One of the best-selling cars of the 1960s and 1970s was the Chevrolet Impala. For most of that time, it was sandwiched between the Bel Air and the Caprice in the model line-up. Fourth-generation Impalas were on the assembly line from 1965 to 1970, hitting the sales mark of one million units in that first year. This ’70 edition is an Impala Custom Coupe, which employs the 2-door Caprice’s formal hardtop roofline. Located in Rochester, New York, this sweet survivor has only 37,000 miles and looks it. The automobile is available here on eBay where the bidding is up to $5,500 and the seller tips his/her hand with a reserve set at $20,000.
The styling of the 1970 full-size Chevrolets was an evolution of the 1969 refresh, one that I happen to find more attractive (I drove a ’70 Impala drop-top for a time). Sales of the Impala were solid, but not close to prior peak levels. 606,300 copies were built with a V8 engine, 162,600 were station wagons, and just 6,500 had a basic six-cylinder motor. The Custom Coupe was in its third year as part of the mix, where the Impala fastback got a companion notchback hardtop. It was like getting a Caprice with fewer frills.
As presented, this Impala is said to be close to showroom condition. And nothing in the photos provided suggests otherwise, though the engine compartment pic is quite blurry. 37,000 miles is hard to believe after 53 years, but if this car was only brought out for occasional use by its prior owners, it could work. The seller bought the Chevy because of its rust-free nature and was thinking of dropping in a big-block V8. Fortunately, he/she thought better of that idea.
The red paint looks nice, the black vinyl top is blemish-free, and no rust seems to be hiding anywhere. That may be because the car is said to have never been driven in those harsh New York winters. Everything is said to be in working order, including the Delco radio. The vehicle may be a rarity in that it was not ordered with factory air conditioning which was getting to be commonplace by the ‘70s. The 350 V8 is said to run well, and it’s paired with a TH-350 automatic transmission. Who’s got room in their garage for this beauty?
A new set of 8″ Rallyes, set of BF white letter tires and dual exhaust and this thing is perfect! Great eye catching cruiser with that perfect red body! Keep the original tire and wheel setup. This is not a bad price considering all others you see here in worse shape for much more $$.
I agree Cooter, one change would make this car near perfect. I am not sure if this option was available on this year and model, but bucket seats, console, and a horse shoe shifter would look mighty nice !!
I’d also add fender skirts, and a/c if you can find the dash piece with vents or very carefully cut the existing one.
My first car was a ’70 Caprice coupe. Had air & added fender skirts. Gobi beige with gold vinyl roof and gold cloth interior. My interior is in the dealer brochure along with Dad’s Impala twin in the centerfold.
Sweet car.
Most of the Chevies back in the day, including Camaros, ran full wheel covers on the street !
IMO, sport wheels are so wrong for a big Chevy with the Caprice type formal roof, like this one for sale.
Incredible the ’67-72 big chevies each have a 1 year only unique front & rear end. Imagine that on “modern” (yawn) new “cars”.
I agree with your thoughts on so many levels.
Cooter… Don’t forget the 4bbl setup. I know the cam is set for 2bbl but I done this before and work out nicely. This is a sweet ride. 🐻🇺🇸
The 2 bbl and 4 bbl camshafts are the same part number. Ask me how I know. This was in the heyday of the small block with a flat cam syndrome. I must have repaired 100 of them. I got to where I could do that in my sleep.
The main reason this car looks so good is the color,the low mileage ,if accurate and most of all it’s sitting at a great height unlike the low riders people crave,l wonder if it had new coils installed
These are really nice cars, The 2 barrel 350 and the TH-350 transmission are a really nice combo for daily driving and long trips. I would keep it stock and really enjoy it.
My Impala would take 383’s and 389’s from a standing stop. It all ended when a gold 1970 Impala fastback T-boned me in an intersection on a Friday night. If only I had $20000!
Really, really like it but typical for a car from the Northern US during that time period – no A/C. Gotta have A/C down here in Texas. Condition looks fabulous and it’s a great buy.
Back in this time frame I was doing new car get-ready at a Chevy Dealer. I really got to like this car, either the Impala Custom or the Caprice coupe. Just a sweet driving car with plenty of available options and dealer installed accessory kits. Infinitely customizable.
To your expert Barn-Finder eye, does this paint look original? Is the red correct? Is the quality what would have been on the car from factory?
Hard to tell from the pictures if it’s an original color, but the only red was Cranberry Red RPO 75.
This is direct from the color brochure I have along with the dealer and accessories brochure.
Why would you even consider buying a new car when you could nave this?
Depends on which new car.
We added a 4bbl Carter carb on a weiand intake. Switch to 2 1/4″ duals. The power increase was crazy. Even on this heavy boat. Just screamed. Even with 2.73 gear
I put a set of rally’s with pencil redlines on them.dual exhaust with Maremont turbo mufflers, Clifford’s qjet with a edelbrock performer 2-0 intake , pair of Hedman hedders (only headers still made in usa) k&n air filter.I had a 70 C Coupe about 25 years ago with the ls3 454 400 trans and a 2:56 gear. Best time I ran was a 14.98 at Great lakes.Car had rotted fenders and quarters
solid trunk and floors no vinyl top but it was a good one tire fire.Bought it for 1500 at Lake county fair grounds.Ran it at Byron too. I miss it.
I forgot a GM hei too.