Two years after it smiled in front of the audience as a concept, Impala was promoted to a production model as the top-of-the-line 1958 Bel Air version. The early success of the car convinced Chevy to start selling it separately, beginning with the 1959 model year.
As such, the company believed the whole thing would also work for Caprice. After Impala sold more than 1 million units in 1965, the series waved goodbye to Caprice, as this model tried to make a name for itself under its own brand.
Sure enough, Impala continued to be a head-turning machine. This 1966 convertible is here to prove this, as it’s a true SS that still flexes the original matching-numbers V8 and the typical issues.
Let’s start with the bad news. An amateurish repaint performed many years ago shows its flaws, but the original paint is still visible on the driver’s door.
The good news starts with the 327 (5.3-liter) matching-numbers V8. Given the Impala was parked in the late ’90s, the engine no longer runs. However, it does turn over by hand, so in theory, bringing it back to life is totally doable. The engine is paired with an automatic transmission.
It’s not hard to figure out where this is going. The SS would make for a great survivor should someone have the time, resources, and skills to restore it.
On the other hand, it’s not a secret that such a project isn’t necessarily aimed at inexperienced restorers, as a car like this isn’t only a rare find but also an icon that could be worth a small fortune.
The battle to take it home already appears to be rather fierce. The auction started on eBay by seller cashbabywayno1 received ten bids so far, with the top offer surpassing the $5,000 threshold.
No reserve is in place, which means that whoever sends the top bid will take the Impala home. The car is parked in Assonet, Massachusetts, and will need towing.
