I don’t wish to come across as one of those people who complains that they don’t make ’em like they used to…but they don’t! Most modern high-performance cars will accelerate, handle, and stop better than this 1966 Chevrolet Impala SS, but that isn’t my point. Those cars lack the raw edge that is a hallmark of genuine muscle cars, a characteristic that makes them engaging. Modern muscle cars are typically reasonably refined and function effectively as daily drivers, but owning this Impala would be like spending time in a small room with a lion. It is an unmolested survivor with a big-block drivetrain and 51.000 miles on the clock. The seller has listed the SS here on Facebook Marketplace in St. Marys, Kansas. Their price for this slice of automotive magnificence is $85,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for using a finely-honed classic radar to spot this beauty.
Chevrolet introduced its Fourth Generation Impala for the 1965 model year, with the final cars leaving showrooms in 1970. It struck an immediate chord with buyers, setting a sales record of over one million vehicles in 1965 alone. The Impala received minor upgrades in 1966 when our feature car rolled off the line. It has a known history, with the seller its third custodian. They have contacted the original owner twice to confirm the car’s details and specifications, holding documentation dating back to when the order for this gem was placed at the Chevrolet dealership in Topeka, Kansas. The first owner chose stunning Marina Blue to cloak its panels, and the seller doesn’t mention prior repairs or restoration. The Impala presents superbly, with no visible flaws with the paint or panels. I can’t spot signs of rust, and the lack of corrosion across areas like the engine bay is cause for quiet confidence. The trim and glass are spotless, but the chrome wheels are a later addition that could be swapped if the new owner craves originality.
The spotless exterior is the mere entree with this Impala because we must delve below the surface to uncover the main course. The dealership paperwork confirms this is a Special Order vehicle. The first owner chose the 427ci V8, teaming this with a four-speed manual transmission, a Posi rear end, and power assistance for the steering and brakes. The big-block produces 390hp and 470 ft/lbs of torque. The SS tips the scales at 4,050 lbs, making the ¼-mie ET of 14.5 seconds extremely impressive. Keeping the pedal to the metal will see that V8 run out of breath at 132mph. The first slice of good news for potential buyers is that this classic is numbers-matching. The seller states the Impala has a genuine 51,000 miles on the clock, and they may hold evidence among the documentation that includes the original Order Form, Sale Invoice, Owner’s Manual, and Protect-O-Plate. The engine received a professional rebuild in 2005 but wasn’t coaxed into life for the first time until 2023. No information is supplied on how this classic runs or drives, but the suggestion is that the news should be positive.
Examining the Impala’s interior reveals the original owner was as passionate about comfort as outright performance. It features items like bucket seats, a console, and a factory tachometer. These were all hallmarks of an SS, but the first owner added a tilt/telescopic wheel and an AM radio with the rear speaker, the reverb option, and a power antenna. This Impala’s interior is as impressive as the exterior, with few items worth criticizing. The bright trim on the dash has a small dent below the glovebox, and the carpet has accumulated typical marks and discoloring on the outer edges. Otherwise, the two-tone Blue vinyl upholstery is in good order, the pad is uncracked, and the only addition is a gauge mounted below the dash near the driver’s right knee. It isn’t perfect, but it is easily acceptable for a survivor-grade classic of this vintage.
The 1966 Chevrolet Impala is an inherently attractive car, and its styling enticed buyers into showrooms. This SS raises the bar courtesy of its mechanical specifications and the performance it promises. There is no shortage of modern alternatives that could match its straight-line performance and would handle and stop better. However, those cars would receive little more than a passing glance as they ply our roads. This Impala has a presence, which often is the difference between good and great cars. They don’t make ’em like they used to, which is why someone needs to take this classic home. Are you tempted?
Very nice Impala.I feel the asking price is too high for what this is.All the original pieces should be present.No aftermarket brake system,aluminum radiator and any chrome dress up parts.Just my personal opinion.Again,nice Impala but not 85,000 nice.
You are right, it’s a nice car, but not worth $85,000. To many generic modifications, especially in the engine compartment. It’s probably more of a refurbished/restoration than survivor. The dealer that has it listed makes no claims other than mileage and matching numbers in any of the other ads they are currently running.
Steve R
Nice to hear from you Steve. Been awhile.
Brian K, thanks.
For some reason this site stops working on my phone from time to time, then takes 6 months or so to start working again. That’s happened several times.
Steve R
For $85,000 you should be able to get one without the horn ring broken off.
The steering wheel in this car was unique to the cars with the tilt/telescopic steering column. It was sourced from another division (can’t remember which) and did not have a horn ring.
It was the T&T from the Caddy Division
go find another 66 427 with these options in this condition ..
have to laugh, all the peanuts in this gallery, with every car, the price the price wwhhaaaa
‘sigh’
its not for flippers and dreamers
it for the one who knows
sees it and makes a call to get it, one way or another
its the best one ive ever seen, and i look for 66s
i think im in love; again
NICE find Barn Finds !
Cad AND Olds had the T/T wheel.
Tilt and tele columns for 66 Chevy B bodies didn’t have a horn ring. I was an active accessory scrounger in the 70s and 80s, I found 3 66 B body tilt teles in salvage yards. I put one in my 66 ElCamino (makes the Chevelle crowd scratch their heads) still have one floor shift and one column shift examples left. At one time I was going to put the floor shift column in a 39 Chevy sedan delivery, but decided it looked too “chunky” so didn’t use it. Has become valuable enough that I’m glad I didn’t use it
Tempted? By all means, I’ll just walk out my back door where my money tree grows, and grab a handful. Somewhere along the line, the insanity has to end, most people today can’t even afford a place to live, let alone spend this kind of money on a toy. The millionaires and billionaires have already destroyed the American dream, guess they can sop up the classic vehicles while they’re at it. There, I just had to ventilate a bit. Lol
If you do indeed have a Money Tree and it works, please contact me and I’ll give you my address so we can form a battle plan here…
Yblocker I never let anyone speak 4 me. However, there’s always an exception to the rule. Enuff said.
True, today’s cars might accelerate better and stop better, but in modern cars you feel more “insulated” from the road.
As a matter of fact it feels like there is a thick cushion between you and the rest of the car …or , and I will say this in as clean a way as I can, it is like touching your wife’s wonderful features while wearing gloves…
I like when the front lower panel is painted the same color as the rest of the car. I could not understand why GM painted them gray. It looked like they ran out of paint to me. I drove a sister to this car that had a transplanted 427 where the 327 used to live. It was like wrestling a bear. What a blast!
That is a beautiful car.
In 2015 I bought a very low mile L72 motor and put a 66 Biscayne around it with a 4spd..
The body I used had/has a radio delete plate-it would be perfect in this car too.
I think for that coin I prefer the Hemi above
I’m not going to say Low Rider.
30 years ago I promised myself I would never pay $25k for a new car. Now, here I am dreaming about driving around in a 60 year old car for $85 flippin’ K? And it’s not a Ferrari??? Oh man!
Me thinks. If the value of a dollar is now worth less than 10 cents. Would that not make this car’s actual value at $8,500? Which would even still cost more than I paid for similar vehicles growing up. I paid $2750.00 for a 6 month old 69 SS396 Chevelle still under warranty. Our bucks have lost their value. Gold and Silver have not. Though I still have many fond memories of nostalgia like everyone one else. What’s not to like?
very nice but, there nowhere near 85
Love them. Had one. Want it. But not at anywhere near this price.
This is a nice car. Make no mistake, it is. But, at 85k? It’s just to rich for my blood.
My grand father had one, 1966 biscayne. My first car was a 1966 impala. Took the motor and trans from biscayne, and put them in the impala. 283 for a dead 327, power glide for a dead 350 turbo. Just to big of a car, to little power, for a 15 yr old kid,(me at the time).
I guess I’ve finally gotten old. Lmao
The average price of a new car in the 1970’s was $3700 and 36% of the average household income. Today the average price is 45K and 65% of the average household income and in some cases more than 100% percent of folks income. And the more you pay, you had better turn your lease in or sell it
before the warranty runs out.
Same with salaries, hourly pay, and home prices. The Finance guys have won. 85K for a 440 Coronet RT or this Impala just follows the trend.
One problem with the price new autos is that the Feds have mandated so many safety features that the prices for this content has gone out of sight. I am not saying that these features do not ad value or safety, but at what price, out of reach for a great many of us noe for a new vehicle. Most folks now are driving a 10+ year old car with the check engine lite on permanentley!
my check engine light burnt out
Hagerty value guide
#4 $21K
#3 $33K
#2 $42K
#1 $64K
This car appears to be in nice shape, and with a pretty complete paper trail, but it is driver, so I’d say it couldn’t be classed as anymore than 3.
Not sure where you get your Haggerty valuations from. I just looked it up:
#4 33,700
#3 51,000
#2 65,400
#1 96,100
Add me to the list of those who think that this is way too steep of an asking price. Of course one may set an asking price at any amount they want. Why not? Lots of folks are out there with more money than they know what to do with. You just never know what might happen. And you can always lower your asking price but it’s really hard to raise it. I still think that the market will go bust eventually when people my age stop buying and driving these old muscle cars. Most young people today want a whole different driving experience than rowing around in this big tank. I wouldn’t want to be the chump who pays stupid money for a car that you’re going to lose your a$$ on when you have to sell it in ten years or so. But if you want to be that guy then this here deal is for you. Don’t get me wrong; I’d love to have this in my garage. But nohownoway at 85K. Maybe 30?
Seems like the new drivers don’t want to drive at all. They want the car to do it for them. How sad☹️
Been heading in that direction for many years. Consider the automatic transmission . . . .
people will stop buying t hem when the government outlaw them because of some excuse that they come up with.and every car is electric.
When I bought a used 66 Impala SS 427, 425 4 speed conv from a guy that really beat it up. But it ran like a clock, engine and tranny wise, but the body was rough. It got destroyed by a train so I parted it out and made some other Camaro owners happy.
Beautiful car. I would rather have a 65. I like the triple taillights. My neighbor had a light yellow with black interior 65 SS. It was one of my favorite cars.
Not much for me to add except that I’m surprised the original buyer didn’t opt for the factory gauge package mounted between the dashboard and the console. Seller is waaaay optimistic on the price despite the documentation; as mentioned before, this is a $40k car at best.
Jr got a pretty neat car – sales sheet said pick up by Sr or Jr….anyone notice the trade in was a 1963 SS Chevy ?
I didn’t see a comment about the tear in the driver seat or the bleach or chemical that removed the color on the carpet in the back driver side floor. Honestly, if you think someone is going to pay $85k and then need any work to the car is simply delusional.
The only way this car could ever be worth that much would be if it was a “solid lifter” L-72 car! Maybe!
This is the “pedestrian” 427….hydraulic lifters, mild cam, small port heads,etc. ….1/2 the asking price would be about right !!
Too many “ifs” with this car. 390 horsepower 427 had a cast iron intake manifold and a Rochester carb, not aluminum with a Holley. For that money, it needs to be perfect and original low mile survivor.