Neat local barn find 66 Chevelle L78

**njsteve** · #1 11-09-2008, 03:22 AM

My mechanic buddy had this delivered to his garage today to get it running for the new owner. My buddy knew this car from when it was a year or two old and used to race against it. It has 29,000 miles and original paint. It is supposed to be an L-78. The motor in it now is another big block but the original block should be coming to the shop soon. Amazing time capsule.

The fenders have the ghost image of the phrase "CAUTION 1" on them. The car had tarps on it all these years and they wore away the tops of the rear stripe and the fender letters.

**njsteve** · #2 11-09-2008, 03:28 AM

Here's the interior. This vintage customizing was called a "Palamino" interior back then. The car is covered in dust and mildew but the paint and interior will be in very nice shape (once they get cleaned)

That helmet was done by the Bontempo Brothers back in the 1960s. These are the same guys who still have a speed shop in Linden, NJ. (They were the guys that I had rebuild the rear differential in my 72 T/A a year or two ago.)

**njsteve** · #3 11-09-2008, 03:34 AM

Here's the cowl tag and engine compartment. Anyone know how to decode this tag?

The battery is toast. The side of the case is blown out - probably froze and cracked over the past 30 or so years in storage.

Single fuel line.

**njsteve** · #4 11-09-2008, 03:36 AM

Check out the junk in the trunk:

**njsteve** · #5 11-09-2008, 03:44 AM

Got the old E-Town win stickers, too!

**MosportGreen66** · #6 11-09-2008, 04:01 AM

Neat find! I love the faded fuzz T-Handle!

Tarrytown SS427s · #7 11-09-2008, 04:08 AM

Cool car! It's neat how the Posi tag stayed stuck on the trunk lid all these years. What does the block in the car have for a stamping? What does the new owner have planned for it?
Steve

**Bill Pritchard** · #8 11-09-2008, 05:56 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Here's the cowl tag and engine compartment. Anyone know how to decode this tag?

[/ QUOTE ]

You bet. 06A is June (06), first week (A) production date for the body. 873 is

66 is self explanatory. 13817 is a Chevelle SS396 (138) 2 door hardtop (17). BAL is Baltimore assembly plant, where the car was produced. 4898 is some internal plant sequencing number. TR (trim) 763 is black vinyl bucket seat interior. N2 PAINT is Madiera maroon (N) with black vinyl top (2).

Cool car....that interior is too much!

**Salvatore** · #9 11-09-2008, 06:21 AM

Nice find. Keep us posted with info and pictures. Maybe NHRA still has that number in its system form the 1970 era.

**njsteve** · #10 11-09-2008, 06:24 AM

My buddy said that Village was a local Getty Station here in central NJ back in the day and that is where the name Village Express came from. He couldn't figure out the "Caution 1" logo, though.

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