396's in 1966 cars

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

RE: 396's in 1966 cars

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

Awesome! More inspiration for me!

66 Grande guy · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Hi I took the advice of 2qwik2c and resent my numbers for my 66 Grande Parisienne 2 dr to George last week. He got back to me promptly and told me a couple of really interesting tidbits. It turns out there were a lot more 396's in 66 GP hardtops than I thought. He lists 782 installations of the
L35 option. This actually represents about a 15% installation rate which seems a lot higher than my experience with these things. But then I grew up in one of the poorer parts of Alberta and we didn't see I lot of highly optioned cars. It also represents 24.5% of all the L35s put in all 1966Chev and Pontiac production which again seems high for just one model.

However if he says it, it must be so.

The other interesting answer I got was suggested by Carl who said he had only ever seen one other 66 with Air, so I asked George how many 66 Grande Parisiennes hardtops came with the C60 option (Air) which was by a slim margin the second most expensive option in 66 just behind the L72.

He tells me only 23 were made with Air with all engine options. So how many came with the L35/C20 option? Probably no more than 10? No wonder nobody runs across these. I guess I better get that air working although I still wish whoever spent that much money would have checked off the L72 option instead. Oh well... still kinda cool (literally)

ken

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

Wow, 23 air cars! Ok, now I've seen one and know of another. I wonder where the other 21 stayed. I have looked at 66 B bodies since 1975 when I got my first one. I don't doubt they made them, but where oh where are those air cars now?

And Ken, you know like I do that there in nothing easier to spot than a factory air 66 B body Pontiac. Heck, you can tell if it has air when you meet it on the highway at 60 miles an hour, and that's no lie! Just look at that lump on the dash...

-- Edited by Carl Stevenson at 17:33, 2009-02-07

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

So, what you are saying is you can call George and he will break things down from your build sheet any further? I'd really like to know how many people were stoned enough to order green interior with butternut yellow ext like my car!

Todd

2qwik2c · Poncho Master!

Good to hear that he got you more info that you were looking for.

-- Edited by 2qwik2c at 18:53, 2009-02-07

66 Grande guy · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Yeah Carl They look kinda sexy!

Ken

67BBSD · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

69Laurentian wrote:

So, what you are saying is you can call George and he will break things down from your build sheet any further? I'd really like to know how many people were stoned enough to order green interior with butternut yellow ext like my car!

Todd

Todd, there used to be a 77 corvette here in town ice blue with red interior

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

69Laurentian wrote:

I'd really like to know how many people were stoned enough to order green interior with butternut yellow ext like my car!

Todd

ONE!

66 Grande guy · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

He seems to be able to search option installs (at least major ones) I'm not sure about colour combo's. That one seems pretty unique though. You might try it but it will cost you.

I sure would like to have a question and answer session with him some day.

ken

Astro Jet · Poncho Master!

I think we should invite George Z. to our summer picnic - get together and ask him to bring his lap top along. wink

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

I suspect he's not that interested in our group. I think (sadly) he was a bit upset with us a while back. Too bad because GM has a great thing going there with the documents.

Astro Jet · Poncho Master!

Carl Stevenson wrote:

I suspect he's not that interested in our group. I think (sadly) he was a bit upset with us a while back.

Why would that be?

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

I kind of forget now. I know I sent him a PM and I think some others did too. He never replied. He came on here and was unhappy that someone had been using his name for something that he felt they shouldn't have. I don't really know or remember too much about it. I was just kind of sad that we had someone at GM Vintage unhappy with us.

Astro Jet · Poncho Master!

What is his user name?

Elroy · Poncho Master!

We should not use any names from the GM bunch though, and keep in mind they are very sensitive about anyone building databases. They feel their place is to help the individual enthusiast. I already got that talking to... so don't ask any questions about cars you don't own. I did find out though that the prod numbers he gave me are for 67 2+2 convertible L36 M20 cars nothing more nothing less.

66 Grande guy · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Hi guys, I have to admit I have given the building of databases like the production numbers one a bit of thought and have have figured for a bunch of reasons it's OK.

1. I bought and paid for the GM info from George so I can share it if I want. What's the point otherwise?

2. Lets face it, Its kind of gratifying to find out what you have from the source (especailly if it is rare) and to be able to let people know who really appreciate it.

3. It's useful for other aficinados to see how their find or their project has value.

4. The building of a database should actually help GM because in terms of appraisal value there still is no substitute for the GM documentation. They may actually get more business this way from people whose curiosity is piqued and who want to know more about their car. In fact a friend of mine just went through this and was very pleasantly surprised at what he had.

I certainly don't think we are working against him but with him. It's only fair, I guess, that he will answer only what you specifically ask. They are in business after all, and I hope this is making GM money or we will probably lose the service.

Just my Sunday morning thoughts

ken