Production cars are really good today, but we’ve lost something with global platforms and package engineering. No longer can you custom tailor your car using individual options, and if more than two engines are offered, it’s remarkable, not disappointing. But back in the glory days of the 1960s, you could build yourself a very special car at just about any price point, and this 1966 Chevrolet Impala convertible is a great example of the power of the options list. First and foremost, it’s powered by a thundering 427 cubic inch V8, which is one of SEVEN choices buyers had in 1966. But the original buyer didn’t stop there; no, he added goodies like a TH400 automatic transmission, Posi-Traction rear end with 3.36 gears, and the SS package, which was even available on six-cylinder Impalas. So is it a muscle car? Of course! But looking further down the options list, you also see upgrades like factory A/C, cruise control, power windows, auxiliary gauges, and Quadraphonic Sound, which was really cutting edge in 1966. The result is Chevrolet’s top piece of luxury muscle, and it does everything so well, you’ll wonder why everyone didn’t buy one just like this.

The silver metallic paint is called Chateau Slate, and it is indeed this car’s original color. The car was comprehensively restored perhaps seven or eight years ago and there’s little doubt that it was a very clean, straight car to begin with. Those massive quarter panels have been blocked and buffed so they reflect undistorted images and if there are any patches, they were invisibly stitched into the original sheetmetal so as to render themselves invisible. Fit and finish is excellent, with doors that close with a familiar GM thunk and even for a 50-year-old convertible, it’s remarkably devoid of squeaks and rattles on the road. The paint is two-stage urethane, so the shine is better than anything they used in the ‘60s and will continue to look this good for years to come with only modest care. Lots of fresh chrome, including the bumpers, looks expensive and the stainless details like the grille and side moldings are in excellent condition. The Impala’s traditional three-element taillights were used here, albeit in a more restrained rectangular form, but there’s no doubt that this big ragtop has a ton of street presence, even before folks notice the ‘427’ emblems on the front fenders.

Bucket seats were part of the SS package, and this car was switched from code 844 blue to basic black upholstery during the restoration. As a result, everything that you can see or touch that’s black is brand new and the combination of silver on black is striking and elegant. There’s correct upholstery on the seats, new carpets on the floor, and fresh door panels that look far more upscale than a Chevrolet should. An upgraded Sport steering wheel warms up the otherwise monochromatic interior and offers a great view of the instrument panel, which includes a factory tachometer. The center console offers a quartet of auxiliary gauges that were a very rare option and show details like oil pressure, temperature, voltage, and engine vacuum, and they all appear to be fully functional. The quartet of knobs on the storage compartment are for the Quadraphonic Sound stereo system, which has been disconnected to accommodate the modern speakers tucked into the kick panels, but all the hardware is still in place should you wish to go back to 100% stock. On the other side of the steering column, you’ll find the dial indicator for the cruise control, as well as the switch for the power convertible top and the remote trunk release. The only possible demerits inside are some scuffs on the brushed aluminum panels on the console, but new replacements are included with the car should you with to change them out. And speaking of the convertible top, it’s a brand new correct pinpoint vinyl assembly with glass rear window that folds effortlessly and latches securely to the windshield without a wrestling match—nice! There’s a new black boot that fits well and the trunk is outfitted with a correct mat.

However, I’m guessing the real appeal of this car goes beyond luxury and convenience features, boiling down to one simple thing: the L36 427 cubic inch V8 living under the hood. Chevy didn’t keep very good records on how many of these were built, so we can’t say how rare it is, but every time we open the hood, this car draws a crowd and more than a few express disbelief that the factory even built such a thing. At any rate, when the car was restored, the engine was rebuilt to “Special Performance” specifications, which was essentially the Corvette’s L72 427/425 horsepower engine. There’s a bigger cam, a big Holley carburetor and matching intake manifold, and a bit more compression on tap. All the luxury features remain, including the factory A/C, so no worries about this becoming a crude brute, but when you fire this one up, EVERYONE notices. It idles nicely once it comes off the choke and pulls like a freight train on the street with seemingly bottomless reserves of torque at any speed. It was also nicely detailed, with Chevy Orange paint on the block and intake manifold, chrome valve covers, and a big air cleaner with reproduction decals up top. The only caveat is that the cruise control is not currently hooked up due to the incompatibility of the Holley carburetor with the system, but otherwise it’s ready to rock.

Underneath, there’s a rebuilt TH400 3-speed automatic transmission and a heavy-duty 12-bolt rear end with what we believe to be 3.36 gears on a Posi-Traction limited slip, so it’s an easy cruiser. The suspension and brakes were rebuilt during the restoration and it shows about 7100 miles since then, so there’s modest wear but no issues worth mentioning. The exhaust is upgraded with an X-pipe, mandrel bent tubing, and a pair of Flowmaster mufflers that sound spectacular, with a predatory idle and the most spectacular full-throttle bellow this side of Pomona. Of note, there are four floor patches in the foot wells, which isn’t unusual for any convertible of this era, but the work is quite professionally done using what appears to be floors from a donor vehicle. We do not believe this car required any other major metal work, as the remainder of the floors, including the trunk, and the quarter panels, appear to be original-issue. This is a really clean car underneath. Rolling stock consists of 14-inch steel wheels with standard SS hubcaps and modern 235/75/14 Coker redline radials for a period performance look without the bias-ply issues.

This isn’t a show car but is one of the nicest heavy cruisers we’ve ever seen. It instantly became a personal favorite and it will undoubtedly become your favorite, too. The combination of sledgehammer performance and cosseting luxury is hard to resist, and wrapped in a subtle silver package it becomes the car that everyone will learn to respect, one way or another. Call today!