Vehicle Description
Combat ready. Don't dismiss this super nasty 1979 Chevrolet Impala
just because it has four doors, because inside you'll find
heavy-duty hardware, a custom big block engine, and the kind of
firepower that allows it to humiliate lesser cars. It's also
beautifully built, with more than $125,000 spent on its
construction. If you want a show-stopper that also lays down
9.40-second quarter-mile times, look no further.
Cars like this are hard to describe in words and pictures; you just
have to see them in person to understand. For something this
wickedly fast, it sure is beautifully built, with some super
straight bodywork. We haven't seen one this straight since, well,
1979 and even then, the factory wasn't doing paint anywhere near
this well. A few custom mods give it a predatory look, starting
with that tall cowl-induction hood, but also include the bumpers
tucked in tight to the bodywork, a blanked grille opening, and that
beautiful two-tone paint. With a red stripe separating the black
and charcoal gray, it almost looks elegant, and we love how they
kept the original marker lights, emblems, and door handles. It's
almost like you could walk out, get in, and drive it to work, and
technically, it is street-able. Too cool!
The interior is, of course, a racer's environment, but they didn't
skimp on the quality. You'll find both factory bench seats still in
place, although the X-brace on the cage pretty much makes the rear
seat cosmetic. But with original door panels, full carpets (with
floor mats!), and a factory dash, it certainly feels familiar even
with all the race gear around you. There's a fat steering wheel
with a transmission brake button, a custom ratcheting shifter on
the transmission tunnel, and a custom switch panel just to the
driver's right. Factory gauges don't tell you anything, but it's
augmented with Auto Meter dials on the steering column. 5-point
harnesses, the full cage (NHRA certified and good to go through
2021!), and a cooling fan for the driver are the kinds of things
that show professionals were at work here and even the windows go
up and down like they should. Heck, the trunk is still big enough
for a family vacation, even with dual 16-volt batteries stashed
back there.
Those dual batteries are probably mandatory for the brutal
Shafiroff-built 555 cubic inch big block Chevy V8, which cost
$40,000 (and is a one-off) to build and can be tuned to run on
alcohol or gas. It comes with a full spec sheet, but the highlights
include a custom MerlinX intake, custom headers, Dart heads, and
14.7:1 compression, which all add up to about 1000 horsepower on
the motor alone. The twin snorkel air cleaner looks very much like
those used on the 442s in 1969, but everything else is aerospace
aluminum and braided stainless. The transmission is a built Ultra
Bell PowerGlide that's deadly consistent and a carbon-fiber
driveshaft feeds a Dana 60 rear end with Strange 40-spline axles
and a spool inside. 4-wheel disc brakes ensure it's safe at the big
end and the exhaust system sounds brilliant exhaling through the
side pipes. The stance is just about ideal, sitting on black
powdercoated Weld Pro-Star wheels and 29.5x10.5R15 rear Mickey
Thompson rear meats to hook it up.
Heavily documented and ridiculously over-built, this is a
once-in-a-lifetime car that runs consistent 9-second quarter mile
times (and we have the time slips to prove it). Complete with dyno
sheets, receipts, and everything else you'd need to set it up and
run, this Impala is a screaming bargain for the guy who knows what
it costs to do it right. Call today!