A 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu that's Sleeper Fast
Posted by D. Brian Smith on Dec 31st 1969
This 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu looks somewhat mild mannered, apart from those aggressive American Racing Torq-Thrust II wheels, a chin spoiler, and a lowered stance. Those of us at Parts Unlimited Interiors know better. We work with the Chevelle's owner - Luke Shaffer. He is one of Classic Industries and PUI's bright merchandisers/buyers, and Luke's quite the American muscle car enthusiast, builder, and owner.
1966 Chevelle - Shaffer Family Member for 25 Years
Above: The 406-cubic-inch Joe Sherman Racing Engines V8 mill has 10.7:1 compression and includes all the go-fast goodies: AFR aluminum heads, Offenhauserpolished finned aluminum valve covers, Edelbrock old school "Victor" polished aluminum intake manifold, Holley 850-cubic foot per minute four-barrel carburetor atop a two-inch spacer, Hedman Hedders 1-7/8" diameter long tube headers, Milodon racing oil pan, US Radiator four-row radiator, Derale dual electric fan and shroud system, Eddie Motorsports billet hood hinges, an Optima Red Top battery, and some top secret items for making those drag strip runs a breeze. The engine's backed by a Tremec TKX five-speed manual trans that is shifted with an American Powertrain/Hurst shifter handle, with the power transfer spun through an American Powertrain driveshaft to a 1970 El Camino supplied 12-bolt positraction rear end/rear axle.
A quarter-century ago the original owners sold the Chevy to Luke for the not so princely sum of $1,500. Many American greenbacks and a fair amount of sweat equity have transformed the Chevelle into a seemingly subtly modified show car. The Chevelle's an occasional use and monthly Quarantine Cruise vehicle. Best of all, she's a fire-breathing 1/8th-mile or 1/4-mile drag racing machine with quite the solid reputation for besting her many foes that line up behind the Christmas tree lights.
Above: Since the headliner and front bench seat were both torn, Parts Unlimited Interiors (PUI) black vinyl seat covers and black headliner made in the U.S.A. replaced those two soft interior items. The interior door panels, arm rests, and rear seat upholstery are all original Chevrolet items from 1966! Luke's Chevelle now has a scant 89,000 miles, which is amazing, although maybe not so incredible when you consider much of that mileage was accumulated a 1/4-mile or an 1/8th-of-a-mile at a time.
In fact, Mr. Shaffer will be at the 1/8th mile drags at Irwindale Raceway, where he will be campaigning the Chevelle on Sunday, October 13 at the Super Chevy Show. Back when Super Chevy magazine was published in its heyday, the Super Chevy Show was a three-day affair. Since before the magazine shuttered in 2020, the Super Chevy Show is now a one-day event.
Above: The steering wheel is stock, as are the dash pad, the pillar post, and the upper door black paint - all original.
Born with a 283 V8 & a Three-on-the-Tree Manual Trans
The Malibu was born with a 283-cubic inch small block V8 engine that had a column-shift three-speed manual transmission. The Malibu's original owner had driven the car just 68,000 miles, when young Luke purchased her for $1,500. He replaced the 283 with a 1964 Corvette 327-cubic inch V8 backed with a Muncie four-speed floor shift manual transmission. After a couple more years, Luke swapped the 327 for a Joe Sherman Racing Engines', of Santa Ana, CA, built 400-cubic inch small block V8 high performance Chevy mill. In 2023, Luke backed the engine with a Tremec TKX five-speed manual transmission that could handle all the horsepower and torque that the racing engine could produce.
Above: Some 15 years ago, 3J's Autobody & Paint Inc., in Signal Hill, CA, performed the necessary bodywork and paint prep before laying down several lavish coats of GM's Ermine White in Enamel with several coats of clear, before wet sanding and buffing the exterior to a finish better than 1966 GM/Chevy assembly line new. The aggressive and spot-on Chevelle lowered stance is achieved with Performance Online, CPP suspension components, and Aldan American coilover shocks in the front and Performance Online and QA1 shocks in the rear.
Above: That windshield washer bottle looks to be the original item. Or it might be from Classic Industries.
Above: The 16x7-inch American Racing Torq-Thrust II wheels are now shod with Hoosier radial tires in the front. While the 16x8 AR T-T II rear rolling stock has 255/50/16-inch Hoosier radials. Two-piston front disc brakes from Stainless Steel Brake Systems with a Performance Online hydropower power brake unit greatly enhance the Malibu's stopping power in the front, as do the Ford disc brakes with e-brake cables from ABS Power Brake in the rear.
Above: Several years passed before Luke could find original front and rear GM bumper guards that were restorable and re-chrome-able to enhance the appearance of his sleeper Chevelle. Some of the grill moldings were replaced with reproduction components. Mr. Shaffer also added a Super Sport style hood with custom made louvered aluminum hood inserts, because the SS hood looks better. The addition of a chin spoiler also looks super cool. Outstanding!
Above: A nice touch - the Chevelle ceiling of the trunk lid includes a couple of reproduction decals.
Above: Back in the day, this might have been the angle chosen for the cover photo of Super Chevy magazine - like the 1969 Camaro on the cover of the July 2005 issue of Super Chevy just below.
Above: Luke also enhanced the view out the back by installing a factory rear window defroster. Underneath all that Ermine snow white beauty there lurks Flowmaster 50 Series three-chamber, three-inch diameter stainless steel mufflers for expelling the spent fumes on their merry way out the dual tailpipes.
Parts Unlimited Interiors & the Chevrolet Chevelle
There are literally hundreds of interior items available from PUI for the Chevrolet Chevelle. If you own a Chevelle, you now know the greatest place to seek out and secure those USA made components.
