How many 66 427 425hp Biscaynes?

[mssl72]

Well, ZL1.FUN, I beg to differ on your V8 Biscayne production total. My GM documentation shows that there were 148,101 Biscaynes built. From that total there were 54,601 V8 Biscaynes built. You may have overlooked the V8 Biscayne wagons. Granted there may not have been any L72 Biscayne wagons built, but the wagons would have to be included in the total because they were V8 cars. And then we run into the same 'ol thing "who knows for sure?". Here's what we do know.

Biscayne production- V8

2-door sedan mdl 15411 - 12,165
4-door sedan mdl 15469 - 27,072
4 door station wagon mdl 15435 - 15,364

other V8 production totals:

Bel Air 2-door sedan mdl 15611 - 19,254
4-door wagon 2 seat mdl 15635 - 52,775
4-door wagon 3 seat mdl 15645 - 14,444

Impala Sport Coupe mdl 16437- 281,335
Convertible mdl 16467 - 30,395
4-door sedan mdl 16469 - 140,876
4-door Sport Sedan mdl 16439 - 169,225
4-door wagon 2 seat mdl 16435 - 38,509
4-door wagon 3 seat mdl 16445 - 16,834


Impala SS mdl 16837 - 102,619
Impala SS Convertible mdl 16867- 15,783

Caprice 2-door Custom Coupe mdl 16647 - 107,047
4-door Custom Sedan mdl 16639 - 73,962
4-door Custom wagon 2 seat mdl 16635 - 18,000
4-door wagon 3 seat mdl 16645 - 11,506


That brings the total of V8 cars to 1,147,165 units, 2-door V8 cars to 568,598 units. Most if not all of the 1,856 L72's were probably put into 2 door cars. But, there is knowledge of at least one 4 door car that was built. I don't remember what model it was. The Biscayne had the lowest 2-door V8 total. That being said, it doesn't mean that the Biscayne would have the lowest number of L72 cars. Probably quite the opposite since it was one of the lightest cars in the bunch. In fact the 1966 Finger Tip Facts shows the Biscayne and Bel Air being virtually the same weight. The others get heavier on up. It's tough to make a guess since there are so many variables. If you go purely by production totals, most would be Impala Sport Coupes followed by Caprice, then the SS, etc. But with racing in mind most people went with the lightest, most stripped down car. So that would blow the production total guesses out of the water. The lighter car guess makes more sense. With the Biscayne and Bel Air being the lighter cars, most of the L72's probably went into those. Maybe in the range of 500-600 each, maybe a little more or less. Remember that's a guess. I even heard that some guys ordered the cheapest car with the L72, only to rip it out of the car and put it in something else!
And yes, there were L72 Caprice's. I own one and so far have tracked down 7 others. My post with the other 2 cars is probably still floating around.

[ZL1.FUN]

I stand corrected, This has been posted for a little wile now, in all due respect my question, is are people so quick to correct other’s but not so quick to answer I do not mean this in a insulting way just wondering ?

[mssl72]

You're right, there was a little bit of time between the original post and your reply. My reply was a little involved and it took me a little more time than usual to get it done along with everything else. My reply wasn't mean't to be insulting to you. I sorry if it came across that way.

What was your source for the numbers you posted?

[ZL1.FUN]

No need for apologies, I was a little too hasty on my reply, I got my incorrect info from a couple of old magazines, that had been laying around, I guess it goes to show don’t believe every thing you read. ZL1.FUN

[427freak]

I appreciate the work both of you did for me, I love the information, that is why I am here. I have printed the pics and breakdowns for my file. If you don't mind Mark I am going to PM you with a couple of easier questions since you also own one of these cars. Take care everyone.

[mssl72]

ZL1.FUN- Sometimes those magazines get somethings wrong. I tend not to totally trust them. We all can get corrected around here. There are some guys that really know a whole lot here and if they know it they speak up. That's what's great about this site. You can almost always get the information you need. Just be careful of the guys with the "sucks" signs. They can be trouble.

427freak-either way. Post it here or PM me.

[427freak]

mssl72-I haven't played with one of these big L72 cars before, but I am having fun. Here are my questions
1.Exhaust manifolds same as corvette?
2.Are the rear trailng arms different-boxed?
3.The interior is unmolested, where should I look for broadcast sheet?
4.Valve covers same as corvette?
5.Was there a date these cars would have been built before or after?
Those are the things that I had questions on for now. Thanks again.

[mssl72]

1-Exhaust manifolds same as corvette?
Yes, they were same as Corvette. #3880827 LH and #3880828 RH

2-Are the rear trailng arms different-boxed?
No, they were never boxed from the factory.

3-Build sheets can be found almost anywhere, but the most common place is in the back seat. Remove it and check the back side of both cushions. They've been found under the carpet, behind door panels and I've even heard of people finding them above the headliner.

4-Valve covers same as corvette?
Yes and No. This info is '66 specific and there was NO CHROME! The valve covers were painted. No Tonawanda decal on the passenger side either. They weren't used until 1967. The passenger side cover is the same, the drivers side is not. They had drippers on the underside, just as Corvette. The difference on the drivers side was in the power brake booster notch. It was about the size of a 1/2 dollar and didn't go all the way down to the flange. Take note of the spark plug wire stand-offs and their position on the cover. The stand-offs are in the same position only mirrored on the passenger side. The drivers side also has 2 clips for the temp sending wire. Here's a few pics of the drivers side cover. The one pictured doesn't have drippers.





5-Was there a date these cars would have been built before or after?
They were made during the regular 1966 production year.

I hope that helps out.

[SuperNovaSS]

It there a difference between the air cleaner used on these cars and the one used on 70-72 Z28s? If so, can anyone tell me what it is?


Thanks,


Jason

[ZL1.FUN]

I was just looking at that today and wondering the same thing,
I really hope some one can answer this one