VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1965-1970 Thoughts on this '66 Bel Air

Hi everyone,

I found this '66 Bel Air that's about 8-9 hours away from me. The owner has sent me some pictures of it and I just wanted to hear feedback on it. It was originally a manual, converted to auto, but can be swapped back, which is what I want. Original color was black and interior has been re-done, again not what I want. None original 350, but that's ok. Says frame and floor is ok, bt as you can see, the trunk is gone. Anyways, he's asking $5000 USD. So let me know what your think!!

Dave

A few more pictures:

Dave

I believe I would stay away from that vehicle. "He says, the frame and floor are good". Looking at the trunk floor, one might really question the frame and floor pan condition. You are missing a body mount in the opening of the trunk floor where the frame rail is exposed. The area with the crack located between the back glass and the trunk opening is full of filler. Under that crack originally there was a joint between the quarter panel and the tupip panel called a coach joint and it had a sealer, but nothing like what is shown there. Personnaly, I'd have a problem spending $1000 for that vehicle in its apparent condition.

I would run as fast as possible in the opposite direction.

Dave,

The pictures tell enough for me to strongly suggest you
forget about it. I can't believe there aren't much better
similar year/model Chevs up your way.

I suppose you could go check for yourself. But 8-9 hrs
is a long drive (one way) when you already know in your
heart of hearts you aren't going to buy.

Sorry to be so negative; but there really isn't much of
anything good to say about this one.....

Bill.

Hey Guys, I appreciate the information. I want one of these cars, but not at the expense of spending too big of a chunk of my budget on the car and not being able to pay for parts because I spent too much on the car itself! I wouldn't buy it without seeing it, but I agree, it's a pretty long drive to look at a car that I wouldn't buy if it was ten minutes away. I figure it's a day off work, a night over and then the drive there & back.

I guess I'll just have to keep searching. I'll let the guy know so he won't be waiting to hear from me.

Dave

Dave,

I really think you've made the right decision
on that 66. Sometimes it's hard to stay "calm"
when a guy is all excited about buying a car. Do
your best to stay calm, cool and collected and
you'll likely wind up with a much better deal
than the "average" guy.

Have fun hunting. Let's face it, the chase it a
big part of the fun....

Bill.

Thanks Bill!

I've been looking for years now. Before I was looking for something without having enough cash ready. It just seems like they're hard to find without people wanting a lot more than they're worth.

The search continues......

Dave

You definitely made the right decision to pass on that car. His asking price is totally outrageous.

I know how hard it is to find a two door sedan, I looked for years before I found my Biscayne which was much worse than the Belair you had shown us, with one exception my car was only $200. That trunk floor is a mess and a ton of work to fix! I can only imagine what the areas look like that we can not see..Keep looking, try a wanted ad in the G&D you never know...
John

John,

What's the "G&D" ???

Dave

The G&D is the "Generator & Distributor" which is the monthly magazine published by the Vintage Chevrolet Club of America. You must be member of the club to receive the magazine and also to access the "members only" portion of Chevy Chatter II.

Hey John/TeamChevy,

I didn't realize you weren't a VCCA member. I'd say it'd be worth it to join if only to run "wanted" ads for free in the classified section of the G and D. You may have noticed somebody suggested that a few posts back. I've run wanted ads and gotten lots of response.

If you need an application, you can find one on the VCCA web site. (Or I could email you one.) Just to be sure write in "Bill Fuller" on the recommended line that's toward the bottom of the form. I get brownie points for that!!!!!

Good luck chasing after a nice '66....

Bill.

On a Chevy in the 1960's especially, it is often wise to invest a little more money in a good solid car, rather than to buy a rust bucket and try to bring it back to life.
If the Chevy would be a rare model, then the decision might be more difficult to make. On this 1966 Chevy, I would say......No Way.

dtm

PM sent.

Dave

Thanks toolman. I told the guy today, so the search is still on!

Dave

Hi Dave,

In the last half hr or so I sent you an email and also responded to your PM.

Hope you get/got both of them OK.

Let me know if you have any questions. I'll be happy to try and help.....

Bill.

Incidentally Dave, I'm absolutely convinced (at least in my mind) that you did the right thing to turn down that 66 you were asking about.

I'm also sure there are several guys in here who will poke around on the www just looking to see what's available in the big, wide world of www. Myself included. If anything interesting pops up, I'm sure you'll hear about it.

In the meantime, happy hunting yourself....

Bill.

Thanks!! I'd appreciate that!

Dave

Dave,
Click on our club home page and scroll down to the picture of this months cover, that is my sedan
http://vcca.org/
John

Very nice John, another one of my favorite Chevys and I like the way it looks, very stock.

Dave

Dave,

Here's a 66 Bel Air on ebay. Thought you might be interested.

66 Bel Air on ebay

I don't think it's all original; but might be a nice car.

Bill.

I like this one Bill, needs some dog dish caps and body color rims for me. The car is straight, nice interior

Bill,

I looked at this one and it looks nice. The color is almost the same as my 76 Camaro. I'd prefer a manual, but I'm watching it to see how high it's going to go for. It's at almost at $7900 this morning, which is probably below value. I agree with John, it would look good with dog dish caps and body color rims . The guy that own's the one in the pictures above emailed me to show me this one on eBay:

1966 Chevrolet Biscayne Bel Air 150/210 427 2 DR COPO

O bids, staring at $32000. I've seen it before on Super Chevy or Chevy High Performance. A little out of my price range. If you guys see anything else out there, let me know. I don't mind finding something that requires work, as long as the price is right. I'm sending my application in to join VCCA, so I can check out the magazine.

Dave

Checked my email this morning and my search on Kijiji flagged a 1966 Belair 2 door. I email the guy and asked to see it today. It's only 1h 45m away. Will let you know more later:

"Up for sale, 1966 chevy bel air 2 door Post with a 454 automatic. The motor is strong and runs like a dream. The body is rust free, but it will need paint. Carpet and headliner in need of replacing, are available(should be putting it in when i get the time to). Dual exhaust, headers. Mechanically its pretty sound, just in need of the cosmetic finishes. Overall, its a solid car, that with a little work would be a pretty nice ride. Asking $5,000 obo, trades are welcome, but please be reasonable. thanks for lookin "







Dave

Second Update:

"Theres a few snaps of the interior. I dont have any of the trunk. it has rust on it, but not rotted thru, could just sand it and put a layer on it. I actually got the car from father/son in Quebec."





I'm going to try and go see it Thursday or Friday. Will update later.

Dave

Well, I missed out on this one. By the time I got there today, the guy had sold it to a young 20 something guy from Toronto. He paid $4800 cash for it. I still looked it over. A little rougher than I thought it would be. Has bondo in places, but I didn't go over it with a fine tooth comb, didn't even get the VIN/Body tag info. He said he didn't think he'd get that much for it, so I guess I have some competition out there. Not disappointed, so back to the looking again!



Dave

Checked that one again this morning and found it sold for $14500 USD. Nice car. Found another on eBay, but it's starting at $8000 USD right off the bat:

eBay: 66 Bel Air

This one is more along the line of what I'd be looking for, it's a little more money than I want to spend. It'll be interesting to see if it goes higher and by how much.

Dave

Found another on eBay, though it's an Impala, it's close by. Might call the guy and go look at it on the weekend:

eBay: 66 Impala

Dave

Hey Dave,

For what it's worth --- I like the "teel" one with the 283 / 3 speed. I've never been a fan of big blocks. I guess they have more to tickle your lower unit; but the 283 / 3 speed seems like a better deal for all around use.

I did notice something odd in the pictures: All pix showed the teel type color of ext. and int. but there was one "odd" picture of the black interior with buckets and AT console shifter. I didn't understand why that one picture of the black interior was in the mix of photos???? Oh well....

Good luck in finding one you like!!!

Bill.

Dave,

How's the search going??

I noticed this 66 Biscayne and wondered if you'd seen it....

66 Biscayne

Bill.

Hey Bill,

Haven't seen anything to look at lately, been busy at work and getting ready to move in May.

I think I saw that one before, nice car and the color almost matched my Camaro, but it's a little more than I can afford right now.

Thanks for looking and I appreciate the heads up if you see anything else!

Dave

Dave,

Wondering if you ever found a car?? Maybe you got one for your birthday??!?? Maybe not...

Well, hope you had a Happy Birthday either way!

Bill.

Hi Bill,

Thanks for the Birthday greeting!! I still haven't found a car yet... still looking. Been busy since May, we moved and got settled in, kids home from school, busy at work and now trying to get a garage/shop built. I keep an eye out, but nothing has grabbed my attention, at least nothing that fits the current pocket book! Will keep you posted if I do!

Thanks,

Dave

A bit of advice on the building of your shop/garage. Multiply each side by two and then consider doubling that. I have never heard of a building for antique cars that was too big.

Also seriously consider doubling or at least increasing height by 1.5. You will eventually get a lift and need the height to operate it properly. Besides vertical height does not cost that much more and it is much cooler inside in the summer.

About the garage/shop. It's going to be 24'x 34' and 10' high inside, that's the best I could do, with 100A service and natural gas. I have the permits in place and should be breaking ground in a week or so. Maybe I'll start a thread here once it get's going, if anyone wants to follow along!

Dave

Found this car again, I looked at it in May and now it's in Toronto for sale for $5000, again. Emailed the new owner and he said he has to sell as he has no time to fix up. Just found it inetersting he bought it so fast in May and now what's to sell it. He doesn't know I looked at it back then. I posted pictures earlier in the thread:

1966 Belair For Sale - Kijiji Toronto

Dave

He probably discovered how bad it was and wants out of it.

You might want to increase your service to 200 amps. In a shop it doesn't take long to eat up 100 amps.

As I recall, this is the black one you "missed" in May. You went and looked at it; even tho it had just been sold. I recall you saying it was rougher than you thought (hoped) and had some bondo here and there. That's about all I recall.

Chev Gene's comment may be right on.

I'm just not sold on this car. And now this quick turn-around sale makes me even more concerned about the car. Maybe the same idea Gene feels.

Personally, I hope you concentrate on the new building and forget about this car. I'm betting a better opportunity will come along for you!

Bill.

Have to agree with both you & Gene. Makes me wonder why he's selling it as fast as he bought it. Anyway, I'll keep looking and focus on the garage.

Dave

Hey Dave, I feel you're on the right track about all this. It never seems to work out well when "we" get in a hurry to find/buy a car.....

Bill.

Well, the garage build has started. See this link for details:

https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php...w/1/Teamchevy_s_Garage_Shop_Build#UNREAD

Dave