Car Model History

Second generation · C2 "Sting Ray" · 1963–1967

1966Chevrolet Corvette

The Sting Ray — introduced the nameplate, the first Corvette coupe, and independent rear suspension. The 1963 coupe's one-year-only split rear window makes it the most iconic Corvette body.

Second generation · C2 "Sting Ray"

1966 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray, C2 second generation — white coupe, front three-quarter view

Photo: Mustang Joe / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0. Cropped to 16:9.

The 1966 model year

Overview

The 1966 Chevrolet Corvette was the C2 Sting Ray model-year specification for the U.S. market. Its documented factory range comprised 327 cu in small-block V8, 427 cu in big-block V8 with 2-speed Powerglide automatic or 3-speed manual or 4-speed manual.

Specifications

Engines
  • 327 cu in small-block V8
  • 427 cu in big-block V8
Transmissions
2-speed Powerglide automatic, 3-speed manual, 4-speed manual
Body styles
Sport coupe, Convertible

Year over year

What changed

  • The 427 replaced the 396 as the Sting Ray's big-block choice.
  • Early Chevrolet sales sheets show the L36 with four-speed only. A later GM service catalogue explicitly lists 1966 Corvette 427 Powerglide components; the automatic configuration page distinguishes that evidence from secondary identification of the late L36 pairing.

Worth knowing

Notable

  • This page records the U.S. 1966 factory powertrain and body-style range rather than borrowing a nearby model year's specification.

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

  • For a 1966 Corvette, verify the VIN, installed powertrain and service history against the exact-year GM document; age, modifications and deferred maintenance are more useful evidence than generation-wide reputation.
  • Check the NHTSA VIN lookup for unrepaired safety recalls before purchase or road use.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 1966 Corvette on the road

Start with the service interval, then match the engine or exact version you own. Order links appear only when a catalog-backed part number is available, and every listing still needs a fitment check.

Service desk

What this car needs & when

Use this as a service-planning checklist for 1966 Chevrolet Corvette. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.

Service topics
12
Scheduled topics
10
Applicability stated
12
Exact references
1

Before ordering Identify your engine, options and build date. Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.

  • Engine oil and filter — changeView intervals, applicability and sources

    Engine oil and filter — change

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1966 · United States

    Source: Chevrolet — 1966 Chassis Service Manual licensed GM reproduction (preserved copy) · Lubrication, pages 0-11 through 0-18; Corvette lubrication diagram, Figure 32 · checked

    Engine oil — normal service

    Applies to: 1966 · United States

    Published interval: 6,000 mi / 2 months · Whichever occurs first.

    Source: Chevrolet — 1966 Chassis Service Manual licensed GM reproduction (preserved copy) · Lubrication, pages 0-11 through 0-18; Corvette lubrication diagram, Figure 32 · checked

    Engine oil — heavy-duty start-stop or prolonged-idling service

    Applies to: 1966 · United States · Continuous start-stop or prolonged idling.

    Published interval: 3,000 mi · The manual specifies after 2,500–3,000 miles.

    Source: Chevrolet — 1966 Chassis Service Manual licensed GM reproduction (preserved copy) · Lubrication, pages 0-11 through 0-18; Corvette lubrication diagram, Figure 32 · checked

    Oil filter

    Applies to: 1966 · United States

    Published interval: 6,000 mi / 6 months · Whichever occurs first; heavy-duty service calls for 5,000–6,000 miles.

    Source: Chevrolet — 1966 Chassis Service Manual licensed GM reproduction (preserved copy) · Lubrication, pages 0-11 through 0-18; Corvette lubrication diagram, Figure 32 · checked

  • Crankcase-ventilation valve and breather cap — serviceView intervals, applicability and sources

    Crankcase-ventilation valve and breather cap — service

    Sourced interval available

    Test the ventilation system at every oil change; perform service more often in prolonged dusty use.

    Applies to: 1966 · United States

    Source: Chevrolet — 1966 Chassis Service Manual licensed GM reproduction (preserved copy) · Lubrication, pages 0-11 through 0-18; Corvette lubrication diagram, Figure 32 · checked

    Crankcase-ventilation valve — replace; hoses, fittings, flame arrestor, and breather cap — clean

    Applies to: 1966 · United States

    Published interval: 12,000 mi / 12 months · Whichever occurs first.

    Source: Chevrolet — 1966 Chassis Service Manual licensed GM reproduction (preserved copy) · Lubrication, pages 0-11 through 0-18; Corvette lubrication diagram, Figure 32 · checked

    Crankcase breather cap — clean and re-oil

    At every engine-oil change.

    Applies to: 1966 · United States

    Source: Chevrolet — 1966 Chassis Service Manual licensed GM reproduction (preserved copy) · Lubrication, pages 0-11 through 0-18; Corvette lubrication diagram, Figure 32 · checked

  • Carburetor-inlet fuel filter — replaceView intervals, applicability and sources

    Carburetor-inlet fuel filter — replace

    Fitment must be confirmed

    Replace only when inspection shows it is dirty or plugged, or when flooding occurs.

    Applies to: 1966 · United States

    Source: Chevrolet — 1966 Chassis Service Manual licensed GM reproduction (preserved copy) · Lubrication, pages 0-11 through 0-18; Corvette lubrication diagram, Figure 32 · checked

  • Engine air-cleaner element — serviceView intervals, applicability and sources

    Engine air-cleaner element — service

    Sourced interval available

    Use the row matching the installed element type; service more often in prolonged dusty use.

    Applies to: 1966 · United States

    Source: Chevrolet — 1966 Chassis Service Manual licensed GM reproduction (preserved copy) · Lubrication, pages 0-11 through 0-18; Corvette lubrication diagram, Figure 32 · checked

    Polyurethane element — clean and re-oil

    Applies to: 1966 · United States · Polyurethane air-cleaner element.

    Published interval: 12,000 mi

    Source: Chevrolet — 1966 Chassis Service Manual licensed GM reproduction (preserved copy) · Lubrication, pages 0-11 through 0-18; Corvette lubrication diagram, Figure 32 · checked

    Oil-wetted paper element — inspect or test

    Applies to: 1966 · United States · Oil-wetted paper air-cleaner element.

    Published interval: 12,000 mi · If retained after the initial inspection, recheck every 6,000 miles until replacement is required.

    Source: Chevrolet — 1966 Chassis Service Manual licensed GM reproduction (preserved copy) · Lubrication, pages 0-11 through 0-18; Corvette lubrication diagram, Figure 32 · checked

  • V8 distributor cam lubricator — serviceView intervals, applicability and sources

    V8 distributor cam lubricator — service

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1966 · United States

    Source: Chevrolet — 1966 Chassis Service Manual licensed GM reproduction (preserved copy) · Lubrication, pages 0-11 through 0-18; Corvette lubrication diagram, Figure 32 · checked

    Turn cam lubricator end-for-end

    Applies to: 1966 · United States

    Published interval: 12,000 mi

    Source: Chevrolet — 1966 Chassis Service Manual licensed GM reproduction (preserved copy) · Lubrication, pages 0-11 through 0-18; Corvette lubrication diagram, Figure 32 · checked

    Replace cam lubricator

    Applies to: 1966 · United States

    Published interval: 24,000 mi

    Source: Chevrolet — 1966 Chassis Service Manual licensed GM reproduction (preserved copy) · Lubrication, pages 0-11 through 0-18; Corvette lubrication diagram, Figure 32 · checked

  • Transmission fluid and lubricant — serviceView intervals, applicability and sources

    Transmission fluid and lubricant — service

    Sourced interval available

    The 1966 Corvette factory power-team table lists manual transmissions and Powerglide. Chevrolet introduced Turbo Hydra-Matic as a Corvette option for 1968; cross-model THM instructions do not establish 1966 factory fitment. Retained intervals separately cite the 1966 chassis manual.

    Applies to: 1966 · United States

    Source: Chevrolet — 1968 full-line brochure, Corvette introduction · PDF page 7, Corvette paragraph; publication D-49492-R-1 — first-time availability establishes model applicability, not service intervals · checked

    Manual transmission — check lubricant level

    Applies to: 1966 · Manual · United States

    Published interval: 6,000 mi

    Source: Chevrolet — 1966 Chassis Service Manual licensed GM reproduction (preserved copy) · Lubrication, pages 0-11 through 0-18; Corvette lubrication diagram, Figure 32 · checked

    Powerglide — check fluid level

    Applies to: 1966 · Powerglide automatic · United States

    Published interval: 6,000 mi

    Source: Chevrolet — 1966 Chassis Service Manual licensed GM reproduction (preserved copy) · Lubrication, pages 0-11 through 0-18; Corvette lubrication diagram, Figure 32 · checked

    Powerglide — change fluid

    Applies to: 1966 · Powerglide automatic · United States

    Published interval: 12,000 mi · More frequently for trailer pulling, full loads in high heat, mountain operation, or other severe conditions.

    Source: Chevrolet — 1966 Chassis Service Manual licensed GM reproduction (preserved copy) · Lubrication, pages 0-11 through 0-18; Corvette lubrication diagram, Figure 32 · checked

  • Rear-axle lubricant level — checkView intervals, applicability and sources

    Rear-axle lubricant level — check

    Sourced interval available

    The factory manual specifies no routine lubricant change for the life of the vehicle.

    Applies to: 1966 · United States

    Published interval: 6,000 mi

    Source: Chevrolet — 1966 Chassis Service Manual licensed GM reproduction (preserved copy) · Lubrication, pages 0-11 through 0-18; Corvette lubrication diagram, Figure 32 · checked

  • Chassis, clutch cross-shaft, and parking-brake mechanism — lubricateView intervals, applicability and sources

    Chassis, clutch cross-shaft, and parking-brake mechanism — lubricate

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1966 · United States

    Source: Chevrolet — 1966 Chassis Service Manual licensed GM reproduction (preserved copy) · Lubrication, pages 0-11 through 0-18; Corvette lubrication diagram, Figure 32 · checked

    Chassis and parking-brake mechanism

    Applies to: 1966 · United States

    Published interval: 6,000 mi

    Source: Chevrolet — 1966 Chassis Service Manual licensed GM reproduction (preserved copy) · Lubrication, pages 0-11 through 0-18; Corvette lubrication diagram, Figure 32 · checked

    Clutch cross-shaft

    Applies to: 1966 · Manual · United States

    Published interval: 36,000 mi · Or sooner if necessary.

    Source: Chevrolet — 1966 Chassis Service Manual licensed GM reproduction (preserved copy) · Lubrication, pages 0-11 through 0-18; Corvette lubrication diagram, Figure 32 · checked

    Manual steering-gear lubricant level — check

    Applies to: 1966 · United States · Manual steering gear.

    Published interval: 36,000 mi

    Source: Chevrolet — 1966 Chassis Service Manual licensed GM reproduction (preserved copy) · Lubrication, pages 0-11 through 0-18; Corvette lubrication diagram, Figure 32 · checked

  • Front wheel bearings — clean and repackView intervals, applicability and sources

    Front wheel bearings — clean and repack

    Sourced interval available

    The text specifies 24,000 miles and also requires repacking whenever the brake drums are removed; the Corvette diagram identifies service whenever the brakes are serviced.

    Applies to: 1966 · United States

    Published interval: 24,000 mi

    Source: Chevrolet — 1966 Chassis Service Manual licensed GM reproduction (preserved copy) · Lubrication, pages 0-11 through 0-18; Corvette lubrication diagram, Figure 32 · checked

  • Brake-master-cylinder fluid level — checkView intervals, applicability and sources

    Brake-master-cylinder fluid level — check

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1966 · United States

    Published interval: 6,000 mi

    Source: Chevrolet — 1966 Chassis Service Manual licensed GM reproduction (preserved copy) · Lubrication, pages 0-11 through 0-18; Corvette lubrication diagram, Figure 32 · checked

  • Battery-terminal felt washers — oilView intervals, applicability and sources

    Battery-terminal felt washers — oil

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1966 · United States

    Published interval: 6,000 mi

    Source: Chevrolet — 1966 Chassis Service Manual licensed GM reproduction (preserved copy) · Lubrication, pages 0-11 through 0-18; Corvette lubrication diagram, Figure 32 · checked

  • Engine oil filter — catalog fitmentView intervals, applicability and sources

    Engine oil filter — catalog fitment

    Exact reference available

    Manufacturer-catalog fitment only; no service interval is inferred.

    Baldwin P18 cataloged fitment

    This manufacturer application record establishes replacement-filter fitment only; it does not alter Chevrolet's service interval.

    Applies to: 1966 · United States · Baldwin catalogs P18 for the 1966 Corvette 327- and 427-cu-in carbureted V8; confirm the installed engine and filter before ordering.

    Source: Parker/Baldwin Filters — 2025 Automotive Applications catalog · PDF page 783, Chevrolet 1966 Corvette 327- and 427-cu-in carbureted V8 row — Lube — P18 · checked

    Verified ordering references

Collect

Bring this model year home

Find a scale model using the exact year, make, and model—not a generic generation search.

Famous variants this year

Sources

  1. General Motors Heritage Archive — 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Vehicle Information Kit
  2. NHTSA — VIN recall lookup
  3. GM Parts Division — Powerglide catalogue, June 1976 revision, printed 4-29–4-30: 1966 Corvette 427 applications

Other Second generation years

Explore the C2 "Sting Ray" generation →All Second generation · C2 "Sting Ray" years →

Documented lineup

Find your exact 1966 Corvette

Compare factory configurations or open a separately identified evidence document. Service documents explain historical applications and do not establish an ownership or parts recommendation.

12factory configurations

12 factory configurations + 2 service documents

Factory configurations and separate evidence documentsHow this lineup was verified

Factory configuration counts exclude documentary records. Evidence documents preserve specific source findings; they do not establish a factory body/engine/transmission pairing or complete the model-year lineup.

14records shown
Browse 14 documented records — use the filters above to narrow the list
Sport coupe

Corvette Sting Ray 300 Sport coupe — 3-speed manual

Body
Sport coupe
Engine
327 cu in V8 (300 hp)
Gearbox
3-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Sport coupe

Corvette Sting Ray 300 Sport coupe — 4-speed manual

Body
Sport coupe
Engine
327 cu in V8 (300 hp)
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Sport coupe

Corvette Sting Ray 300 Sport coupe — 2-speed Powerglide automatic

Body
Sport coupe
Engine
327 cu in V8 (300 hp)
Gearbox
2-speed Powerglide automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Convertible

Corvette Sting Ray 300 Convertible — 3-speed manual

Body
Convertible
Engine
327 cu in V8 (300 hp)
Gearbox
3-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Convertible

Corvette Sting Ray 300 Convertible — 4-speed manual

Body
Convertible
Engine
327 cu in V8 (300 hp)
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Convertible

Corvette Sting Ray 300 Convertible — 2-speed Powerglide automatic

Body
Convertible
Engine
327 cu in V8 (300 hp)
Gearbox
2-speed Powerglide automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Sport coupe

Corvette Sting Ray L79 Sport coupe — 4-speed manual

Body
Sport coupe
Engine
327 cu in L79 V8 (350 hp)
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Convertible

Corvette Sting Ray L79 Convertible — 4-speed manual

Body
Convertible
Engine
327 cu in L79 V8 (350 hp)
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Sport coupe

Corvette Sting Ray L36 Sport coupe — 4-speed manual

Body
Sport coupe
Engine
427 cu in L36 big-block V8 (390 hp)
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Not established by the service catalogue

427 Powerglide converter service application

Body
Not established by the service catalogue
Engine
427 cu in V8
Gearbox
2-speed Powerglide automatic
Open evidence document
Convertible

Corvette Sting Ray L36 Convertible — 4-speed manual

Body
Convertible
Engine
427 cu in L36 big-block V8 (390 hp)
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Not established by the service catalogue

427 Powerglide clutch service application

Body
Not established by the service catalogue
Engine
427 cu in V8
Gearbox
2-speed Powerglide automatic
Open evidence document
Sport coupe

Corvette Sting Ray L72 Sport coupe — 4-speed manual

Body
Sport coupe
Engine
427 cu in L72 big-block V8 (425 hp)
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Convertible

Corvette Sting Ray L72 Convertible — 4-speed manual

Body
Convertible
Engine
427 cu in L72 big-block V8 (425 hp)
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

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