There was a time when full-size American passenger cars from the 1970s were viewed harshly. Owners had trouble shifting them to new homes, and many made a final trip to the nearest scrapyard. However, this 1973 Chevrolet Impala Custom proves that times have changed. It is a tidy and solid classic with only minor shortcomings. These could be addressed at the new owner’s leisure, which may help explain the frantic action since the seller listed it here on eBay in Boise, Idaho. Bidding has raced to $6,800, although that figure remains below the reserve.
Chevrolet introduced its Fifth Generation Impala for the 1971 model year, with the last cars rolling off the lot in 1976. Consumer confidence was high, and there were no signs of the impending energy crisis when the company unveiled the new offering, meaning nobody blinked an eye when it was revealed as the largest car to carry the Impala badge. Our feature Impala Hardtop Coupe rolled off the line in Southgate, California, in 1973. The original owner ordered it in Light Copper Metallic with a Beige (“Light Neutral”) vinyl top. It presents well for an unrestored survivor with no signs of prior damage or repairs. The paint has a selection of small flaws and imperfections, but the overall condition is acceptable for a genuine survivor. Rust is limited to a tiny spot forward of the wheel arch on the passenger side rear quarter panel. The underside shots confirm that this Impala is as solid as the day the first owner took delivery. The vinyl has survived nicely, the trim and chrome are excellent, and the Soft Ray tinted glass shows no evidence of damage.
The biggest news for 1973 was that buyers could no longer order an Impala Hardtop Coupe with a six under the hood. The ’72 Hardtop was an automotive slug when ordered with the 250ci six, an impression that was heightened if the buyer selected the two-speed Powerglide. The 350ci V8 became the entry-level offering in 1973, although buyers could step up to the plate by choosing a 400 or a 454. This car features the 350, with that small-block producing 175hp and 260 ft/lbs of torque. This feeds to the rear wheels via a three-speed Turbo Hydramatic transmission. Another notable change for 1973 was the company’s decision to make variable-ratio power steering and power front disc brakes standard features. This helped improve the driving experience and safety of a car that tipped the scales at 4,244 lbs. The statistics confirm that this Impala wouldn’t be mistaken for a muscle car, but it should effortlessly devour the miles at freeway speed. The seller claims the odometer shows a genuine 24,692 miles, which is no idle boast. They supply paperwork dating back to Day One. This includes the Dealer Documentation, Owner’s Manual, Window Sticker, and complete Service Records. They recently installed new brakes and whitewall tires to a classic that runs and drives extremely well. If the winning bidder fancies a vacation, flying to Boise and driving home behind the wheel of this classic is viable.
The supplied images and Window Sticker confirm the Pioneer CD player and CB are later additions, but the rest of the interior is unmolested. The original owner selected Light Neutral vinyl trim, which has survived remarkably well. There is some slight discoloring, but the overall condition is easily acceptable for a driver-grade classic. There are no rips or splits, no crumbling plastic, and no evidence of UV damage. The dash and pad are excellent, as are the carpet and headliner. The ample rear seat head and legroom make this an ideal candidate for an enthusiast with a growing family. The original owner ticked a few of the right boxes on the Order Form, meaning this car arrived at the dealership equipped with air conditioning, power locks, a tilt wheel, deluxe seatbelts, a remote driver’s mirror, and a selection of courtesy lights.
This 1973 Impala Custom Hardtop Coupe demonstrates how times can change. Owners once struggled to give these cars away as the market viewed them as inefficient and irrelevant. They will probably never be mega-bucks classics, but they are viewed as affordable by a new generation of enthusiasts. That this Impala has received thirty-three bids is a testament to this changed attitude. This could be an ideal candidate for anyone seeking a gentle giant from the 1970s, but are you that person?
My friends dad had this exact color, top, and interior on his ’73 Impala coupe. This brings back some memories.
Had a four door, back in the day. My boss called it the green latrine. He wasn’t wrong.
My Dad has a sedan as a company car, also green, with a cloth interior. The early smog controls really did a number on power and performance, but bolt-on parts to remedy that issue for the 350 small-block, at least, are as common as dirt! Replace the cracked and dry-rotted suspension bits, a nice Cut & Buff, then drive the wheels off of it!
Clean Impala. Love the survivor cars. Pending where this 73 ends up – in the midwest / south, candidate for being donked, or if more local to me in the Bay Area, maybe destined to be riding on triple gold Zenith wires and Vogue tires. I much prefer original, but I am not one those haters of anything that I do not find appealing…anyone that enjoys their old school and keeps it on the road, has my respect. That’s really one of the reasons I enjoy these classics so much, besides my love for the cars, it brings people from all different backgrounds, cultures and generations together to socialize and bond over a common interest.
Always a fan of the B-bodies of that era. But during a cars 50 years span some things bring questions to mind as per the overflow bottle i can’t believe that’s oem. I’m seeing an inline block heather ? Or something close to the rad on the passenger side view and what is that thing with the yellow cap on the drivers side view plus whatever is wrapped up with on the drivers fender. Heat stove for the air cleaner is gone but should be easy to get a repro unit. It deserves a nice home.
If you look at window sticker on original Ebay ad you will see Performance axle ZQ9 for a whopping 12 bucks I believe that is a 4.10 option with a 350 4 barrel that would be pretty quick. please someone chime if I am incorrect.
That is a stop light to stop light sleeper. overall a cool chevy in great shape. By the way A/C in 73 405 bucks wow.
I was wondering if it was a 4 barrel. The 2 barrel only produced 145 horsepower.
Neat car! Interesting that it had options like A/C, tilt wheel and power locks but crank windows. I’d preserve it and enjoy it just the way it is.
I was thinking the same thing, Zen.
I had the Caprice Estate wagon in 1975.
Nice cruiser, but no muscle car!
Mine had a/c also, power rear tailgate and wood siding, and that was about it. No power locks but yeah, crank windows.
$25,000 and counting love these GM B bodies and A bodies 73-76!
Did they really make a 350/350 in ’73? Sounds more like a ’70 L46 Corvette engine.
Another low mileage Impala / Caprice crawls out of the woodwork!
No 350/350 in 1973. I have a 73 Corvette with only 190 hp. L82 was 250 hp. Last year for 350 hp was 1970. I read a comment about a cut and buff. I have professionally detailed cars since 1978. With original GM lacquer 50 years old, take it easy on abrasive compounds. I would first wash the car, clay bar and then with a foam pad use a polish first to bring out the natural oils in the paint. After that, use rubbing compound carefully. This old paint burns easily if you don’t know what you are doing. Beautiful car but will kill you at the gas pump.
That’s partly because they changed from gross to net horsepower ratings in ’72.
Yeah, I think someone’s messed with the odometer on this one. That has more than 26692 original miles on it.
I had a convertible in the exact same color in 1986. The car was a 400 with a 400 th, ac and power windows. The car was a rust bucket. I drove it two months on and off and one day I filled the tank and the tank dropped off, yup trunk braced that held the tank on were gone. I sold the driveline from the car and it went into oblivion. Nice survivor here and like most back then, no two cars were the same. Everyone of them differed from the next.
Lucky the tank dropped when you were gassing it up and not driving it. That probably would not have ended well.
I had a ’73 Coupe as well, white/white with blue interior – that’s the only color interior I’d want with a white car…. There is something about full-size American cars in coupe form that is totally ridiculous, but so nice….