Restored Impala Convertible 409/340 HP V8 Powerglide Auto PS PW PB

Introduced in 1958 as Chevrolet's first foray upmarket, the Impala proved GM's volume car juggernaut had the strength to be all things to all people. It was the ride your upper class neighbors enjoyed and, like the original Bel Air, it wholly embodied the time of its creation. With that in mind, the restoration of this clean Super Sport tribute involved a frame-off mix of nostalgia and convenience that created a better-than-new cruiser. Amenities like a correct 409 and smooth Powerglide 2-speed make this the perfect car for fun drives while classic lines, a fashionable interior and miles of Silver Blue paint are sure to keep collectors happy. If you're looking for a spectacular classic that's road ready, show ready, and just plain ready to go, this brazen bowtie is a whole lot of metal for not a lot of money!

BODYWORK/TRIM

Awarded 985 out of 1,000 points on its way to claiming Trailered Modified First Place at the 2006 Eckler's Classic Chevy Show in Kissimmee, Florida, this top-of-the-line drop-top displays immaculate bodywork that simply glistens. A lot of time and effort was put in to making sure the car's profile was extremely straight, which resulted in chiseled sheetmetal that's completely wave-free. That time was well spent, as better-than-factory fit perfectly centers hinged pieces that move freely and close with a solid thunk. And those thunks are bathed in a rich layer of Silver Blue basecoat that's been sealed in durable clear and buffed to a spectacular 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 broad stainless grille hangs four halogen headlights and small amber parking lamps between an ornate Chevrolet crest, a blocky “CHEVROLET” script and a mirrored, wraparound bumper. At the top of that grille, subtle hood spears lead the eye to tinted glass that's cleared by bright wipers, sealed in straight frames a capped with a power-operated roof. At the sides of that hood, dent-free rocker guards, optional fender skirts and engine-turned, SS-specific trim spears found bold “IMPALA” scripts beneath traditional cross-flag emblems and “SS” quarter badging. Opposite those guards, correct door handles and classy bowtie mirrors perfectly complement optional edge liners, ornate fuel filler trim and angled antennas. And at the back of the car, a stainless-trimmed, engine-turned valence hangs six familiar taillights between a second Chevrolet crest, a small “CHEVROLET” script and a second wraparound bumper.

ENGINE

In the early days of America's horsepower wars, Chevy's stalwart 409 was arguably the go-to choice for most racers. There was simply nothing else on the road that could touch its street-ruling horsepower. And that made cars like this clean tribute feared and equally revered. At the top of its “QC” branded mill, a polished, single-snorkel air cleaner forces oxygen in to a coated Edelbrock carburetor, which is fed through an AC fuel bowl and polished fluid lines. That proven 4-barrel tops a factory intake, which wedges a chrome oil filler between factory heads, and polished and decaled valve covers. Those valves send spent gases in to correct, cast iron exhaust manifolds and a 2.5-inch, true-dual exhaust system that's characterized by a deep, vintage roar. That roar is the product of sparks sequenced through an MSD Blaster 2 coil, a familiar points distributor and trusted AC Delco Packard TV R Suppression cables. Those sparks are generated by pliable V-belts, which spin a polished alternator and a leak-free power steering pump behind a factory radiator, a correct pulley fan and an electronic pusher fan. And this B-Body's entire engine compartment, from its Chevy Orange paint and Gloss Black fenders to its clean Delco battery and cool washer bottle, 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 that legendary 409. Torque meets the pavement through a stalwart Powerglide 2-speed, which spins a factory rear end. Holding that virtually unbreakable drivetrain off the ground is a restored double A-arm front and 3-link rear suspension. That suspension's handling is greatly enhanced by modern power steering and power drum brakes. Exhaust flows from the aforementioned manifolds to quality Flowmaster mufflers and polished stainless tips. The body's rust-free floors are layered in thick undercoating, which was probably sprayed during the car's detailed restoration. And all that old school Americana rolls on 14-inch steelies, which spin 215/75 Dayton whitewalls around red-detailed, Super Sport-specific wheel covers.

INTERIOR

Installed during the detailed restoration, this tribute's monochromatic interior has been restored to factory-fresh condition in virtually every way. The SS-specific front bucket and rear bench seats feel newer than the car's 55 years would suggest, and present just as well now as the day they rolled out of the upholstery shop. At the base of those seats, color-keyed floor mats protect like-new carpet. At the sides of those mats, pleated panels hang correct door hardware and small power window switches inside an array of crisp speakers. At the front of those panels, a padded dash, which is dressed in rebuilt telemetry, centers a correct Delco radio above Datcon accessory gauges and an optional tissue box that hides a modern Pioneer CD player. At the base of that dash, a stylish, SS-specific console centers a chrome shifter in front of a small, lockable storage compartment. In front of the driver, a chrome-trimmed steering wheel laps a column-mounted tachometer. And behind the passengers, a fully restored trunk seals a correct mat, a correct jack and a full-sized spare tire below correct insulation and a fresh decklid decal.

OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION

* An Owner's Manual
* An instruction booklet for the car's convertible top
* Judging sheets and documentation for the car's Eckler's Classic Chevy Club award

With a clean restoration, fully sorted mechanicals and more style than pretty much anything on the road, this national award-winning Impala is a textbook example of great value. After all, when was the last time you saw this caliber classic for under $80K? Talk to us now and make space in your garage later – this Chevy won't wait around!

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SUMMARY

* Trailered Modified First Place at the 2006 Eckler's Classic Chevy Show / 985 out of 1,000 points
* Correct 409 cubic inch Chevrolet V8
* Powerglide 2-speed automatic transmission
* Power steering
* 4-wheel power drum brakes
* Power convertible top
* Modern Pioneer audio
* Sale includes Eckler's Classic Chevy Show judging sheets and award documentation
* Silver Blue paint
* Blue interior