Everything Is Original: 1966 Chevrolet Impala 396 Found in a Barn After Decades

Second, the 1965 Impala was the release that broke all records. The Impala was already the best-selling car in the States, but the 1965 model year was the first American car to surpass one million sales in one year.

The strong sales continued in 1966, when Chevrolet released a major Chelleve redesign but subtly refined the full-size lineup, including the Impala. The biggest change in the Impala lineup concerned the Caprice, which was now a stand-alone series, eventually impacting the Impala's yearly sales.

Despite the change, Chevrolet still sold over 2.2 million cars, and the full-size lineup remained the main engine for the strong performance. Approximately 1.5 million full-size Chevys rolled off the assembly lines in 1966.

The Caprice accounted for 181,000 cars, while the Super Sport remained an intriguing model for Chevy buyers interested in the performance side of their next purchase. Over 119,000 customers ordered an SS in 1966, and thank God, only 900 picked a six-cylinder engine (Chevrolet offered the SS with six-cylinder engines and V8s, but most people realized that a lazy straight-six unit had nothing to do with the Super Sport).

Chevrolet wanted the Impala to target an audience as varied as possible, so the company offered multiple engine choices, 15 exterior colors, and numerous two-tone and interior versions.

The most powerful engines this year were the L35 (a 396ci unit with 325 horsepower available as a $158 upgrade, the L36 (a 427ci mill with 390 horsepower), and the L72 (the almighty 427 with 425 horsepower).

The Impala in these photos spent the last decades in a barn, but eBay seller hotrods_38 doesn't provide more information on this aspect. That's a shame, as a barn-found Impala has a story to tell, and stories typically add great value to a classic.

At the same time, a car that spent over 20 years in storage could exhibit massive rust in many key areas, including the floors and the trunk. This is why more specifics on the long-term storage would have helped, as potential buyers could get a clearer picture of the car's condition.

It's safe to assume the floors are rusty, so buyers should put the car on a lift and inspect the undersides. One photo shows rust damage in the trunk, including some holes, but an in-person or third-party inspection is required to correctly asses the necessary repairs.

The owner explains on eBay that the car is all original, but you'll have to check the claim in person. The numbers should also match, and the 396 under the hood should be in good shape, as it still starts and runs.

I'm surprised the seller didn't insist more on the mileage. The odometer indicates 23,416 miles, and this is a surprisingly low mileage for a car this old. Unless the odometer has rolled over, it's a major selling point, so you should ask more questions if you're interested in this Impala.

The paint should also be the finish sprayed by Chevrolet before the car rolled off the assembly lines, considering the all-original promise, but a complete restoration must include a respray. The paint shows its age, likely as the car has never been repainted.

It's hard to find something that would make buyers walk away if everything is as advertised. The car is still carrying the decades-old barn dust, so you'll have to give it a good wash before starting to look for other problems. However, the interior also appears to be in good shape, making the restoration more straightforward.

This Impala deserves a more detailed description, as the seller decided to stick with the basics in their eBay listing. This is why a full inspection would help buyers find out everything, including if the car has ever received any major repairs and everything is still in place. This is one of the missing tidbits, as it's unclear whether the vehicle is complete, albeit it doesn't look like it has ever served as a donor for another project.

It's time to talk money. The Impala landed online with a $17,500 price tag, so it's not an auction. The owner also enabled the Make Offer button, meaning that they are willing to listen to other offers if people are interested in buying the car. According to eBay's statistics, they are, as 34 people are already watching the Impala, though it's unclear if they are involved in talks with the owner.

I can't stress enough how important it is to see the car in person, so be ready to travel to Torrance, California, if you believe this Impala is worth becoming your next project. The listing will expire in 23 days, so you still have enough time to decide.