Vehicle Description
SUMMARY
Body-on restoration completed in 2005
350 cubic inch Chevrolet V8
Turbo-Hydramatic 350 3-speed automatic transmission
Upgraded suspension / Ridetech air ride
Upgraded interior / Vintage Air conditioning / Modern Pioneer audio
Baer 4-wheel power disc brakes
Power rack-and-pinon steering
20-inch Vision 142 Legend 5 wheels
Porsche Guards Red paint
Flowmaster side-exit exhaust
A vast majority of the metal that comes through our RK Motors Charlotte showroom is either flawless, concours-level show fare or incredibly original, low-mileage garage fodder. But, as awesome as those rare and exclusive cars are, the foundation of this hobby has always been old school stalwarts that we can drive, build on, show off and enjoy. Think about it, when you were a kid, did you dream of towing a pristine factory-original car to a field where it would sit and look pretty? No way! You wanted a classy head turner that was striking, cool and expressed your individual tastes. Carefully updated, and powered by a hot Chevrolet small block, this impressive Impala resto-mod is the kind of fully sorted cruiser that you can fire up, press the go pedal and road trip across the country in!
BODYWORK/TRIM
Logging only 200 miles since its detailed, body-on restoration, this 2-owner Chevy displays clean bodywork that simply glistens under our bright showroom lighting. A lot of time and effort was put in to making sure the car's profile is extremely straight, which results in chiseled, original sheetmetal that's completely wave-free. That time was well spent, as better-than-factory fit perfectly centers hinged pieces, which move freely and close with a solid thunk. And those thunks are bathed in Porsche Guards Red base that, thanks to a glossy layer of clear, reflects a flat, show worthy shine.
Chevrolet's third generation Impala is a stylish piece that, with its absence of excessive chrome, suggests GM had officially left the tailfin-induced bender America enjoyed throughout the '50s. At the front of this sleek showboat, a fully refinished grille hangs four halogen headlights and clear parking lamps between an ornate Chevrolet crest, a blocky "CHEVROLET" script and a guarded, re-chromed bumper. At the top of that grille, a sculpted hood leads the eye to factory-tint glass that's cleared by mirrored wipers and sealed in polished frames. At the sides of that glass, original profile spears float between frenched exhaust pipes, frenched quarter emblems and traditional door handles. And, opposite those handles, a stainless-trimmed, engine-turned valence hangs a bold "CHEVROLET" script and six familiar taillights above a second re-chromed bumper.
ENGINE
This impressive sports coupe is powered by a 350 cubic inch Chevrolet V8 that's seated in a highly customized engine bay. At the top of that famous mill, a polished, low-profile air cleaner forces oxygen in to a coated, Edelbrock carburetor, which is married to a braided fuel line, a polished canister filter and a proven Lokar throttle linkage. That big 4-barrel feeds a coated Edelbrock intake that's bordered by aluminum Edelbrock heads and polished and milled valve covers. Those heads send spent gases in to coated block hugger headers. A familiar HEI distributor sequences sparks through loomed Taylor Spiro Pro plug wires. Modern serpentine components spin a modern alternator and modern power steering next to an aluminum Stewart water pump. And cooling comes courtesy of a quality Be Cool radiator that centers a quick Cooling Components puller fan between a polished expansion tank and stainless-sleeved hoses. Aesthetically, the color-keyed small block looks great, framed by a shrouded engine compartment that's complete with glossy Guards Red 2-stage. And everything, from the car's fresh brake booster and proven Edelbrock fuel pump to its polished breathers and tight Eddie Motorsports hood supports, is nicely detailed and ready to show.
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
One look under this sturdy cruiser reveals a solid X-frame chassis that's just as ready for the road as the car's stout 350. Power flows through a tough Turbo-Hydramatic 350 3-speed, which hangs a polished pan in front of a factory-spec rear end. Holding that virtually unbreakable drivetrain off the ground is a traditional double A-arm front and 3-link rear suspension that's been augmented with adjustable Ridetech airbags and a full array of Ridetech StrongArm control arms. That suspension's handling is greatly enhanced by power rack-and-pinion steering. Stops are provided by power-assisted Baer calipers, which clamp large drilled and slotted rotors. Custom, Mandrel-bent exhaust pipes, sequenced to dual-chamber Flowmaster mufflers, trace the aforementioned X-frame to the car's rear wheels. Speaking of wheels, 20-inch Vision 142 Legend 5s spin 245/35ZR20 Nankang Ultra Sport NS-IIs in front of 255/35ZR20 Nankang Ultra Sport NS-IIs. And, despite their all-weather integrity, the car's solid floors are dotted with niceties like a polished oil pan and fresh fuel tank.
INTERIOR
Covered in a monochromatic sheen, this Chevy's vivid interior is a lightly customized cocoon of style. Seating is provided by SS-spec buckets, which front an original, SS-spec bench. At the base of those thrones, "SS" branded floor mats protect like-new carpet, which frames billet foot pedals and modern kick speakers. At the center of that carpet, a custom console anchors a small Ridetech control panel between a polished hand brake, a large speaker and what appears to be a Lokar shifter. Opposite that console, original side panels feature correct stainless hardware. At the front of those panels, a billet-trimmed dash founds Dakota Digital telemetry and Vintage Air climate control over remote controlled Pioneer audio. In front of the driver, a polished and leather-wrapped steering wheel laps a polished, tilting column. And behind the passengers, a fully restored trunk hides the car's relocated battery.
OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION NAD ACCESSORIES
An original Owner's Manual and related booklets
A copy of the car's 1968 title
Restoration receipts
Component literature
An original Trim Tag
A vintage South Carolina license plate
Fully sorted and ready to roll, this awesome Chevy is a wonderful classic to drive, enjoy and haul two or three of your coolest friends in. It's really no surprise that these cars are amazingly popular with almost everyone who sees them, because they have such a great combination of style, presence and performance. So, what are you waiting for? Pick up the phone, score the keys to this slick Impala and get ready for years of carefree cruising!
