Sometimes it can be easy to look past a project car because it doesn’t make a positive first impression. That is the case with this 1965 Chevrolet Impala SS. Don’t be fooled by its missing exterior trim pieces and surface corrosion because this is a rock-solid classic that is ripe for restoration. It has recently emerged from decades in hiding and could make a perfect family project. Located in Alexandria, Alabama, you will find the Impala listed for sale here on eBay. Frantic bidding has pushed the price to $12,351 in a No Reserve auction. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Larry D for unearthing another excellent project car for us.

According to the seller, a previous owner parked this Impala in a barn in 2002. It looks like they may have been intent on performing a restoration on this Ermine White classic, but it seems to have stalled pretty early. They have removed the grille and a few exterior trim pieces, but these may be amongst the collection of parts sitting in this classic’s trunk. The seller believes that the car is original and has never received any repaint or restoration work. There is some obvious external surface corrosion, but the lack of penetrating rust is the ace up this Impala’s sleeve. The lower body extremities and the area around the back window look clean, while the seller indicates that the floors and frame are rock solid. The visible exterior trim appears to fall into two categories. Some pieces seem to be restorable, while others may respond to some work with a high-quality polish. The glass looks good, and the overall impression is that this could be a fairly straightforward project.

Impala SS buyers in 1965 were spoiled for choice when it came to the question of what to slot under the hood of their shiny new acquisition. The original owner of this SS selected the L30 version of the iconic 327ci small-block that produced 250hp. It seems that he believed that a two-speed Powerglide transmission and power steering would make for an effortless driving experience, so he ticked those boxes on the Order Form. The Impala’s 17.4-second ¼-mile ET may not look that flash by today’s standards, but it remained respectable for a vehicle of this type and size in 1965. Some readers will gnash their teeth when I say this, but the seller indicates this is a “ran when parked” proposition. However, it is worth remembering that the previous owner parked the car two decades ago and hasn’t fired a shot since. The seller hasn’t tried to coax the V8 back to life and has avoided the temptation to crank it. That means its state is unknown, but that may not be bad news. Sometimes owners can become slightly too enthusiastic when trying to revive a car of this type, and in their haste, they can inflict unintended damage to an otherwise healthy motor. Since this one remains untouched, the next owner can select the path they will follow as part of the revival process.

This Impala must have oozed class when it rolled off the showroom floor. The original owner selected interior trim Code 845, which brought Ivory vinyl with an Aqua dash and carpet. Combined with the Ermine White exterior, this would have been an eye-catching classic in its prime. This is where things begin to get genuinely interesting with this Impala. There’s little doubt that the carpet has seen better days, and the buyer will probably choose to spend $220 on a new set. It is the upholstered surfaces that catch my eye. While they look tired at first glance, there is little appreciable wear, no tears, or other physical damage. The same is true of the headliner, and before I spent any money on upholstery, I would treat the existing items to a deep clean with a high-quality product. I suspect that it might spring a surprise or two and that the buyer may not need to undertake any significant restoration work. The dash and pad look surprisingly good, with no obvious signs of cracks or other problems. The original owner selected to equip the car with bucket seats, a console, and air conditioning. These items appear to be intact, as is the original AM radio. The overall impression is that it may take more time than money to return this interior to its former glory.

When a project car appears on my desk here at Barn Finds, I will often look at it and try to decide the type of person it would best suit. This 1965 Impala SS is an interesting one. While an experienced enthusiast would make short work of returning this classic to its former glory, it could be an ideal vehicle for a first-timer or someone seeking a family project. It appears that the new owner could complete most of the tasks in a home workshop, making it a genuine hands-on proposition. Values continue to climb on these classics, so if the buyer is happy to roll up their sleeves and undertake a fair amount of DIY, it is a restoration that could potentially turn a profit when they down tools for the final time. That has to make this Impala SS worth a closer look.