While station wagons tend to be admired by many automotive enthusiasts, it is not often that a wagon, like this 1966 Chevrolet Impala is the first one to come to mind. Nomads and Vista Cruisers might get all the attention, but you really need to take a look at what’s under the hood to really appreciate just how cool this wagon is! You can take this one home for a current bid price of $6,250 with no reserve. It is located in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina and has a clear title, but no miles are listed. You can bid on it here on eBay.
The listing claims that the car is completely original and that no restoration has ever been attempted, more on that in a moment. The engine is a 396 cubic inch, Turbojet, big block V8 with a 4-barrel Quadrajet carburetor. With as many “jets” on this thing, it’s a wonder it doesn’t fly. The exhaust has recently been worked on, along with the battery cables, and the alternator. According to the listing the car does run, drive and stop as it should.
Inside, this wagon has the most iconic feature that a wagon could have, which is the third-row rear-facing seats. There is some wear and tear on the interior, but it looks good for its age. According to the seller, they have garage kept the car the whole time they have owned it, and so did the previous owner. The car has been repainted though, about 15 years ago, and there are some chips and scratches, but it is the original color. It’s starting to sound like maybe a little restoration work has been done, but maybe the seller means that it hasn’t deviated from factory specs?
It would make sense that the repaint might have been more of a maintenance issue than a restoration attempt and it was done a number of years ago, but it makes you wonder what else has been done already. This car is in such amazing shape that it is hard to imagine how it could be this original. Yet, it is not that far fetched considering the claims made about storage. I guess it goes to show that if you take very good care of your car, it can last for an incredibly long time, and really surprise people in the future.
What’s not to like?
Original owner probably ticked those boxes for trailer towing- back then, a hot rod wagon was the furtherest thing from any buyer’s mind!
The original owner had 8 kids …the 396 big block with third row seating tossed out a couple over the years with jack rabbit 🐇 starts and burn outs. Now with less family members they are thinking of downsizing.😂😎
Any way to know if the engine is original to the car? These days, it’s hard to believe anyone. I also see that it has a/c.
Don’t believe the vin # were stamped on the blocks on 66 impala’s
Chevrolet started putting VIN stamps on Corvette engines during 1960. About that time, they started VIN stamping performance engines in other Chevrolet models too. So 409’s, 396’s, 427’s and even some 327’s, got a VIN stamp. Since not every engine got a VIN stamp on the full size and intermediate assembly lines, occasionally a higher horse engine might get missed.
So even though engine VIN stamps weren’t required by law until 68-69, being a big block, the original engine in this car likely had a VIN stamp.
“Most iconic feature?” What does that even mean? The I word is meaningless filler in today’s world.
Probably more than a little refresh work done here, but sharp ride nonetheless. Show with a good bit of go, too.
Overall looking good, original buyer checked all the desirable boxes for most that would want this one. Be nice to see some underside pictures, especially since the one that may be the area between the tailgate and body is showing rust.
For the current price, seems hard to go wrong on this one.
In 1974 I had a 283 basic version of this (same color). I got used to the sloppy front end and the brakes that pulled hard to one side. I felt like a King when my girl snuggled up to me on that big bench seat. I traded it in for $50.00 at a dealer and he called me back and said I ripped him off. Good times.
Hang an Airstream on the back of this and you’d be the toast of the campground!
Completely original? He needs a dictionary. That aftermarket AC compressor wasn’t even thought of when this car was new. Wheels either. At least this rare car from GMs best days is overpriced.
The A/C is not factory, but still, a 66 Impala big block wagon? Still way cool. The rally wheels, while not factory installed are perfect for this car. The description isn’t the best, no photo’s of the dash, or underside, but again, a 66 Impala big block wagon? What’s not to like?
Looking at the dash, it came with factory air. You can see the outlet on the passenger side bottom of dash. Without air all you had was the vent down on the kick panel.
This car is worth at least 20 grand according to Hagerty.
I am surprised bidding is not stronger.
Its in very nice shape.
10K wagon at best – paint was not well done (jams do not seem to match) – no pictures of chassis.
This wagon has everything one could want save a four speed but as v cars a keeper and had I the funds that is exactly what I’d do with it. Keep it.
I like this wagon. Would like to have it, but, I do have a few questions: (1) no underside pics, (2) no odometer pic to verify mileage (ad says 1,000 miles) (I doubt that). It has a/c…great. What about p/s and p/b? I did not see a statement to that. All that being said, I feel it is too over priced, as well. It’s a shame. Even with the big block, I would like to have it.
It does have power brakes and power steering. You can see the brake booster and power steering pump in pics.
The engine bay shows both a power steering pump and a dual circuit power brake setup, original was a single master cylinder. I wonder if it was upgraded to front disc brakes?
I guess everybody has their own definition of what constitutes a “survivor” but to me, a repainted car is not a “survivor.” I do like 66 Chevys in general and have a soft spot for wagons. Nice car but not a survivor in my book.
This looks an awful lot better than that ghastly Lagonda shooting brake.
Handsome car.
“Runs and drives as it should”, when I read that anywhere in a vehicle description I want to pull out an AR-15.
WTF is the alternative? Runs and drives as it shouldn’t? Stupid just never takes a day off……..
Curber, that explains the dupli color top end engine respray.
Great color, big block car with nice interior and the third row seat!! It’s a nice car and should be preserved as it is!!!