This 1966 Chevrolet Impala SS ticks so many of the right boxes that it is really hard to know which is the most important. It remains original and unmolested, while it also appears to be completely rust-free. The fact that it still houses its original drivetrain is another enormous positive, while the fact that it is being offered for sale in a No Reserve auction would seem to be the icing on the cake. The Impala is located in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has now reached $8,466, and remember…No Reserve.
If there is one thing that the ’66 Impala had in spades when it was new, that was a presence. The same remains true today, with the vehicle still appearing to be long, low, and purposeful. This Impala is finished in Danube Blue, which only serves to accentuate this fact. The owner says that while the vehicle looks okay, it would definitely benefit from a repaint at some point. He states that there is no actual penetrating rust, just a few minor bubbles in a couple of spots. He provides a nice selection of photos of the Impala’s underside, and the floors, frame, and the trunk pan all look solid and clean. The car is fitted with tinted glass, and this appears to be free of any scratches, chips, or flaws. Likewise, all of the external trim and chrome is present, and it looks to be in very impressive condition.
Lifting the hood of the Impala reveals a 195hp version of the 283ci V8, which is backed by a 4-speed manual transmission. This is another of the great selling points of this car, because not only is that a pretty desirable combination, but the car is numbers-matching. Interestingly, up until fairly recently, the SS had been sitting unused in a barn for upwards of 20-years, but it has now been revived and returned to active service. The owner doesn’t provide a lot of details about what this process entailed, but both the tires and exhaust look to be fairly new. The owner claims that the Impala has only covered 116,000 original miles, but doesn’t mention whether he holds any evidence to verify this. What he does say is that the car now runs and drives extremely well, with the engine, transmission, clutch, and brakes all working exactly as they should.
As seems to be the case with the rest of the vehicle, the interior of the Impala appears to be original and unmolested. Finding significant problems is quite difficult because it does present very well. At first, I thought that there was a split on the base of the passenger seat, but the more that I look at it, the more that I have come to believe that this is a trick of the light. The dash and pad look really good, as does the rest of the trim and the console. About the only thing that might require attention is the carpet. It is looking dirty and stained in a few spots, but before I considered the possibility of replacing it, I would be inclined to treat it to a professional clean. It is a real possibility that this might fix that particular issue. Even if it doesn’t it won’t be the end of the world, because it does remain quite presentable.
Finding an Impala SS as nice as this one hidden away in a barn must be something akin to striking gold. It is a car that would seem to have a host of positive attributes, and if it really is as good as the listing tends to indicate, then someone is on the verge of securing themselves a very nice classic. Bidding on the Impala has been exceptionally strong, and when you look at its overall condition, it’s easy to see why. This is a car that I would be more than happy to park in my own garage. How about you?
OOOOOH!! SO MUCH WANT!!! What a beauty! Talking about checking ALL of the right boxes! Someone is going to get a really good classic. GLWTA! :-)
I like the colors. Nice
I’m not even a Chevy guy – but this one…..WOW!
Great lines, big fan of blue, and it’s got the playful 4 speed….ohhh….it’s just my warped mind spinning around the idea of a 427,, or even a larger cubic inch small block idling with a hint of anger out of this classic. Can’t mess with such a clean example, it’s just too sharp.
To modify this beauty would be criminal.
Yessir, at least worthy of the rubber hose beat down.
Too bad as it’s a prime candidate being in such good shape.
No, no and absolutely not. Gotta go.
I’m neither the biggest fan of the ’66 ‘pala nor blue colored cars – but this is indeed a great find. An SS 4spd car will never be wrong. Personally I’d see it with a 327 but as I’ve said before one cannot really expect to spec a 54 year old car. Please whoever buys it replace that master cylinder to a dual bowl unit. Apart from that it seems ready to be enjoyed right away! 👍
Miss my ’67 red Impala S/S 396 4sp!
Why do seller’s get lazy and not apply for a duplicate title if the original title is lost? Not all states will issue a new title for a car this old based on a bill of sale only. I know because I bought an old Ford in Alabama without a title and my state would not issue a new title.
I really, really liked this one until I saw that it is being sold with a bill of sale. Why check the box with clean title when that is wrong.
Oh well. There will be another one!
@71Boss351 – I agree, no title no sale. Nevada is one of the easiest states to get a replacement title.
Everyone says must have the dual master cylinder. I’ve lost brakes on a few cars and trucks. All with modern brakes (dual cylinders) and had not much of anything left for stopping power. Once in a ’99 Dakota going down a steep hill behind a propane truck. Last year at 80mph in the fast lane in my Mustang (96) when one of those giant ratchet strap things from an 18 wheeler flat bed appeared in my lane with nowhere to go but over it. Tore out a rear line, thought the oil pan was gone too from the sound it made. There’s been others too. Is the really minimal stopping power I’ve experienced what a dual system affords? Couldn’t imagine much less.
Yes, braking when one circuit is inoperable will be SIGNIFICANTLY less effective than with both circuits in functional order. Now imagine yourself braking a single circuit car with a ripped line…
Had the right front brake hose fail while attempting to stop a 2001 Ram 1500 4×4 on my way home from work. The reason for the attempt turned out of my path before impact. The pedal went right to the floor. Had the truck towed home. I had replaced the rear line, the front line, and everything under the hood the year before after the rear line rusted through the summer before.
After a good look at how badly the frame and supporting structures were rusted it was time to get a new car.
Very nice indeed. Strange duck, though. Why a 283 with a 2bbl and a four speed? Special order for sure. This is a pretty big car for 195hp, what rear axle would it have?
Cal, it seems that full sized Chevrolets a least between 1959 and 1963 came with a 3.07 ratio if you had the 2bbl 283 and the manual three speed. The four speeds might have had a different rear which was lower. The 2bbl 283 in a 1959 Chevrolet was not a speed demon, but would run 110 with that 3. 07.
I found that the dual master cylinder on a 1981 Chevelle gave me no warning other than two very weak stops before the pedal finally went all the way to the floor. I was fortunate and didn’t hit anything. The front line had rusted through. I thought I should still have had fluid in the second part, but didn’t for some reason Both compartments were dry. It’s always a good idea to check out the emergency brakes on these old cars which rust due to lack of use.
My first car was a Bel Air with a 195 HP, 283 with a Poweglide, and trust me, it wasn’t a muscle car, but it could certainly get out of its own way.
My oldest sister and BIL bought a new ’66 Impala convertible in the spring of ’66. I’m not sure of the engine, I think it was a 327 but I do remember it was a four speed floor shift. I remember that because I hate shifting and prefer an automatic. I remember my BIL explaining they didn’t order a SS because by then, it was basically a trim level and not a performance thing. Theirs was yellow with black top and interior.
I had a 64 impala with 283 the flags on this impala are 327 flags
Beautiful lines, always been a fan of the design evolution the ‘65-“66 models vs the homely ‘64.