BIG BLOCK 396CI POWER, 4 SPEED MANUAL, POWER CONVERTIBLE TOP, NICE IMPALA!

1966 Chevrolet Impala Description

There are cool cars and then there are truly great cars. Any Impala convertible is a cool car, but this 1966 Impala convertible offers all the upgraded features that Impala fans love, ranging from the 396 cubic inch big block to the 4-speed gearbox to the bucket seat interior. Starting out with a very solid car, this Impala received a comprehensive repaint just a few years ago. Finished in Regal red in place of the original Tuxedo Black, it's a classic high performance look that works well with the horsepower that lies beneath. It's no easy task getting massive quarter panels straight, but it helps when you start with a clean, unmolested original car and the results speak for themselves. The paint is two-stage urethane with a great shine, and while it shows some signs of age and use, there's no getting around the fact that this much bright red sheetmetal is impossible to ignore. GM was slowly getting over their chrome addiction, but there's still plenty of brightwork on this SS, all of which is in excellent condition. From the brightly plated bumpers to the stainless rub strips that accent the side profile, to all the correct 'Super Sport' and '396' badges, the detailing on this car is extremely well done. Yes, we know it's not a real SS but we also know that you love the street cred those two letters give any Chevy from the '60s.Bucket seats were a relatively rare option on Impalas in 1966, but like a real SS, they're intact and sitting astride a center console. The seat covers, door panels, carpets, and dash pad are all in great condition, not perfect and new, but just about right for a car that's going to get driven a lot. A bright aluminum strip along the lower half of the dash houses the secondary controls, while a trio of gauges are mounted just above the console. Factory gauges cover the basics and are in original condition, so they're a little faded but still functional (except the clock, which is typical) and there's a later AM/FM/cassette stereo head unit in the center of the dash. The black power convertible top offers a crystal clear rear window and on a big car like this, the power assist is really nice to have. There's also a snug-fitting black boot to make it look finished when the top is down. And as you'd expect from a full-sized car like this, the trunk is massive and includes a full-sized spare tire assembly and a correct mat.Power comes from a correct, but non-numbers-matching 396 cubic inch big block that has been fully rebuilt to stock specs and dressed as it would have been from the factory. A few upgrades add some horsepower, including the Holley 4-barrel carburetor and the throaty dual exhaust system. On the other hand, it seems they were aiming for an OEM look and feel, so it still uses cast iron exhaust manifolds and a factory intake manifold. Chevy Orange paint really pops against the satin black inner fenders, and bright chrome on the valve covers were a big block SS trademark for years. The 4-speed manual slices through the gears easily, and spins a 12-bolt rear, which strongly suggests that this was a big block car from the start. It rides on flashy Torque Thrust wheels, which wear 235/60/15 black wall radials for a brute force look.Full-sized luxury performance was the Impala's specialty, and if you enjoy the feel of a big, effortless cruiser with endless torque, this amazing Impala ragtop deserves a closer look. Call today!