1966 Chevrolet Deluxe El Camino

Description

While Ford was the first to revive the once-common “roadster utility” body style of the 1920s and 1930s with the Ford Ranchero, General Motors would take note and follow suit two years later. Their interpretation, the El Camino, was first advertised as “a commercial vehicle that’s a prize combination of business ability and beauty.” The second-generation El Camino would quickly follow in 1964 with bigger engines and higher trim levels. With the popularity of V8 engines continuing to rise by 1966, and a lengthy options list including textured vinyl upholstery, Comfortilt steering wheel and power steering were making the El Camino a true dual-purpose vehicle. 

This Deluxe El Camino has all of the style and practicality that made them such favorites in 1966. But it’s been nicely updated with a C4 Corvette 5.7-liter LT1 V8 producing 300 horsepower. The Turbo TH400 three-speed automatic transmission is a marked improvement over the original Powerglide, too. The suspension has been upgraded and four-wheel power disc brakes added, which along with the custom interior, greatly enhances the driving experience. Built by the consignor’s father, and finished in striking Rose Red over Silver Metallic, it carries on the famed El Camino tradition of ability and beauty. 

Highlights 

• Classic 1966 El Camino with a modern touch 

• Fitted with a Corvette 5.7L LT1 V8 (1993-1995) with aluminum intake manifold and electronic fuel-injection 

• Turbo TH400 three-speed automatic transmission 

• Finished in custom two-tone Rose Red over Silver Metallic with Blue pinstriping 

• Dakota Digital instrument panel 

• Four wheel disc brakes and upgraded front suspension 

• 15 inch steel Rally style wheels with center caps and trim rings 

• BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires; 215/60R15 front, 235/60R15 rear 

• The chassis number (136806K185379) decodes as: 

  • 1 – Chevrolet 

  • 36 – Deluxe El Camino 8-cylinder 

  • 80 – Two-door sedan pickup 

  • 6 – 1966 model year 

  • K – Kansas City Missouri final assembly plant 

  • 185379 – Plant sequential production number starting at 100001 

• The Body by Fisher tag decodes as: 

  • 04D – Built fourth week of April 

  • Style: 66-13680 – 1966 Deluxe El Camino 

  • Plant: KAN – Kansas City Missouri body plant 

  • Body: 9557 – Sequential body production number 

  • Trim: 710-A – Bench Seat Medium Fawn/Light Fawn Imitation Leather 

  • Paint: M-M – Aztec Bronze 

  • W – RPO A02 tinted windshield 

  • 2M – Powerglide automatic transmission 

  • 5Y – RPO A39 Deluxe seat belts 

Features 

• Interior updates include: 

• Autosound Concours Series USA-630 electronically tuned AM/FM receiver 

• Grey cloth interior 

• Cloth headliner and visors 

• Stock Day/Night rear view mirror 

• Rose Red painted dash 

• Rose Red painted tilt steering column 

• Polished billet column levers 

• Billet Specialties half-wrapped and polished steering wheel 

• LT throttle pedal swap 

• Bucket racing seats 

• Retractable seat belts 

• NOS door panels hardware and window cranks 

• Audio kick panels 

• Exterior updates include 

• Dual Wagner halogen headlamps 

• Custom louvered cowl induction hood 

• Upgraded hood latch assembly and hinges 

• Rhino coated and Rose Red painted steel bed 

• Sealed underbelly  

• Matte Black engine bay 

• Stock reconditioned tail lamps 

• Stock chrome rear bumper 

• Powertrain updates include: 

• Optima Yellow-Top battery and NOS battery tray 

• Polished performance aluminum radiator with electric puller fan 

• Lower chrome-stainless flex coolant hose and couplings  

• Chrome milled cold-air intake filter assembly 

• Electronic ignition with Taylor wires 

• Finned valve covers painted Rose Red  

• Aluminized long-tube exhaust headers, dual exhaust, and Flowmaster mufflers 

• Aluminum mechanical water pump 

• Serpentine drive system 

• Rebuilt 1993 Camaro Delco alternator 

• Chassis updates include: 

• Power steering 

• Powder-coated dual diaphragm brake booster 

• CPP dual circuit brake master cylinder and proportioning valve  

• Custom fabricated brake lines 

• Rebuilt steering box 

• Front sway bar 

• Front upper and lower tubular control arms  

• Upgraded front and rear coil springs 

• Reconditioned and powder-coated rear trailing arms 

• Powder-coated 10-bolt rear end 

• NOS stainless-steel fuel tank 

• Electronic fuel delivery system 

Known Imperfections 

• Small dent in driver’s side front fender 

Included 

• Extra keys 

• Power door lock with a kill switch if not unlocked 

Ownership History 

This 1966 Chevrolet Deluxe El Camino is a true father and son project. The El Camino had been in the family for over 30 years and was stored for most of that time. The father then built and completed the El Camino before passing away. His son, the consignor, recently spent four months getting it back into what he said is “an excellent running and driving car.”  

Additional Notes A Broad Arrow Group Consignment Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle.    

Contact: Matt Lowney Phone: 623.308.2640 email: mlowney@hagerty.com