Barn find 66 L34 Chevelle SS found.

[MYSTERYCHEVELLE]

Originally Posted by 60sStuff

Brass plugs in the Harrison bottom tanks are Factory on some of the 65-66 GM models with manual transmissions.

I’m not sure this ‘66 SS still has it’s Factory installed radiator?

On a high horsepower such as this car, I would think it would have the wider 4 row radiator, as that is what Pontiac used on their Tri-Power 360 HP for the 65-66 GTO’s.

Many of the 1965 360 HP with manual transmission GTO’s from the factory had these slotted brass plugs in the bottom tank.

Photo below (difficult to see here) shows the plugs in the tank on a 15160 mile 1965 GTO Survivor.

The “top” tank on this ‘65 Survivor had the radiator code stenciled in white paint.

The fact that this ‘66 SS is a relatively early built 10D = 4th week of Oct ‘65 for the ‘66 model year, it could have a carry over radiator from the previous year?

There is a member on this forum which owners a 4000+ mile GTO Survivor with the 360 HP / manual trans that also has these brass plugs.

Chris.

No offense but I seriously doubt it. If we start stretching the “anything can happen” tune to comparing Pontiacs to Chevelle or a 360hp to what would be in 375hp ( 4 row wide tank ) to convince ourselves of things that we really don’t need convincing on., we open up a hornets nest for every guy who wants to claim his car is all original and God knows we have enough of that out there.

A 66 SS 360hp 4 speed car would not have a 4 row rad. Could you order one? Sure. But not something that would come standard. It would also be very unlikely to get an Automatic Trans installed in a factory 4 speed car. A carry over Rad would be from a 65. A small block. The 4th week of October was by no means EARLY in my book. I know nobody is claiming absolute here but we have plenty of heavy documentation on Radiators in 66 SS Chevelle. They aren’t interchangeable with Pontiac and not even close to what a 65 Chevelle Rad would be like.

Anyway. Sorry to get off track on your great post Bruce. Just adding my experience to the mix.

[60sStuff]

Originally Posted by MYSTERYCHEVELLE

No offense but I seriously doubt it. If we start stretching the “anything can happen” tune to comparing Pontiacs to Chevelle or a 360hp to what would be in 375hp ( 4 row wide tank ) to convince ourselves of things that we really don’t need convincing on., we open up a hornets nest for every guy who wants to claim his car is all original and God knows we have enough of that out there.

A 66 SS 360hp 4 speed car would not have a 4 row rad. Could you order one? Sure. But not something that would come standard. It would also be very unlikely to get an Automatic Trans installed in a factory 4 speed car. A carry over Rad would be from a 65. A small block. The 4th week of October was by no means EARLY in my book. I know nobody is claiming absolute here but we have plenty of heavy documentation on Radiators in 66 SS Chevelle. They aren’t interchangeable with Pontiac and not even close to what a 65 Chevelle Rad would be like.


Anyway. Sorry to get off track on your great post Bruce. Just adding my experience to the mix.

Mr. Mysterychevelle,

I congratulate you in your dedication and the time spent researching the cars you love.

I consider myself the same, but in the “stacked headlight” 65-67 GTOs.

I’ve been buying, selling and researching these cars down to the correct Factory overspray for 43+ years now.

I’ve always dealt with the Survivors or once painted Unrestored cars such as Bruce’s 66 Chevelle in this thread.

If I were to be at a car show and saw Bruce’s patina barn find off in the distance, I would certainly walk right past all the bright shiny restored cars (dime-a-dozen) to enjoy how the Factory built it.

My enthusiasm on this “as found car” caused me to misspeak on some Chevelle facts. My Bad.

I need to stick with what I know best, so as not to be scolded in front of the class. Too old for that experience!

BTW, assuming the Chevelle automobile was built on the same time frame as other cars, I’ll stand by my statement of “Relatively Early” on Bruce’s car.

Build year - Aug, Sept, Oct = about 13 weeks
Rest of build year - Nov. - July = about 36 weeks.

Have a Safe Day, Chris.

[60sStuff]

Hey Bruce,

I have a question on the RH bucket seat back in your ‘66.

When you fold the upper seat back forward is there a odd bumper with a spring steel catch device?

My ‘66 GTO Survivor has this item.
Some type of safety feature (won’t allow the seat back to fold forward when unoccupied in a panic stop) before the 67 seat back lock came out.

It seems not all the 66 GM cars have this.

LMK, thanks, Chris.

[Brucebodyman]

Originally Posted by 60sStuff

Hey Bruce,

I have a question on the RH bucket seat back in your ‘66.

When you fold the upper seat back forward is there a odd bumper with a spring steel catch device?

My ‘66 GTO Survivor has this item.
Some type of safety feature (won’t allow the seat back to fold forward when unoccupied in a panic stop) before the 67 seat back lock came out.

It seems not all the 66 GM cars have this.

LMK, thanks, Chris.

Yes mine has that clip on passenger bucket seat.

[Brucebodyman]

Originally Posted by 60sStuff

Mr. Mysterychevelle,

I congratulate you in your dedication and the time spent researching the cars you love.

I consider myself the same, but in the “stacked headlight” 65-67 GTOs.

I’ve been buying, selling and researching these cars down to the correct Factory overspray for 43+ years now.

I’ve always dealt with the Survivors or once painted Unrestored cars such as Bruce’s 66 Chevelle in this thread.

If I were to be at a car show and saw Bruce’s patina barn find off in the distance, I would certainly walk right past all the bright shiny restored cars (dime-a-dozen) to enjoy how the Factory built it.


My enthusiasm on this “as found car” caused me to misspeak on some Chevelle facts. My Bad.

I need to stick with what I know best, so as not to be scolded in front of the class. Too old for that experience!

BTW, assuming the Chevelle automobile was built on the same time frame as other cars, I’ll stand by my statement of “Relatively Early” on Bruce’s car.

Build year - Aug, Sept, Oct = about 13 weeks
Rest of build year - Nov. - July = about 36 weeks.

Have a Safe Day, Chris.

We all learn as we go. I’ve learned a lot on this car and I’ve been around them 40 years. It’s awesome to be able to look at something that hasn’t been cut up and molested.