Some classic cars are straightforward, while others throw up a mystery requiring further investigation. That is the case with this 1966 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport. It is difficult to fault its presentation, its original owner ordered it with some desirable options, but the engine raises a couple of questions. If you like what you see and wish to pursue this classic further, you will find it listed here on Craigslist in Scottsdale, Arizona. Handing the seller $38,500 could see you drive away in this beauty, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Pat L. for spotting it.
Chevrolet introduced the Fourth Generation Impala in 1965, with the new model looking significantly different and more modern than its predecessors. Our feature car rolled off the line during the second year of production, and its presentation is hard to fault. It wears stunning Tuxedo Black paint, and despite spending its life in the harsh Arizona sun, there is no evidence of baked and cracking paint that is often the hallmark of cars from that region. Of course, that type of life makes its rust-free status unsurprising. The panels are as straight as an arrow, with tight and consistent gaps. The chrome and trim look excellent, with the original owner making the wise decision to order this beauty with bumper and door edge guards. The glass is flawless, and while the wheels are a later addition, they perfectly suit this Chevy’s character. Sourcing the correct wheels and hubcaps via online auction sites shouldn’t present a challenge for those seeking an original appearance.
If this Impala’s exterior possesses the “wow” factor, its interior lifts that impression to a higher level. The original owner ordered it trimmed in White vinyl, with the bucket seats, console, and AM/FM radio adding to the luxury feel. I’ve previously described ordering a car with the trim of this type and shade as a brave decision because it is shockingly prone to stains and yellowing. This car hasn’t suffered that fate, and there is no wear to detract from its presentation. The upholstered surfaces are immaculate, the same is true of the dash and console, with the wheel and pad equally impressive. I can’t spot anything crumbling or succumbing to UV exposure, and there are no aftermarket additions. The seller says everything works as it should, including the radio and factory clock.
Lifting the hood reveals the mystery of this Impala. Chevrolet offered buyers a wide choice of engines, with this car’s original owner equipping it with a 327ci V8, a two-speed Powerglide transmission, power steering, and power brakes. Nothing seems odd so far, but examining the stickers on the air cleaner, and valve covers suggest this V8 churned out 300hp. There seems nothing strange so far, except that my resources and RPO List confirm the company didn’t offer that engine in the ’66 Impala. However, buyers could order the SS with the L30 version of the 327 that delivered 275hp. It could be that the stickers are aspirational, especially considering the seller describes the Impala as 100% original. If so, the drivetrain combination should allow it to cover the ¼ mile in 17.1 seconds. The seller indicates the car recently received new brakes, booster, and tires. It is a turnkey proposition where the new owner could fly in and drive it home.
Even if an in-person inspection reveals this 1966 Impala SS doesn’t sport its original V8, it is a spotless classic worthy of a closer look. Its paint and trim combination guarantee it will draw attention, while the factory options add to its desirability. The seller’s price places it at the top end of the market, and while I doubt they will have hundreds of potential buyers beating down their door, I suspect they will probably secure a successful sale for this gem. Could its new home be yours?
100% originality wouldn’t include a chrome open element air cleaner, it would be a single snorkel type. I had a ’66 impala ss, my 1st car when I got my license in ’73…..275HP 327, not 300, if memory serves me right, carter AFB on the cast iron intake
I had a new ’65 SS red with black interior, 4spd console and 250hp 327. The 300hp 327 was also available. Is it possible this is an early ’66 and the 300hp 327 was a carry over item from ’65? A lot of strange things were done back in those days.
No, that wouldn’t have happened. The stickers (or engine?) are wrong. ONLY the 275 horse 327 was offered in full-size 66s.
Quadrajet on a cast iron intake. I had a 66 PG, same motor 275hp changed the trans to a th350 big improvement over the PG
there were actually 3 different carbs for 327/275 in ’66….Holley, Rochester, and one yr. only avs version of the afb, which my car had. my guess would be depending on where your car was built would determine which carb you got.
Nice car. Contrary to the comment, the door guards not only ruin the looks of the car but tell me the owner who put them on parks too close to other cars or can’t keep from flinging the doors open to get out. If you park close enough to need the door guards you are close enough to have some trucker park next to you and fling his door open.
My mom’s 66 came from the factory with door guards they look fine. This is an awesome 66 Impala the only thing I would add would be A/C
I don’t see any door dings in it. Adams description of “straight as an arrow” appears to be correct.
Personal choice. I had door edge guards on every new car I ever purchased (from 1962 until they quit offering them), and I added NOS sets to dozens of collector cars I owned over the years. To me, they finish it off. To you, otherwise.
I’ve never liked or had door edge guards (including my once-owned a new ’65 SS Impala 396 4 speed) and seldom regretted it. Mostly it’s been because of my habit of parking way out from the masses or at least on an “end spot” over the line a bit.
However it made me think about an observation I’ve made over the last few years that I see many fewer chips and dings on cars compared to years ago. Does anyone agree/disagree and maybe suggest an explanation as to why (like better paint or metal design etc) or maybe it’s my elderly eyesight ;-)
This Impala is nice enough for someone to have fun with and haul up to 5 large people around in comfort.
Those air cleaner stickers are available online or at most car shows that have vendors present. I don’t hold much faith in them anymore as they are misused more often then not.
I thought the Mystery Machine was Shaggy’s van.
Should be a 275hp L30. My 67 Impala SS had the same L30, but with a 4 speed.
Why oh why did I sell it just because my wife was pregnant!
Would have been a L30 275. Had the same motor in my 67 Impala SS. Except mine was a 4 speed.
Why oh why did I sell it. Just because we were having a kid, had my priorities wrong :).
I know it is Arizona but may I ask why the Heater is by-passed and in thepictures there is exhaust steam coming out . Hmmm?
My 1st was also a 66 Impala SS, white with blue interior—327 / 275 HP with powerglide. I still miss that “whine” when you revved these in park. Jack M. the sticker is also on the valve cover representing 300 HP. Those too can be purchased all over the internet. I wish I had mine back. I later purchased a 65 Impala in 1984 with a 396 4 speed, rare as hen’s teeth but I did not know that when I sold it in 1988 for $1800!
Looks pretty close to my 65 Impala SS but a black finish in my part of the country…. no way…. my white SS with a black vinyl top was hot enough… Beautiful car though
Yes. Vintage Air is a must to make this car a perfect summer cruiser. Have whoever installs it replace the heater core while you’re at it.
Are the 65 and 66 impala actually pull8ng this kind of money? I could see a 396 4 speed or a 427 4 speed but a 327 2 speed power glide? I think the man is reaching for that price. Nice looking car love the black paint. But my guess 20 to 25 thousand max
I learned to drive in the family ‘66 Impala SS, bought new in silver with black vinyl top and black interior. A 396 with with three in the tree, a little strange, no? Beautiful car. I think my dad later traded it in for a new ‘70 Caprice – automatic and my mom liked blue w/ white vinyl top.
My first new car was a 66 Belair 283 three speed. Paid $2236 out the door. I lived in Akron and a guy named Arfons yes the green monsters son had one same color as mine but his was a 396 4speed. So I went down to the dealer and bought the 396 flags for mine. I still have ones I took off. Should have bought the 427 ones for laughs.
Among my “built this way, cause I like the look” projects is a 66 Fairlane 500 2-Door HT I transformed into a 500XL, with parts from a donor XL. Added power domes from a 67 GT, cause I liked the look. I put a 66 GT hood on my 66 500XL ragtop, cause I liked the look. Never trust badging. Some of us are less concerned with originality, and build what we like, cause we like the look.
That intake manifold looks like it has a lot more miles on it than the exhaust ones do. Lots of work to take them off and coat them, JUST FOR LOOKS.
my guess: heater core is history, and start picture taken in wintertime right after cold engine start.
I had a 64 Impala SS that had 327/300 . The exhaust had bigger manifolds with pipes that were bigger coming out. I believe the intake may have been different and a bigger carb than the regular 327. All original and tags under hood to that 300 hp. Could this be a carry over.
Had a 66 396 4 speed that ran at U.S. 30 back in the day.Livery on the car said Little Miss Christy with those funky looking 60’s early 70’s box type graphics on it. My buddy bought it from the original owner and sold it to me for 1000 in 85.Had a 4:56 gear , Lakewood scatter shield and a block saver. Used blow the doors off Iroc z’s of the day. Sold it for 1300 in 88.One of those I wish I still had it cars.One thing I remember was the guy who had it originally had custom made rear spring mounts welded to the lower control arms and some gonzo front springs so the car was about an inch or so higher than stock ride height front and rear.
65 yellow w/ white interior Super Sport 409 w/ 4 speed august 64 build. Was told only 396 was available in 65. Dad worked for Fisher body Division of GM. He could make phone calls and verify info for me. He passed about 15 years ago, wished I would have got him to write all his GM knowledge down. He was an Auditor (bean counter) folks she did kiss his foot. I remember him saying one time you can make numbers tell whatever you want them to.
A high #2 would tip scales around $35,000 going by recent auction sales averages. More for the 396 and 4 speed by about 15-20%. add another 10% for air conditioning, which this car doesn’t have. In my experience dealing with collector cars, about 5-10% off the asking price is what a seller will do. Now that I let the cat out of the bag, I’ll be proven wrong.