1966 · Chevrolet · United States
1966 Chevrolet El Camino: The 396 Arrives, the SS Series Still Does Not
No factory Super Sport El Camino is documented for this year; the record carries the host El Camino production as context.
United States · researched through 2026-09-22
This record's own overview states that the El Camino remained a Chevelle body style rather than a series for 1966, built in the lower Chevelle 300 Deluxe and Malibu trim levels with separate six-cylinder and V8 model numbers. No SS El Camino appears anywhere in the reference production table: the SS 396 series rows that year list only the sport coupe and convertible, so despite the big-block now reaching the pickup, the El Camino itself was never folded into the Super Sport series.1
This record's own key facts state plainly that no factory SS El Camino model number is listed for 1966. They also state that the 396 was newly available for the V8 El Camino in two forms, a 325-horsepower L35 and a 360-horsepower L34, and that the source's option-page footnote calls the special three-speed transmission coded M13 a mandatory option on the El Camino whenever either 396 was ordered. A separate production-totals source gives 35,119 El Caminos built for 1966 across every trim and engine combination, a figure this record's key facts tie explicitly to the absence of any factory SS El Camino that year.1,1,1,2
This record's own production rows break that total into four body-scoped counts: 3,424 Chevelle 300 Deluxe El Caminos with the six, 5,897 Chevelle 300 Deluxe V8s, 1,461 Malibu sixes, and 24,337 Malibu V8s, none of the four rows carrying an export breakout the way some other years in this record's own family of sources do. The record notes that these four rows, independently sourced to the same dealer-reference site, sum to the 35,119 figure the separate production-totals source reports, and it is careful to call that agreement corroboration rather than the basis for the total row itself, since the two figures come from separately sourced tables.1,2
This record's own prices section lists three 1966 El Camino starting prices: $2,318 for the six-cylinder Chevelle 300 Deluxe, $2,396 for the six-cylinder Malibu, and $2,426 for the V8 Chevelle 300 Deluxe. Its engines section documents a 120-horsepower 194 six standard, a 140-horsepower 230 six optional, a 195-horsepower 283 V8 standard, a 220-horsepower four-barrel L77 283 optional, a 275-horsepower L30 327, and the two 396s, the 325-horsepower L35 with single exhaust and the 360-horsepower L34 with a high-lift camshaft. Its transmissions section documents the standard three-speed, the mandatory M13 special three-speed paired with either 396, an M20 four-speed, an M35 Powerglide available with every listed engine, and an M10 overdrive limited to the smaller engines.1,1,1
This record's own options section prices the L34 396 engine option at $290.55 for the El Camino, against $105.35 for the same engine in the SS396, and documents 24,811 L34 installations across the whole Chevelle line rather than the El Camino specifically. It separately documents a Fawn vinyl interior, trim code 710, priced at $5.40, where the options page gives 9,005 installations while the interiors page for the same trim code gives 8,005, a discrepancy of exactly 1,000 that this record's own conflicts section carries as an unresolved disagreement between two pages of the same source rather than one it resolves in either direction.1,1,1
This record's own paint section lists fourteen solid colors by code, from Tuxedo Black through Lemonwood Yellow, and its interiors section documents eight further trim codes with unit counts ranging from 519 bucket-seat installations up to 8,005 for the most common bench-seat combination, several of the larger counts explicitly noted as spanning every model the trim code was offered on rather than the El Camino alone. Its own unpublished leads section flags a Wikipedia-sourced claim, not corroborated elsewhere in the record, that no actual factory El Camino Super Sport existed until 1968 and that many owners have since cloned 1967 SS 396 El Caminos that were never built that way at the factory, a claim consistent with this record's own production table showing no SS model number for 1966.1,1
Fact sheet · 1966 · United States
The numbers
1966 Chevrolet El Camino — No factory Super Sport El Camino is documented for this year; the record carries the host El Camino production as context.
Coverage: Partial — researched sections are shown; missing ones are not yet sourced. Researched through 2026-09-22.
Every figure is labeled with how sure we are. Reported means a manufacturer, registry, or reference figure we cite but have not reconciled against factory records ourselves. Disputed means credible sources disagree and both are shown. Rows are separately scoped; don't add them together unless the note says they make up a total.
Key facts
- No factory SS El Camino model number is listed for 1966.1
- The 396 was listed for the V8 El Camino for 1966 in L35 (325 hp) and L34 (360 hp) forms; the reference's option page says the special 3-speed (RPO M13) was a mandatory option on the El Camino with either 396.1,1
- Team Chevelle's production-totals page gives 35,119 El Caminos built for 1966 across all trims and engines (no factory SS El Camino existed).2
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevelle 300 Deluxe El Camino, six (13380)1 Chevelle 300 Deluxe · 2-door sedan pickup · 6-cyl · US tabulation | 3,424 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Chevelle 300 Deluxe El Camino, V8 (13480)1 Chevelle 300 Deluxe · 2-door sedan pickup · V8 · US tabulation | 5,897 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Malibu El Camino, six (13580)1 Malibu · 2-door sedan pickup · 6-cyl · US tabulation | 1,461 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Malibu El Camino, V8 (13680)1 Malibu · 2-door sedan pickup · V8 · US tabulation | 24,337 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Camino, all series (total)2 2-door sedan pickup · not stated No factory SS El Camino existed in 1966 (source shows El Camino SS V8 as 0), so this total is all trims/engines. It equals the sum of the four body-scoped rows above, which are independently sourced to ChevelleStuff.net; that match is corroboration, not the basis for this row. | 35,119 | built, model-year | Reported |
Rows are separately scoped host-car production; none is an SS count.
Paint and trim codes are from the Chevelle-line tables; paint counts on the source are for all Chevelles and are not shown here as El Camino counts. Trim counts are shown only where the trim code is listed for El Camino models; a count that also covers other models says so.
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Chevelle 300 Deluxe El Camino, six (13380)1 | $2,318 | manufacturer's suggested retail price, base engine; excludes taxes, license, options, 1966 model year |
| Malibu El Camino, six (13580)1 | $2,396 | manufacturer's suggested retail price, base engine; excludes taxes, license, options, 1966 model year |
| Chevelle 300 Deluxe El Camino, V8 (13480)1 | $2,426 | manufacturer's suggested retail price, base engine; excludes taxes, license, options, 1966 model year |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hi-Thrift 194 six1,1 194 cu in · 1-barrel | 120 hp @ 4,400, 177 lb-ft @ 2,400 (SAE gross) | standard, six-cylinder models 13380 and 13580 | Not yet sourced |
| L26 · Turbo-Thrift 230 six1,1 230 cu in · 1-barrel | 140 hp @ 4,400, 220 lb-ft @ 1,600 (SAE gross) | optional, six-cylinder models 13380 and 13580 | Not yet sourced |
| Turbo-Fire 283 V81,1 283 cu in · 2-barrel | 195 hp @ 4,800, 285 lb-ft @ 2,400 (SAE gross) | standard, V8 models 13480 and 13680 | Not yet sourced |
| L77 · Turbo-Fire 283 V81,1 283 cu in · 4-barrel | 220 hp @ 4,800, 295 lb-ft @ 3,200 (SAE gross) | optional, V8 models 13480 and 13680; dual exhaust | Not yet sourced |
| L30 · Turbo-Fire 327 V81,1 327 cu in · 4-barrel | 275 hp @ 4,800, 355 lb-ft @ 3,200 (SAE gross) | optional, V8 models 13480 and 13680 | Not yet sourced |
| L35 · Turbo-Jet 396 V81,1 396 cu in · 4-barrel | 325 hp @ 4,800, 410 lb-ft @ 3,200 (SAE gross) | optional, V8 models 13480 and 13680; single exhaust | Not yet sourced |
| L34 · Turbo-Jet 396 V81,1 396 cu in · 4-barrel | 360 hp @ 5,200, 420 lb-ft @ 3,600 (SAE gross) | optional, V8 models 13480 and 13680; high-lift camshaft | Not yet sourced |
Ratings are the manufacturer's advertised figures under the standard shown (SAE gross before 1972, SAE net after). They are not dyno results, and gross and net ratings can't be compared directly.
Transmissions
| Transmission | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|
| 3-speed fully synchronized (standard)1 | standard with the 194, 230, 283, L77 and L30 | Not yet sourced |
| M13 · Special 3-speed fully synchronized1,1 | listed with L35 and L34; the source's option-page footnote says M13 was a mandatory option on the El Camino with either 396 | Not yet sourced |
| M20 · 4-speed wide-range1 | 283, L77, L30, L35 and L34 | Not yet sourced |
| M35 · Powerglide1 | every listed engine | Not yet sourced |
| M10 · Overdrive1 | 194, 230, 283 and L77 (3.70:1 axle) | Not yet sourced |
Options and packages
| Code | Option | Price | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
L34RPO |
360 hp Turbo-Jet 396 engine, El Camino1 | $290.55 | 24,8111 Reported |
M20RPO |
4-speed wide-range transmission with L35, El Camino1 | $188.30 | Not yet sourced |
A02RPO |
Soft Ray tinted windshield1 | $19.95 | Not yet sourced |
A49RPO |
Custom Deluxe belts with retractors1 | $7.55 | Not yet sourced |
K02RPO |
Temperature-controlled radiator fan1 | $16.15 | Not yet sourced |
K24RPO |
Closed positive engine ventilation1 | $5.40 | Not yet sourced |
U63RPO |
Push-button radio1 | $58.65 | Not yet sourced |
P62RPO |
7.75-14 4-ply whitewall tires1 | $31.85 | Not yet sourced |
710RPO |
Fawn vinyl interior, El Camino 13680 (source: seen on dealer records, not in GM's option report)1 | $5.40 | 9,0051 Disputed |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
A |
Tuxedo Black1 | Not yet sourced |
C |
Ermine White1 | Not yet sourced |
D |
Mist Blue1 | Not yet sourced |
E |
Danube Blue1 | Not yet sourced |
F |
Marina Blue1 | Not yet sourced |
H |
Willow Green1 | Not yet sourced |
K |
Artesian Turquoise1 | Not yet sourced |
L |
Tropic Turquoise1 | Not yet sourced |
M |
Aztec Bronze1 | Not yet sourced |
N |
Madeira Maroon1 | Not yet sourced |
R |
Regal Red1 | Not yet sourced |
T |
Sandalwood Tan1 | Not yet sourced |
V |
Cameo Beige1 | Not yet sourced |
W |
Chateau Slate1 | Not yet sourced |
Y |
Lemonwood Yellow1 | Not yet sourced |
Color names are the factory's. We don't show color swatches, because a screen color is no guide for a restoration.
Interiors
| Code | Trim | Built |
|---|---|---|
711 |
bucket seats, Med. Fawn, Lt. Fawn Imitation Leather (models 13680)1 | 5351 Reported |
707 |
bench seat, Lt. Fawn Imitation Leather (models 13435, 13480)1 | 8,0021 Reported |
749 |
bucket seats, Med. Red Imitation Leather (models 13680)1 | 5191 Reported |
710 |
bench seat, Med. Fawn Imitation Leather, Lt. Fawn Imitation Leather (models 13680)1 | 8,0051 Reported |
762 |
bucket seats, Black Imitation Leather (models 13680)1 | 2,8201 Reported |
727 |
bench seat, Med. Blue Imitation Leather (models 13435, 13480)1 | 7,9951 Reported |
730 |
bench seat, Dk. Blue Imitation Leather, Med. Blue Imitation Leather (models 13680)1 | 7,1291 Reported |
745 |
bench seat, Med. Red Imitation Leather (models 13435, 13480)1 | 3,5351 Reported |
748 |
bench seat, Med. Red Imitation Leather (models 13680)1 | 5,7901 Reported |
Where the sources disagree
Identification
Read a 1966 Chevrolet VIN
The VIN decoder runs in your browser and never sends the VIN anywhere. How the factory numbered this year's cars:
Same model year
Also in 1966
- Buick Riviera A longer, heavier new body on the same X-frame; 5,718 of 45,348 carried the GS option, and the dual-quad Super Wildcat went from dealer add-on to factory MZ engine in March 1966.
- Buick Skylark Gran Sport, GS and GSX The Gran Sport became its own Skylark series (44600) on the restyled body, still with the 401 at 325 hp; 13,816 are tabulated.
- Buick Wildcat The one-year Wildcat Gran Sport: 1,244 built, 242 convertibles, 22 Super Wildcats.
- Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu SS The first full year of the SS 396 as its own series, with a 396 V8 in every car: 66,843 sport coupes and 5,429 convertibles.
- Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova The source engine table lists the 327 L79 at 350 gross hp. Enthusiast-compiled production: 172,485 cars; Super Sport 20,986.
- Chevrolet Impala SS Impala SS falls to 119,314 as the 427 arrives; 3,247 full-size Chevrolets got the 390-hp L36.
- Dodge Charger Dodge's first Charger, a fastback on the Coronet platform introduced on 1 January 1966, built 37,344 times, 468 of them with the new Street Hemi.
- Dodge Coronet R/T and Super Bee The first year the 426 Hemi was sold as a street engine; in the Coronet it was an option on ordinary sedans, hardtops and convertibles, before any R/T package existed.
- Ford Fairlane A new, wider Fairlane could take the 390 big-block for the first time, bringing the Fairlane 500 GT and GTA, and a small run of R-code 427 hardtops was built for Super Stock racing.
- Ford Galaxie The 428 became the big-car performance engine and gave its name to the Galaxie 500 7-Litre hardtop and convertible, with the 427 still available.
- Ford Thunderbird A 345-hp 428 became a $64.77 option, and the Town Landau outsold every other body combined.
- Mercury Comet and Cyclone The Comet moved to the larger Fairlane-based body, and the Cyclone GT brought the 335-hp 390 with twin hood scoops, bucket seats and a heavy-duty suspension.
- Mercury Marauder and S-55 The S-55 returned as its own line, a hardtop and convertible with the 345 hp 428 'Super Marauder' V8.
- Oldsmobile Cutlass, 4-4-2 and Hurst/Olds The 4-4-2 package gained the L69 three-two-barrel 'Tri-Carb' option at 360 hp, and a handful of factory W-30 forced-air cars were built for drag racing.
- Oldsmobile Starfire The last Starfire of the 1960s: coupe only, moved downmarket, 13,019 sold.
- Plymouth Barracuda and 'Cuda The last glassback-era year: one fastback body, the 273 Commando as the top engine, and production that fell to 38,029.
- Plymouth GTX, Belvedere and Satellite The 426 Street Hemi reached showrooms in the Belvedere and Satellite, and 1,546 were built into Plymouth intermediates.
- Pontiac Catalina 2+2 and Super Duty The 2+2 was listed as its own model for the only time, and production fell to 6,383.
- Pontiac GTO The GTO becomes its own Pontiac series and has its biggest year: 96,946 built.
- Pontiac Grand Prix Production fell to 36,757 as the GTO and 2+2 drew performance buyers.
- Pontiac Tempest and LeMans Pontiac's overhead-cam six and the Sprint package arrive beside the 326 HO.
- Rambler and AMC Marlin The Marlin's second year: production fell to 4,547, less than half the 1965 figure.