L72 1966 Corvette Plays the Alpha Dog Role

Big Dog

Back in the '60s, big block Corvettes were the kings of the proverbial sports car hill. Chevy offered a number of output options to suit every taste, including this very interesting L72 427/450 we spotted over at Mecum Auctions.

Photos Courtesy of Mecum Auctions. 

Forged Life

As the story goes, there were two 427s available in 1966 - the “mild” hydraulically cammed L36 and the L72. The latter of which featured a forged bottom end and 11.0:1 pistons, as well as a Holley 4-barrel carb and aluminum intake.

Photos Courtesy of Mecum Auctions. 

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Simple Reduction

Perhaps the most radical thing about the L72, however, was its solid-lifter cam, which prompted Chevy to affix a "450 HP" on early cars' chrome air cleaner lids. Just before production started, however, an Engineering Change Recommendation (ECR) reduced that figure to 425 HP. 

Photos Courtesy of Mecum Auctions.

>>Join the conversation about this L72 C2 right here in CorvetteForum.com.

450 or 425?

Funny thing was, Chevy made zero mechanical changes to warrant this reduction. Instead, they likely did it to fend off regulators and insurance companies. Regardless, a handful of early production cars, including this one, made it to dealerships with the 450 HP sticker.

Photos Courtesy of Mecum Auctions. 

>>Join the conversation about this L72 C2 right here in CorvetteForum.com.

Sheer Semantics

As you might imagine, folks that ordered a car thinking it had 450 hp were a little surprised to find their cars sporting a 425 hp sticker. But everyone quickly figured out that was nothing more than semantics.

Photos Courtesy of Mecum Auctions. 

>>Join the conversation about this L72 C2 right here in CorvetteForum.com.

Better Than Ever

This particular '66 was originally delivered to Young Chevrolet in Whittier, South Carolina before it was transferred to Central Chevrolet in Columbia, South Carolina. Today, it looks better than it did then thanks to a stellar nut-and-bolt restoration.

Photos Courtesy of Mecum Auctions. 

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Award Winner

The work done is obviously stellar, as this 'Vette has since racked up a pair of NCRS Top Flight awards. Aside from the numbers-matching drivetrain, it also sports its original color - Silver Pearl.

Photos Courtesy of Mecum Auctions. 

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Well Equipped

The vintage Corvette also wears a number of nice options, including side exhaust, a Positraction rear end, tinted glass, Teakwood steering wheel, telescopic column, and AM/FM radio.

Photos Courtesy of Mecum Auctions. 

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Early Production Piece

The interior is standard black, and the whole thing rolls on knock-off wheels wrapped in Goldline bias ply tires. Overall, this is one of the nicest '66 Corvettes we've seen in a while, especially for an early production piece.

Photos Courtesy of Mecum Auctions. 

>>Join the conversation about this L72 C2 right here in CorvetteForum.com.

Stellar Example

No surprise then that it's won multiple prestigious awards since the restoration was completed. And we're guessing this gorgeous car will also bring a pretty penny at auction when it crosses the block, too!

Photos Courtesy of Mecum Auctions. 

>>Join the conversation about this L72 C2 right here in CorvetteForum.com.

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