1966 Corvette vs 2015 Toyota Camry

[Mark E.]

I originally found this Edmunds track comparison on CorvetteForum. It's a fun Youtube to watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6RIb9EyDtE

Surprisingly, they mention the engine choice in the Camry (V6, 268HP) but not for the Corvette. It looks like a small block with some sort of manual transmission. Given their 1/4 results, I'm guessing 250 or 300HP with tall gears.

I wonder how much better the Vette would fare with 17" or 18" wheels and modern radials...

[Dan D.]

Re: 1966 Corvette vs 2015 Toyota Camry

I'd still rater have the Corvette. Would like to see a comparison with modern radial tires. It would do much better.

-Dan-

[Jim S.]

Re: 1966 Corvette vs 2015 Toyota Camry

I don't think they made a 250 HP in 66, so it is probably a 300 HP.

As he said "we have come a long way since then, tech wise . However, perhaps a better comparison test might be to ask the question ; How many people will want to own that Toyota 50 years from now ?

[Patrick B.]

Re: 1966 Corvette vs 2015 Toyota Camry

I've never seen any Corvette that had a 1/4 mile speed as low as 83.5 mph. My 66 Olds Cutlass had a 1/4 speed of 89 mph on bias ply tires the first time I ever went to a drag strip, and I was so stupid I thought pumping them up to 36 psi was the hot thing to do. A contemporary magazine road test of a 66 427/425 convertible had a 1/4 mile speed of 112 mph.

[Steve B.]

Re: 1966 Corvette vs 2015 Toyota Camry

That car probably had a tired motor. Even a good running well tuned based motor car will do better than that. That said, I would still rather have the Corvette.

[Gary S.]

Re: 1966 Corvette vs 2015 Toyota Camry

Regardless of speed or time, the "cool" factor of a vintage corvette vs a camry? No comparison and no need to even think about it. Heck, my BMW 328 will do 155 but I'd have to be stupid to try a top speed test in my 72.

[Chris E.]

Re: 1966 Corvette vs 2015 Toyota Camry

Interesting comparison. Certainly a lot of variables that put the vette behind. I'd love to see a '65 fuelie with radial tires do the same test. Or a '66 big block in the 1/4 mile with radial tires and 4:11 gears. Camry would be "bye bye".

In the mean time, I'll keep my "old tech" car and skip the Camry.

[Donald A.]

Re: 1966 Corvette vs 2015 Toyota Camry

Interesting comparison. Certainly a lot of variables that put the vette behind. I'd love to see a '65 fuelie with radial tires do the same test. Or a '66 big block in the 1/4 mile with radial tires and 4:11 gears. Camry would be "bye bye".

In the mean time, I'll keep my "old tech" car and skip the Camry.

YES!!! I'm no expert But i feel pretty confident I could take a Carmy!!!!

[Jack M.]

Re: 1966 Corvette vs 2015 Toyota Camry

Given their 1/4 results, I'm guessing 250 or 300HP with tall gears.

According to an earlier article, the 1966 Corvette has the 'original' base engine (300hp), factory A/C, M21, and 3.36 gears.
Lotz of GREAT nostalgic pictures from a recent photoshoot: CLICK HERE

[Mark E.]

Re: 1966 Corvette vs 2015 Toyota Camry

Automobile Mag has been doing an interesting series of comparos called "Then vs. Now". One is a 1954 vs. 2015 Corvette; here's the set:

http://www.automobilemag.com/search/?q=then%20vs.%20now

I also like the 1967 Cadillac Eldorado vs. 2014 Cadillac ELR. Personal luxury cars have really changed.

[Dan D.]

Re: 1966 Corvette vs 2015 Toyota Camry

Who cares? It's still like comparing a "Rembrandt" to a stick drawing. Besides..."Remember Pearl Harbor."

[Mark E.]

Re: 1966 Corvette vs 2015 Toyota Camry

Who cares? It's still like comparing a "Rembrandt" to a stick drawing. Besides..."Remember Pearl Harbor."

I remember the War of 1812 too, yet my wife still likes her Jag.

[Duke W.]

Re: 1966 Corvette vs 2015 Toyota Camry

The honest SAE net horsepower of a 327/300 is about 225-230, and both have similar curb weights. Plus the Camry has more gears with a stump puller first, and traction control will guarantee a near perfect launch every time.

The trap speed does seem low, but they probably weren't beating on it too hard. Road tests from the day of the 327/300 are on the web and the ETs are in the high fifteens to mid-sixteens with a mid to high eighties trap speed.

That's what a 327/300 could really do back in the day, and an essentially stock engine in good condition won't do any better, today.

Since the Camry has the optional V6, they should have tested against a 327/350 (an honest 260 net HP, but the Camry still would have won) or used the base 2.5L I-4, which is rated at about 200 net HP. With a base engine it might have been a horse race.

Duke

[Mark E.]

Re: 1966 Corvette vs 2015 Toyota Camry

So there you go, small block guys: don't pick a street race with a V6 Camry.

[Mark E.]

Re: 1966 Corvette vs 2015 Toyota Camry

According to an earlier article, the 1966 Corvette has the 'original' base engine (300hp), factory A/C, M21, and 3.36 gears.
Lotz of GREAT nostalgic pictures from a recent photoshoot: CLICK HERE

From Jack's link, I realized that Edmund's purchased this '66 a few months ago to use as a daily driver. They started a cool blog logging their experiences with it: http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/f...est-index.html