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Hi @DrVenture Thanks for helping with the SS flashback. Not music related directly, except those who enjoy the sound of a performance engine. I've surely forgotten something with this write, and there be some typos; but the car provided a lot of pleasure for cruising, street racing and a few trips to the drag strip.
A match to my 1966 SS Chevelle, same color except interior, small hub caps. Start watching the video at 3:30 minutes. This was a one owner kept in the garage in West Virginia, with very low mileage. Reportedly was sold for about $150,000 in 2019, after being sold to a second buyer who placed it in an auction. A very rare car find, with a rare paint color. Short VIDEO
I still have the sales receipt....$3,225 w/taxes and a $13 shipping charge from the factory to the dealer. This car was build nearby. The 360hp option, close ration Muncie 4-speed, 3:73 rear axle ration with posi-traction for the performance related portion. The A/C option was not ordered. NOTE: Driving on a flat road surface at 55 mph would yield 22 mpg.
Fun with father. Well, I drove the family car before having my own, and so Dad would drive mine periodically. He fully understood that this car was unlike anything he had driven before. This was the second car I had purchased, with the first being a red 1955, Model 210, 2 door sedan with a 3 speed manual and V-8 engine. I rebuilt that engine with a few extra goodies for performance. I learned a lot from that experience.
We lived near a section of new interstate, that at many times had very light traffic. So, I gave him the 6,000 rpm road ride; which amounts to not shifting to the next gear until 6,000 rpm's on the tachometer. The achieved goal being 6,000 rpm's in 4th gear, too. With tire diameter size on this car and the rear axle gear ration being 3:73, one arrives at 120 mph rather quickly. He handled this quite well. The fun part was always being pushed back into the seat during the initial gear changes.
One late evening test on the interstate, without any wind, provided a top end speed of 132 mph. The only method to determine this was to travel near, in another lane; and attempt to keep speed with a friends Corvette. 132 was the pull away speed by his car. Note: The Chevelle speedo max is 120 mph, whereas the Corvette is 160. There's a lot of wind noise at that speed, which could be heard over the sound of my pounding heart !!!
AI Overview:
1966 Chevelle Facts
The 1966 Chevelle SS (Super Sport) package added significant performance options, with major upgrades like the 396 big-block engines (L35/325hp, L34/360hp, L78/375hp) and 4-speed manual transmission, plus comfort/convenience features such as Power Steering ($84), Power Brakes ($43), Bucket Seats & Console ($132), and Air Conditioning ($420), all adding to the base price of a standard Chevelle, with various packages and individual options costing from a few dollars for a heavy-duty clutch to hundreds for major upgrades.
Note: The 375hp option was a 'dealer only' option and not sold to the public. This engine was used for sponsored racing only purposes in 1966.
Key SS & Powertrain Options (Added to Base Price) Standard Engine (SS 396): 396 CID 325hp (L35). L34: 396 CID 360hp (SS-396 only) - ~$105. L78: 396 CID 375hp (SS-396 only) - ~$237. 4-Speed Manual (Muncie): ~$184 (or less on SS 396). Powerglide Automatic: ~$184 (or $195 on SS 396). Positive Traction Rear Axle: ~$43. Comfort & Convenience Options Power Steering: ~$84. Power Brakes: ~$43. Bucket Seats & Console: ~$132. Air Conditioning (Deluxe Heater): ~$420. Power Windows: ~$105. AM Radio: ~$60. Tinted Glass (All Windows): ~$31.
Other Popular Choices Two-Tone Paint: ~$16. Wheel Covers (Styled): ~$27. Note: Prices are approximate and varied slightly by configuration; these are from historical data and official GM literature. The SS 396 was a specific package (RPO Z16 in 1965, but integrated into SS trim for '66) that bundled these upgrades
Yes, on the Chevelle, love it, and a color that I might choose myself. I am a car guy. I still do my own work (and modifications), even on new cars. Though, as I drive less, those repairs and maintenance tasks are far less necessary.
I own two performance cars now. Both I drive regularly. One, a 2008 Shelby GT500, which I have modified for performance improvements mainly. It is now at around 640 horsepower, and I commuted in it for over a decade, weather permitting. It has 44,000 miles. I have replaced much of the suspension, McLeod 1000-hp clutch. DSS 900-hp aluminum driveshaft, exhaust, upgraded headunit/speakers/backup camera, wheels/tires, engine mods, and much more. Drives better than new. What I loved about 1960's muscle was that people drove them, and that is what I do.
For perspective on that 640-hp rating, in 1972 they changed the horsepower rating system from "gross" to "net". In today's terms, 640-hp is equivalent to about 800-hp back in the 1960's. The vaunted 426 hemi was 425 horsepower. My car has no modern safety "nannies", which makes it a handful.
@DrVenture We're having a bit of thread drift, but it is your thread.
A very nice 'RIDE' indeed. I'm pleased that you drive the car, too. The very best modern day tv ad, and for a GT-500. Even our daughter enjoyed the ad. She had traveled, with me, to numerous car shows and has an appreciation of 'cars' and has her favorites.
President Obama's music, book and film picks for 2025.
I enjoy watching good movies. I recently saw one of Obama's film picks — One Battle After Another — which was very good. There are several other films on his list that I wanted to see but missed — Sinners, It Was Just an Accident, No Other Choice. I plan to see The Secret Agent within the next few days.
I'm not surprised at all based on past lists. I only wish I had the time (and maybe the assistants) to take it all in. My library 'to read' stack is getting ridiculous.
Comments
A match to my 1966 SS Chevelle, same color except interior, small hub caps. Start watching the video at 3:30 minutes. This was a one owner kept in the garage in West Virginia, with very low mileage. Reportedly was sold for about $150,000 in 2019, after being sold to a second buyer who placed it in an auction. A very rare car find, with a rare paint color. Short VIDEO
I still have the sales receipt....$3,225 w/taxes and a $13 shipping charge from the factory to the dealer. This car was build nearby.
The 360hp option, close ration Muncie 4-speed, 3:73 rear axle ration with posi-traction for the performance related portion. The A/C option was not ordered. NOTE: Driving on a flat road surface at 55 mph would yield 22 mpg.
Fun with father. Well, I drove the family car before having my own, and so Dad would drive mine periodically. He fully understood that this car was unlike anything he had driven before. This was the second car I had purchased, with the first being a red 1955, Model 210, 2 door sedan with a 3 speed manual and V-8 engine. I rebuilt that engine with a few extra goodies for performance. I learned a lot from that experience.
We lived near a section of new interstate, that at many times had very light traffic. So, I gave him the 6,000 rpm road ride; which amounts to not shifting to the next gear until 6,000 rpm's on the tachometer. The achieved goal being 6,000 rpm's in 4th gear, too. With tire diameter size on this car and the rear axle gear ration being 3:73, one arrives at 120 mph rather quickly. He handled this quite well. The fun part was always being pushed back into the seat during the initial gear changes.
One late evening test on the interstate, without any wind, provided a top end speed of 132 mph. The only method to determine this was to travel near, in another lane; and attempt to keep speed with a friends Corvette. 132 was the pull away speed by his car. Note: The Chevelle speedo max is 120 mph, whereas the Corvette is 160. There's a lot of wind noise at that speed, which could be heard over the sound of my pounding heart !!!
AI Overview:
1966 Chevelle Facts
The 1966 Chevelle SS (Super Sport) package added significant performance options, with major upgrades like the 396 big-block engines (L35/325hp, L34/360hp, L78/375hp) and 4-speed manual transmission, plus comfort/convenience features such as Power Steering ($84), Power Brakes ($43), Bucket Seats & Console ($132), and Air Conditioning ($420), all adding to the base price of a standard Chevelle, with various packages and individual options costing from a few dollars for a heavy-duty clutch to hundreds for major upgrades.
Note: The 375hp option was a 'dealer only' option and not sold to the public. This engine was used for sponsored racing only purposes in 1966.
Key SS & Powertrain Options (Added to Base Price)
Standard Engine (SS 396): 396 CID 325hp (L35).
L34: 396 CID 360hp (SS-396 only) - ~$105.
L78: 396 CID 375hp (SS-396 only) - ~$237.
4-Speed Manual (Muncie): ~$184 (or less on SS 396).
Powerglide Automatic: ~$184 (or $195 on SS 396).
Positive Traction Rear Axle: ~$43.
Comfort & Convenience Options
Power Steering: ~$84.
Power Brakes: ~$43.
Bucket Seats & Console: ~$132.
Air Conditioning (Deluxe Heater): ~$420.
Power Windows: ~$105.
AM Radio: ~$60.
Tinted Glass (All Windows): ~$31.
Other Popular Choices
Two-Tone Paint: ~$16.
Wheel Covers (Styled): ~$27.
Note: Prices are approximate and varied slightly by configuration; these are from historical data and official GM literature. The SS 396 was a specific package (RPO Z16 in 1965, but integrated into SS trim for '66) that bundled these upgrades
The 1966 Chevelle SS in your video is an absolutely beautiful car!
I own two performance cars now. Both I drive regularly. One, a 2008 Shelby GT500, which I have modified for performance improvements mainly. It is now at around 640 horsepower, and I commuted in it for over a decade, weather permitting. It has 44,000 miles. I have replaced much of the suspension, McLeod 1000-hp clutch. DSS 900-hp aluminum driveshaft, exhaust, upgraded headunit/speakers/backup camera, wheels/tires, engine mods, and much more. Drives better than new. What I loved about 1960's muscle was that people drove them, and that is what I do.
For perspective on that 640-hp rating, in 1972 they changed the horsepower rating system from "gross" to "net". In today's terms, 640-hp is equivalent to about 800-hp back in the 1960's. The vaunted 426 hemi was 425 horsepower. My car has no modern safety "nannies", which makes it a handful.
https://ibb.co/ynqgXkSm
https://ibb.co/fV7N1QM0
Your Shelby GT500 is very nice!
Obama
A very nice 'RIDE' indeed. I'm pleased that you drive the car, too.
The very best modern day tv ad, and for a GT-500. Even our daughter enjoyed the ad. She had traveled, with me, to numerous car shows and has an appreciation of 'cars' and has her favorites.
I recently saw one of Obama's film picks — One Battle After Another — which was very good.
There are several other films on his list that I wanted to see but missed — Sinners, It Was Just an Accident,
No Other Choice.
I plan to see The Secret Agent within the next few days.