with the brackets already in place and cut it in half front to back. Put one side in at a time and weld them together so as not to disturb the brackets. I can remove the back panel but I want to keep the body as rigid as possible so I will leave it in place. Eventually the frame will be removed and cleaned, sanded and painted. New bolts and bushings have to be installed and hopefully it will be solid enough that it don't need replacement. Interior is blue but I would like to change it to white because I like that color combination. Thank you for your input and encouragement. Yes this is my first time I have ever done anything like this but what the hell I got nothing to lose.

[@67stingray1]

Very informative. Love the sound of the drivers door closing.

[@HAVOCRISING_]

Just getting into the 66/67 and learning the little things about these cars. Good video and it helped out a lot.

[@paulgoree5206]

Very informative.1 of my favorite body style.

[@crankyfrank8322]

I miss my 66 SS396 325HP Stock except the power glide was replacsd with a turbo 400 sold it in 84. Been kicking myself every since.

[@bcracing204]

I had a 66 chevelle from 1989 to 1997 it was street raced and bracket raced and i kick myself in the ass everÿday for selling it I can Not explain the pain I live with for making such a huge mistake in my life😢

[@crankyfrank8322]

I understand that pain.

[@rondpert5167]

The filler panel behind the front bumper should be Argent Silver on a 1966 SS. The L34 engine had a slightly different camshaft than later years and was it rated 360 HP in 1966 only. They were also grooved around the rear journal for lubrication. Later years used a grooved bearing instead. I believe that the 12 bolt differential was unique to the 396 equipped cars. Station wagons came with heavy duty axle shafts in their 10 bolt differentials that were thicker than axles in the 12 bolt. I have seen later model Muncie 4 speed transmissions stamped with a partial VIN, like the engines did.

[@keithohlstrom894]

Yes. I had a 66 Chevelle 396/360hp. They did not make a 396/350hp. Also I had a 411 pos rear end. I blew up the 396 engine street racing. So, I put in a 427 L88 engine with a big Crowler Cam Edelbrock high rise with a 3 Barrel Holly Carb 1050 CFM.

[@keithohlstrom894]

Then my car was a rocket with the L88 427

[@CAROLDDISCOVER-FINDER2525]

Hey I watch the rest of your video on this car. That's a nice car. I do love that color combination but I've always liked Burgundy wine kind of colors of different shades. In the tan really is a nice compliment. You know you say back then the cars we're basically in between down in the valley on value. Friend of mine had one of these and high school it was electric blue white interior white top it look brand new. I don't know what they called a color but that's what I'm calling it. That was in the 1980s. At least crowd that I've always ran around with and they've been different ones around my life we've always had respect for this year of Chevelle. Anyway he traded it for some hot rod Chevy 2 Nova. I was never sure how he came about getting this Chevelle convertible because none of us really had money to speak of. In any case I'll look forward to what you do on this Chevelle and I appreciate the thorough explanation on it. Very meticulous.

[@ksboi29]

Great information. My father has a 67 Chevelle SS.

[@kenfuller8120]

My first car really wish I still had her

[@brettsims931]

Awesome and very informative.. Now my search begins!

[@scottlamenich1116]

From 1966 to 1968 the SS396 had a unique VIN number

[@erickriebel4366]

Thank you for the video excellent information and you're very clear and very descriptive and I appreciate that and you do know you're your car is I appreciate that thank you I like listening to somebody that knows what you're talking about

[@hollyrockscorner6223]

The splash pan underneath the grill area the portion closest to the grill would have been body color then you have the trim in the middle and the part that is closest to the bumper would be argent silver. Also there was no 350 horsepower option in 66 it was 360 horsepower that year and in 1967 it was 350 horsepower for the middle horsepower option.

[@jessemarinjr6374]

GREAT VIDEO & INFORMATION !!

[@williamstrumfels3305]

for your info....back in 1969 I bought a 1966 SS Chevelle ....It was the same color but with a black vinyl roof ...it did have the black interior with bucket seats... now this gets interesting it had a 396 360 hp with a 4 speed muncie transmission a 4:10 12 bolt rear .. and sintered metallic brake with no power steering or brakes

[@TOMV1234]

This guy knows his stuff

[@john-zr6yh]

just to add to the vin # on the pillar the original tag was riveted with a GM special star rivet so if u see a regular rivet on that tag it was probably taken from a wrecked/junked SS ,buyer beware

[@RoyPage1970]

It's real easy if you know anything at all about these cars and it's real easy to pick a fake one out from any year

[@broncorickenback1149]

I have a 67 SS marina blue , 4 speed , l78 i bought 35 years ago , Im restorating finally now

[@erickriebel4366]

If you know your cars and you have studied them and the emblems and all the things that are on them you can spot a fake in about 1 minute but if you don't know buy yourself a catalog and read it 10 times and you will learn the cars the emblems the VIN numbers and you will learn all that information and then you won't get burned on the car when you buy one if you don't want to go through all the trouble higher yourself an expert and a couple of grand is better than losing about 20 grand

[@BernardBouchard-qq9kq]

I had a360 in 66 blew it put in a Yenko 375 pull out I added alum head and manifold what a beast

[@Kissmyass247]

The SS cars also had an extra body mount on each side of the frame near the rear end. 12 body mount total on the SS cars and 10 body mounts total on Non SS cars.

[@backroom12]

Never heard this before ?

[@roubinekibinian1578]

Hi great video . if you can do some videos on pontiac GTO’s and Trans Am’s firebirds as well . thanks

[@chuckeecheese162]

Nice find.

[@thomasmcbride582]

True badass survivor agreat fined I had a 67 375 HP Muncie m 22 blue on blue back in 78

[@bartsimpson6767]

I would like a video in 80's Monte SS's . They are more in my price range...

[@charlieb308]

Great information

[@CAROLDDISCOVER-FINDER2525]

I came over from your shorts. Now that just sounds funny 🤣. Your video short. On this car. I saw the Camaro setting back there at 67 probably maybe 68. Say may interest you. I have a 69 Cutlass supreme and 2 1968 Cutlass Supremes. One of them was made into a dirt track car and that was done back in the 80s by somebody else. And it's in great shape like the old man said if you're out in front they ain't going to dent you. The other six take Cutlass is a beautiful car separate got hit in the back. I'm looking for parts for it. Oh by the way the race car one it is a 4-4-2 I can't believe somebody would do that to a 1968 442 but they did. It was a western rust-free car. Enough make a grown man cry. Anyway I also know where there's two parts car setting. One is a 68 and one is a 69. Everything I'm talkin about are two doors. I may know where there's some parts for your Chevelle but it doesn't look like it needs anything to speak of. I also know where there's a handful of other cutlasses from 68 and 69 but that is older information where these two I just mentioned is last week. If it's a 70 or newer Cutlass well I can tell you where there's a number of them parts cars at. Okay I'm going to finish watching your video I got something I need to get done but I am interested in your Chevelle seeing what you have to say about it. I understand where you're coming from

[@HITNMISSNUT]

Hello just found your channel love the info video on the 66 any chance you could do a similar one for a 69 cutlass and 442 Thank You

[@rickeydenton4917]

So that registration can’t be removed and placed on a regular chevelle?

[@commentsedited]

Wasn't the m22 and m21 munsey transmissions ?? And the T6 was the rock crusher??

[@jimthomas1989]

M-20 = wide ratio M-21 = close ratio M-22 = Rock Crusher M-23 = Super Rock Crusher Muncie 4 speed trans

[@TOMV1234]

Parker is good

[@dlyrag755]

Grow the channel. Good info. Thanks.

[@thomasseliger2982]

Is that original paint?

[@backyardbarnfinds]

Its had a few touch ups here and there

[@RichardGoodman]

What happened to the 360 hp in 1966?

[@platinumoregon1148]

I never met a Chevelle SS396, that could beat my'66 GTO Tri-power !!

[@lars277]

The 1966 396 Chevelles could only be had in the 360 hp engine. In 1967, the 396 was available in 325, 350, and 375 hp ratings.

[@alexvelez2141]

Pretty sure this car is on craigslist right now

[@backyardbarnfinds]

Yes, it is For Sale!

[@jamescon55]

@@backyardbarnfinds Does it actually run? And how much and location please and ty

[@jamescon55]

@@backyardbarnfinds Okay 👍....😕

[@backyardbarnfinds]

@@jamescon55 send me your number on the website Backyardbarnfinds.com contact us page.. and I will get you in contact with the owner..

[@jamescon55]

What happened to the original SS hood? Some a-hole steal it? 😒 IK it wasn't a rust "issue" by lookin at the rest of the car lol.

[@hollyrockscorner6223]

Also check out my video on details under the hood in a 1966 SS 396 Chevelle L78. I've done lots of research and made a video on these finer details.

[@broncorickenback1149]

Convertible

[@lars277]

the 325, 350 and 375 were not available in 1966. Only the 360 hp 396 was available in 1966. In 1967 you could get the 325, 350, and 375 versions of the 396.

[@dreshawnbudree2292]

hey man i have a 66 convertible but unsure what it is I was told it has 12 bolt rear end with pozi, disk brakes, shock upgrade, th400 trans, 396 motor. yet still its a 136 car vin it was made in Baltimore Maryland where alot of people said those cars are hard to decode my car still has original floors and trunk and has little to no rust. Im trying to find someone who can help decode it or tell me what it is it was also regal red with cream top and black interior. it was parked since 86 anyone that can help please reply to this

[@backyardbarnfinds]

Contact me backyardbarnfinds.com

[@jimthomas1989]

@dreshawnbudree2292 It is a MALIBU convertible ! VIN 13667

[@jimthomas1989]

Since it has disc brakes and shock upgrades , the big block 396 and 12 bolt posi is a upgrade too . You were told it has these things ? Haven't you actually seen it for yourself ?

[@dreshawnbudree2292]

I was told when the car was under maintenance

[@jimthomas1989]

@@dreshawnbudree2292 , well look at the VIN number on the door pillar It says 13667 That's a Malibu 2 door convertible Look at the Cowl Tag beside the WindShield wiper motor , I can tell you everything those numbers mean !

[@marc196050]

I think 67 is better looking.

[@4vmax]

Looks like factory shocks