1966 · Pontiac · United States
1966 Pontiac Grand Prix: Production Falls as the GTO and 2+2 Take Performance Buyers
Production fell to 36,757 as the GTO and 2+2 drew performance buyers.
United States · researched through 2026-09-23
This record's own dek states that production fell to 36,757 as the GTO and 2+2 drew performance buyers. This record's own overview states that the Grand Prix kept the 333-hp (manual) or 325-hp (automatic) four-barrel 389 as standard, with the 421 and 421 HO optional, and that the compiled table records 36,757 built at $3,492, down from 57,881, a decline this record's own text states outright rather than leaving implied.1,2
This record's own engines section lists the same five-entry ladder as the standard powertrain: the 389 four-barrel at 325 hp with automatic or 333 hp with manual, both at 429 lb-ft, an optional 421 four-barrel at 338 hp and 459 lb-ft, an optional 421 Tri-Power at 356 hp and 459 lb-ft, and the 421 HO Tri-Power at 376 hp and 461 lb-ft. This record's own transmissions section lists a standard three-speed manual at 2.42/1.61/1.00 synchromesh on all forward gears, an optional four-speed manual at 2.52/1.88/1.46/1.00 standard or 2.20/1.64/1.28/1.00 close ratio, and an optional three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 at 2.48/1.48/1.00.1
This record's own options section, drawn from the full-size line without item-by-item Grand Prix marking, itemizes air conditioning at $430, aluminum hubs and brake drums for two-door models at $120, a Cordova top at $97, Electro-Cruise and fuel warning at $96, an instrument gauge cluster at $21, a glare-proof tilt mirror at $4, a remote outside mirror at $12, power brakes at $43, power door locks at $46, a six-way power seat at $97, a power tilt bucket seat at $71, power windows at $106, a push-button AM/FM radio at $151, a push-button AM radio at $89, a remote deck lid release at $11, Super-Lift shocks at $40, a tachometer at $54, tinted glass at $43, and a tinted windshield at $29.1
This record's own interiors section describes Strato bucket seats with console, in Morrokide or cloth upholstery, with higher backs and more contoured cushions than the standard the fact sheet describes, a notchback bench seat with center armrest offered as a no-cost option, a monochromatic deeply piped Morrokide interior, a glove box lamp, and a revised square-gauge instrument panel, all drawn from the same Pontiac Grand Prix section and Models Offered listing for series 266.1
This record's own specifications section gives a 121.0-inch wheelbase, 214.8-inch overall length, 53.9-inch overall height, and a 4,015-pound shipping weight for the Grand Prix, plus full-size Pontiac figures not specific to the model: a 79.7-inch overall width, 63.0-inch front track, 64.0-inch rear track, and 8.25 x 14 standard tires with 8.55 x 14 specified when air conditioning was ordered. Every one of these eight specification rows traces to the same fact sheet's own Chassis Features listing, with no separate factory AMA sheet cited for the year.1,2
This record's own performance and conflicts sections are both empty for the year, leaving no period road test and no disputed figure on record for the 1966 Grand Prix. This record's own identification section gives only series 266, body 26657, sourced to the same production compilation as the model-year total. This record's own keyFacts section restates the 36,757 production total as its sole entry, cross-sourced to both the production compilation and MuscleCarClub.com's own second-generation production figures.2,3
Fact sheet · 1966 · United States
The numbers
1966 Pontiac Grand Prix — Production fell to 36,757 as the GTO and 2+2 drew performance buyers.
Coverage: Partial — researched sections are shown; missing ones are not yet sourced. Researched through 2026-09-23.
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
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix 2-door sport coupe2,1,3 Grand Prix · 2-door sport coupe · not stated by source Standard Catalog lineage. | 36,757 | built, model-year | Reported |
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix 2-door sport coupe2 | $3,492 | factory price as compiled, 1966 model year |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| 389 4-bbl1 389 cu in · 4-barrel, 10.5:1 | 325 hp @ 4,800, 429 lb-ft @ 2,800 (SAE gross (period advertised rating)) | Grand Prix standard, automatic | Not yet sourced |
| 389 4-bbl1 389 cu in · 4-barrel, 10.5:1 | 333 hp @ 5,000, 429 lb-ft @ 3,200 (SAE gross (period advertised rating)) | Grand Prix standard, manual | Not yet sourced |
| 421 4-bbl1 421 cu in · 4-barrel, 10.5:1 | 338 hp @ 4,600, 459 lb-ft @ 2,800 (SAE gross (period advertised rating)) | optional | Not yet sourced |
| 421 Tri-Power1 421 cu in · three 2-barrels, 10.75:1 | 356 hp @ 4,800, 459 lb-ft @ 3,200 (SAE gross (period advertised rating)) | optional all lines | Not yet sourced |
| 421 HO Tri-Power1 421 cu in · three 2-barrels, 10.75:1 | 376 hp @ 5,000, 461 lb-ft @ 3,600 (SAE gross (period advertised rating)) | optional all lines | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Three-speed manual (2.42/1.61/1.00), synchromesh on all forward gears1 | standard | Not yet sourced |
| Four-speed manual, floor shift (standard 2.52/1.88/1.46/1.00; optional close ratio 2.20/1.64/1.28/1.00)1 | optional | Not yet sourced |
| Three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 (2.48/1.48/1.00)1 | optional | Not yet sourced |
Options and packages
| Code | Option | Price | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Air conditioning1 | $430 | Not yet sourced |
|
Aluminum hubs and brake drums, 2-door models1 | $120 | Not yet sourced |
|
Cordova top, coupes1 | $97 | Not yet sourced |
|
Electro-Cruise and fuel warning1 | $96 | Not yet sourced |
|
Instrument gauge cluster1 | $21 | Not yet sourced |
|
Mirror, rear view glare-proof tilt1 | $4 | Not yet sourced |
|
Mirror, remote control outside rear view1 | $12 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power brakes1 | $43 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power door locks1 | $46 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power seat, six-way1 | $97 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power tilt bucket seat, left-hand1 | $71 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power windows1 | $106 | Not yet sourced |
|
Radio, push-button AM/FM1 | $151 | Not yet sourced |
|
Radio, push-button AM1 | $89 | Not yet sourced |
|
Remote control deck lid1 | $11 | Not yet sourced |
|
Super-Lift shock absorbers1 | $40 | Not yet sourced |
|
Tachometer1 | $54 | Not yet sourced |
|
Tinted glass1 | $43 | Not yet sourced |
|
Tinted windshield1 | $29 | Not yet sourced |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
A |
Starlight Black1 | Not yet sourced |
B |
Blue Charcoal1 | Not yet sourced |
C |
Cameo Ivory1 | Not yet sourced |
D |
Fontaine Blue1 | Not yet sourced |
E |
Nightwatch Blue1 | Not yet sourced |
H |
Palmetto Green1 | Not yet sourced |
K |
Reef Turquoise1 | Not yet sourced |
L |
Marina Turquoise1 | Not yet sourced |
N |
Burgundy1 | Not yet sourced |
O |
Coronado Gold1 | Not yet sourced |
P |
Barrier Blue1 | Not yet sourced |
R |
Montero Red1 | Not yet sourced |
T |
Martinique Bronze1 | Not yet sourced |
V |
Mission Beige1 | Not yet sourced |
W |
Platinum1 | Not yet sourced |
Y |
Candlelight Cream1 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Strato bucket seats with console, in Morrokide or cloth upholstery, with higher backs and more contoured cushions; notchback bench seat with center armrest a no-cost option. Monochromatic, deeply piped Morrokide interior; glove box lamp; revised square-gauge instrument panel.1 | Not yet sourced |
Specifications
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase1 | 121 in | Grand Prix |
| Overall length1 | 214.8 in | Grand Prix |
| Overall height1 | 53.9 in | Grand Prix |
| Shipping weight2 | 4,015 lb | Grand Prix |
| Overall width1 | 79.7 in | 1966 full-size Pontiac |
| Front track1 | 63 in | 1966 full-size Pontiac |
| Rear track1 | 64 in | 1966 full-size Pontiac |
| Standard tires1 | 8.25 x 14 (8.55 x 14 with air conditioning) | 1966 full-size Pontiac |
Identification
- Series and body
- Series 266, body 26657.2
Identification
Read a 1966 Pontiac 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 El Camino SS No factory Super Sport El Camino is documented for this year; the record carries the host El Camino production as context.
- 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 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.