BJ auction on 66 427/450hp? Vette

[Steve Antonucci]

Hi everyone,

I just saw a BJ auction for a 1966 Corvette ( yellow ) with a 427/450hp sell
for fairly big bucks. It can't be an L-88 in 1966, can it? It wasn't
presented as an L-88 either. But I heard the announcers say it received
the NCRS Dontov Award. Can someone enlighten me here? What engine is this?
Or, is this seller wishful thinking.....

Steve

[Clem Z.]

Re: BJ auction on 66 427/450hp? Vette

the new early 66 427 were rated at 450 HP and later lowered to 425 to please the insurance co. i had a early 66 and the air leaner sticker did say 450 HP. i had a hell of a time trying to sell it because the insurance payment a month would be more than the car payment.

[Bryan L.]

Re: BJ auction on 66 427/450hp? Vette

Clem, did you trade in your L-78 for this one?

BL

[Clem Z.]

Re: BJ auction on 66 427/450hp? Vette

sold the 65 396 to a friend and i think he still has it althought i have not seen him for years

[Pete Lovrovich]

Re: BJ auction on 66 427/450hp? Vette

Steve,
This was the L72 produced in 1966.

[Steve Antonucci]

Re: BJ auction on 66 427/450hp? Vette

I knew you guys would have the answer.

Did Chevy do anything to the L/72 to lower the HP, or just change the sticker?
Were they always 450 HP, or actually lowered to 425? I'm going right into 1969
with this question. Finally, did this philosophy blend into the LS-6 HP rating
as well?

Steve

[Kent K.]

Re: BJ auction on 66 427/450hp? Vette

Steve ---- IIRC there were no changes to the engine, the air cleaner emblem changed from 450HP to 425HP. Couldn't help you with LS-6 info.
Regards, Kent #6201

[Bryan L.]

Re: BJ auction on 66 427/450hp? Vette

All the Chevrolet Division did was rate the engine horsepower at a lower RPM than it previously had and change the air cleaner decal.

BL

[Bill W.]

Re: BJ auction on 66 427/450hp? Vette

I have heard from other people who went from a 65 396 to a 66 427 both 425 hp that the 65 seem to run better or faster. They had almost no parts in common. What do you think?..Bill

[Clem Z.]

Re: BJ auction on 66 427/450hp? Vette

the 65 had the light flywheel which the 66 do not from what i understand. i build several bored out to 427 size 396s and they ran well. there was enought wall in the 396 corvette only block to bore to 4.250 diameter and basically that was the only difference between the two.