1966 Corvette restoration commences

PhoenixM3

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This car originally belonged to my in-laws, but was gifted to me when my wife’s Mom passed. The car was last registered in Hawaii in ‘78, and will be fully restored with some creature comforts which did not come as stock on the car. As it’s a non-numbers matching car, I’ll add AC, PS, PB, and power windows, and paint the car in Silver Birch, an Aston Martin color featured on James Bond’s DB5 in the movie Goldfinger. More to follow as I slowly hemorrhage cash....

Some pics of the engine rebuild in progress.

‘’Update! I have the frame back with drivetrain, brakes and suspension installed. Ignore the tiny tires - redline tires are on back order as are the side pipes.
 

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ToddW702

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Looking forward to seeing the progress.


Sent from my iPhone using svtperformance.com
 

kazman

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My friend needs money so he can slay more kitties. That oughta pull in the dough.
 

blk02edge

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Awesome! I just spent the past few days doing a 100% rewire on a 64. You have your work cut out for you but a 66 vette is absolutely worth every penny lost
 

COOL COBRA

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Congrats on the worthwhile project.
That car was made when corvettes actually LOOKED GOOD!
The modern ones have looked like hell IMO for several years...
Y'all don't flame me! I don't work in the design room. That's someone else's debacle.
 

CobraBob

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I know you're doing a full restoration. What are you planning motor-wise? Since it's not a numbers matching Vette, would opt for a 427? A 350hp L79 or 390hp L36 would be nice.

Can't wait to see the finished project.
 

BrunotheBoxer

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I
This car originally belonged to my in-laws, but was gifted to me when my wife’s Mom passed. The car was last registered in Hawaii in ‘78, and will be fully restored with some creature comforts which did not come as stock on the car. As it’s a non-numbers matching car, I’ll add AC, PS, PB, and power windows, and paint the car in Silver Birch, an Aston Martin color featured on James Bond’s DB5 in the movie Goldfinger. More to follow as I slowly hemorrhage cash....

I wish you happy wrenching on your project.
I wish I could do things like that.
 

PhoenixM3

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Awesome! I just spent the past few days doing a 100% rewire on a 64. You have your work cut out for you but a 66 vette is absolutely worth every penny lost
Nice project, I’m subbing. I vote period correct motor of some sort. I wouldn’t make this a hell raiser, I’d make it an improved period powered fun cruiser.
It’ll have a massaged 327. No power adder, but hotter cam, improved valve train, and built to rev.
 

Silverstrike

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Yes, and that’s what is going back in.


Yeah I was oing to say if it was a 327 car you would need the stronger thicker springs and engine cradle the 427's had if you was thinking a big block conversion. If you had the money I would say do a L 79 350 HP conversion. If this was a M22 car that would be a gold mine as only 15 Vettes had that tranny option in 1966.
 

PhoenixM3

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Yeah I was oing to say if it was a 327 car you would need the stronger thicker springs and engine cradle the 427's had if you was thinking a big block conversion. If you had the money I would say do a L 79 350 HP conversion. If this was a M22 car that would be a gold mine as only 15 Vettes had that tranny option in 1966.
This was a basic 300hp 327 with an M21 4 speed. Tranny is being rebuilt to have a high overdrive 4th gear. Rear end will be a 411.
 

CobraBob

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It’ll have a massaged 327. No power adder, but hotter cam, improved valve train, and built to rev.
I figured that would be your choice, since you stated you were doing a full restoration. A massaged base 327 (300hp) will match or exceed the L79 version.

The high overdrive 4th gear is going to be a God-send with the 4.11 rear.
 

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