The Impala Super Sport became so popular that Chevrolet promoted it to series status in 1964. That meant it got its own body code, which made it easy to verify this 1966 Impala as being a real SS. And it came with a 396 cubic inch V8 and a 4-speed, though both are out of the car, somewhat in pieces, and not photographed. Located in a carport/barn in Summertown, Tennessee, this rolling project may need everything from A to Z. It’s offered here on craigslist for $9,000. Thanks go to Barn Finds reader Chuck F for the tip!
After selling a record one million Impalas in 1965 (a pinnacle that would never be repeated), sales were understandably off in 1966. The ‘65s were totally new, so the ’66 only received a minor facelift, which was most easily noted by a placement change of the triple taillights. Overall, full-size Chevy sales were down by 20% or more, yet the GM division still delivered 119,000 Super Sports (coupes and convertibles). The 396 V8 was a popular installation for these cars; the 427 bruiser would soon replace that engine.
The seller’s SS 396 may be a restoration project that didn’t get past the engine and transmission being removed. We’re told they’re in pieces, but numbers matching and should go with the sale. He/she suspects some of the smaller parts may be missing, and the heads could be for a 1970 or later 454. Once you get Humpty Dumpty together again, it should be a screamer (for a car that big).
We gather that the blue paint is original, as the selling dealer’s placard is still affixed to the trunk lid. The title holder doesn’t think the car has ever been wrecked, but it has been whacked in the rear by the left tip of the bumper, which is pushed in. The interior seems complete, but also in need of an extreme makeover. As was correct for Super Sports, this car has bucket seats and a console. One of the window panes is MIA. Who’s ready to make this SS sing again?
I just don’t see $9k here. It would be a nice car when done, if the heads aren’t original it’s never going to be #’s matching. By the time the buyer sorts the mechanicals, the body, ( and I guarantee there’s more than is visible here ), the paint, and the interior, he is going to have a fortune invested. I’ll pass.
Heads don’t have the VIN stamped in them, find the correct casting numbers and a date code that falls within a certain window and it won’t matter. Same goes with intake and exhaust manifolds, basically any component that didn’t come with a VIN.
Look up alternators, starters, cylinder heads, intake manifolds, distributors by part numbers on eBay, most listing have the production dates, there is a reason for that.
Steve R
Just go online and buy a “Chevy by the numbers” 65-69 and it has every number for everything that was on them! The one I have saved me a PILE of money over the years because people think buyers are stupid most of the time. I was looking at a 67 Impala years back and this book showed me that the period correct 427 was actually a 1972 402 from a pickup and the driveshaft was out preventing a test drive which would’ve proven it wasn’t a 427 the second it was punch to the floor. MANY 454’s are passed off as 65-70 396/375 and 65-69 427/390-435 but if you have those books you’ll know for sure. They’re available 59-64/65-69/and 70-76, after or before those 3 books is not important to me since those cover all the performance years and will keep sellers honest! You can also get Truck block numbers by getting the LMC catalog for those years as well.
William, you are right, I’ve had mine for 25+ years. Far too many people don’t take the time to do basic research. The internet made it incredibly easy, but a lot of people still won’t do it themselves. Unfortunately, AI summaries aren’t reliable which will inject even more ignorance into the hobby.
Steve R
Part of the reason ’66 full-size sales were down is because they weren’t as attractive as the ’65. At least the Caprice saved it from being worse. The automobile featured here should make a good spares source, since it’s mostly apart anyway. It’s not fixable as is, unless someone either has endless money or little sense.
From the back it looks like it’s winking, or maybe more like a prize fighter that’s been hit hard above the eye a few times.
Always liked these, but was so disappointed to see what bad shape it was in.
My 1st car in green. Real shame that this one’s strongest offering is the dealer logo on the trunk lid, as Russ pointed out. Lotta rust, puzzle pieces & guesses here. Really shameful. This once was a beautiful car.
Man I hate seeing cars like this in such bad shape. $9000? Nothing surprises me anymore.
There’s still $8,999 worth of the seller’s “emotional attachment” here in the price.
So this one will be only be hauled out when the property sells.
It’s overpriced at $9,000, but even as a parts car there are easily several thousand dollars worth of parts shown in the pictures, plus whatever is mentioned but not shown.
Steve R
I would agree that there are some usable parts, but…the issue with parts cars in 2026 is finding the right person who needs these specific parts.
There is a rapidly dwindling pool of “restorers” (if you want to call them that) who are still working on stuff like this.
How many people need ’66 Impala parts for a project these days? Not many. Maybe none. Mustangs, Camaros, sure. There’s somewhat of a ready market.
I guess it comes down to finding that specific person that needs it. A “speculator”, who’d maybe buy it for their scrap yard inventory to use down the road is highly unlikely to want to pay any more than their cost of hauling it away.
Ahh, NO
The front bumper is worth hundreds alone, the car is straight and solid enough to rebuild. .
If youve ever rebuilt an engine, so what if its apart, good, easier to rebuild, its not rocket science.
I love original paint, and it is an SS.
Just cause a seller says 9k doesnt mean its firm.
If someone come to him sincere to own and bulid it, not some ‘bluesmans’ who has no respect nor regard for it, im sure the owner would love to sell it to someone who will do right by it.
Worth a dollar , ya , why bother typing, and more so, why are you here ??
never been wrecked but the back 1/4 is smashed so i see that as it’s been wrecked. ripped apart for decades, pieces scattered all over the place and you want 9 large. it’s going to cost 50k or better to restore it. this a 2k car in this condition
‘wrecked’ by definition : badly damaged or destroyed.
Believe the issue with parts cars in 2026 is the insane prices people are asking for them. As you point out this is at best a $2k car in this condition and we see more of the same daily.
Ahh, NO
The front bumper is worth hundreds alone, the car is straight and solid enough to rebuild. .
If youve ever rebuilt and engine, so what its apart, good, easier to rebuild, its not rocket science.
I love original paint, and it is an SS.
Just cause a seller says 9k doesnt mean its firm.
If someone come to him sincere to own and bulid it, not some ‘bluesmans’ who has no respect nor regard for it, im sure the owner would love to sell it to someone who will do right by it.
Worth a dollar , ya , why bother typing, and more so, why are you here ??
We are here because we love cars no need to insult anyone here for not agreeing with you. Pretty sure the person selling the car is not going to say being you are going to restore it just give me what you ever you want. Besides that is not the point we all come here and voice our different opinions without being lectured and insulted by others which you seem to put yourself above others. Have a nice day
Yes, ‘we’ ‘love’ cars .. ya, some of us.
So, you defend the one whos insulting and degrading an original paint, 1966 all US made, Impala SS ??
Its worth a penny ?, and by suggesting the one who made these insulting and degrading remarks lacks respect and regard are insults ? Do you not see the ironey here ?
And yes, to “voice our diffent opinions” exactly !
I put my positive comments and love for a solid and straight Impala SS above negative comments that lack validity nor respect, indeed i do.
So, you, like many these dayz, have the right heart but are on the wrong side. Its not the defenders or ones serving justice and legitimacy who are the bad guys and worthy of your defence, its the aggressors, the ones destroying and unjust are.
Further, im pretty sure, cause im one of them, that if im asking a certain amount for a car i have kept, stored, invested, cared for and someone comes by and tells me its junk and worth a dollor, or someone acknowleges its beauty and potential and that its just what theyve been looking for, etc.
I will be selling it to the latter and happy to accept a fair offer.
Should i of had to explain this to you, no, but because i am a caring person and when i put energy out its to build and not destroy, i made this effort and spent more time for you. ❄
It appears this 66 is underwater in more than one way. How do you get rust all the way up pass the glove box. Looks like a blue submarine instead of yellow submarine ? wonder what the underside looks like. Very hard pass.
Seller is dreaming. Of all Impala years, 66 is the least attractive. I hsd a 64 SS 45 years ago in aqua. Beautiful Florida car bought new in Tampa by my grandmothet. My favorite year. Also had a 65, drove that thing 200,000 miles in b rain, snow, etc. 283 with PG. Stone cold reliable. How far GM, and all car makers, have fallen. I”m 70. Been driving since 1972. So glad I grew up when I did.
Ya, im sorry guys, what was i thinking.
Yall are right, its just ugly junk, not worth anything. Just scrap it.
Why would Barn Finds post such a car, like its been sitting in a big, dusty garage for years, thats not why we enthusiastically log on this websight !
And YA, the ’66 is the worst, ugliest, the ’65 however, totally diffent, wayyy better.
As for the completely rotted out, uni-body, Mopars ?, now those are cars worthy of replacing quarters inner and outer, trunk floors, rockers, window frames, complete interior.. paint it orange and bam !
‘heres your sign’
Personally, honestly, i love a ’66, especially a blue SS. Sure the circle taiI lights that are screwed on to the trunk lid look Corvette esk, but the rectangle taillights that the truck was moulded around and trimmed out look far more intergrated and stream lined. I like survivors and i grew up poor, so i had to buy fixer uppers. Now i source, transport and fix up other forks dream cars. I have a couple pretty ones, but my rat rod Ford, and survivor Chevelle with all its scratches and imperfections are my favorites.
If i bought this Impala, id patch the quarter, change out bumper end, new carpet and drop in the 5.7 Vortec i have sitting around, new tires, fluid and drive it. Eventually would build the 396 and after rebuilding the front end, paint the wheel wells and fire wall, drop in the 396 and fresh exhaust. The total cost to me would be around 5k. Since i would have respectfully offered the seller $6600 that he would probably agree to, id be in it for say $15. Since im a genuine enthusiast, i would have enjoyed the process and smiles while driving it.
Find someone who loves it, and sell it for a fair price, probably less than $20.
Did i get rich of one car, did i take advantage of a dead mans widow, did i impress capitalstic aquaintenses, no.
Im not seeking a ’66 coupe, but i am seeking a wagon, preferrably a Pontiac of this era, with power windows.
If i found one with a dent on the door and a hole in the floor, would i cast it to the scrap pile to become a new toyota or kia ?, no.
In this swift and sweet life, to have the luxery of owning a 55 year old all American, all metal, drivable work of art is good enough for me.
Sure, for those who have surplus money, they gotta impress their associates, with a shiney car.
My associates are impressed not buy the shine or cost but buy the craft, skills, and work i put into it.
Thats why i love ‘Barn Finds’ , not to find cars that are ‘perfect’
but to find barn finds, the diamond in the rough and put my US made, quality filter, Shop Vac to work.
Wow, all this to stand up for a Barn Find ’66 396 SS 4sp with original blue paint; and the times the are a changin”