It is difficult to be prepared for every eventuality, but it is possible to be ready for the inevitable. I know that the colder weather is fast approaching, but you can be sure that the gray and cold will eventually make way for the sunny and warm. I can’t think of a better way to be ready for when that happens than by parking a classic Convertible in my garage. If that vehicle happens to present well, that’s a bonus. Should it happen to have a numbers-matching big-block under the hood, that would feel like winning the lottery. That is what is on offer with this 1966 Impala Convertible. If the entire package seems too tempting to resist, you will find it located in Morgan Hill, California, and listed for sale here on Craigslist. The price of admission to this classic is $25,000. Barn Finder Pat L spotted this beauty for us, so thank you so much for that, Pat.
The Impala presents well in Silver, but I believe that somebody has treated it to a color change at some point. The owner includes a shot of the Cowl Tag, and it shows a Paint Code of “M.” That equates to a shade called Aztec Bronze. Whoever performed the work did a thorough job of covering all traces of the original color, but the quality of the work in the trunk is not that great. However, that which graces the panels looks pretty respectable, with no apparent flaws or problems. The panels are straight, with no noticeable dings or dents and no evidence of prior accident damage. The big news here is that it appears that this classic might be rust-free. There is none visible in the lower extremities, the trunk pan looks clean, and the owner doesn’t mention any corrosion history in the listing. If the car has spent its life in California, it may have avoided these dramas. One item that the buyer will need to purchase will be a new soft-top. It isn’t clear whether all of the hardware is intact and serviceable, so that could be a question that is worth asking. The trim and chrome are in excellent condition for a vehicle of this age, and the tinted glass looks flawless.
The tidy presentation of this Impala continues when we turn our attention to its interior. The original owner ordered it trimmed in black vinyl, and this remains in good order today. It seems that the UV rays that are part of a California lifestyle haven’t taken a heavy toll on this interior. The seats have no rips, physical damage, or sun-rot. The tops of the door trims are surprisingly clean, and the carpet shows no evidence of heavy wear or fading. The dash and pad look okay, but there may be some issues that will require the buyer’s attention if it is to present at the highest level. One of the knobs is missing off the factory radio, and the emblem is missing from the wheel. The first item will cost pennies, but the second will lighten the buyer’s wallet to the tune of $80. Still, if that’s all it needs, addressing those problems will at least consume a few minutes during Winter. The original owner ordered this Impala with air conditioning that appears intact, along with a radio and tilt wheel.
For potential buyers searching for a drop-top with muscle credentials, this Impala would seem to have you covered. The original owner ordered the car with a 396ci V8, a Hydramatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. That big-block should be producing 325hp, which is enough to send the car through the ¼ mile in 16.1 seconds. Chevrolet offered a more potent alternative in the form of the 427ci V8 that churned out an incredible 425hp, but the take-up rate in Convertible form was pretty low. It seems that the 396 was enough to satisfy most buyers. This Impala is numbers-matching, and the owner supplies a shot of the engine block stamping to confirm this. Disappointingly, he doesn’t provide any information on how well the vehicle runs or drives. However, since he describes its overall condition as “good,” that suggests that it could be in sound mechanical health. If that is the case, all this engine bay will need is some careful detailing so that its presentation matches its performance.
So, what do you think? This 1966 Impala Convertible presents well for a vehicle of its age, and its needs seem to be pretty minor. It offers its next owner a winning combination as a sedate top-down tourer, but some genuine muscle should the need arise. When you consider the potential for fun that could be awaiting you when we are once again blessed with warm weather, is this a classic that you might be tempted to pursue further?
That’s a tilt telescoping wheel and it’s missing the center emblem trim. I didn’t think that the telescoping feature of the cCaddies that year was also available on Chevies, but I could be wrong about this.
Was available, but rare.
One year only option. Too bad that it was changed from Aztec Bronze, a great color, to a boring (IMHO) silver. The elephant in the room for me is all the missing body moldings–side moldings & trunk lip mldgs (w/all the holes filled in) and w/opening moldings. What else?
it’s always sunny in California, even up north in Morgan Hill.
The tilt/telescope option was RPO N37 for full-sized 1966 Chevys.
With the exception of the AC belt it looks like it’s been a while since hands-on maintenance under the hood.
The interior is a head-scratcher. The dash is dusty and the stalks for the turn signals and tilt/telescope are corroded. The carpet looks clean but the pedals and heel pad are dirty. The upholstery is mix ‘n match with the front looking OE.
The trunk pan looks like it’s been welded in multiple areas. This is what a clean trunk pan looks like (hopefully the image will come through).
https://cdn1.mecum.com/auctions/sc0509/sc0509-78811/images/sc0509-78811_6@2x.jpg
I have a feeling that this one may have some body work hiding under that color change.
I think this car may be a quicky-repaint-and-send-it down-the-road example. The sloppy way the heavily pitted tail lamp bezels fit, overspray on the frame rails, poorly patched trunk floor, and the overall neglected condition of the rest of the car should require a thorough inspection.
Definitely a patch job, the trunk says it all.
With that being shown, there has to be mud under that paint!
Except for asking WAY too much, it is a nice car!!
“If the car has spent its life in California,”
I’d guess it didn’t. The “7” series white plates are only a few years old (current CA white plates start with “8”) and this car likely would still be wearing its original black plates if it spent its life in CA (in CA the plates stay with the car when the car is sold).
~ Impalas, from the inaugural year through 72 are among my favorite rides. My first car was a 67 Impala. . . . I’ve never understood why some convertible owners drive or take pics of their cars with the top down and at least one window up. Just doesn’t look right to me. You’d never see that on my ragtop Fairlane, as my rule was “ALL the windows go down before the top does, and the top goes up before the windows do.” – My hunch is there’s lots of mud to be found under the paint, and some hokey wiring under the dash. I’d love to rebuild this one, but I seem to have been priced out of future builds. ~S