Chevrolet Impala’s popularity reached new heights in 1965 when it became the first nameplate in the U.S. to sell more than 1 million units in a single year.
The achievement was even more remarkable considering it took place only seven years after the Impala came to be – Chevy originally launched the car as the top Bel Air version in 1958.
The following years brought a gradual decline in yearly sales, not necessarily because Impala was losing its customer appeal (because it was, but not at such a fast pace) but due to changes in the lineup. In 1966, for example, Chevrolet decided to make Caprice a series of its own after previously offering it as an Impala version (the strategy looked a lot like the one used for Impala, though it wasn’t by any means as successful).
The SS continued to spearhead Impala’s ambitions in the performance market, and the 1966 convertible I recently discovered on eBay proves exactly why.
Despite coming in a rough shape, the car still seems to check many boxes for a solid restoration candidate, including in the engine department.
The 327 (5.3-liter) under the hood is original, so if you plan to restore the car to factory specifications, the V8 is a good place to start. Sure, the engine not running doesn’t help, but it’s unclear if it’s at least turning over or not.
The car looks like it’s been sitting for a very long time, so it’d inspect every little metal piece thoroughly, especially as the rust has already invaded the undersides. At first glance, I’d say new floors and a trunk pan are absolutely needed, as regular patching is unlikely to help, given the damage.
The good news is that most parts seem to be there, including the seats, the trim, the center console, and everything else. This suggests the Impala never served as a donor vehicle.
Without a doubt, a 1966 SS convertible is a desirable project, obviously not in such a rough condition, but it’s still an intriguing restoration candidate at the right price. On the other hand, eBay seller mcknight944 isn’t willing to sell the car for cheap, and I believe this could be quite a roadblock for this Impala’s dream of returning to the road one day. The asking price is $7,000, and no other offers are accepted. Unless someone is willing to pay that much, the convertible stays where it is – it’s parked in Atlanta, Georgia, and this is where you can also see it in person.
Given the engine is no longer running, the car must be towed. At this point, it’s already on a trailer, but reach out to the seller for additional information