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$2500 Project! 1969 Chevrolet Impala 396… by Toyota

Full-sized cars from the classic muscle-car era have historically lagged behind the popularity of their medium-sized kin, but you’ll find plenty of muscle in the “Over 4000 lb” class… like this full-size 1969 Chevrolet Impala. Thanks to Bill W. who spied this abandoned big-block classic here on South Jersey craigslist with a reasonable asking price of $2500. Chevrolet considered the fastback version of this body style the most sporty, but this car’s roofline seems more balanced and aggressive.

Tail lights recessed into the tight-fitting bumper echo Chevy’s earlier use of Triple Tail Lights, a signature so quintessentially “Chevy” that many modified Corvettes featured an extra pair of tail lights. Normally I immediately skip listings written by anyone trolling for web search hits by including the names of other vehicles, such as “Toyota, Honda, Nissan,” in this car’s example. Personally, I’d have to REALLY want a car to reward someone for bad behavior, and can’t help wondering what other tricks the seller might consider in their horse-trading. However for this reader submission, a cool big block Chevy, I acquiesced. How many people will call the seller saying “I woke up this morning thinking I wanted a Sentra, but I’d like to come look at your junked Impala?”

The white door panels suggest the seats may also have been white when this full-size sled left the factory. This car’s salvage title means it will require additional scrutiny before being declared road-legal in most states. I’ve been through that process in Virginia, and I’d take that route any day over a “Bill of Sale” car.

The 265 HP 396 cid V8 may have been overshadowed by two available 427 cid engines making 365 and 390 HP, but the 396’s torque, 400 lb-ft, will make this large hardtop feel lighter than its 4100 lb (thanks to myclassicgarage.com for some details). We might call this Chevy a “barge” but it’s about 300 lb lighter than a 2006 BMW 750Li, and a modest application of cash will wake up the Mark IV big block with another 100 HP or more. What do you think of this low-budget big block Chevy?

Comments

  1. Avatar Rube Goldberg Member

    Pull the motor and fire up the shredder.

    Like 30
    • Avatar Miguel

      This car looks completely savable.

      It looks like a fun cheap project.

      Like 10
    • Avatar Rusty Cage

      It’s a rusty bucket with a salvageable heart!

      I will sign the time of death and
      the organ donor car(d) 🤠👀

      It’s time to toss it !

      Like 7
  2. Avatar flmikey

    …never saw a 396 with a 2 barrel…isn’t that a sin in the muscle car community? I don’t think this one will bring the money they are asking…maybe a grand….

    Like 13
    • Avatar Miguel

      That carb definitely doesn’t belong on this engine.

      Like 3
    • Avatar Steve R

      It was available on full size cars in 1969 only.

      Nearly twenty years ago a friend bought a same year full size wagon with a with a 427 and a 2bbl, which the promptly parted out and installed the engine in his El Camino.

      Steve R

      Like 7
      • Avatar Miguel

        I have the wagon in my back yard. It is a Kingswood model.

        It is a shame there is no way to know which V8 the car had from the factory.

        It was missing the fender badges when I got it.

        Like 3
  3. Avatar Ernest Hayes

    t isnt a Impala, its a Caprice, look at the way the rear window, goes straight down

    Like 3
    • Avatar JTNC

      No, it’s an Impala. The Impala Custom Coupe had the same roofline as the Caprice 2-door. There was also an “regular” Impala 2-door which had a different roofline.

      Like 2
  4. Avatar Dirk

    Hey. I’m down with anything from South Jersey, you know what I mean?

    Like 2
  5. Avatar Todd Fitch Staff

    FYI some details on Impala vs. Caprice “Impala had narrow trim extending from the front bumpers all the way to the rear, with a colored insert. They also had a narrow chrome strip that ran the entire length of the rocker panels. Impala came with chrome trim around the wheel well openings, as well as a single chrome ring on the inside of each of the 6 tail lights. In addition to this Impala had “Chevrolet” spelled out in individual letters across the front edge of the hood.” from http://www.1969chevy.com/impala.htm

    Like 3
    • Avatar GP Member

      So it would be the custom coupe roof then ?

      Like 1
    • Avatar Timothy maddox

      Will you sell parts off the 1969 impala hood and few more things

      Like 0
  6. Avatar mlm

    Hmm.I see that ’63 lurking in the back!

    Like 4
    • Avatar Dupper

      That 63 is available, south jersey Craigslist search “bridgeton” there was an auction here last week, thats where he got a bunch of cars.

      Like 1
  7. Avatar r spreeman

    There was no fastback version of this car in 1969. 1968 was the last year for that.

    Like 15
    • Avatar Rick A. Loera Member

      Here’s one. 1969 Impala Sport. Sort of a semi fastback style.

      Like 16
      • Avatar Steve

        That is beautiful.

        Like 6
      • Avatar PAPERBKWRITER

        Rick, this car looks like the Le mans Blue Impala (black interior I bought new in Nov. 1968.( Mine was a 327 with a 3 speed.) this is an SS 427. After throwing away the smog pump I took it to the speed shop and spent a good buck, but that big Impala would run. I’ve owned a lot of cars including 3 Vettes and a few other hi-po Chevy’s but I loved this car the most.

        Like 0
  8. Avatar Rock On!

    Big block 396’s came factory equipped with the Rochester 2 barrel. This engine was designed for torque not horsepower. I have read a few articles on this engine and it was produced in very low numbers.

    Like 7
    • Avatar Miguel

      The small carb looks so out of place for such a thirsty engine.

      Like 5
    • Avatar r spreeman

      Comparable I suppose to the masses of Ford products with 390 2bbls and Mopars with 383 2bbls. Even Chargers often had that engine.

      Like 5
  9. Avatar r spreeman

    My 2nd car was a 1969 Kingswood (= Impala) wagon with the 300hp 350. It was surprisingly peppy.

    For some ridiculous reason it had the mid-level trim and AC and the good engine, but non-power drum brakes which were terrible. All I can figure is that there was some sort of supply issue or strike and maybe GM couldn’t get power brake boosters in sufficient supply so they built some cars without power brakes which sorely needed them. I beat the daylights out of that poor car; traded it in with 62,000 miles on it and though it felt ‘tired’. Maybe it was. Got a 1971 Plymouth Sport Fury GT with power disk brakes and it felt like I’d gone to heaven. SO nice to have decent brakes.

    Like 3
    • Avatar dweezilaz

      Power brakes were still an option that many didn’t want to buy. A lot of excuses: too touchy, something else to go wrong, etc etc.

      For a lot of makes, even power boosted discs were an option, even as discs made their way into the mainstream.

      Like 1
      • Avatar BillO Member

        My mom had a 1969 Impala with non power brakes, my sister had a 1970 Malibu with non power brakes, and my dad had a 1971 LTD with power front disc brakes. So when I started driving in 1971 I would drive any of these. I would have to concentrate on which car I was in. When I would drive the LTD, sometimes I would just about go through the windshield because it was so much sensitive and easier to stop. My mom’s next car, a 1972 Caprice had the power front disc brakes standard.

        Like 0
  10. Avatar craig

    Seller states: Needs Restoration

    Well, thank you Captain Obvious!!!

    Like 9
  11. Avatar Eric G

    That is a one year only intake. I had one. My buddy snatched it up years ago so that he could have one

    Like 2
  12. Avatar Derek Gear

    Either the seats have been changed or that is not a 69. Federal Regulations required headrests on seats sometime around mid 68.

    Like 0
  13. Avatar Matt

    That car looks as tired as I feel tonight..but I love them…can’t imagine the $ and time it would take to make it nice again but a 396 makes it seem worth it… it’ll be on vanguard motors site for $70k a year from now

    Like 2
  14. Avatar Ivan Badillo

    Sorry to say, this is to far gone for someone to pay this much. Yes it can be restored any car can be restored. I am restoring a 67 impala convertible. It would only happen if it was sold for under $1,000. Or someone how realy wants it and is not looking around. Sorry to say. Im a chevy fan sense I could talk.

    Like 2
  15. Avatar Joe Howell

    That 2 barrel sure looks tiny, I never knew they strangled a 396 like that. I aways thought the 396 with 325 HP was the base. I had one of the first 396s, a 1965 4 speed Impala Sport Coupe with the 325 HP engine. Personally I never cared for the Caprice rear window/roof line. The 68 SS427 posted is a beauty and the 69’s Super Sport’s roof line isn’t too bad but nothing compares to the beauty of the flowing roof line leading into the 6 taillights of the 65’s trunk lid.

    Like 3
  16. Avatar George

    I got a 396/265 2 bbl and put it in a 75 camaro back in 88. Paid $50 for the car and $175 for the engine. Those were the days!

    Like 2
  17. Avatar ACZ

    This engine option was very popular for the trailer towing package in the full size wagon. Pretty uncommon in any other model, like this one. The dealer I worked for in those days used this in just about all his wagons in inventory. Not performance oriented by any means, but could tow the Empire State Building.

    Like 3
    • Avatar Loco Mikado

      The reason that the 2bbl 396 & 427 engines were built was in response to the owners who didn’t “race their cars” complaints of low gas mileage. These engines were an attempt to give better mileage with lots of torque. They were successful with the torque, not so much about the fuel economy.

      Like 2
  18. Avatar Sanity Factor

    My 73 about same condition….

    Like 3
  19. Avatar Alexander Member

    Perhaps a Toyota carb?

    Like 0
  20. Avatar Patrick

    Hello is th hat 73 for sale

    Like 0
  21. Avatar Gary Koldras

    I have a 1968 BelAir 327 CI. AC car and 1969 Impala 396 CI. AC car . None for sale !🇱🇷🇱🇷

    Like 0
  22. Avatar Jeremy

    To refute a few of these comments, I have a 1969 impala. It is properly called a Custom with the fast dropping rear window. Mine came with factory front disc brakes, power windows, air conditioning, cruise control and a driver side cable controlled mirror. 90% restored but it still is a magnet for attention.
    Hard as hell to find parts. I am always looking for parts if anyone has any advice.

    Like 0
  23. Avatar Justin Tozier

    Google up the chrome pieces, back window trim etc. worth a lot in parts. I have one complete and a parts car both pretty far gone but restorable. Trying to get a feel for what there worth

    Like 0

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