1968 Chevy Impala

Cmar-Ireland

Hi all,

Yesterday I discovered a '68 chevy impala in a garage close to me. I fell for it immediately, but I am a total beginner to buying or running an american car. I have wanted to buy a big V8 for a while now, so what is the way about doing this?
I'm 33 with a full license since I was 17. Full ncb, so I assume there should be no hassle with insuring it.
Its a 307ci, fastback style, and thats about as much as I know at the moment. It is running and rot free, but needs a bit of tlc and a paint job.

Has anyone got any opinions on this or know much about an impala?

As yet, I don't know how much it is selling for or the full extend of work needed, but the garage owner(an honest guy!!!) said it dosent need much. Paint is the big thing, it was white, and got a crap black respray at some stage, so I would probably go back to the white, although doing the black properly would be nice!!

Anyway, opinions gratefull received!!!

Ciaran

KTRIC

Thats one of the hotest muscle cars ever made.



Get someone to check it over first and if the price is right go and buy it.

dubtom

Nice, as said get it checked, is it an SS because they didn't have a 307 option, started at 327.Makes a big difference with price. Insurance for mine, a 351 was 600 quid fully comp and 42 a year to tax. You ncb makes no difference but it must be your second car. You didn't mention price but judging by thisand I know it's a different market, but use it as a guide, it should be priced under 10K, if it needs much work, way under.You dont want to buy something that you have to pour money into with no hope of a return. In saying that, the sound of a V8 has made many a man make impulsive decisions, me included. So if you know someone who knows about cars, better if they know yanks,just make sure that it still has a floor, that the sills and doors are in good condition and the engine is sound. Parts should be readily available on the web.

Cmar-Ireland

Well thats nice to know!!!
It looks (to my untrained eye) exactly like that one. When I looked on the net, most of the 68 impalas I saw were convertibles or coupes. I only saw a few fastback ones.
What is the 307ci engine like? I know its a 5 liter. But whats the power like, will it get 20mpg? How would I know an SS? This has 307 badges on the front wings?
At first look it seems very straight and little rot, but I'll get a proper look at the weekend and get a few pics.
It is an auto, with a bench front seat & vinyl roof.

What would something like this be worth, as it stands?
I think I'll be able to get this very cheap. Rang AXA for comp insurance and its 350e for 3600miles and 450e for 5200miles per year. Not too bad I think! 42 for tax. Do cars of this age need an NCT?

Maybe when I know more about it, one of you more knowledgeable guys could have a look?
Cheers

dubtom

I'm not too familar with them, I would guess that it would have an ss badge on the side, should say in the documents. The 307 turned out 200 BHP when new. That doesn't sound much but believe me it does the job. Mine is a 351 rated at about 180 and it's fast and powerfull. I haven't a clue about MPG, I stick a few bob in run it untill I need more. My guess is that it's not an SS, the shape would be the same,a bit like a mondeo gl and glx, just different spec and engines. What was your guy asking for it, is it in a garage or private.

Cmar-Ireland

yeah its probably not an SS, but hey, who cares. The 307 will do fine. If I buy it, it will just be for some cruising around, not a drag strip :eek:

Generally speaking, are cars of this vintage difficult to fix, repair and maintain? I would think they aren't, but just to be aware!
I don't know yet, but it probably has drums all round, Is this adquate for a big heavy yank? I've seen disc conversions on ebay......(looking already and haven't bought it yet:rolleyes: )

Cmar-Ireland

Pic off the phone...

The hood "scoop" is just for show and would be removed!!

KTRIC

Cmar-Ireland wrote:

Pic off the phone...

The hood "scoop" is just for show and would be removed!!

Needs a bit of TLC I think. Could be a nice car though.

dubtom

Cmar-Ireland wrote:

yeah its probably not an SS, but hey, who cares. The 307 will do fine. If I buy it, it will just be for some cruising around, not a drag strip :eek:

Generally speaking, are cars of this vintage difficult to fix, repair and maintain? I would think they aren't, but just to be aware!
I don't know yet, but it probably has drums all round, Is this adquate for a big heavy yank? I've seen disc conversions on ebay......(looking already and haven't bought it yet:rolleyes: )

No for someone who knows about mechanics, there is none of todays electronic gizmos. The brakes will be fine if in good order although they wont have anti lock:D just be aware of that. Parts should be readily available over the net. If the engine is good it will last forever if maintained properly, by that I mean changing the oil and filters regularly. It takes a lot to put them under strain because of the capacity of them, they rumble along for ever.By the look of that scoop I would guess the previous owner was a bit of a show off, nothing wrong with that, he just may have given the car a thrashing now and again. Looks nice, I like the ratty look. I tell ya their is no better feeling than cruising around with a V8 between your legs, it's addictive.Are you in Dublin?

Cmar-Ireland

I'm in co. kildare mate.
Yeah the car has some interesting bits.....!!! Skull gear knob, skull valve caps, iron cross badges and flat black paint:p

I think a nice sharp black or white paint job would look good on it. It was white origionaly.

I'm handy enough with the tools, so looking after it myself is not a prob. As long as there is no rot underneath and the price is right.....:D

I'm going to get more pics this evening, anything specific ye want pics of?
I'll get the details off the vin plate while I'm at it.

mustang68

I think that I have seen that car at a show or two (the matt black paint and the scoop with the cross look really familar), now I could be wrong but I think it was driven hard when I spotted it, so be on the look out for above average wear and tear.

Cmar-Ireland

The wear and tear should be limited to the bushings etc, the engine and tranny should be very strong........I hope!!!

camarobill

that cars been to many a show,:cool: i just found it in a garage:D

Cmar-Ireland

It's got 45000 miles showing

Cmar-Ireland

more pics

dubtom

Actually yes I think I saw that at toughers last year. Nice shape, it was a car just like that last year that gave me the renewed GOO to go and get myself a yank. Traveled behind it on the drumcondra road, couldn't believe the size of it. If the price is right go for it mate, it needs tidying but has a lot of potential.Good luck, maybe we'll see ya at Kilbeggan on Sunday:D

Cmar-Ireland

so what do ye think I should pay for this, considering the work needed?

dubtom

As I said in a previous post, under 10K, mabey 6 or 7 tops. A good respray will cost the guts of 2K or more, thats if there's no rust hiding under isopon. You say that the thingy on the front is removable, will there be a hole left were it was, if so, a very good panel beater or a new hood, neither cheap I would imagine. You admit your self that it is a bit rough, if your happy driving it as is your fine but if you want to get it back to an original state your talking investment in time and money. Buying classis yanks in Ireland is not the same as the US or UK, were their is an abundance of them, it's really down to what an individual is willing to pay. There is a Mustang going for 31K, it's shown on a different post, now it's not worth that, but some one may well pay. If the owner of the Impala is looking for more than 7k i would pass, but you may not.An SS would be worth more, and your one may be worth more to someone who knows them and has had one, has bought parts and knows their problems but thats about how much I would go. Best of luck.
BTW, I know when you get the goo for a car like that, you can afford it and it's sitting there gurlgling, thats it's hard to say no. Bear in mind that my car is a mustang, I've read a lot about them and bought parts etc, I offer my opinion purley on the prices I saw of the impala in the states and a fair condition one is $2700, a minter $10600.Yours is fair, but you have to take tax and import into consideration, which adds about 4k on to yank prices.

Cmar-Ireland

How much would an engine strip and rebuild cost for something like this? I know its around 200hp on paper, but I dont know the torque. I believe it has a 3sp auto. But I can't get any performance figures, mpg etc...

One thing I noticed, the steel used in this car, from what I can see, is much better quality that whats in more modern cars. I've seen cars a few years old with chuncks of rust falling outta them. This looks solid. Havent been under it yet though...:eek:

LikeOhMyGawd!

At first I wondered why would anyone want to spend money on such an ugly jalopy bucket of a money pit. But as soon as I read that it has a skull gear knob and skull valve caps all reason has gone out the window and I think I might actually fancy it myself...

Cmar-Ireland

My mistake, It actually has dice valve caps!!!
But it does have a big skull and crossbones license plate on the dash....:rolleyes:

dubtom

Well did you buy it Cmar, did you get it for a good price.Supose it makes no difference if you didn't, if it's what you want.Let us know and we can meetup sometime, I'm often in Naas.