1966 with drums?

[Wes Price]

Again, fairly new member, more questions...I have scrubbed all the documents/publications that I could find to verify the fact that 66's did not come with drum brakes (power). I can't find anything. I bought the car as a driver, so really no big deal, but I am beginning to think that a frame or body swap has been done. I know some 65's came with drums, anyone seen a 66? I have a fairly late VIN 194676S122294 and figured Chevrolet would be out of the drums by then. Also, I am stationed in Fallon, NV (1 hour East of Reno) anyone live in the area? Thanks again for the help.

Wes Price

[Craig S.]

Re: 1966 with drums?

Wes- your car should have disc brakes, only a small number of 65's were produced with drum brakes, no 66's were produced with drums...Craig

[Duke W.]

Re: 1966 with drums?

According to a SAE paper by Duntov et al. drum brakes were an available option for '65 in case any potential customers felt that the new disk brake system
was too radical a change in technology or similar verbiage. The other thing I've heard is that they had plenty left over '64 brake parts (trailing arm assemblies, front knuckle assemblies, master cylinders, pipes and the other integration hardware).

The option code was J-61 and 316 are documented as installed at St. Louis for the '65 model year. This option carried a credit of $63.15.

J-16 is not listed as an option for '66 and the official gospel is that all '66 Corvettes had disk brakes.

Fallon, eh? You must be in the Navy. Maybe you can get some updated technology for your '66 out of Area 51.

Duke

[Joe L.]

Re: 1966 with drums?

Wes-----

I agree with Craig and Duke. I really don't believe that any 66 Corvettes were ever built with drum brakes. I'm about 99.999999999% positive that none were built that way.

On the other hand, converting a 66 from disc brakes to drum brakes seems really, really unlikely. It would be just way too much effort and expense for what most would consider a downgrade.

If I were you, I'd check this car over VERY carefully. It's possible that it's an earlier model car which had some bodywork done to "convert" it to a 66 configuration AND a VIN plate from a "clear title" 1966 Corvette affixed.

Here's what I'd do:

1) examine the VIN plate for any sign that it's been replaced. Since ordinary pop-rivets were used to attach these plates, it's very easy for someone to replace them without "leaving a trace".

2) check out the car's frame VIN derivative stamping. It's very hard to see, but it will be found on the driver's side upper frame rail, on the surface between the body and the top of the frame. It will be approximately between the rear welded crossmember and the centerline of the rear wheel. You will need to clean the area with a small brush and then use a mirror to see the numbers. This is a VERY important thing for you to check, especially considering that the chassis on this car is "unusually configured" for a 1966.

3) check the car for other tell-tale signs that might indicate that it's another year model that's been modified to look like a 1966. Maybe some experienced member in your area could help you out on this. There are many subtle mid-year features which are unique to particular model years.

It's also possible that a 66 body was put on a frame and complete chassis from a 63-64. That's very possible and there are a lot of reasons that it could have happened and happened very legitimately.

[Joe Kemp]

Re: 1966 with drums?

This car sounds familiar. While on my hunt to purchase a mid-year, I ran across a car offered on Ebay (where else). The owner posted pics of a frame off restoration. (Of course he aslo describes as rare model with disc brakes).
My guess is he replaced a rusty frame with an older one and decided not to swap over the brakes.
The numbers will tell.....

[Everett Ogilvie]

Re: 1966 with drums?

The guys are right, but here is a little-known fact;

- the early rev of the 1966 Corvette Dealer Order form indeed lists the drum brake substitution (5/65). When the form was revised in 8/65 the drum substitution was removed. Dealers were instructed to use the new rev when placing orders.