Lately, I find myself watching the chase scenes from the original version of The Blues Brothers, which then prompted me to research just how realistic the scenes were that depicted the Dodge Monaco edging past 100 miles per hour in downtown Chicago. It turns out they were very authentic, and it’s impressive to look back and think about pushing a third-generation Monaco to those extremes. Of course, the next daydream goes directly to what modern American muscle sedan should I buy to relieve Elwood’s epic road trip and the Impala SS is there to answer. This 1996 example is a final year model with just over 7,017 original miles, and is listed here on eBay with bids to $26K and the reserve unmet.

The Impala SS is the best kind of concept, a project that really had no grounding for being rubber-stamped by corporate and sent into production. But despite the Impala being very long in the tooth and having less and less relevance in an SUV-crazed world, the good guys in GM’s performance division skunkworks got the SS approved, and in doing so, created one of the most well-loved factory hot rods built in the last 30 years. This being a 1996 model means it came with the preferred console-mounted shifter and analog gauge display, and was also the year that saw the highest overall production numbers.

The story pretty much writes itself in terms of having an engine lifted straight out of the Corvette and dropped into the family sedan of choice for consumers over the age of 75. Of course, it also had fans in the livery industry and police forces nationwide (in fact, I’d be willing to bet some of our more seasoned officers would go back to the Caprice in a heartbeat if given the choice), but it didn’t play well in enthusiast circles. But with a 5.7-liter, 260-horsepower V-8 and the rear suspension lifted straight out of the cop-spec cars, the Impala SS was transformed, and could handle just about as well as it could move in straight line.

It’s become a bit of a collector car as of late, especially when found in condition like this. With under 10,000 miles, it’s of little surprise that the paint and interior condition is excellent. The five-spoke, SS-specific wheels show virtually no flaws, and the seller reports that despite the lack of use, the SS is exercised regularly. While this one is worth all the money and will likely crest $40,000 when it finally changes hands, you can still find a driver-quality example for under $20K. Make mine of the few that came in dark green, please.