Decisions, decisions. It seems that the buyer of this 1966 Chevrolet Impala SS will face a few as they tackle this restoration project. The SS features a healthy big-block V8 under the hood, but the owner includes another big-block in the deal. It means the buyer will need to decide which one will occupy the engine bay. It is a solid classic representing a straightforward restoration project, or the buyer could retain it as an original survivor. Located in Orion, Illinois, you will find the Impala listed for sale here on Craigslist. When you consider what is on offer, the asking price of $20,000 looks pretty competitive.
It is frustrating that the owner only provides two exterior shots of this Impala, and both are on the driver’s side. I would love to see the state of the passenger side to determine whether there is any panel damage or rust. The Regal Red paint shows its age, and a repaint will be on the agenda. The seller says that a previous owner replaced the driver’s floor with OEM steel, but the vehicle’s underside is rock solid and original. The only exterior visible rust is in the lower front fender, but the buyer could address this with a simple patch. The black steelies and dog dish hubcaps provide an aggressive appearance, and like the trim, they are in good condition. The glass appears flawless, and overall, this looks like it should be a pretty straightforward restoration project.
Apart from a single gauge mounted under the dash, this Impala’s interior appears to be original and unmolested. The original owner ordered it trimmed in black vinyl, with bucket seats and a console. These items remain intact, as does the factory AM radio. It appears that the original owner also specified air conditioning, but some system components are missing. The buyer may need to search for replacement parts, and they will also need to consider the state of the driver’s seat. Most of the upholstered surfaces, headliner, dash, and pad are excellent, but the driver’s seat has several splits. The buyer may be able to locate a single seat cover, although a pair of matching covers for the front seats will set them back around $550. With these installed, this interior will present extremely well.
Apart from the panels and paint, this Impala’s next owner will need to consider what will occupy the engine bay. The existing motor is a 400ci big-block that features some performance upgrades, headers, and dual exhaust. Its power output is unclear, but it sends its horses through a TH350 automatic transmission to a Posi rear end. The new owner could choose to leave well enough alone because the seller says that not only does this V8 sound good, but the car runs and drives extremely well. However, there is an alternative that is worth considering. The owner includes a 1966 date-coded 396ci big-block fresh from the machine shop. It has been bored .030″ and features reconditioned oval port heads. There is a machined steel crank, new pistons, rebuilt rods, and a mild cam. The buyer will need to reassemble this engine, but it should provide explosive performance once complete. That is the big decision for the buyer to make. Do they retain the existing 400, or do they slot in that sweet 396?
If you were to buy this 1966 Impala SS, which path would you follow? Would you leave that existing 400ci V8 under the hood, or would you slot the 396 in its place? Whichever way the buyer decides to jump, it will leave them with a surplus big-block in their workshop. They could choose to retain it in case of emergency, or selling it would recoup some of the cost of any restoration work. Either way, I see plenty of decisions in the new owner’s future. Don’t you?
ummmm…..thats a smallblock. could very well be 400 ci but it aint no bigblock…
Yup…definitely a SBC. If the 396 is truly as the seller described, I’d drop that in immediately after getting the car home.
Overall, this is really a cool car, let down only by the fact that it’s not a 4-speed.
I don’t think that’s 396 fender badge’s unless that fender is a replace .
The write up says 400 small block and from the looks of the call outs it was originally a 327.
dont know what it says on craigslist but barnfinds write up clearly says 400 BIGBLOCK
Looks like an SBC…I’d leave it alone and save the 396 for something else, like a 55-56 GMC..or 57 3100…with a 4 spd…because…fun.
Could be a 402, which is technically a 396.
Sometimes they were advertised as 400s.
That’s a small block in there!
yes, in 1970 396’s were enlarged to 402 ci an still advertised by chevy as a 396 an yes they were sometimes called 400’s, heavy chevy comes to mind, but no matter which way you swing it thats still a sb chevy in the engine bay of that 66 impala……
yes, in 1970 396’s were enlarged to 402ci, and were still advertised by chevy as a 396, and yes some were called 400’s, ” heavy chevy” comes to mind. But no matter which way you swing it thats still a sb chevy in the engine bay of that 66 impala. Which just happened to by my 1st car when i got my license, white. black bucket seats, console, muncie 4spd, 275hp 327, an to really date myself, flat black lace on the hood, which was big thing in early 70’s…..I think I paid somewhere around 300 or 400 bucks for it
I think I’d go for a 502 crate motor with a Holley Sniper, dressed as a factory 396 for effect, and ditch the TH350 for something better suited to the torque, like a 4L80e. Keep it looking casual, but add disk brakes and sway bars.
Great year for the impala. Excellent design. Plenty of motor and trans options for someone to make this into whatever they desire.
As all have said , that’s a small block, you can tell buy the heads….duh. I now have my 2nd 66 Impala, my 1st was a SS with the 396. The one I just bought, not an SS, but is a 396, auto, power steering, power brakes, factory ac…numbers matching original.
As all have said , that’s a small block, you can tell buy the heads….duh. I now have my 2nd 66 Impala, my 1st was a SS with the 396. The one I just bought, not an SS, but is a 396, auto, power steering, power brakes, factory ac…numbers matching original.
Definitely a small block. Just look at the header configuration.