When the original owner walked into their local Chevrolet dealership to order this 1966 Impala SS, it seems that they knew exactly what they were looking for. Not only does it features some excellent options, but the nicest of them all would have to be the 396ci V8 under the hood. The Impala has passed from that original owner through to other members of the same family for the past 55-years, but that is about to change. The current owner appears to be the final link in the chain because the time has come for the Impala to leave the family home and venture out into the world with a new owner. Located in Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, you will find the SS listed for sale here on craigslist. If you hand the owner $45,000, you could be driving away in this classic. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Gunter K for spotting the classy Chevy for us.
It seems that the Impala has been a much-loved member of the family since day one. It has always been garage-kept, and this has helped it to maintain its rust-free status. The panels appear to be exceptionally straight, while the Aztec Bronze paint shines beautifully. The owner doesn’t say outright, but the impression that he conveys in the listing is that the paint is original. If this is true, then it stands as a testament to a classic that appears to have been treated with respect throughout its life. The trim and chrome are in excellent condition, while I can’t spot any problems with the tinted glass.
There’s no substitute for cubic inches, and the buyer will be getting plenty of those with the SS. The original owner ordered the classic with the 396ci big-block that should be producing 325hp. He also ticked the boxes beside the 4-speed manual transmission, the 3.31 Posi rear end, power steering, and power drum brakes. Performance figures in this guise were anything but shabby because the Impala would have demolished the ¼ mile in 15.4 seconds, which is not bad for any car that tips the scales north of 4,000lbs. The Impala remains 100% original, although the owner has fitted disc brakes on the front. This is probably a wise move from a safety perspective, but he has retained the original components if the buyer wants to return the car to its factory specifications. He doesn’t indicate how well the SS runs and drives, although the supplied photos paint a positive picture on that front.
The level of care that the Impala has received is well demonstrated when you look at the interior photos. This one is as close as we get to an overview, but it shows Black vinyl upholstery that is in excellent condition for its age. There is no evidence of stretching or damage and no signs of wear. The carpet hasn’t faded, and there are no broken or damaged trim pieces. The shifter for the 4-speed pokes purposefully through the console, while the original owner ordered the vehicle with the factory tach, woodgrain wheel, pushbutton radio, and rear speaker. All of these features remain intact and unmolested, giving the interior a factory-fresh appearance.
I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to part with a car like this 1966 Impala SS 396. For some members of his family, the Impala will have been around long before they were born, and some of those individuals have probably thought at times that it would still be about long after they’ve gone. It has spent 55-years with one family, and that’s quite an accomplishment. It remains exceptional for its age, and I can’t see why it couldn’t be about in another 55-years. I wonder if its next owners can keep the Impala for that long. If they did, that would be pretty amazing.
I hope the new buyer will continue to care for this car and keep it original as the first family. It take a lot of dedication to keep a car this nice for so long. Truly a labor of love.
That is a beautiful “SS” and I don’t recall seeing too many ’66 factory 4-speeds. I read somewhere that the 325 HP motor was well underrated like most motors of the day.
There is something special about a “big car” going fast!
If it were my family, they would keep it out of respect. Blood is more important than money.
I tend to agree, but we don’t know the circumstances here. Hopefully the new owners with continue with the same TLC the original family gave this beautiful car.
It’s a beauty! But it’s an Impala Super Sport with a 396 v8. There was never an SS396 Impala. Just saying.
I agree, I think this was described as an Impala SS with a 396 engine. The SS396 designation wasn’t available in the Impala, in the Chevelle but not in the Impala.
This color was big on ’66. This car is how I remember GM in ’66. It’s big iron with a big engine in a great color and yearly tail light change.
I had a ’66 Aztec Bronze Corvair. It was a beautiful color!
Selling this 55-year-old ‘family heirloom’ is like putting your firstborn up for adoption.
The window sticker says 325 hp turbo jet
I had a ’67 Impala SS 396 4sp red w/blk int bought it from orig owner low miles!
In 1966 you could order the 327, 350 or the 396 in the Impala.
I had a 327 in my 66 Impala convertable.
No 350s in 66. 67 first year, and only on Camaro.
Ordered my 1966 Impala with the 396 and 4speed, Silver with Black interior, brand new, not an SS, Fremont CA early 1966, $3200.00 out the door !
No A/C? No good here in Rexas!
Since when did they make a 350 in 1966? Must have meant 283? They also came with a 6 cyl. 235?
I can’t remember to many people ordering their cars. Most went around looking for something close to what they wanted. Most cars were what was on the lot and not as much as ordered. I lived around the corner from G.M. and watch GTO Judges and S.S. come off the line and was told by workers that so many went to dealers with 4sp. so many auto’s unless the dealer ask for more 4sp. over auto’s Color’s were what they had spraying for that batch of cars. Unless the workers were just telling me stories and, not so much the truth.
Most folks didn’t order their cars ‘cuz when they went to the dealer, they wanted immediate gratification and took what they could get that was close. Of course, many buyers weren’t that particular either. I chose the other path, and ordered several new Chevys to MY specs. Usually took about a month, but that way I didn’t buy what someone else decided to build. I spec’d my cars with tilt wheels and posi, and neither were common options on cars ‘on the lot’. Even by 1970, a lot of stock cars were ordered w/out AC as well. Nowadays, it’s a totally different story. You can’t go through the order books and get just what you want as far as options and accys as most are now sold in groups or packages.
For some reason most of Adams write ups have him assuming the car was ordered by the customer and chose all the right options, when , as you said , few cars were and still are , special ordered. That being said , he does a great job and I enjoy his posts !
I didn’t see on here how many miles on on this Impala ??
Vinnie…42,185 miles