Hiding in this garage is a car many might consider a genuine sleeper. It is a 1968 Chevrolet Impala Convertible, and although it wears “396” badges, the reality is something considerably more potent. It has no apparent needs and is guaranteed to throw the new owner back in their seat when they bury the right boot. The Impala is listed here on eBay in Grover Beach, California. Bidding sits below the reserve at $12,100, but there is a BIN option of $33,989 for those who view this drop-top as an automotive “must-have.”

Chevrolet introduced its Fourth Generation Impala in 1965, with cars remaining in production until 1970. A 1967 restyle sharpened its appearance, with our feature Convertible rolling off the line the following year. The supplied images are limited due to space and the seller’s decision not to roll the Impala out of the garage. That’s a shame because while the pictures are clear, they don’t provide a genuine overview of this classic. However, they reveal Tripoli Turquoise paint holding a beautiful shine and panels as straight as an arrow. The underside shots show floors and a frame that are spotlessly clean and solid, which is unsurprising when you consider the location and the fact it underwent a frame-off restoration around five years ago. The White power top is as clean as the rest of the exterior, as are the glass and trim. The Rally wheels add a sense of purpose, but the “396” badges are a mere hint of the potential lurking under this classic’s skin.

The badges may say 396, and the air cleaner supplies the same information, but this is a clever ruse by the seller. That big-block is actually a 454ci monster of 1972 vintage. The motor was rebuilt, and while the specifics are unclear, the 9.5:1 compression ratio, oval port cylinder heads, and rebuilt Quadrajet carburetor should ensure it produces more than enough power to satisfy most enthusiasts. There’s little point in having mountains of power and torque if it can’t hit the tarmac effectively. Therefore, the seller sourced a four-speed “Rock Crusher” manual transmission from Midwest Muncie to feed the ponies to the 12-bolt Posi rear end with 3.55 gears. The first three ratios in the Rock Crusher are deliberately low, but fourth gear allows this classic to cruise at 70mph with the engine ticking over at 2,600 rpm. They tackled this build as a complete package, with almost every suspension and braking system component replaced so the Impala stops and handles as effectively as it accelerates. The seller indicates that this beast is in excellent mechanical health and that potential buyers can consider it a turnkey proposition.

I hate to continue complaining about the photos, but they don’t provide the best overview of this Impala’s interior. There are no glaring issues with the two-tone Blue vinyl trim and upholstery, while the dash, pad, and carpet appear clean. The sports wheel is a classy touch, with the factory tachometer and sports gauge cluster helping the driver monitor the brute hiding under the hood. It isn’t loaded with factory options, although the AM/FM radio is a welcome feature.

This 1968 Impala Convertible is a surprise packet. The badges hint at its performance potential but don’t tell the whole story. My only surprise with this classic is the subdued auction action. It has received a mere five bids, a far lower figure than I would typically expect from a car of this caliber. There may be people who are genuinely interested but won’t show their hands until the auction’s dying moments. Would you consider that approach, or would you throw caution to the wind in an attempt to intimidate the opposition? I guess either approach would be valid if the result is for this potent drop-top to find its way into your garage!