Frame Off Restored in Factory Colors, 396 Big Block V8, Auto, Runs/Drives Great!

This 1966 Chevrolet Impala convertible is one of those cars where the more you look, the more impressive it becomes. How impressive? How about a dialed-in 396 big block V8 under the hood? How about a thorough restoration to original specs with an unusual yet killer color combination? How about a solid set of options? Yeah, it just keeps getting cooler.

We'll get to the powerful 396 V8 in a moment, but is there any car that better qualifies for the term "sleeper" than this big green ragtop? Luxurious, sure, but nobody's going to expect all those thundering horses under the hood, and that was probably the original owner's intention. The Tropic Turquoise paint was refinished with the rest of the car not long ago and while it's a bit unusual, the shine is spectacular and the metal underneath is very straight, which is highly impressive on a droptop with this much real estate. As a life-long car of leisure, this wasn't some ragged out ragtop before it was restored, and the quality of the work is visible everywhere you look on this lovely car. Gaps are tight, the panels line up as they should, and details are sharp, all hallmarks of craftsmen who excel at their work. The big chrome grille and matching bumpers shine bright up against the green finish and except for the crossed flag emblems on the front fenders, it doesn't do much advertising that it's one of the baddest of the bad when it comes to full-sized luxury.

Like they say, if the green is for the money, well, the gold is for the honey. One of the car's more unusual aspects is the Fawn gold interior, which is original spec code 859 according to the cowl tag. Like most long convertibles, it's a bench seat car with a column-shifted automatic transmission, which emphasizes this Impala's cruiser roots. As well-restored as the rest of the car, the interior is eyeball-popping at first glance and delightful in the details. Correct materials and patterns are on the seats, door panels, and carpets, and the factory gauges are still in place, augmented with a trio of aftermarket units underneath to help keep an eye on the engine's vitals. Options include Power steering and power brakes, and power windows, but the best option of all may be the factory A/C, although it will need some service to get it back to tip-top shape. It also carries a relatively rare factory AM/FM radio in the dash, but unfortunately, it too is not currently in working order. The power convertible top is a vinyl unit in good shape and the color works great with the Tropic Turquoise finish and Fawn interior.

But the real reason this car is such a killer find is under the hood, where it carries a ready-to-go torque monster 396 V8. With good horsepower and strong pull for this big Impala, it makes this full-sized ragtop move like a welterweight Camaro. Presented pretty much just like it would've been in 1965, it features a Quadrajet 4-barrel carburetor atop a factory style intake, and the black snorkeled air cleaner that sits atop the Chevy Orange block looks just right. This car keeps its low profile only until you turn the key. Stock exhaust manifolds feed the dual exhaust that barks through factory replacement mufflers in such a way as to warn pretenders that they shouldn't even try. As long as you're looking around underneath, take a moment to admire the nicely detailed floors and chassis, and powder coated factory-style wheels with Rally wheel covers and 225/70/14 white-letter Goodyear Eagle radials.

Documented with restoration photos, maintenance records, original owner's manuals, and an original warranty card, this is one of those cars that makes everyone do a double-take when it cruises down the thoroughfare. Call today!