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1966 Chevrolet Corvette
The 1966 Corvette continued the second-generation Sting Ray as a two-seat fiberglass coupe or convertible on a 98-inch wheelbase. Coupe roof extractor vents disappeared, bright metal door pulls and a vinyl-covered headliner revised the cabin, and backup lamps became standard within the rear lighting. Chevrolet built 27,720 cars: 9,958 coupes and 17,762 convertibles.
Four factory engine paths belong on this one model-year page. The standard 327-cubic-inch V8 produced 300 gross horsepower, while RPO L79 supplied 350. The new Mark IV 427 arrived as the 390-horsepower L36 and the solid-lifter L72. Early L72 paperwork used a 450-horsepower rating before Chevrolet revised the published rating to 425 without identifying a corresponding output change. The 5,116 L36 and 5,528 L72 installations are configurations of the 1966 Corvette, not separate cars.
A three-speed manual remained standard. RPO M20 wide-ratio and M21 close-ratio four-speeds accounted for 10,837 and 13,903 cars, while 15 received the regular-production M22 heavy-duty close-ratio four-speed. Powerglide appeared on 2,401 cars. The independent rear suspension retained its frame-mounted differential, half shafts, struts, torque arms, and transverse spring; 24,056 cars were ordered with G81 Positraction.
Four-wheel disc brakes remained standard. RPO J50 added power assist to 5,464 cars and J56 supplied special heavy-duty brake equipment on 382. RPO F41 special front and rear suspension was ordered on 2,705. These totals identify model-year availability, not what a particular car received; hardware, dates, records, and restoration history must agree.
The regular color chart listed Tuxedo Black, Ermine White, Rally Red, Nassau Blue, Laguna Blue, Trophy Blue, Mosport Green, Sunfire Yellow, Silver Pearl, and Milano Maroon, accounting for 27,709 cars; eleven more were recorded with non-standard color or primer. Vinyl or leather interiors, optional headrests and shoulder belts, side exhaust, teakwood steering wheel, telescopic steering, power steering, power windows, air conditioning, tinted glass, auxiliary hardtop, cast-aluminum wheels, and a 36-gallon tank broadened the equipment list.
Authentication begins with the 194376 coupe or 194676 convertible serial pattern and ownership history, then checks the trim tag, body source, fiberglass panels, frame, engine stamp and suffix, casting dates, induction, transmission, differential, brakes, suspension, paint layers, glass, trim, and cabin. L72 equipment, M22 transmissions, Positraction, side exhaust, alloy wheels, colors, and leather are frequently recreated. Correct-looking parts support inspection, but coherent documents and date-consistent physical evidence are still required for an individual-car claim.