If you like your project cars to show up with much of the greasy work already handled, this 1966 Chevrolet Impala four-door might deserve a closer look. It’s listed on Facebook Marketplace in Clay City, Kentucky, for $7,500. What caught my eye is the list of recent parts the seller mentions, which reads like a to-do list that’s mostly been checked off. According to the ad, the biggest job left is cosmetic. Thanks for the tip, Pnuts!
Per the listing, it has a 350 engine paired with a 350 Turbo transmission. The seller doesn’t say when that combination went in, how many miles are on it, or anything else about its background, so those are fair questions to ask. What we do get is a report that the car runs and drives good, and the seller goes a step further by calling it a good driver. Anyone interested would want to confirm that in person.
The front end has apparently gotten plenty of attention. The seller lists new front disc brakes, new upper and lower A-frames, and new shocks. There’s also a new Flowmaster dual exhaust, along with new tires and wheels. With that many suspension pieces recently replaced, it makes sense that the ad says the car still needs a front-end alignment, one of the few mechanical items the seller calls out.
Structurally, the seller has some encouraging things to say. The frame is described as perfect, while the floors and trunk are described as good. Inside, the seller characterizes the interior as decent, which leaves some room for interpretation, so asking for specifics would be smart. Marketplace also shows the condition as “Used – Good,” though that’s a broad category rather than a detailed report.
Paint is where the seller is most direct. The listing says the old finish needs to be removed and the car needs a fresh coat. That’s not a small job, and it could shape the overall budget more than anything else on the list. On the other hand, it hands the next owner the chance to choose a color and finish of their own.
A few things aren’t covered in the ad at all. There’s no mention of mileage, title status, how long the seller has owned it, or any maintenance records. The listing shows door pickup in Clay City, so plan on traveling to see it and arranging a way to bring it home. Gaps like these are common in short Marketplace posts, but they’re worth nailing down before any money changes hands.
A four-door Impala with this much recent chassis and brake work could make an easygoing cruiser for someone willing to handle the paint prep and refinishing. At $7,500, the real math is whether the new parts balance out the cost of a full repaint. Would you drive it as-is for a while, or head straight to the paint booth?
Drive as is for awhile at least. Nothing wrong with the primer look
A question for the experts: if this car had 2 doors instead of 4, what would the price difference likely be?
These classic sedans make a statement with pristine factory fabric interiors. As for price they are chasing the big number