1969 Chevrolet Impala

Description

Sometimes just finding a clean old car is a great thing. Take this 1969 Chevy Impala for example. The great look is accentuated by the oversized wheels that look right, a funky color combination, and is powered by a strong-running small block V8. Full-sized luxury muscle is red hot right now, and nobody does it better than the Impala.

The big Imp carries itself well, like a heavyweight prizefighter in formalwear. As a super clean southern car, you can tell how nice this one is at a single glance. You'll be even more impressed to learn that the paint job is about seven years old, and it's holding up quite well. They used the original code 59 Frost Green color, and it's the perfect hue on the late-60s icon. There's a lot of sheetmetal to straighten and it's all in very good shape with only a few dings here and there that are inevitable if you drive your car. Unlike many of its contemporaries, the Impala doesn't carry a lot of excess chrome, so the simple body side moldings show off the arrow-straight bodywork but don't offer a lot of flash, and both bumpers are excellent. The lack of a vinyl top gives it a super sleek look and the car's length is accentuated by the rub strip running along its flanks. And, of course, it just wouldn't be a high-performance Chevy without the engine call-out on the front fender; in this case, it's a '327.'

And if you want impressive, check out the interior! Those are the original seats, wrapped in optional vinyl upholstery, and while there's a split in the driver's backrest, it's probably not major enough to require replacement. The carpet and door panels are also original and in good shape, with only minor discoloration that simply comes from age, not neglect or abuse. The headliner might be newer and the dash pad looks great. I kind of like that about original cars that have been so carefully maintained, it's like automotive archaeology to try to figure out what's original and what's new. The instrument panel is massive, offering a wide speedo and clustering all the major controls right in front of the driver, framing everything with a very nice steering wheel with a cool little Impala logo in its center. The original AM radio remains at your fingertips, and it has factory A/C that's still blowing cold with good old R12 refrigerant inside. As you'd expect, the trunk is massive, and has nothing to hide with a solid floor and a full-sized spare.

Under about an acre of hood, you'll find a smooth-running, numbers-matching Chevy 327 and a nicely detailed engine bay. Completely stock, including the air cleaner, valve covers, and other frequently replaced items, it almost looks too good. Nah, who am I kidding, this is the kind of car that will draw a crowd with its humble originality, and the engine bay is simply showing off a lifetime of clean living in a warm climate. Heck, even the exhaust manifolds are crisp and pit-free. Of course the big Imp has power steering, but power brakes are oddly absent from the options list, although the binders work just fine out on the road. The transmission is a TH350 3-speed automatic feeding a 10-bolt rear with highway-friendly gears inside. And the 20-inch American Racing wheels with silver centers and staggered 255/35/20 front and 275/40/20 rear performance radials give it a sporty look that fits rather well.

If you like your cars big, clean, and a little bit unusual, think of the potential in this ultra-sanitary Impala. Call today!