Photo: eBay seller bellas*thriftstore*
By 1966, the Chevrolet Impala was already dominating the large-car segment and American car sales, so the GM brand made changes that were expected to help the series grow and, over time, achieve more success.
The Caprice was promoted to an independent series and, despite good sales of the new model, it also had a negative impact on the Impala's performance.
Chevrolet sold 2.2 million cars in 1966, and the full-size lineup again led the way with about 1.5 million units. The Caprice accounted for 181,000 cars, while the Super Sport, still offered as an independent series, reached 119,000 units.
The 1966 Impala in these photos has an intriguing appearance that leaves many unanswered questions but, as one reader suggested, it looks like a great everyday car at a reasonable price.
This Impala is a Florida car that still runs and drives, but it needs some brake work before it can be fully back on the road. However, it is unclear if this car has ever been restored, although I am fairly certain it has. It looks too good for a 1966 Impala, and the asking price suggests that it is no longer original and that the restoration was not necessarily a professional job.
Rust is not a problem for this Impala (since only the metal surface appears to be damaged), but the non-functioning air conditioning should be. You can only drive and enjoy this Impala on cold days, since the air conditioning blows warm air. However, eBay seller bellas*thriftstore* does not disclose how easy it is to repair, but a good mechanic should be able to decipher everything fairly easily.
The odometer reads 80,000 miles, but the owner admits the mileage cannot be verified.
The engine responsible for powering the wheels is a 283. This was the base engine in 1966, producing 195 horsepower in standard trim. The other base option was a six-cylinder unit with 155 horsepower, while the top choice was the L72 427 big block with 425 horsepower. It was a substantial upgrade, priced at $312, and it fit the Super Sport like a glove.
Most SS buyers, however, appreciated the evolved version of the 396, now available as the 427 with 390 horsepower.
This Impala needs only a little maintenance to get back on the road in tip-top condition, and if you’re not interested in a 100% original, unrestored car, this example may be the right choice for an everyday driver that will turn heads.
The owner is willing to let it go for $13,850, but I think you could get it for a little less since they also enabled a Make Offer option on eBay. The auction site says 24 people have added the car to their watchlist, and if you don’t want to waste your time, you can see it in person in Freehold, New Jersey.