acousticnitemare
Tele-Meister
Good luck then.
Classic car guys, I’m thinking about buying this
- Thread starter Twofingerlou
- Start date
Good luck then.
In the South, that car would have cost $1500 in 1995 if it was rusted out with no interior.
Again, I wish the OP wasn't keeping us in the dark, but I'm thinking $4-5k is a cheap entry price if the frame isn't rusted.
DugT
Tele-Afflicted
My age group is the group of guys that like cars like that for nostalgic reasons and our time is almost up.
I don't know why anyone would rather drive something like that than something like this. It cost me $39000 when it had 20k miles on it and looked like new. Coincidentally, I drove a 1965 Impala SS in the 60's and now I would rather drive just about any modern car. (Yes, this is a weak excuse for me to show off my car.)
I don't know why anyone would rather drive something like that than something like this. It cost me $39000 when it had 20k miles on it and looked like new. Coincidentally, I drove a 1965 Impala SS in the 60's and now I would rather drive just about any modern car. (Yes, this is a weak excuse for me to show off my car.)
Twofingerlou
Tele-Holic
I’m in my mid 30’s and have/do have newer vehicles and older stuff with a 77 chevy pickup currently in my fleet of vehicles. I do enjoy the creature comforts like fuel injection and better heat and AC systems. The older stuff has a cooler factor and turns more heads though.
Handful of years back when one of my Buddy’s got married I was the best man. He had a 67 Cadillac two door deville with the 429 under the hood. For a couple days I got the keys and drove it around running wedding errands, delivering things to the bridal party on the wedding day and later all of us guys crammed in that baby for a ride to the church. We made a couple stops and six guys getting out of that car dressed in tux’s and people were taking pictures for the cool factor.
I was the chauffeur for them from the church, reception and afterwards. Windows down all over town and the cadi big block purring everywhere we went we were breaking necks at every corner!! Damn thing floated down the road like you were laying in a water bed!
New cars just don’t have the style or soul like older “junk”.
ReverendRevolver
Friend of Leo's
Not an impala fan. I watched my step-dads step dad rebuild a Chevelle to carshow condition over the course of the late 90s/ early 00s. From the parts of 2 Chevelles and a Buick Skylark for some stuff IIRC.
He sold it. The point was the act of fixing it. So I get it.
But, it's an Impala. You would need to find out model specific quirks that may take all the enjoyment out of this for you. And I mean 2022 relevant issues, like the windshield thing.
Anytime a friend has been on the fence over an older car to wrench on as a hobby, I always ask what thier opinion is on rat-rods. Because sometimes things are too far gone, and if you're going down certain "restoration" rabbit holes, you get dangerously close to being easier and more interesting to make a mildly interesting abomination than whatever the car started as. (Or truck...)
But if it's a deal, (and it is a non functioning parts pile for a non-nova, non chevelle....) Then you can probably enjoy getting it rolling.
Edit:
Forgot to say, the amount of time you want to spend weekly on this is also a factor. Cost of parts is often about pacing (when you don't find killer deals randomly).
I've known more people between 25 and 40 that get fulfillment from rebuilding motorcycles than cars lately, practical or not, they're fewer pieces and less long term build investment.
He sold it. The point was the act of fixing it. So I get it.
But, it's an Impala. You would need to find out model specific quirks that may take all the enjoyment out of this for you. And I mean 2022 relevant issues, like the windshield thing.
Anytime a friend has been on the fence over an older car to wrench on as a hobby, I always ask what thier opinion is on rat-rods. Because sometimes things are too far gone, and if you're going down certain "restoration" rabbit holes, you get dangerously close to being easier and more interesting to make a mildly interesting abomination than whatever the car started as. (Or truck...)
But if it's a deal, (and it is a non functioning parts pile for a non-nova, non chevelle....) Then you can probably enjoy getting it rolling.
Edit:
Forgot to say, the amount of time you want to spend weekly on this is also a factor. Cost of parts is often about pacing (when you don't find killer deals randomly).
I've known more people between 25 and 40 that get fulfillment from rebuilding motorcycles than cars lately, practical or not, they're fewer pieces and less long term build investment.
MarkieMark
Friend of Leo's
Spoiler alert, I am with the "run" replies.
Hate to be a downer, especially given that you havent had a very good response to some of those honest opinions so far.
I totally "get" what you are feeling and seeing.
"Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt, wore it out"
"Get it drivable, retain the aged patina"
I think that you are possibly being quite optimistic. And I think that what you are describing and what I am seeing in those pics don't match.
Agreed on the common frame issues, especially prone to structural issues around the rear shock/spring mounting areas.
Also agree on the glass frame area issues, Base of both the front and rear glass is very likely perforated, leaking, and has been for years. And yes, high level of difficulty to repair well, and extremely difficult to prevent re-occurrence.
And you can't see the worst of it until the glass is removed.
But even without that- the windshield on that car has been broken, leaking and it looks likely it has been for years.
All I need to see to know what the rest of the condition is shown along this firewall seam in one of your pics-
That is worse than it looks I am sure.
It is very likely there are perforations/leaks inside the cowl area that have been leaking into the interior.
I can smell that interior from here...
That bubbling at the base of the a-pillar? 10X worse than it appears, guaranteed. And that's everywhere.
(BTW, that is your VIN plate in the green area.)
And what is this?
Its not clear, but I am guessing a long broken motor mount someone "fixed" with a chain/cable. least of the worries, but humor me...
4 speed car, broken motor mount...
Anyway- lets be frank.
Brakes, full rebuild. Even then you have a very questionable single circuit (four-wheel drum?) system. Upgrade desperately needed.
Steering- pretty bad even when it was "fresh" Upgrade desperately needed.
A lot of suspension rebuilding. Bushings, shocks, everything.
Fuel system, pump, carb rebuild or replacement, possible tank.
Full exhaust as already mentioned.
Clutch.
Belt, hoses at minimum.
Tires (BTW, modern tires, automatic major upgrade!)
Etc.
Etc.
Seemingly endless etc.
Then there's that smelly, funky interior...
This never ends.
This is clearly no "rust free south-west specimen"
You ask what it's worth?
It's worth whatever someone is willing to pay.
A seller's dream is to find someone with a rosy optimistic view.
Being an SS car, the title and vin plate has value. The matching parts have value.
Clean it up and make it a driver?
I think you are being optimistic.
Whole lot of work making that a reliable, safe(r) driver.
BTW, the serious experienced guys who do that "retain the patina" bit generally take the car apart, fix/upgrade the mechanicals, and often use tricks like stabilizing existing areas in ways that dont appear to be repaired, per-say.
Hate to be a downer, especially given that you havent had a very good response to some of those honest opinions so far.
I totally "get" what you are feeling and seeing.
"Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt, wore it out"
"Get it drivable, retain the aged patina"
I think that you are possibly being quite optimistic. And I think that what you are describing and what I am seeing in those pics don't match.
Agreed on the common frame issues, especially prone to structural issues around the rear shock/spring mounting areas.
Also agree on the glass frame area issues, Base of both the front and rear glass is very likely perforated, leaking, and has been for years. And yes, high level of difficulty to repair well, and extremely difficult to prevent re-occurrence.
And you can't see the worst of it until the glass is removed.
But even without that- the windshield on that car has been broken, leaking and it looks likely it has been for years.
All I need to see to know what the rest of the condition is shown along this firewall seam in one of your pics-
That is worse than it looks I am sure.
It is very likely there are perforations/leaks inside the cowl area that have been leaking into the interior.
I can smell that interior from here...
That bubbling at the base of the a-pillar? 10X worse than it appears, guaranteed. And that's everywhere.
(BTW, that is your VIN plate in the green area.)
And what is this?
Its not clear, but I am guessing a long broken motor mount someone "fixed" with a chain/cable. least of the worries, but humor me...
4 speed car, broken motor mount...
Anyway- lets be frank.
Brakes, full rebuild. Even then you have a very questionable single circuit (four-wheel drum?) system. Upgrade desperately needed.
Steering- pretty bad even when it was "fresh" Upgrade desperately needed.
A lot of suspension rebuilding. Bushings, shocks, everything.
Fuel system, pump, carb rebuild or replacement, possible tank.
Full exhaust as already mentioned.
Clutch.
Belt, hoses at minimum.
Tires (BTW, modern tires, automatic major upgrade!)
Etc.
Etc.
Seemingly endless etc.
Then there's that smelly, funky interior...
This never ends.
This is clearly no "rust free south-west specimen"
You ask what it's worth?
It's worth whatever someone is willing to pay.
A seller's dream is to find someone with a rosy optimistic view.
Being an SS car, the title and vin plate has value. The matching parts have value.
Clean it up and make it a driver?
I think you are being optimistic.
Whole lot of work making that a reliable, safe(r) driver.
BTW, the serious experienced guys who do that "retain the patina" bit generally take the car apart, fix/upgrade the mechanicals, and often use tricks like stabilizing existing areas in ways that dont appear to be repaired, per-say.
One thing for sure , it could have a Muncie transmission but it is NOT a rock crusher.
There is a difference. The rock crusher got its name because it has straight cut gears and is as noisy as a rock crusher. Most Muncie’s have angle cut gears. I believe there is a difference in the side plate but don’t remember exactly what to look for.
MarkieMark
Friend of Leo's
The original trans would not be a "rock crusher" This is correct.
I am pretty certain that didn't exist until later any way, and even then would have been a quite rare option or upgrade. Maybe appeared optionally in a later big block vette only or something.
My memory is vague on this, But the original trans should be an early version of the M-21. Which IIRC got an internal upgrade around '66 or so to larger more durable countershaft bearings and synchro's because the early ones were quite fragile and would tolerate very little "spirited" driving.
I remember this because I had an early vette roadster, 327/300 4speed that would break the synchro rings all the time until I put later model guts in the trans during a rebuild.
hey twofingerlou, what does it need to get it up and running? does the engine turn over or is anything seized? can you get parts easily if you need them? i know others have advised that costs could get way out of control on this sort of project, but you'll know better than us what you can absorb and where you can make savings.
421JAM
Tele-Afflicted
Preach.
Expecting a monetary return on your investment for your hobbies is stupid and counterproductive and makes human society worse.
Your profit is your enjoyment.
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Wallo Tweed
Friend of Leo's
I remember seeing those cables on 60s and 70s GM cars. I think it was to keep the fan out of the radiator if the left motor mount broke.
But I agree with you and others that say run. Rust never sleeps!
985plowboy
Poster Extraordinaire
I have no opinion since I personally don’t have the shop space, skills, time, money nor inclination to take on that project.
But should you decide to……..
Please make a thread so I can live vicariously through you.
But should you decide to……..
Please make a thread so I can live vicariously through you.
Man I love old Impalas, partial to the earlier 60's units personally but I like the mid 60's as well.
As for all the advice you have been given, it is all good advice. From the run away, to the rust perspectives, to the fix it up and enjoy it as it is the hobby that brings us joy.
So as far as the price, I think I would not go over say $3500. I was going to say $5K as she sets but that extra $1500 is going to be needed if that motor needs work and it would be nice if you are just going to drive it like it is to put a new interior in it.
As for all the advice you have been given, it is all good advice. From the run away, to the rust perspectives, to the fix it up and enjoy it as it is the hobby that brings us joy.
So as far as the price, I think I would not go over say $3500. I was going to say $5K as she sets but that extra $1500 is going to be needed if that motor needs work and it would be nice if you are just going to drive it like it is to put a new interior in it.
Guitarteach
Doctor of Teleocity
I try to keep a ‘63 car going…. You need time, more money than you expect, patience and a love for the practical work. That one looks in quite a state.
If you have the extensive tools, workspace and inclination.. enjoy.
if not, find something with less work to try yourself out on.
If you have the extensive tools, workspace and inclination.. enjoy.
if not, find something with less work to try yourself out on.
The SS designation probably accounts for half the value, whatever that might be. I have no idea what something like that is worth today, but it's a pretty cool car and that rusty "patina" look is awesome. If you go through with it, post some "after" pics!
sloppychops
Friend of Leo's
I just can't imagine taking on all the work and expense that a project like this involves, especially in the current economic environment. Just think of all the time this is going to take out of your life. And for what? Bragging rights? Admiring glances?
In the end, it's just a car. Not a collectible car, just an old car.
In the end, it's just a car. Not a collectible car, just an old car.
Dirtsquirrel
Tele-Meister
Cosmetics aside, if you can get it running you may be required to pass a safety inspection to register and insure. Could get expensive.
With all due respect ..... the car in your pictures left "classic" far behind years ago. I don't do classic cars but I have multiple friends that do and the one you're looking at would be a "pass" to any of them.
Cosmic Cowboy
Tele-Afflicted
Been outta the game for awhile now, but given how original it is, Id guess its somewhere 5k-7.5k pending inspection.
