Mileage claims, especially those that are extraordinarily low, must sometimes be taken at face value. However, when they are documented, buyers are often onto a winner. Such is the case with this 1966 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport. The seller appears to hold paperwork confirming that the odometer reading of 17,000 miles is genuine, and the car’s condition supports that. Its presentation is hard to fault, while its 327ci V8 should provide excellent performance by the standards of the day. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for spotting the Impala listed here on eBay in Stockton, California. The solitary bid of $21,033 is below the reserve, but there is a BIN option of $37,500 for those who find this classic irresistible.
For my money, the 1960s marked a high point in vehicle styling. Pony cars were lithe and elegant, the Pontiac GTO was purposeful, and the original Buick Riviera was drop-dead gorgeous. I would add the Fourth Generation Impala to that list, because there wasn’t an ugly one in the entire range. This is especially true of the Sport Coupe variant, which commands more attention and affection today than it did when it was blowing them away in the showroom. This 1966 Impala Super Sport is no exception, ordered by its first owner in Ermine White and Artesian Turquoise. The seller is only the second owner of a black-plate survivor that has spent its life in California. Therefore, its rust-free status is unsurprising. The paint shows no evidence of major faults or deterioration, and the panels are straight. The first owner ordered the car with clear glass and a tinted windshield, and these look to be in excellent condition. The trim sparkles in the sun, and the Impala retains its original steel wheels and ‘spinner” hubcaps.
The Turquoise theme set by this Impala’s exterior continues inside, with the seats and other upholstered surfaces trimmed in vinyl of that shade. Once again, there is little to criticize, with no wear or evidence of abuse. The lack of deterioration suggests that the car has been protected from long-term UV exposure, with the pad and tops of the door trims looking excellent. There are no visible aftermarket additions to an interior featuring bucket seats, a console housing a sports gauge cluster, and an AM radio.
It was possible to order a 1966 Impala Super Sport with a big-block under the hood, but this car’s first owner teamed a 327ci V8 with a two-speed Powerglide transmission. That year’s Chevrolet Sales Brochure quotes a power output of 275hp, which was typically enough to satisfy most owners. The seller states that this SS has a genuine 17,856 miles showing on its odometer, and it appears they hold documentary evidence confirming that figure. The buyer receives the original Build Sheet, Title, and keys, all of which are a bonus when the subject turns to the potential future value. This beauty runs and drives perfectly, providing the new owner with the option of flying in and driving it home.
Having been raised in a household where the garage was dominated by blue-oval products, I admit a weakness for anything wearing a Ford badge. However, I am, first and foremost, a classic car enthusiast. I treat every vehicle on its merits, and there are definitely cars from the other side of the divide that I would happily park in my garage if circumstances allowed. This 1966 Impala Super Sport falls into that category because there is so much to like. From its odometer reading to its overall condition, anybody who slips behind the wheel will do so with a smile on their face and pride swelling in their heart. The listing statistics are surprisingly low for a vehicle of this caliber, but are you tempted to rectify that by making a play for this gem? I won’t blame you if you do.
The valance (under the front bumper) should be silver,
not body color.Might be a repaint.
The silver valance looked cool on Impalas.
You’re right. My mom’s 66 Impala wagon had a silver valance too.
Even my bottom rung Biscayne has the silver valance.
When I had my 66, the lower valance was painted body color (marina blue). I thought it looked great
The installation of the dual exhaust sloppy; the pipes should be tucked up closer to the bottom of the car and not as visible. The left side is slightly higher than the right. This car appears to have been repainted, as there is paint on the door striker post, and valance (per angliagt). A very nice beauty and one that showcases GM’s dominance in the mid sixtie’s. GLWTA!! :-)
If you put the pipes where they originally were, they rust out the rear bumper. This a much better way.
I agree with Moparman about the exhaust which is what I noticed right away because it doesn’t look correct! I also agree the car has been repainted and the roof should be painted white to. Still a very nice car
Original or not, that car is gorgeous! My first car was a 66 Impala coupe, 283 2bbl w/ powerglide, gold with black brocade interior. It was adequate, I’m sure the 327 is nicer to drive.
It would be more compelling if it was a convertible. I don’t know why but that color vinyl top looks putrid on that color car. Maybe just the angle of the sun. Overpriced in any case.
The top is painted rather than vinyl.
I hope the seller has more than a picture of the speedometer to document the mileage. It’s been repainted, the entire engine compartment has been detailed and likely repainted and disc brakes have been added. It’s nice, but cars from that area don’t rust, even if it has 117k miles that’s roughly 2,000 miles a year, if it was parked in a garage it would have held up well.
Steve R
I agree about the roof. I just looked again too and you can tell its paint. They did a nice job on it, but I don’t remember ever seeing these in a two tone like this.
I agree,I would paint the roof white and the valance silver,but I like the color interior!
For those of you who may remember, a white ’66 Impala SS is very near and dear to my heart. My Grandpa had one. Except his was a 396 all white no vinyl top and it had this color interior. I like the colors on this one, but I think my personal preference would be for the exterior to be all white. Thanks for getting me down memory lane this morning Adam!!!
I believe the car has a painted top (D99 Tutone paint). In 1978 I bought a 1967 Impala 4 door hardtop that was factory gold with a white painted top.
It had a L34 396 325 hp, huge rust holes around the rear wheel wells and was only $125. After I wrecked it I sold the TH400 to a friend for $100 and got a 396 engine for my Camaro for $25.
Some people were freaked out about gas prices in the 70s, so there were some great deals on big old cars with big engines.
Lots of people forget about basic economics, why is it necessary to buy a car with a payment is $500-600 a month, or more, if you can drive a car you already have paid off or pay cash for a fuel hog if you are only spending a few hundred dollars on gas per month. I know several people who said I should have gotten rid of my last car, it got 20mpg, and was informed I should replace it with a car that got 30mpg to save money. It didn’t matter my car had been paid off for years and I only spent, at most $125 to $150 per month on gas and any half way decent late model used car in my area that gets good mileage would cost $20,000+.
Steve R
SteveR Not to mention higher insurance premiums and payments on a newer car. But cars in general have taken a slight nose dive in price because of the current economic stress and uncertainty.
I wonder what happened to the A.I.R. emission pump?
I don’t recall seeing them on ’66 cars. I could be wrong, but I think the A.I.R. systems showed up in the 70s.
Not in California, they started using them in 1966.
Cars subjected to federal emissions started using them in 1968. It was not something used across the board, certain engines or engine/transmission combinations even among a particular model would or would not use one. It was hit or miss in those days as to whether a car “needed” one.
Steve R
1966 was the first year for A.I.R. They had a habit of falling off those cars.
Smog tech in 1984 in Fremont, Ca where my 66 PU at the time was built, passed right over the brass plugs in place of the air tubes. Smog checks were so new, those kids didn’t know what they were looking most of the time.
Great looking Impala as were all the GM fastback hardtops. Good use of the color chart although I don’t recall two tones other than white until the mid 70s. I have always liked a ’66 Chevy.
I don’t like all white cars. I think this roof color does make the car pop a little. I left Montana as a kid in a $200. 1966 Impala convertible. Hard to find a deal like that today.
I really like the white with the contrasting color roof which matches the interior color.
I like the contrasting roof, but it would look much better white on blue rather than blue on white, IMHO.
Staggered numbers = odometer rollover. Nevertheless, a very handsome SS.
As the owner of a ’66 SS convertible I don’t ever recall seeing this color combination. I’m wondering if this was an all blue car from the factory that has had all the bottom repainted. White hides a lot of bodywork sins.
I just happened to notice the driver door window cranking handle doesn’t match the other handles. But I personally like the 1965 better.
great color combo and interior but those ghetto tailpipes need to go though
I am going to Stockton today so if seller is available and in the right part of town I will check this out-been on BF before earlier this year I believe
Would love to see the car painted all turquoise and with correct tail pipes and silver under the front bumper.
Me thinks that left door jamb looks suspiciously like it had some “work.” Also not sure if the underside of the hood was painted body color. In-person inspection required here.
Would be greatly appreciated to see a pic of the firewall tag.
Thank you.
Contact the seller.Barn Finds doesn’t have anything to do
with this car,other than featuring it here.
Why do people do that?
The car is missing its trim tag. While a very clean car, it is not all original.
The chrome goodies I don’t care for and most likely 117K
No smoke no drips and no scratches really to speak of. I chose not to drive it but the seller, who is a car guy like me, drove by leaving and it sounded like you want it to.
Other than ride and handling. For me it’s all about overall cost of ownership. I’ve got a 3/4 ton GMC 8.1 engine with the Allison transmission. People ask me wouldn’t I prefer the DuraMax instead. My reply is that I can buy a lot of fuel with the difference of the cost of the diesel. And I can replace the long block for the cost of a set of injectors. And the maintenance is cheaper. It will still pull anything I need it to pull.
I work in ELA I see a four chevy door painted like this everyday
The wheels are much farther ‘outboard’ than they would have been from the factory.