If you’ve been looking for a big 60s two-door to drive and cruise, this 1966 Chevy Impala SS could be your ticket. It’s available here on eBay $20,000, certainly a reasonable number. That’s a buy-it-now price, by the way, not the starting point of an auction. It lives at the moment in Wooster, Ohio. The tip on this one came from frequent contributor Larry D.
In the full-sized Impala, from 1964-67, the Super Sport was a separate model designation. It had its own VIN prefix, so you can verify the SS claim. This is something you’d want to do prior to committing to this buy, it would seem obvious.
This SS is said to come with its original 396-CID engine, at least if “this is a numbers matching car” means what it usually does. What’s even better is that that engine is backed up by a manual transmission. The mileage listed is 53,000, and the car runs and drives, recently making a jaunt around town with the current owner. However, the engine block, heads, and valve covers appear too red to be authentic as factory installed. I’m not saying that I expect an untouched mill, just noting that recently, someone has painted these components. What to make of this? Dunno—but when things look out of phase, you’d better be on the phone asking some questions. Maybe this was just a local show detailing. It wouldn’t seem likely to be from the restoration done twenty years ago. Barnfinders can play with this idea in the comments.
As for the car’s overall condition, the paint is a couple of decades old and shows its flaws if you look closely, according to the seller. It looks decent as far as condition goes (but see below about the color), and inside the trunk and underneath, things are tidy. This Impala could be driven now, or you could turn it into a more valuable car with an under-hood detail and some work on the interior. Meanwhile, the paint, while it’s probably serviceable, doesn’t have an authentic look (too shiny? Not the right blue?), though it’s not unattractive. However, a strip and re-do, unless you can do it yourself, is going to put you in the red should you decide to flip this car. Better just to drive and enjoy, but watch yourself: The current owner says the Impala is worth way more than he’s asking, and that makes the antennae go up—didn’t our dads say that there’s nothing real that’s too good to be true? Why is this car not priced higher? Having someone qualified to take a peek before you make the drop of $20 large would be good for your peace of mind.
Of course, if you are dropping 20 large for this beauty, you need to do a complete appraisal. The Fresh undercoat or bedliner is scary, although the one shot of the frame looks ok, every inch of the frame needs scrutiny. The rattle can job on the mill makes one wonder. Other than that this is one cool short. Blast thru the gears with that big block and 4 speed, oh baby. Good luck and happy motoring. This is an example of the glory days of American cars.
Cheers
GPC
If this is genuine, a real 1966 Impala SS, with its original 396 and 4 speed stick, with 53k miles, for $20k is a rare bargain in a market that’s been beyond insane for the past couple of years. As @gaspumpchas said, look closely, bring a screwdriver and magnet to make sure it’s not more Bondo than metal. At that startlingly reasonable price I’d be more concerned that it’s a bona fide deal and not some attempt at a scam or a hot car. If it’s real, grab it and cruise the daylights out of it. I’m surprised it’s still available.
I was discharged from the Marines in May of ’66, looking for a Chevelle 396 and came across an Impala SS with 9,000 miles being sold by the parents of some poor dude who was just drafted and on his way to ‘Nam. Equipped exactly like this one in a deep turquoise, I paid $2600.
I have the same vibes why is this too good to be true ?
No VIN listed.
Is it a 168376 VIN or something else. Something like 164376 means it started life as a non SS car.
No pics of the differential, is it a 12 bolt? or 10 bolt?
“Too good to be true??”
Why do I sense a scam here?
Aged (over 1 yr) feedback indicates most of the sales were clothing. Couple of negative “did not ship” comments leaves me cold. Pass this one by…..
If it is too good to be true, it …….. buyer beware of rotted GM metal more than 50 years old. These cars rotted out by 1976.
sold!
To good to be true? Found a car on the internet last week. Great pictures and description, fantastic price, few hours away in Denver. But wait, cars not in Denver but in a warehouse in P.A.. Not to worry, free shipping, free return shipping if not satisfied, payment not processed tell after title transfer ect, ect. Surprise, when I asked where and when it could be check out by professional inspector I didn’t hear from the seller again! To good to be true!!