1966 Chevrolet Impala SS

Description

For some people, "muscle car" means a big car with a lot of firepower, and this 1966 Chevrolet Impala SS hardtop would certainly qualify. Bright Aztec Bronze paint, a wicked stance, and flashy 'Old Style' wheels mean you won't be sneaking around much in this beauty, and the fuel-injected 454 cubic inch V8 crate motor under the hood, the TKO600 5-speed manual gearbox managing the gears, and the upgraded sports suspension underneath all make sure that this big car can deliver on its brilliant good looks. This Impala represents a lot of style, performance, and value for the money, and if history has taught us anything, deals like this never last long.

Originally Code MM Aztec Bronze, this big-bodied bruiser still wears its original shade with tremendous pride after a high-end, professional respray completed back in 2011. This must have been a pretty straight car to begin with, because those giant quarter panels just don't turn out this well if they need a lot of bodywork and the crease that runs from nose to tail is sharp enough to give you a paper cut. There's a lot of depth and gloss to the finish, suggesting quality materials (non-primary color paints are particularly expensive) and careful prep were of paramount importance to the builders. They refrained from making it something other than it is, so no stripes, custom hood, or silly graphics were used during the restoration, and the parts that did go back on were carefully polished or replaced if there was a need. The result is a dialed-in, top-end driver-quality rig with big curb appeal that gathers more 'smiles-for-miles' than just about any big Chevy coupe out there. The '66s are particularly appealing to hobbyists for their redesigned taillights, which replaced the round taillights of old and sparked a new era for the Impala. Those giant chrome bumpers fore and aft are in great shape, as is the glistening, ornate front grille, and the spear molding that runs the length of the profile breaks up the paint just enough, matching the look of the thin rocker panel molding below.

We really love the complementing black interior, with sporty bucket seats, a factory center console, and enough room for the entire family. The vinyl upholstery on the seats has held up very well, with only minor comfort marks to report (hardly a demerit), while the cloth inserts up front add a little durability to the high-traffic areas. Black door panels at the flanks continue the pattern, the black headliner above is stretched taut, and although the carpets show some wear and are slightly faded in some areas, they still do a great job insulating the cabin from the outside world. The original dash has a couple imperfections on the steel part down below, but it does have a newer reproduction pad up top that looks great, and it also includes an upgraded, leather-wrapped SS-style steering wheel and some bright aluminum accents that really pop. Factory gauges ahead of the driver look great inside the deeply recessed bezel, and they're augmented by a set of four auxiliary units in the center stack – much like in a sporty Camaro. The center console is a very desirable piece, and it's highlighted with shiny brightwork, brushed aluminum, and a carbon-fiber style applique that really dress it up, while it also houses a chrome Hurst shifter topped with an 8-ball knob that controls the 5-speed manual gearbox below. Options include an upgraded Classic Auto Air A/C system that uses stock controls and aftermarket vents installed under the dash, a RetroSound AM/FM/AUX stereo that powers upgraded speakers stashed throughout the cabin, cruise control, seatbelts, power locks, and LED interior lighting in the footwells that brightens things up inside. The back seat looks to have been rarely used and might even be original, while out back the massive trunk was covered in spatter-paint, protected with a carpeted mat, and houses a spare tire and jack set.

Under the hood, the original 327 was dumped in favor of a thumping, GM 454 V8 crate engine that's fed through a Mass-Flow EFI with point injection system. The big block provides a massive boost in power and torque, and it pulls the car with great aplomb, far better than the original small block could even imagine. It's obvious things aren't stock under the hood and the long-tube cold air intake system is the biggest giveaway, but with Chevy Orange enamel on the block and valve covers, it hasn't completely forgotten its roots. Other upgrades include a swapped-in Ford ECU, Mallory HEI distributor, and heatshield-wrapped Hooker long-tube headers that feed into a throaty X-pipe dual exhaust system that sounds terrific. Upgraded power steering from Classic Industries (including a Saginaw steering gear box), power 4-wheel disc brakes with drilled and slotted rotors, and a giant BeCool aluminum radiator with electric fans have prepared this Imp for the modern road, while the Tremec TKO600 5-speed manual transmission shifts smoothly and spins a heavy-duty 12-bolt, 3.73-geared posi-traction rear end out back. The suspension was beefed up to handle the big body, with a Global West tubular front clip with added coilovers, Hotchkis swaybars fore and aft, and adjustable air-shocks, air-bagged coil springs, and a trailing arm in the rear. 'Old Style' alloys look great on just about any classic, but they really shine on this Impala when paired with 215/75/15 front and 245/60/15 rear BFGoodrich T/A white-letter radials.

This Impala SS represents a ton of fun for not a lot of scratch, all wrapped in a slick, big-block package that would easily cost thousands more to replicate. Isn't it finally time for you to get in the game in a really BIG way? Call today!