David and Starlette Cyrus’ 1966 Chevelle SS396
While the 1966 model year wasn’t technically the first appearance of the SS396 Chevelle package (there were 201 Z16 SS396 Chevelles built in 1965), it was the official launch of what became a mass-produced American muscle car classic.
David Cyrus’ black beauty is an outstanding example of the more than 72,000 SS396 Chevelles that rolled off the Chevrolet assembly lines for 1966. David’s car is significant because he can trace the lineage back almost to its date of birth. David already owned two Chevelles – a ’66 and a ’67 – that he wanted to have restored. He decided to entrust the restoration work to Chevelle specialist Terry Davis at Terry Davis Restorations in Wytheville, Virginia.
“When having my restorations done, we formed a great relationship,” David says. “About a year-and-a-half into my restorations I had the opportunity to purchase this car, which was Terry’s dad’s car.”
Terry had meticulously restored this particular ’66 over the years, winning prestigious AACA Double Senior Awards in the process. The car’s quality and its history with Terry’s family made it easy for David to decide to make the purchase.
The black-over-black Chevelle is powered by 325-horsepower big block. The high-compression V8 (10.25:1) cranks out 410 foot-pounds of torque. The power is directed by a Muncie M20 four-speed transmission to the rear axle’s 3.73 gears. Drum brakes on all four corners handle the stopping chores. Discs were not available on the ’66 Chevelles. Power brakes were an option, but were not equipped on David’s car.
The stock chassis features manual steering, which along with the non-power drum brakes made this particular muscle car a handful compared to later-year SS396 and 454 models that offered power disc brakes and power steering. Stock steel 14-inch wheels with mag-style hubcaps (a $73.75 option in those days) are wrapped in Firestone redline tires.
The Tuxedo Black paint and the black vinyl interior were all restored by Terry Davis. Legendary Auto Interiors provided the upholstery material. While the Chevelle is a radio-delete car (the dual exhaust note is enough!) it does have two desirable options – a two-spoke steering wheel ($31.60) and the dash-mounted “knee-knocker” tach ($47.40). Those option costs are ridiculously low by today’s standards, but the base price of a 1966 Chevelle SS396 was just under $2,300. Remember, though, that the minimum wage in 1966 was $1.40 an hour!
David is understandably happy to have this outstanding example of Chevelle history parked in his garage. “I am very honored to be the caretaker of this beautiful car,” he says.
Photos by John Jackson & Damon Lee
