1966 Chevrolet Impala

Convertible Convertible

8 - Cyl.

Manual

164676J240844

Gasoline

This auction features a nice driver in the form of a 1966 Chevrolet Impala Convertible. Mechanically this car really needs nothing and at face value is great transportation with a touch of vintage style. (I so feel like Don Draper or Darren Stevens when cruising in this rig!) As you read through the write up you will see this car has been well maintained and the last 15-20 years has been a hobby car for an elderly gentlemen. That said this is a great driver and ready to go if you want to drive it. Now I should qualify that usually “driver” quality on eBay usually means piece of crap. Let’s be clear this is a pretty nice car, but by no means a cherry either, hence a great car to drive, and will not get you laughed out of any local shows either. Being a convertible this car collects a lot of attention going down the street or parked. Walk around video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYF98tX7xUo&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL Finish – Grade C-: Teal metallic paint is 12-14 year old enamel paint job. There are minor scratches and chips through out the car on just about every panel; however shine/luster is good, with some rust bubbling on the hood, and on the rear quarter wheel well lips. The previous owner took a bump and paint course at his local community college and attempted to make some paint repairs so the drivers door and a few other places have noticeable mismatched paint and the metallic moddled or flow is inconsistent on a few panels. Paint looks good at 20 foot. OK driver quality Body – Grade D+: Car has had some repair to the rear quarters in side the trunk appears to be original splatter paint so my guess is there was some light metal repair. As the owner was elderly there are a couple of parking lot/garage hits on different panels as if he may unknowingly bumped something as he pulled out of the garage or while parking. Driver’s quarter has a light scrape on it. Trunk floor has some rot starting which I have photographed, typical of this model. There is a hole in the passenger front floor that has been patched with some sheet metal which I photographed. So eventually this car will need a trunk floor and passenger floor. I believe the quarters could be saved and easily repaired. So this car will need some work in the future if you plan to restore it but it still is very sold and quite drivable as is. Trim Code info: O4A ST 66-164467 JAN-2490 BODY TR 847-A K-1 PAINT 2R This breaks down to Artesian Turquoise paint, Impala 2 door convertible with V-8. VIN is 164676J240844 Vehicle has free and clear State of Michigan Title. Frame – Grade A: Is straight and free of any rust or scale, no signs of any metal repair. Bumpers - Grade C+/B: Bumpers are straight with no damage. Front bumper has some light patina beginning but still has excellent shine and luster. The rear bumper is very clean with what appears to be the original finish. Bright work – Grade C-: The brightwork on this car is all original and generally free of dents but will require polishing to restore luster. Rear right/passenger tail light has a crack in it. Front grill does have some minor dents in it. In general the trim is all in good driver quality, much of which could be greatly improved with a buffing and polishing. Glass Grade A- : Glass is in very good shape. Front windshield is free of chips or cracks with no scratches, appears to be replaced. Side windows are also free of chips and scratches and are original OEM glass, and all roll up with little effort and tracks and rollers are in good shape. Top has original glass window which is in very good condition. All weather-stripping and window “fuzzies” are original and will need to be replaced for restoration but seal well enough now for driving. Interior Grade D- : Interior is complete and essentially intact but in need of some restoration. Dash pad is cracked in the center and will need repair or replaced. Steering wheel is complete and chrome is very nice on the horn button. Door panels are in good shape needing only a re-dye to be showable, however a previous owner installed door speakers so if you go back to stock and lose the door speakers then you will need new door panels. Rear panels are good but need to be re-dyed. Carpet is pretty rough and the installation is amateur at best. It has been shampooed but still rather faded and a replacement would really help the interior greatly but is good driver quality. Door and window handles are original and in good condition, front and rear arm rests need new chrome and pads are complete but could use a dye job. The Convertible top is complete and overall looks good but has a slight pin hole above the driver’s seat and some stitching is starting to come loose. It covers well and fits good. Possibly it is original. Vinyl seats are an interesting collecting of parts that were dyed (rather poorly) and installed. Front seats appear to have been black and re-dyed turquoise; rear seats were turquoise and re-dyed. The front seats are intact but the passenger seat has a rip near the seat adjustment lever. If I were to keep this car I would thoroughly scrub the seat and re-dye until I recovered them and they would work fine for cruising. Dash is all original good and could use a re-chroming. Dash features “idiot lights” and a dash clock (inop) with a set of aftermarket amp (inop) and oil pressure gauges. Radio is unknown brand AM/FM with cassette (works). Door Speakers are new Pioneer dual cone speakers. Radio has excellent sound quality, professional installation. Trunk Grade C+: Trunk is all original with original rubber floor mat that has a few holes in it. Original bumper jack, jack handle, base and what appears to the original spare are in the trunk. The only thing missing is the J-hook to hold the spare down. As mentioned previously trunk floor has some rust through and will need replacement. Wheels Grade B-: 14X 7 Super Sport Factory Factory Rally steel rims with factory center caps, and original trim rings. Nice original finish in driver quality, one ring has some light curb rash Tires Grade B: Very Good Pegulm l XL Steel Belted Tires 215/75P14, very little wear, no signs of weather checking Suspension Grade OK: Suspension appears to be in good operating and well maintained condition. Power steering works well with no leaks or noises. No leaking from front shocks or wetness on front backing plates. Rear Shocks are Air Shocks which hold air well, no wetness on the backing plates. Ride is smooth and suspension rebounds well. It goes down the road straight with no rattles. Exhaust Grade B+: Dual exhaust, factory ram’s horn exhaust, recent 2 inch pipes (not mandrel bent), into generic turbo style mufflers, There are no leaks and exhaust is quiet Rearend Grade OK: Factory open 3:08:1 rear-end, no wetness or noises. Ignition Grade A: Stock appearing factory style distributor with new points, cap, rotor, coil, and plug wires. Starts easily Heater Grade A: Non/A/C car, new heater core and hoses, fan motor and switch operate. Passenger kick panel vent cable work as designed. Transmission Grade OK: Factory 3-Speed car. Shifts well with no issues. Hurst Shifter handle chrome is in very good condition, I’m unsure if this is a factory unit. Clutch is strong with good grab, manufacturer is unknown. Grips will in normal and heavy acceleration. Brakes Grade OK: Non-Power drum brakes, recent repair and maintenance with new master cylinder and recent brake linings. Brakes perform to factory specifications. Engine Grade B: Engine is stamped F08231HAR. I would have to do further research to verify if it is the original 327 V-8 but initially it appears it is. The only upgrade is the factory Rochester four barrel carb has been replaced with a Holley 650 CFM spread bore Carb with manual secondaries and automatic choke. Carb was recently rebuilt and fuel system flushed. Vehicle has all new radiator hoses and heater hoses, heater core, and a fresh battery. This motor is well maintained and idles well, and when checked with a vacuum gauge the signal is steady and strong at 20+ lbs. No smoking other then the typical Chevy start up smoke when cold. Car pulls well through gears, idles well and starts and idles on cold mornings. No unsual noises or knocks. Very nice, reliable driving car. Recent radiator flush, tune-up, and no visible leaks. Summary: This car is 20 footer that looks great going down the road and is very presentable for most local car shows or cruises. It is a very nice car to drive with smooth acceleration, and clean comfortable cabin. The car as is would make a great reliable, daily driver. I see this as a great car to have parked at your summer cottage or winter retreat down south. It would make a great car to work on a little each winter and cruise all summer. You could fly into Traverse City, pick up and drive this car anywhere home without issue. It is really a fun car to drive. It's a perfect car for someone who has painting skills, but if you had to wait a year to save up for paint there is no shame driving as is, it looks good! If you are a paint guy you could easily drive and enjoy this car now and then come winter repaint it yourself and be ready for the next season. Also the price is right on this car, any work you do to it will easily be recouped in the resale of the car down the road. Nice original convertibles are hard to find. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me, Reggie at 231-935-3840 I advise you to view this vehicle first hand before you bid, but if you can't, I recommend Auto Appraise check them out on the web http://www.autoappraise.com/ or call them at 800-301-3886 The Business Details: I have tried very hard to describe this car accurately and honestly, that said the vehicle is sold as is with no remaining factory or implied warranty. We will include all the receipts we have for the vehicle for any replacement parts as well. I require $500 within 24 hours of the completion of the auction. Pick-up or delivery of the vehicle is the buyer's responsibility. However that said, I'm willing to work with you on this for an additional fee I would be willing to deliver the car, either driving it to you or trailering it if you wish providing you pay all expenses.