In 1966, or more correctly for the 1966 models there were no 738-series SDs. The Sport Deluxe that year was a trim option with buckets, console and distinctive side trim & nameplates. It was offered on the 735-series Beaumont Custom 6-cylinder & 736-series Beaumont Custom 8-cylinder Sport Coupes & Convertibles. Besides offering the same six & V8 engine choices as all other Beaumonts, an additional exclusive option on the 736-series was the 360-horse 396.

It was the same for early 1967 Beaumonts, that is the Sport Deluxe was an RPO option on the Beaumont Custom series. This held true up to the week of November 21, 1966. From that point on, the Sport Deluxe was now the 738-series and came with either the 325-horse 396 (standard) or the 350-horse 396 (optional). Bucket seat were now a separate option, both for the 738-series Sport Deluxe and 735 & 736-series Beaumont Customs (which were no longer Sport Deluxe models as of the introduction date of the 738 series). Consoles were now a separate option, RPO D55. Prior to that the console was not a separate option, it was automatically included with Sport Deluxe.

Incidentally the Sport Deluxe was technically coded as the A51 Sports Option. The Sports Option ceased to be once the 738-series Sport Deluxe became a model in its own right with standard 396 power (the week of November 21, 1966).

The 275-horse 327 was an L-30. Previously the L-30 was the 250-horse version while the L-74 was the 300-horse version with a bigger carb & bigger valves (as I understand it). For '66 Chevy put the bigger carb on the smaller valve L-30 and bumped the horsepower as a result. The L-30 was a single  exhaust engine but duals were available sometimes. The L-74 always had dual exhausts.

I'm interested to hear more (as mine too is a '66 with #'s matching 327.) Any pic's?

Nice find. That's two more gears than I have. I'm envious!

-- Edited by 68sd on Saturday 18th of December 2010 12:49:45 AM

-- Edited by 68sd on Saturday 18th of December 2010 12:54:46 AM