Welcome to my 1966 Chevrolet Impala Wagon on CarDomain! (Page initialized on October 1 2004)

I purchsed Betsy in August of 2004. As ASWOA Member #948,, this is my third 1966 Chevy passenger wagon in the past 18 months... To see the other two click here. I am the second caretaker of this particular wagon after purchasing it from its original owner with 289,400 miles on her. The vehicle was originaly purchased from Valley Chevrolet (now out of business) in Roswell New Mexico on Dec 18, 1965 for $4291.60, with a 1961 Ford Wagon used as a trade-in. It resided in Roswell at the same address since December of 1965 until moved in the summer of 2004 to Framingham MA, which is where I live. It was purchased as an all-original, unmolested, unrestored, virtually rust free one-owner Protecto-Plate vehicle. At her new home, Betsy is undergoing a slow, thoughtful, top-quality restoration and modernization.

The original owners called her Ol Betsy, so that is the name that will stick.

PRACTICE CONSUMER PATRIOTISM! 100% of all restoration parts and upgrade parts are from American based companies that are manufacturing in the United States... Keep business tax dollars, manufacturing technology, and jobs in America. Consumers make the difference!

Here Betsy is at the 2005 GM AutoShow in Motion in Foxoborough MA, 40 years and (as of the day of the event) 290k miles after she was made. Everyone loved her. But how on earth can you not love an old trusty wagon? Enough room in the back for all your home improvement needs including timbers, drywall, and the famed 4x8 sheet o' plywood (especially useful for hurricane season). Big wagons can tow a full-length camper, while having room inside for the whole family and the dog(s). Maybe at the age of 31 Im just an ol-time romantic at heart, but there isnt anything like taking the whole family out for cruise night or a summer-time drive-in.

This wagon has (as of May 20 2005) 290,000 miles, virtually all in the desert. I suppose that out in New Mexico, you need to drive for hours to get anywhere, so this isnt too uncommon. Betsy will need some adjustments to get used to New England driving, which involves pot holes and lots of traffic and stop lights. She wont ever see the winter salty slush, but lots of duty she will still see. The goal is to keep that odometer rolling. There isnt any reason why this ride, with some love, wont make it another 300k miles.

Betsy has been on family trips with its original owners and their kids (and their friends and their kids.. yes 9 people at a time!) from Florida, to Alabama, to California, to Nevada and Washington. Look at the stickers in the rear quarter window for just a taste of her history. Its neat that in a couple of years, when I plan to drive her cross country, virtually everywhere I go this car has already been!

It is a factory original 396ci 325hp Chevy big block. With 290k miles, it has never been rebuilt. It is still on its original timing chain! It isnt every day that you see an ol big block with every single bracket still in its proper place; usually things are missing, broken, or replaced with all of that chromed Chinese garbage. Whoever says Chevy's dont run forever obviously didnt practice regular oil changes, because this car is in it for the long haul. Not a trailer princess! It is a single exhaust vehicle, so it doesnt breathe very well for a big block.

Parking is always a challenge.

This car is still in its factory original 66 Chevy Artesian Turqoiuse. This vehicle has WORKING original AC, power tailgate window, power brakes, power steering, air lift rear suspension, colum shift automatic transmission, and a massive custom hitch on the rear (see pic). It does not have factory 3rd row seating, a roof rack, or an air deflector. This picture was taken by the original owner just before my purchase, at Betsy's old home in Roswell.

Betsy has all of its original trim there and in tact (including door edge guards on the driver side), and if you look at this pic of the tailgate you can see the original Valley Chevrolet of Roswell dealer tag. I have never seen another one of these tags on the internet. Many people tossed the dealer tags when bodies are restored, so this one is probably only one a handful that remain. Its going to be big bucks to have a specialist custom weld the missing "ET" of the "CHEVROLET"... or maybe Ill just leave it that way...

To view the restoration history, go to my Restoration Page.

Future plans for Betsy are lofty but modest. The engine purrs quietly, but needs a complete overhaul. With stock heads and internal updates, and possibly the addition of EFI, I am shooting for 460 ft/lbs torque and maybe 430hp. As a daily driver, fuel consumption will be a top consideration, supporting an upgrade to both EFI and an overdrive tranny. The new tranny would be nice for the frequent travel on the Mass Pike. Still, I'd like to keep everything under the hood looking as stock as possible. I have in my possession a correct 66 roof rack, air deflector, third seat, and a mint set of original chrome ventshades. The body needs a sand an a repaint.... in sweet ol original Artesian Turqoiuse. The interior needs a cleanup to say the least.

Most of all, the future plans are to raise my family and kids the right away, wrapped in 100% classic American steel.

Thank you for checking out this ride, and please visit again to see the progress. Until then, keep it real... Buy American, support America...