1966 Chevy Chevelle 300
by Legens Hot Rod Shop
Welcome to our Cars For Sale section. We think it’s safe to say that this is the nicest 1966 Chevelle 300 for sale on the planet. Built to an extremely high standard by Legens Hot Rod Shop in 2010 for the late George Poteet, the goal was to create a “minimalist” 300-post car that still worked as rolling art. Steve Legens certainly answered that call. Throughout the car, you’ll find subtle handcrafted details such as the stock-appearing smooth firewall, radiator fill panel, exterior lock delete, smoothed and narrowed bumpers, and a custom, one-of-a-kind “300” air cleaner. There are so many more small details to browse. Like the “300” emblems added everywhere from the steering wheel to the shift knob to the seat belt buckles.
Chevelle 300 Chassis Details
This is a true ground-up build that sits on a smoothed and painted frame with Detroit Speed tubular suspension, adjustable coilovers, splined sway bars and monster Baer 4-wheel disc brakes. The braking system consists of 14″ diameter front and rear rotors with six-piston calipers all around. The little Chevelle 300 absolutely rips through corners, stops on a dime, and offers exceptional ride quality with a performance feel.
Under The Hood: Purpose-built Small Block
While a stock 1966 Chevelle 300 may have come with a thrifty 283, Poteet and Legens went all-out to spec an atypical engine based around Dart’s SHP ultra-high-performance engine block. While that block could easily be machined to monster proportions, the decision was made to build a rev-happy 302 ci engine — 4.000″ bore with a 3.000″ stroke. It’s worth noting that this car’s Dart SHP engine block can safely be machined to accommodate 4.165″ bore pistons which – combined with a 3.750″ crank yields a 408 displacement if you so desire. In its current form, the “little” 302 is an absolute screamer and loves to rev! The ported and polished AFR 195cc aluminum heads and Holley 750 cfm carburetor supply plenty of airflow. With an 11:1 compression ratio and rowdy hydraulic cam, the engine makes plenty of power. According to the 2011 Popular Hot Rodding article, the engine outputs 500HP. We have not verified that number. The engine is topped off with one-of-a-kind custom valve covers, a hand-fabricated twin snorkel air cleaner, and a complete Concept One billet accessory drive serpentine belt system.
Power is transferred to a Tremec TKO600 five-speed overdrive transmission and Ford 9″ rear axle with 4.11 gears. That drivetrain combination is well suited to the 302 engine’s rpm range. Expect a unique driving experience that encourages shifting. With .82 overdrive the final drive ratio is a comfortable 3.37:1. — Great for highway cruising
Behind The Wheel Of This Chevelle 300
As with the overall design theme, the Chevelle 300’s interior is intentionally minimalist and built for driving. Subtle details abound, and the overall execution is best described as show-quality. Upholstery and painted surfaces are flawless. The interior has been styled with austere rubber floor covering and OE vinyl seating surfaces. There is no fancy leather or ultra-modern equipment other than a modern Classic Instruments cluster that looks like an original unit. In keeping with a “factory-delete” theme, the Chevelle’s HVAC system has been carefully hidden while audio has been deleted. The custom-made “300” emblems will catch your eye each time you enter and exit the car and every time you go for a drive.
Overall Condition and Impressions
This Chevelle 300 can confidently be described as #1 Condition. Paint and body are in exceptional condition with excellent shine, fit, and finish. Chrome and polished brightwork have full luster. The highly finished paintwork in the trunk is as almost as nice as the paint on the roof. The engine has been re-finished in dark silver and black tones. The original poverty cap-theme wheels have been replaced with Billet Specialties “Bonneville” wheels measuring 20″ rear diameter and 18″ front diameter. Toyo Proxes 4 Plus High-Performance All-Season tires measure 275-40/20 rear and 245-40/18 front. These are great tires for touring and have nearly all of their original tread. The fully-coated custom exhaust system sounds excellent.
Driving this car gives you a break from the modern world — just as we imagine George Poteet intended. You can focus on the sound and feel of the rev-happy 302ci engine, enjoy well-executed shifts from the Tremec five-speed, and share the driving experience with three or four others. For even more detail, we encourage you to read the original April 2011 Popular Hot Rodding article HERE
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This Vehicle Is For Sale
Please contact us to learn more and schedule a viewing. Call 404-569-0470 or click HERE to email us.