Someone Parked This 1966 Chevy Convertible in a Garage in 1989, Time for an Engine Debate

And it did. The 1966 model year witnessed the graduation of the Caprice to a stand-alone series after previously being offered as an Impala version.

However, considering the 1966 Impala was still part of a relatively new generation, introduced only a year earlier, Chevrolet decided to stick with subtle visual refinements. This year, its focus was on the Chevelle, so the Impala received little cosmetic love.

Chevrolet's sales for 1966 dropped to 2.2 million units, but the full-size lineup was still the main sales engine catalyst with approximately 1.5 million cars. The Caprice was already eating up Impala's market share, accounting for 181,000 cars.

The GM brand retained the Super Sport as a separate line. Customers who wanted the performance upgrade could order coupes and convertibles, but fortunately, few people went for a six-cylinder engine. Only 900 Impala Super Sports rolled off the assembly lines with a straight-six unit producing 155 horsepower.

This Impala wasn't born as a Super Sport, but the same six-cylinder engine was in charge of putting the wheels in motion.

I hate to state the obvious, but this 1966 Impala convertible is a project requiring major work in all key areas. If you wonder how it ended up in this condition, the answer is simple.

This Impala convertible was parked in a garage in 1989, so it's been sitting for 35 years.

We all know what three decades in storage means for a classic car. We have the typical rust suspects, but eBay seller classicmuscleparts explains that "someone started to install rear quarter panels and trunk floor."

It's unclear when this happened, but judging from these panels' current condition, someone probably attempted minor restoration work before the Impala was parked in a garage. I wouldn't be surprised if this were the reason for abandoning the car for 35 years, as people sometimes start restoration projects before realizing they can't finish them.

As I said in the headline, the six-cylinder engine is not everybody's cup of tea. Some people claim a 155-horsepower engine is more than enough for an Impala, especially if the objective was to find a four-wheel companion to pick up the kids from school and go to the supermarket.

Others say such a large car wouldn't make sense without a V8 engine. Chevrolet offered multiple more powerful options in 1966, including an almighty 427 V8 (the L72) with 425 horsepower. This hefty engine upgrade could be had for $312, turning the Impala into a small rocket on wheels.

However, it's believed that only approximately 1,850 customers paid the extra price to get the L72, so finding one today is rare.

Chevrolet also offered a long list of luxury options—also priced accordingly—including air conditioning, which cost $364. As a result, it's not uncommon to find 1966 Impala projects without air conditioning.

As anyone can figure out, this straight-six is not in its best shape, but the owner says it turns over by hand. This is good news, but you still need a good mechanic to inspect the engine and determine if it can still be saved. If not, you'd better go for a bigger block, though this would involve giving up on the original condition – something some collectors aren't big fans of.

The interior is complete, besides the missing radio, but despite everything still being there, the cabin requires a complete overhaul.

The VIN code confirms the Impala was born in 1966 as a six-cylinder convertible, and it was assembled at the Tarrytown, NY, plant.

Overall, this Impala is a solid restoration candidate, but returning it to the road is not a typical father-son project. Someone who knows how important the Impala was for Chevrolet and the automotive space must take this convertible home and give it a second chance, as ruining the original setup with aftermarket upgrades would be a shame.

The owner knows that such a project deserves big bucks despite the challenging shape and the six-cylinder engine under the hood. They posted the car on eBay with a $8K price tag, but if you want the car and have another deal in mind, the Make Offer option is also available. However, I doubt they'll lower their selling expectations much, especially because 1966 Impalas are typically very desirable in the restoration world.

The vehicle is parked in Ballston Spa, New York, and you will need transportation to take it to your garage. The listing will expire in 28 days, so you have enough time to contact the seller and arrange an in-person or third-party inspection before making an offer.