Finding a rust-free classic station wagon can be a battle, but that is what is on offer with this 1966 Chevrolet Impala. Not only is it rust-free, but it features its original drivetrain. With a healthy V8 under the hood, it appears to be the perfect vehicle for those cross-country journeys. If you find yourself sorely tempted by this wagon, you will find it located in Norwalk, California, and listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set a BIN of $19,500 for this wonderful wagon, although he also leaves the option for interested parties to submit an offer. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Larry D for referring this fantastic survivor to us.
The photos that the owner supplies aren’t the greatest, but they seem to paint a pretty positive picture. The wagon’s original Willow Green paint holds a decent shine, and it doesn’t seem to have any significant defects. The panels look straight, with no apparent signs of dents or bruises. The best news with this classic is its lack of rust. It seems that it has spent its life in California, which has allowed it to remain remarkably well preserved. The exterior trim looks respectable for a driver-quality classic, while the tinted glass is in good order. The overall impression seems to be that this wagon needs nothing, and its condition is better than average for a survivor of this vintage.
Chevrolet offered potential buyers several engines to slot under the hood of their new Impala in 1966. The original owner of this wagon selected the 283ci V8 that should be producing 195hp. Shifting duties fall to a two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission, while the wagon also features power brakes. If the buyer points this wagon at the ¼ mile, the journey would be over in 19.4 seconds. That’s not particularly fast, but it is acceptable for a vehicle capable of carting six adults and a fair load of luggage. With the holiday season bearing down on us, you may have an overwhelming desire to hit the road seeking adventure. If so, this numbers-matching survivor has you covered. The owner describes it as a turnkey vehicle where everything works as it should. So there’s no reason to delay that holiday.
One aspect of this Impala that may need attention is the interior. The front seat upholstery is badly shredded, and the buyer will probably decide to replace this. New covers in the correct material and pattern are readily available and generally sell for around $385. The remaining upholstered surfaces seem to be in good order, with no signs of rips, tears, or other issues. One of the more vulnerable areas of any classic station wagon is the rear cargo area. Loose luggage and other items can inflict a fair amount of damage on plastic and carpet, and things can look tatty very quickly. This wagon has some issues, but there are no cracks or breaks in the plastic. The buyer could clean things thoroughly and use a high-quality plastic paint to return the trim to a factory-fresh state. The dash is clean, and the pad is in good order. The wheel has some wear, but restoring this in a home workshop should be a straightforward and rewarding task. The interior isn’t loaded with luxury extras, but the factory AM radio should help pass the time on those longer journeys.
Classic station wagons continue to perform well in the current market. The lack of new offerings from manufacturers means potential buyers tend to clamor for good examples. This 1966 Impala looks like it could be a gem and seems to need little to lift it to the next level. It presents well and would be sure to turn heads wherever it goes. If you would like to channel your inner Clark Griswold over the holiday period, this could be the perfect vehicle to do it.
Quick question for all you old farts,,what’s the 1st thing that pops into your mind when seeing this car? You have 10 seconds ( dull theme song playing) TIMES UP,, for me, piling in the “way back” looking at life facing backward with the back window open sucking those fumes,( ahhh) headed to the beach ( or fill in attraction) pulling a 14ft. Shasta camper, or Uncle Pete’s fissin’ boat, that he never caught anything,,,,this car was the EPITOME of travel in the USA in the mid-60’s. Just about every driveway in “Suburbia” had one. Almost as if “Standard Issue”. Often unloved, unmaintained, doubling as the family truck ( 10 sheets of drywall made ‘er sag) taken out when the folks went somewhere in Dads Corvette, by teenagers with a fresh license, looking for fun. Did I get all that right? You know dang well I did, and I miss those days, kinds of. While it’s a cool find, it will be more of an oddity today than when we were young, and everybody drove these. Just not the same.
Howard, my neighbors back then owned a Chevy dealership here which is still in business courtesy of their son Steve. I recall a white `66 Caprice Estate they brought home. Loaded, power everything and rode like a cloud! I think that was the first car I saw the “396” flag on the front fender!
Well Howard, the first thing that pops up in my mind was the color. It seems that all these wagons were this color. I think you nailed it in the rest of your comment, stay warm buddy. 50 MPH winds today in the Badger!
I remember us kids horsing around ( usually fighting ) on the back facing seat.
My father would yell …’ Stop it !!! Don’t make me pull this car over !!!!’ Ha, Ha, Ha Good memories.
I know (now) that many people call it the “Way back”. But we called it the “Back b-back” (pronounced “Back buh-back”). 1971 Custom Cruiser, 1977 Vista Cruiser, and 1980 Diesel Custom Cruiser. Wagons are the only way to go.
Well, this looks familiar. Daddy never bought new cars; he was too busy trying to support a wife and four kids. We had a ’53 Chevy (Blue Betsy), followed by a ’55 (Green Dragon, 4-door, 265 with Powerglide), and a ’62 Biscayne (Mother called it Snowball, but my brother and I derisively called it “the six”; white 4-door Biscayne with 235 six and Powerglide, no options other than AM radio and dealer-installed A/C). However, in ’66 Daddy splurged for an almost-new “demonstrator” ’66 Impala 9-passenger wagon. It was the darker green/turquoise color, but the interior looked exactly like this one, with the addition of factory A/C. My eleventh birthday was shortly after that, and I had never enjoyed the first day of school so much as I did arriving in that big, beautiful wagon. As a “demo” car, it was loaded (as much as any ’66 Impala could be considered loaded), with 327, A/C and power everything (except windows and seats–those were still considered extreme luxuries, reserved for Cadillac and Oldsmobile owners). It served us well for several years, especially on family vacations, when my brother and I were relegated to the rear-facing seat while our younger brother and sister claimed the middle seat, with the luggage rack full of everything we needed and some that we didn’t. We added an FM converter, booster amp, and homemade speaker cabinet between the middle and rear seats with two 12-inch speakers. The later addition of an 8-track tape player gave us the perfect party wagon; the speaker cabinet was moved to the open tailgate as soon as we arrived. My proudest moment in that car came when I raced my buddy’s ’67 Camaro. He had always maintained that although he had the 210 hp 2-barrel 327, his car was faster since it was lighter. Thanks to our mighty 275 hp 327, he had a view of the tailgate from 3 car lengths behind at the end of our marked-off quarter mile. Quality entertainment in 1970!
Had a nice 65 impala wagon with Corvette gold repaint and American mags. Sold for a decent $600 In 1974.
The Girl I was dating in High School drove one just like this. It was her mom’s Grocery Getter and Kid Hauler. She would pick me up all the time and we learned a lot about life at the ALL NIGHTERS in the back of that wagon.
Gosh…what did the owner use to take the photos? A Kodak Box Brownie?
The cherry on top of the California sundae, a Hussongs Cantina bumper sticker.
It was the way back. In 66, dad got a new white Pontiac Safari wagon with 389. No air. No options. He didn’t believe in opulence. That car was great. Summer trips to Maine. When my kids were growing up we had a 79 Olds Custom Cruiser. The trans took a crap. I got an 87 Caprice Estate. Ah memories. Today cars, the very few being built, all suck. Over priced garbage.
Nice find. One step removed from a good deal.
Wagons like this are and have been in high demand for years. That isn’t going to change. They are utilitarian and make great swapmeet cruisers. The aftermarket addresses any shortcomings for popular makes and models, with the price of SUV’s these often make sense financially when compared to new and slightly used models.
Steve R
Folks had a 64 Biscayne? With a 6 cylinder,towed a Ted Williams pop-up.Mass to Me every year for 4 years
Back in the day, the stuff they salted the roads with ruined the frames on these and many others. But the factory workers loved them.
I would offer that this car in NOT Willow Green, but rather Artesian Turquoise. The interior is definitely the turq. int and not the green. Not many left like this one.
we never had a wagon when i was growing up.
I have faint memories of a dead Falcon wagon an dead corvair sitting in the side yard, but gone when i was old enough to really comprehend them.
But dad had a 70’s 3 door Carryall [suburban], i just recently found a pic of it, grippy rear tires and curtains in the rear side windows.
he went on to have another 4 door square body suburban but the early 3 door made 2 trips to Colorado from WV to see his dad on vacations plus towed a pop up camper on many summer vacations to Lake Sherwood [white sulpher springs]
Back in my day, Dad bought a used ’67 Impala wagon with 396, white with blue interior. Soon after I received my drivers license in 1970. It was a blast to drive. My older sister gave 383 Road Runners a run for their money. Rumor was she won. I miss that car still today.