While it might not be completely original, this 1967 Chevrolet Impala SS is not only a solid classic, but it comes with a healthy big-block hiding under the hood. The original owner has perfectly combined performance and comfort in a vehicle representing a straightforward restoration project. If all of that sounds too tempting to resist, you will find the Impala located in Islip Terrace, New York, and listed for sale here on craigslist. If you hand the owner $15,500, you could be driving away in this beauty. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Pat L for spotting the SS for us.

When you take a closer look at the Marina Blue Impala, it seems to be a positive experience. The owner admits that it would benefit from a repaint, but it still seems to present well enough to be driven as a survivor in the short term. While there are some visible flaws, the paint shines nicely, while the panels wear nothing more than a couple of minor dings that could have been inflicted in a car park. The big question with classics of this age is always going to revolve around the presence of rust. This Impala isn’t exempt, although it looks like it might be minimal. There is nothing visible externally, and the only issue that the owner notes is that the trunk will need a repair. It isn’t clear how extensive this rust might be, so it could range anywhere from requiring a patch to a complete trunk pan. However, the buyer should be able to source a full trunk pan for under $250, so this should be an inexpensive repair. The exterior trim and chrome look good for a survivor, while the same is true of the glass. The owner has fitted a set of Cragar wheels, and while they aren’t original, they suit the vehicle’s character. If I were to buy this SS, I would probably leave them on.

When we turn our attention to the interior, the impression that the Impala makes is mainly positive. The original owner ordered the car with bucket seats, a console, and air conditioning. All of these items remain intact, with the console appearing to be free from significant problems. The black vinyl upholstery shows no evidence of significant wear or damage, while the dash and pad are in impressive condition. The carpet is okay, but I believe that spending $180 on a new carpet set would significantly boost the interior’s presentation. The owner has fitted an aftermarket radio and some gauges under the dash, but the buyer could remove these if they aren’t to their taste. More intrusive is the addition of a tachometer. This has been integrated into the gauge cluster, and while the quality of the work looks good, I find it intrusive. If I were to buy the SS, I would probably consider changing this.

The Impala isn’t numbers-matching, but it might not be the end of the world, depending on your viewpoint. The engine bay houses a 454ci big-block which feeds its power to the 12-bolt rear end via a Turbo 400 transmission. The original owner ordered the SS with power steering and power front disc brakes to take the hard work out of the driving experience. Unfortunately, the owner doesn’t provide any information on the specifications of that mighty 454. More frustratingly, he also doesn’t supply any information on how well the Impala runs or drives. The motor looks clean and tidy, so if visual impressions count for anything, the news should be pretty positive. For those of you who might wish to drop a 396 back under the hood, the owner does give you a starting point. He includes a set of ’67 396 cylinder heads in the sale, along with a correct intake, carburetor, and water pump. The buyer will need to hunt for a date-correct 396 engine block and ancillaries, but these components are a start. There are also some other parts included, but it isn’t clear what these are.

If the photos and text provided in the listing for this ’67 Impala SS 396 are accurate, this should represent a straightforward restoration project. It is a shame that it is missing its original 396, but putting together a date-correct replacement should not be difficult. If the buyer does that and performs the restoration work to a decent standard, the SS should command a market value of $40,000 any day of the week. When you balance that against the asking price, that leaves a fair amount of room to move before this becomes a financially questionable project. With those thoughts in mind, is this one that you would be tempted to tackle?