Chevy IIs have that cool look hot rodders love. When Ed Vannoy found this bright yellow ’66 the decision to buy it was easy to make. The smooth-as-glass sheetmetal, brilliant chrome, and flawless condition caught his eye. But after driving the ’66 just a few short miles Ed longed for some 21st century technology. So he contacted Kyle Tucker at Detroit Speed and Engineering (DSE) to blend the Chevy II’s outward appearance with cutting-edge performance.
Detroit Speed and Engineering began by disassembling the vehicle, while carefully preserving the show-quality finish. To improve the handling dynamics of the Deuce, DSE’s Scott Dilloway and Paul Morgan began by modifying the existing Fat Man front coilover suspension geometry. The crew added a pair of third-generation F-body front spindles activated by a GM power rack-and-pinion system including a DSE power-steering pump and reservoir. DSE mini-tubbed the rear by two inches to accommodate monstrous rear tires. To do this required relocating the rear shocks and modifying the rear framerails.
Because this Deuce is motivated by a very capable ZZ3 350 fed via a Street and Performance EFI unit, going fast is easy. So to improve the Chevy’s whoa capability, the guys at DSE installed a full set of Baer 12-inch rotors, which are slotted, cross-drilled, and squeezed by polished calipers. To transmit the ZZ3’s power, the Chevy uses a Muncie four-speed that spins 3.08 gears housed in a DTS narrowed Chevrolet 12-bolt rearend. For reliability, the housing is fitted with Torino outer wheel bearings and Moser axles.
To update the instrument cluster, Paul carefully removed the windshield and fabricated a completely new instrument panel containing a full set of Auto Meter gauges. Shannon Walters wrapped the seats with comfortable black leather, and Paul and Scott fabricated a new console to house the Hurst shifter. Building a ’66 Chevy II that looks classic and blends plenty of today’s best engineering into the package is not easy. But when you have a team like DSE on your side, the hard work pays big dividends.