Vehicle Description
1968 Chevrolet Impala
The Impala is one of the most common and most graceful of all
Africa's antelopes. A slender, agile creature, it can clear
formidable obstacles and run at speeds faster than 60km/h. They are
fleet runners who can leap up to 30 feet in length and 10 feet in
height. They use their tremendous speed and agility to avoid
predation, and seemingly for pure enjoyment. The name 'Impala'
comes from the Zulu language meaning 'gazelle'. Aptly named, the
Chevrolet version introduced in 1958, continued to emulate its
animal namesake through years of design modifications, and power
options made available. In 1963, the jet age was in full swing, and
automobile designers were transitioning from non functional visual
embellishments, to sleek, cleaner line designs for their cars.
Engineers also caught on that more power will attract more buyers,
and the "race" was on!
For consignment, our consigner has turned a sleek clean lined 1968
Chevrolet Impala into a real animal. Our consignor states that it
has a 496ci Blueprint crate engine, however no documentation comes
with it, so we will take his word and let you be the final judge.
This car is all buttoned up on its exterior and interior, and is a
real runner right to its namesake.
Exterior
Long straight rust free steel panels are minding their gaps very
nicely. From the long hood framed below buy a pristine grille
containing dual headlights and a shiny bumper running through the
egg crate grille, back to all the seriously straight body panels
all the way to the gently sloping rear deck which ends in a trio of
inset lights into the rear bumper. Miles deep blue paint combines
with the like new chrome trimmings, and it's all framed by American
Racing Polished Torque Thrust, (17-inch on front, and 18-inch on
back), 5-spoke wheels wrapped by Kumho radial G/T's. All badging is
excellent. And this is a beautifully presented example of some 68
muscle.
Interior
Opening the doors and black straight molded vinyl with some thin
chromed accenting and black knobbed cranks are on these faux
buttoned panels. Inside floating in a sea of black carpeting is a
split back long and luxurious tuck and roll bench with smooth
bolsters. This sits in a chromed tub and some power adjusters are
seen on the sides. The rear bench is emulating this front one, and
is very nicely done with plenty of tuck and roll for the seat and
back. The dash retains its originality only with a few add ons
which help and monitor performance from the mill. These include a
B&M converter lock up controller which allows you to select the
rpm at which the converter locks up. Also, a column mounted
tachometer, and an under dash trio of aftermarket gauges on a black
panel. A newer AM/FM/CD digital radio is installed where the
original was, and there is a mysterious toggle that is simply
labeled LOUD!? The dash top is black and padded and presents nicely
with no cracks or fading.
Drivetrain
Under the hood in a showroom clean and detailed restored engine
bay, sits a 496ci V8 Blueprint crate engine with aluminum heads and
it just gleams. It is topped with a 4-barrel carburetor and has a
700R4 4-speed automatic transmission on the back. A 12-bolt 3.07
rear axle is on as well. All hoses are like new, an aluminum
radiator is installed, MSD ignition is now on, and the mill exhales
through titanium coated headers. All parts and bolt ons are like
new throughout this screamer.
Undercarriage
Some surface rust is seen, along with road dirt and plenty of
patina. All is structurally sound with no invasive rust to be seen.
The floor pans and rockers are all clean and black. Dual exhaust
have a side exit just past the rear wheel well, and sport cherry
bomb mufflers with some small pipes coming out either side on this
underside just prior to the cherry bombs. These are referred to as
electric exhaust cutouts. Independent coil spring suspension is up
front and a 4 link with coil springs is on back. Power disc brakes
for the front, and power drums for the rear. A custom driveshaft
which was balanced for the new transmission is on.
Drive-Ability
This car is an awesome build and the test drive did not disappoint.
Ran like a dream, and all functions were working perfectly. Neck
snapping power and a fun driver with a comfy interior. Oh, and
pesky "LOUD" switch...it operates the electric exhaust cutouts and
loud may be an understatement. Need I say more?!
A fine build with beautifully painted straight steel, a like new
interior and of course that 496ci engine. Colorful, loud and
tastefully done looking like it could be a sleeper, but you are the
only one who has to know! Some restoration photos included.
VIN DECODE
163878T163792
1-Chevrolet
63-Impala 6 Cylinder
87-2 Door Hardtop
8-1968
T-Tarrytown, NY Assy Plant
163792-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
12B-2nd Week December Build
ST 68 16487-1968 Impala 2 Door Hardtop
BDY TAR175913-Tarrytown Body #
TR 805-Black Vinyl
PNT GG-Ash Gold
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.