We frequently feature 1966 Chevrolet Impala on Barn Finds. And why not, there were only about 775K built that year. And 38K of those were convertibles such as this Grants Pass, Oregon resident. Listed as grandpa’s car (but whose grandpa?) it’s also claimed to be a barn find that’s now for sale. Let’s see what grandpa left behind. This Chevy drop-top is available, here on craigslist for $25,000, OBO.  Thanks to T.J. for this tip!

With a title dating to the ’80s, this 57K mile (recorded) Chevy, has sat a spell but it still looks pretty stout in its claimed to be original Ermine White (code C) finish. Oddly, the fabric folding top is gone, though the working frame is still in place. Beyond that, this vintage Impala’s biggest enemy, rust, is nowhere to be found – even the underside is clean on this 56-year-old B-body. No surprise finding rally wheels holding up the corners, they end up on practically every old Chevy though they weren’t introduced until 1967, and the tall “Derby” center caps didn’t come about until 1968. All in all, this Impala looks pretty good.

Engine options abounded in ’66. This is definitely a V8 car, identified by its trim tag stamped “6467” model designation. So, that means an engine range from a 195 HP 283 CI motor all the way to a 425 HP, 427 big block. The “V Flag” fender badge tells us that a 283 originally occupied the engine room but that’s not what’s there now. The passenger-side mounted alternator and “long pump” water pump puts this engine in a date range of 1969 or newer.  Furthermore, the thermostat housing mounted vacuum switch, the ThermAC equipped air cleaner snorkel, the lack of an oil-fill tube, and the air cleaner enclosed breather tell us this motor is from the emission control era so it’s probably a non-descript 350 CI unit. We would need to see the engine alpha code to know with certainty. The seller adds, “Fired up after 25 years and purred (he was smart enough to drain the gas 25 years ago)“. More than likely the original Powerglide automatic transmission is still in place.

The interior shows another swap as this car has been outfitted with a center console and bucket seats, standard equipment on an Impala SS (model 6647), but not available, according to Chevrolet’s historical records, on other models except the Caprice coupe. It’s a nice swap, and assuming that’s the case, has been well executed. The blue color, code 836 is correct. The carpet is up and the floors are revealed, they look fine and a carpet is a sinch to find for one of these.  The interior images aren’t clear enough to make out the upholstery’s condition but one can at least tell that the door and upholstery panels are missing. Note all of the dust – that’s what happens when you store a ragtop with the roof in the down position – of course, it doesn’t sound like there was much of a choice in this case.

I’d say this Chevy is a nice, non-original example – the clean, corrosion-free body is really a plus. The OBO part of the price is more encouraging than the discouraging $25K ask. These big Chevies are usually great buys because they trend so far behind the ridiculously over-priced Chevelle. That said, maybe the seller has some wiggle-room in his number. Hope springs eternal, right?