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Solid SS: 1966 Chevrolet Impala SS

This Regal Red 1966 Chevrolet Impala SS might be looking a bit tired, but the owner claims that the body is in great shape. If this is true, then this is a car that would represent a solid foundation for a restoration project. It is located in Pacific, Missouri, and is listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set a BIN of $6,000 for the Impala, but the option is there to make an offer.

There is only one full shot of the Impala, and it does show a lot of promise. The lower fender, the rocker, and the quarter panel that we can see all look to be nice and solid. Similarly, there are no signs of rust around the rear window, which is all mighty encouraging. I really would love to get a look underneath the car, and also get it indoors pretty quickly. Where it currently sits is not conducive to the floors staying solid, so I can see exactly why the owner is so keen for someone to buy the Impala and get it under decent cover as soon as possible.

The owner of the Impala readily acknowledges the fact that the car’s interior is going to require complete restoration. Apart from the headliner and carpet that have been removed, the interior is said to be complete. Some people find the red on red color scheme to be a bit overwhelming, but I think that it has the potential to look pretty trick in a car like this. We get no photos of the engine, but do know that it is the original 327ci V8 and that the transmission is a 3-speed manual. We also don’t know what shape the engine is in, but unless it is really badly locked, it might be able to be revived without much effort. I look at the overall condition of the car, and especially the apparent lack of rust, as encouraging. This tends to indicate that the car has been sitting in a reasonably friendly environment, which would minimize the chances that the engine is rusted solid.

If this 1966 Impala SS is as solid as the owner claims, then it really does have the makings of a great project car. The paint looks tired and it wears its share of minor dings, but at least the next owner isn’t facing the prospect of working overtime with the grinder and welder. What I would really love would be for one of our faithful Barn Finds readers to buy the car, and give us plenty of progress reports on how the restoration is proceeding. Do we have any takers?

Comments

  1. Avatar Dave Member

    Me being originally from Missouri, “lack of rust” is a miracle.

    Like 15
  2. Avatar art

    The mold/mildew seen inside is worrisome.
    Maybe it is not too bad and the car can be saved but as mentioned, sitting on damp ground is just nasty for a car. Our neighbor bought a new1966 Impala coupe, Aztec Bronze with black interior. Nice looking car that eventually met its demise via Ohio’s salted roads but personally, like the 1965’s more. BTW, are those California Black plates on the back? If so, there might be a chance the car is better than we suspect.

    Like 3
    • Avatar Gary Lewis

      Maybe, but there is a badge that states Hawkeye, Newton that appears to be from a dealer in Iowa. There’s also a Newton in Massachusetts

      Like 0
    • Avatar local_sheriff

      I suspect there’s a chance those Cali plates have been put there to give us some hopes…if the dealer plaque on the trunk is where this car sold new it is out of Iowa

      Like 2
    • Avatar Ted

      You nailed that one Art, that would be my concern as well. As we all know these cars can rot horribly in the back half of the frames and with this thing laying on top of a wet rag for how many years I’m guessing this thing is garbage. Pic of a hubcap and the steering wheel, but nothing of the carpets, floor pans, rockers or the bottom. Hmmm………………caveat emptor boys and girls………….

      Like 0
  3. Avatar JW454

    This one wins the award for the worst pictures in a advertisement so far today. Also, the hubcap is for a 1966 Malibu. At 6K I think he’s dreaming.

    Like 4
    • Avatar Superdessucke

      At 6k he might be selling himself short. This is 2019. We’ll see if it sells. I bet it does.

      Like 6
      • Avatar JW454

        You may be right. All he has to do is find someone willing to sink 50K in a car worth 25K.

        Like 3
      • Avatar Superdessucke

        Currently. The better question is what’ll it be worth when he’s done sinking the 50k into it?

        Like 0
      • Avatar JW454

        As I said, 25K… maybe 30K.

        Like 1
      • Avatar Superdessucke

        That’s in today’s value. So unless the buyer can finish it in the next few months that’s irrelevant. I fear we’re going to see a pretty big correction in the not-so-distant future. So if he finishes up after that correction he’s going to be in for a rude awakening.

        Like 2
  4. Avatar local_sheriff

    Personally I’m not a fan of the 66 ‘pala, too many typical ‘pala features are deleted in this vintage. However I know many people like them for its fastback roofline. Being a stick car and (probably)an SS ought to ignite some interest.

    Also, as Dave mentions, a not crusty car out of MO is a surprise. From personal experience I know it’s not the best place to pick a car from

    Like 0
    • Avatar Scott Johnson

      Stick car – 3 speed column shift doesn’t hold the same appeal as the floor shifted 4 speed cars.

      Like 1
      • Avatar local_sheriff

        That is certainly correct Scott – however being a stick car already makes the conversion to 4spd alot easier than starting out with an auto car

        Like 1
  5. Avatar Classic Steel

    One of the best field cars for the week .

    If one wants six grand then pictures of frame and underside along with grabbing some
    409 and cleaning mold up. The outside too !
    How about dragging to the driveway on concrete while selling this field of dreams for six grand?

    65 models to me and 64 are my faves ….

    Like 2
  6. Avatar Barney

    This was at one time an Iowa car. Hawky Motors, Newton Iowa. Not a California car most likely

    Like 2
    • Avatar Steve R

      The plate on the car is a late issue, probably 1968 or 1969. They may not even be from this car. I’d ask to see old California registration paperwork or pink slip, that should say when the car was first registered in state.

      Steve R

      Like 0
  7. Avatar PRA4SNW

    What is so “Super Sport” about a 3 on the tree? I figured that they would have come with a floor shifter.

    Like 2
    • Avatar local_sheriff

      I’ve discussed that with several people before, many of them even claiming Impala Super Sports never sold with a 3spd manual. The vast majority of Impala SS customers would opt for either the PG or 4spd which would have floor shifters for added ‘sportiness’.
      However the SS package was really more of an appearance package. Though 3 on the tree doesn’t make for fast shifts, this is how an SS would be unless you checked some boxes.

      Like 4
      • Avatar Superdessucke

        I believe you could even get ’em with the 250 straight 6. It was a pure trim package in these years.

        Like 2
      • Avatar local_sheriff

        Superdessucke; I cannot tell that for sure about the ’66 as I’m more into X-frame Impalas, but I’d actually be surprised if one couldn’t. However I do have photo documentation of 62-4 SS Impalas(so far no ’61) featuring factory I-6 and they do pop up for sale occasionally

        Like 0
  8. Avatar r s

    This listing – and on Ebay – is one of the worst, most incomplete, worthless car ads I have ever seen. Not on picture of the interior, engine or trunk?? No mention of bucket seats?

    My neighbor when I was a kid had a 65 Impala SS, it was only a 6 but it had buckets and a console. I don’t think there is anything at all SS here.

    Like 2
  9. Avatar GeneB

    My neighbor had a green 65 SS in high school, white interior, beautiful…4 speed console…wow. I had 7x 62 Impala’s, coupes and verts, those and the 65 are my favs
    this one doesn’t turn me on, is it really an SS?

    Like 1
  10. Avatar Sal

    I realize that sometimes patina can be a selling point to a certain crowd. But being dirty only hurts this car’s value.

    How do you not have time to wash a car before taking pictures of it? Were the bride and groom waiting around while you borrowed the photographer’s camera?

    I’ve heard that said about the Nova’s as well, that the SS had nothing to do with engine/trans choices.

    Regardless.. its a sharp looking design.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Tom Member

      Sal, good post.

      Patina. Probably one of the most incorrectly used words in our classic car hobby.

      It is like a new car dealer saying the “new car” was a demo….implying “demonstrator” ….when if you know anything about car dealers and the guys driving the “demos” is more in line with being short for “demolition”!

      The way I see the word “Patina”, is the word for something that has been used respectfully or is of an age that it is showing its “use” not “abuse”….better said, neglect. Patina is something that is understood because it is getting older and you have been using it and it has not been restored.

      Abuse and neglect are just that, not “Patina”.

      Like 1
  11. Avatar Terry

    A lot of people are into the 65/66 Chevy’s, so yeah, he’ll probably get his money. If this was a PG car, I’d doubt he’d catch someone as easy. The car being a stick is what sells this one!

    Like 1

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