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My '66 Chevelle SS (with pics this time)

TransAmMike

By TransAmMike
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TransAmMike MCM Ohana

TransAmMike

Posted
Posted (edited)

In September of 1966 as an almost 20 year old and after selling my '57 Chevy Bel Air I walked into the Chevy dealer in Metairie, LA (suberb) of New Orleans and made the deal to purchase by beloved '66 SS. The salesman was the Sales Manager and kind of famous AA/FD driver/owner in the Southeast who actually at the time had set the record for fastest Chevy engined dragster. 

She was optioned with bucket seats, console, AM radio, positraction, red line tires and sintered metallic brakes and 4-speed. NO power options. Engine was the standard 325hp 396. With the metallic brakes it was a bear to stop until they warmed up. Countless times I had 2 feet on the brake pedal to stop.  

I did take her down the 1/4 mile quite a few times at LaPlace Dragway (outside of New Orleans) and Gulfport, MS dragstrip...best E.T. as I recall was 15.4.

Not long after I took delivery the engine rear seal went out, losing as much as a quart of oil in a day's time.  The dealer replaced the seal but after 3 times having to have the seal replaced they decided it was time for a replacement shortblock.  To this day I think she was faster after the replacement shortblock. I often wondered it they actually put the 360hp shortblock in it.

That being said, for what it's worth, I set out to build a replica of that car as it looked when I picked it up at the dealership.  Paint is Createx Opaque Black cleared with Rustoleum Automotive Crystal Clear acrylic lacquer.  The Wheels with hub caps are resin. The bumpers without guards are from Harts Parts painted with Molotow.  Tires are from Fireball.  Getting those redlines painted was no picnic.

 

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THATS ALL FOLKS AND THANKS FOR LOOKING

                                                                    

 

                                                             

Edited by TransAmMike
  • Like 8
AMT68 MCM Ohana

AMT68

Posted
Posted

Great looking Chevelle and I'm impressed with the Molotow sprayed bumpers. 

I wasn't aware that the metallic brakes posed a performance issue until they warmed up. 

TransAmMike MCM Ohana

TransAmMike

Posted
  • Author
Posted
3 hours ago, Koellefornia Kid said:

Looks nice, dig the red lines

Thanks Oliver, agree on the tires but they were a challenge to paint.

1 hour ago, rickcaps55 said:

Nice build that year looks good in all black and the dog dish caps with the red lines are a perfect touch.

Thanks Rick.  If I remember, the steelies and hub caps were gone before the first week of ownership.

1 hour ago, Classicgas said:

Nice.

Thank you Lee.

54 minutes ago, happy grumpy said:

That's one sweet looking ride you got there. That black is awesome. I dig it.

Thanks Mario. A friend of my Wifes' back in the day said "any color is nice as long as it's black"??

38 minutes ago, Hard_2_Handle_454 said:

Looks amazing

Thanks Eric.  I had various issues (I'm sure with my diminishing skills) but I am pleased with the outcome.

 

22 minutes ago, Dragonhawk1066 said:

Nice work Mike! That's a sharp looking Chevelle and I bet the real one was a blast to drive!

Thanks Craig.  Aside from the poor braking and lack of power steering I had a whole lot of fun with it on the occasional 1/4 mile trip and on the street.

6 minutes ago, AMT68 said:

Great looking Chevelle and I'm impressed with the Molotow sprayed bumpers. 

I wasn't aware that the metallic brakes posed a performance issue until they warmed up. 

Thanks Tom.  I'm sure if she would have had power brakes it wouldn't be an issue but it sure was.

Zippi MCM Ohana

Zippi

Posted
Posted

Man that looks Great.  Love the engine detail and those red line tires turned out nice.  Well done there Buddy.

TransAmMike MCM Ohana

TransAmMike

Posted
  • Author
Posted
15 hours ago, Zippi said:

Man that looks Great.  Love the engine detail and those red line tires turned out nice.  Well done there Buddy.

I thank you my Friend.  You know what I went thru to get er done?

TransAmMike MCM Ohana

TransAmMike

Posted
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Posted
16 hours ago, KWT said:

Very nicely done. Nice slick paint job

Thanks Jeremy, one of my better ones.

14 hours ago, 70 Sting said:

Really like all that extra detail you put in the engine. Those tiny hose clamps must have been a challenge. ?

Thanks Harry.  Yep, did a little extra from my usual on this one. The hose clamps are just fine wire. Wrapped it around the "hose", twisted it tight and cut off the excess wire on the underneath side. First time I ever did that.

14 hours ago, charger74 said:

That that is gorgeous ????

Thanks for the two "OK's" Eric?

2 hours ago, Plowboy said:

Nice looking Chevelle Mike! I bet that was one hot ride in the summer time!

Hey there Roger. Thanks and yep, summers in New Orleans with the humidity in New Orleans can be brutal.

1 hour ago, crazyjim said:

Beautiful Chevelle. The red lines make it.

She was born with them and yer right, they kind add to the look.  

Thanks Jim.

espo MCM Ohana

espo

Posted
Posted

Beautifull looking Chevelle. There is something special about building a model of a car from your past. My new ride in '66 was an Impala SS also a 396 4 speed car. You have a great looking paint finish and the interior and engine have a realistic look to them. 

70 Sting MCM Ohana

70 Sting

Posted
Posted
48 minutes ago, TransAmMike said:
15 hours ago, 70 Sting said:

Really like all that extra detail you put in the engine. Those tiny hose clamps must have been a challenge. ?

Thanks Harry.  Yep, did a little extra from my usual on this one. The hose clamps are just fine wire. Wrapped it around the "hose", twisted it tight and cut off the excess wire on the underneath side. First time I ever did that.

Ah, very crafty. Gonna have to give that a try. Thanks!

radiohd10 MCM Avid Poster

radiohd10

Posted
Posted (edited)

love it - looks so nice in all black.  i fall in love with the 1:1 of just about every model i build, but none as much as the chevelle.  hope to own the real deal myself too one day!!  so jealous of you guys!

Edited by radiohd10
TransAmMike MCM Ohana

TransAmMike

Posted
  • Author
Posted
1 hour ago, espo said:

Beautifull looking Chevelle. There is something special about building a model of a car from your past. My new ride in '66 was an Impala SS also a 396 4 speed car. You have a great looking paint finish and the interior and engine have a realistic look to them. 

Thanks David, your comments are very much appeciated.  I'm sure the '66/396/4-speed was a great car.

TransAmMike MCM Ohana

TransAmMike

Posted
  • Author
Posted
1 hour ago, radiohd10 said:

love it - looks so nice in all black.  i fall in love with the 1:1 of just about every model i build, but none as much as the chevelle.  hope to own the real deal myself too one day!!  so jealous of you guys!

Thank you Ryan, yeah, I'd love to have another 1:1 too but at my age not in the cards.    Thanks again!

 

25 minutes ago, Tom99 said:

Looking good!

Thank you Tom!!

Keef MCM Ohana

Keef

Posted
Posted

Absolutely stunning! The all black with the redlines gives it an almost sinister vibe. I bet it was a lot of fun back in the day! ??

TransAmMike MCM Ohana

TransAmMike

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)
2 hours ago, Keef said:

Absolutely stunning! The all black with the redlines gives it an almost sinister vibe. I bet it was a lot of fun back in the day! ??

Thanks a lot Keith.  Oh yeah, a lotta good memories cruising the streets of New Orleans back in the day!!

Edited by TransAmMike

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