The owner of this 1966 Chevrolet Impala states that it is fully restored and 100%, and when you examine its overall condition, it is hard to argue with their assessment. It presents beautifully and would seem to need nothing beyond a new home and an owner who will lavish it with care and respect. However, as you will see, it is also something of a mystery machine. Located in Mount Sinai, New York, you will find the Impala listed for sale here on eBay. The bidding has reached $34,100, which takes it beyond the reserve.

Finished in Lemonwood Yellow, it is hard to find anything about this Impala’s appearance to criticize. It isn’t clear when it received its restoration, but its overall appearance suggests that it has been treated with ongoing respect since the builder put down the tools for the final time. The paint holds a beautiful shine, and like the panels it cloaks, there are no visible marks or defects. The seller claims that the car is rust-free, and the lack of visible exterior flaws and surface corrosion across other areas of the vehicle seems to support the claim. The chrome shines as impressively as the paint, as does the remaining exterior trim. The glass is flawless, and the color-keyed wide Rally wheels add a purposeful finishing touch to the exterior.

The positive vibes continue when we open the doors and survey this Impala’s interior. It is upholstered in Black vinyl, and while the supplied photos are limited, they indicate no signs of wear or physical damage. The carpet is as nice as the upholstery, while the dash and pad are perfect. The wood-rim wheel isn’t original, but it suits a classy car like this Impala. An aftermarket gauge cluster is mounted under the dash, and speakers mounted in the rear parcel tray suggest there might be a hidden stereo. However, the factory AM radio helps maintain a virtually stock interior appearance.

I previously mentioned that this Impala is a mystery machine, and we’ve reached the point of discussing that aspect of the car. The VIN indicates that the vehicle rolled off the production line equipped with a V8, and the badges on the front fenders state that it was a 327ci. However, the seller doesn’t mention whether the car is numbers-matching or whether a different Chevy small-block now calls this car home. When it was new, the 327 would have produced 275hp, and with this car featuring a four-speed manual transmission, it would have roared through the ¼ mile in a neat 16 seconds. If this is the original motor (which I have some major doubts about), it may produce a few extra ponies. I can spot a few upgrades, including headers, along with a different intake and carburetor. Considering the increased performance potential, one sensible change was the builder’s decision to update the brakes to power front discs. For potential buyers, this Impala is a turnkey classic. It runs and drives well and is ready to be enjoyed by its lucky new owner.

The overall impression of this 1966 Impala is that it is close to perfect and would suit a discerning buyer. Apart from the mystery surrounding the capacity of its V8, the car seems to hold no surprises for potential buyers. The auction action hasn’t been as intense as I might have expected, with only ten bids submitted at the time of writing. The situation may change as the listing draws to a close, so this could be one worth watching.