Just because you have a growing family, why should you miss out on everything a high-performance classic offers? That’s where this 1966 Impala Wagon step in to fill the void. It has enough space to accommodate eight people, while the big-block under the hood delivers power to burn. It is a rock-solid classic needing a new home. The owner has listed it here on eBay in Phoenix, Arizona. Spirited bidding has pushed the price to $16,700, which is short of the reserve.

Chevrolet launched their Fourth Generation Impala for the 1965 model year and immediately found themselves with a runaway sales success. Figures tapered for 1966, but there were still 654,900 buyers willing to hand over their cash to park one in their driveway. Our feature Wagon is from that second year of production and makes a stunning visual statement. Its original Marina Blue paint has the dry and baked appearance you might expect from a car that has spent its life in the dry Arizona climate. It sports a scattered coating of surface corrosion, but the seller applied a clear coat to prevent further deterioration. Some enthusiasts may consider hitting the panels with a fresh coat of Blue, but I would wager that an equal number would leave the Impala unchanged. While the climate has taken a toll on the paint, it has preserved the steel beautifully. The panels are clean, and although the underside shots are blurred, they indicate the floors and frame are rock-solid. The panels sport a few dings and bruises, but I feel these add to the vehicle’s character. The chrome and glass are excellent, while the Rally wheels add a sense of purpose to the exterior.

When I reached the point of examining the Impala’s interior, I was pleasantly surprised. Given the exterior appearance, I expected to find acres of burnt upholstery. The opposite is true, with the Black vinyl looking excellent. The seats exhibit no wear, the dash and pad are equally impressive, and the carpet is faultless. A retro-style stereo occupies the spot where the factory radio once resided, but there are no other apparent upgrades. The original owner ordered this Wagon with a factory tachometer, which is unusual in a vehicle of this type. Catering for a growing family could be this Impala’s trump card, thanks to the original owner ordering it with a third-row seat. That makes this a genuine seven-seater, although that figure could grow to eight if someone is willing to cope with the shifter for the car’s four-speed. As a finishing touch, ice-cold air conditioning should make life on the road a pleasant experience.

We’ve reached the point where this Impala stands out from other similar wagons. Buyers in 1966 could order their shiny new toy with a 250ci six-cylinder engine under the hood that provided 155hp and adequate performance to satisfy most families. However, who can’t use more power? The original owner of this Wagon subscribed to that philosophy, choosing to forego the six in favor of a 396ci big-block that churned out 325hp. Adding to its performance credentials are a four-speed manual transmission and power front disc brakes. The extra power transforms the Impala Wagon because while the six could cover the ¼ mile in 19.8 seconds, this one should slash that figure to 16 seconds. The top speed jumps from 95mph to 122mph. That’s rapid family transport! The seller indicates that the Wagon had been sitting for years when they located it. They rebuilt or replaced everything in the drivetrain, and the engine bay presents in as-new condition. It doesn’t flatter to deceive because it runs and drives perfectly. It is ready to help its new owner and their family embark on a holiday adventure.

This 1966 Impala Wagon has much to offer the performance enthusiast, and its versatile seating makes it the ideal weapon for carting the entire clan cross-country. It isn’t perfect, but its aged appearance guarantees it will attract attention. Lifting its presentation to a factory-fresh state would not be difficult, and many potential buyers might consider that option. If I found it in my garage, I would find it hard to change a vehicle dripping with so much character. Do you agree?