CLASSIC TALE: 1966 Chevrolet Impala Located in Jersey, Rust-Free

As Bill Wyman was growing up in a General Motors family in Detroit he was too young to appreciate the classic lines of the mid-1960s Chevrolet Impalas. Years later, however, the 1966 Chevrolet Impala attracted his attention, particularly the two-door hardtop model.
 
"In my early 20s," Wyman says, "I remember thinking that when I turn 50 I am going to buy a classic car." As that inevitable half-century mark approached, Wyman started shopping for the car that he had promised himself. "I'm really into cars," he admits.

 
He was drawn to a 1968 Pontiac Tempest convertible, but it turned out to be a "20-footer," he says. Wyman didn't want a project car. He took Kelly, his college-age daughter, to go with him to visit a used-car broker in southern New Jersey who specializes in classic cars.
 
He saw what he describes as, "a beautiful metallic mint green 1966 Chevrolet Impala with a white vinyl top." Under the expansive hood was a 283-cubic-inch, 220-horsepower V-8 engine.
 
"We are big `My Cousin Vinny' fans so the color was a big seller," he says. Additionally, Wyman confesses, "I have always liked the lines and look of the 1966 Impala, so it was an easy decision."
 
Wyman purchased the Impala and drove it 45 trouble-free miles to his home in Princeton, N.J., with his daughter following close behind -- just in case. He had finally found the car with character that was the object of his search.
 
The Impala showed only about 73,000 miles on the odometer and according to Wyman, had absolutely no rust. He believes the mileage figure to be correct. Wyman's wife, Therese, was pleased to see her husband drive home in the Impala. Together they named the addition to their family "Samantha."
 
The 1966 Impala convertible had a base price of $2,789 when new and was equipped with: heater, AM radio, power brakes, power steering, tinted windows and 14-inch white sidewall tires.
 
The Chevrolet easily passed a safety inspection once Wyman got the car home. He did replace the white sidewall tires after having the wheels repainted once he found chipped paint on the wheels.
 
Wyman is comfortable settling into the driver's seat behind the two-spoke steering wheel. He did have the worn steering wheel repainted, purely for cosmetic reasons.
 
Although the speedometer can register speeds up to 120 mph Wyman reports that he has only had his Impala up to 70 mph and that speed was reached only a couple of times.
 
The 3,555-pound car rolls on a 119-inch wheelbase. The Impala is very wide which is why Wyman laments the absence of an outside mirror on the right side of the car. The left side mirror helps the driver maneuver through modern-day traffic.
 
Wyman discovered that behind each wheel of his car is a mud flap. He decided to leave the non-authentic mud flaps in place simply to protect the finish on the car. The Impala was purchased with a complete set of full wheel covers. Since then the new owner has found and purchased a couple of spare wheel covers.
 
The Impala convertible never had an optional air conditioner, but Wyman's wife likes the fresh-air ventilation that draws air into the cabin through vents beneath the dashboard. Of course the wing vent windows aid in controlling the flow of fresh air.
 
"I'm pretty lucky," Wyman admits. He says his car is all original and all beautiful. The Impala now has been driven about 4,000 miles since Wyman became the owner. The odometer has now eclipsed the 77,000-mile mark. "I feel good about it," Wyman days. "It's not a museum piece." -- Vern Parker, Motor Matters

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Copyright, Motor Matters, 2010