Vehicle Description
Looking for some Chevy V8 power with a slightly unusual twist? How
about this sleek 1966 Chevrolet Impala hardtop, which offers a 283
cubic inch V8, an unusual color combination, and an awesome stance?
Still one of the best-looking designs of the mid-60s, the big Imp
delivers a grown-up muscle car experience that's just a little
different from all the Camaros and Chevelles out there.
The color is pretty close to the original code T Sandalwood Tan,
which looks fantastic on the big Impala coupe. Thanks to a respray
a few years ago, it looks very good with an understated elegance
that belies the performance car living within. Good gaps and smooth
quarter panels (which are among the largest ever created) make it
look like it should cost thousands more than it does, and you could
have a professional body shop hit it with a color sand and buff to
really make it pop. It's not perfect, but it looks so good going
down the road nobody will care. Coming from the warm, dry south
certainly helps and this car wears all its original sheetmetal,
which is always reassuring. Original emblems look pretty good
against the paint and both the bumpers appear to be original as
well. 1966 saw the Caprice replace the Impala as Chevy's
top-of-the-line, but the Impala never lost the triple-taillights
that were a styling feature from the very beginning, so it's easy
to spot a mile away.
The attractive bench seat interior is stylish and comfortable, and
it appears that most of it is original equipment. The seat covers
show some wear and use, including some very small tears, but our
advice is to leave it alone and enjoy the car. There's just enough
brightwork inside to remind you that this is a high-end Chevy not a
rental-grade beater, and the ornate steering wheel combines popular
features from previous years to give it a unique look. The linear
instrument panel covers only the basics, with a wide speedo and a
fuel gauge on the end, with the auxiliary controls in a bright band
of trim just underneath. The factory AM radio is gone, replaced by
a digital AM/FM unit, suggesting that the builder had a dedication
to getting it right and there are rubber mats on the floor that
look like they were born there. And given all that sheetmetal, it
shouldn't be a surprise that the trunk is massive, and even with a
full-sized spare tire, there's room for, well, just about
everything.
The engine is a 283 cubic inch Turbo Fire V8, which was a few steps
up from the base six and delivers the kind of reliable V8 torque
that you'd expect. Recently and correctly detailed, it runs
smoothly enough to pass muster in this luxury liner and looks ready
for show. Chevy Orange paint, a factory air cleaner, and none of
the usual modifications are more proof that the last owner cared
about getting this one right. Correct GM decals, finishes, and a
big radiator are the little things that make an engine compartment
look authentic, and you could take it up a notch with just a little
bit of elbow grease. The 2-speed PowerGlide automatic transmission
is a familiar find in a car like this, and is backed by a 10-bolt
rear end with highway-friendly gears inside. A dual exhaust system
with glasspack-style mufflers gives it a polite burble that's
exactly right, and the suspension neatly balances comfort and an
awesome stance. It sits on ultra-cool Boyd Coddington wheels with
245/40/18 performance tires.
A neat combination of originality and light modifications with no
hidden secrets this Impala represents a lot of style for not a lot
of cash. Why not own something that stands out without making a lot
of fuss? Call today!