Vehicle Description
There's no question that the popularity and values on the desirable
1966 Chevrolet Impalas have gone up, but that only means that now
is the time to put one in your garage. And sitting right in the fat
part of the affordability-versus-condition curve is this handsome
4-door hardtop, featuring low 'believed-actual' miles on the body,
a strong-running 283 V8, and a classic White-over-Red color
combination that is perfectly befitting a car of this vintage.
Ermine White was a popular color in the '60s, and it's the right
choice for a big sedan like this that's not trying to be too
flashy. If you're going to ante up for Chevy's top-of-the-line
personal luxury sedan with a performance streak, a light color
delivers a combination of presence and elegance that's tough to
beat. And at a cruise-in where everyone else's Impala will be red
or black, this one always stands out. Fortunately, this Imp has
clearly lived an easy life by the looks of the sheetmetal, and with
a believed actual mileage of just over 36K, it's obvious it was
only driven on special occasions. It is a survivor finish though,
so there's some light patina and minor surface rust to consider,
but the finish still has a soft shine overall and certainly looks
great for a 55-year-old car. Bottom line, it's a very solid driver
quality presentation that is a definite head turner everywhere it
goes, and it proudly where's the "It's only original once" moniker.
The sheetmetal is still straight, with good gaps and body lines
that tell a story of a car that's likely never been in an accident,
and even the doors have that 'factory flush' shut to them, which is
a big deal when you have four of them. All the correct brightwork
and trim is still intact and in decent shape, including the spear
molding on the profiles, as well as the all-important badges on the
front fenders and decklid. The window trim, front grille, and
massive chrome bumpers are all original too, and they still shine
up great, bearing in mind again that this sedan is now over half a
century old.
All Chevrolet Impala models got good-looking interiors, and the red
vinyl-and-cloth upholstery inside is certainly long on style as
well as comfort. Much like the exterior, this one is largely
original, and once again when you consider the age of the vehicle
the cabin is pretty darn impressive. The front bench seat cover was
replaced at some point since it's all-vinyl, whereas the rear seat
cover, door panels, headliner, and plush red carpets are all
original Code 847 red cloth-and-vinyl spec. Most of the soft stuff
is in great shape, and even though there are some signs of use,
we'd have to think that a few minor repairs and a professional
detail of this entire car would really kick things up a notch. The
stylish original steering wheel with its two-spoke, dual ring
design anchors the cabin dramatically, and the original dash with
bright red paint and aluminum panels is a wonderful complement of
the exterior theme. The wide instrument panel shows crisp markings
on the gauges, a retro-style AM/FM/AUX stereo was installed in the
factory slot, and the factory A/C system is still in place,
although it could use a R134a refrigerant charge (it has been
converted) to blow cold again. Open the big trunk lid and you'll
find a solid set of original floors with nothing to hide, and a
full-sized jack set and spare tire up on its own little shelf in
the back.
The 283 V8 under the hood may very well be the car's original, but
it's been covered with years of dirt and grime so pulling a VIN
stamp has proved difficult. It is correctly coded with a GF suffix
code, and it remains completely stock and presented in an honest
way that's completely commensurate with mileage and age. There are
still some remnants of the original Chevy Orange enamel on the
block and valve covers, the ram's horn exhaust manifolds are in
great shape, and the black snorkeled air cleaner is likely the
original piece as well. Despite the survivor presentation, there
are signs of maintenance and service throughout, including a newer
alternator, upgraded connections for the A/C system, and neatly
organized plumbing and electrical systems. As you might expect, the
underside is very original and in very good condition as well, with
lightly undercoated floors that have nothing to hide. The 2-speed
PowerGlide automatic transmission feeds the original 10-bolt rear
end, which carries highway-friendly rear gears so it's a fantastic
cruiser, especially with the help of power steering. Original cars
just drive better, and this car's suspension ignores bumps with
nary a squeak or rattle coming from underneath. Wire hubcaps and
spinner adorn the steel wheels and are wrapped with 205/75/14
blackwall radials all around to complete the look.
So, forget investments and instead focus on the fun you could be
having with this lovely Impala. It's not perfect, but there's a ton
of potential here that could really pay off for the right person.
Call today!
