Before the Internet, adding the numbers “454” to a classified ad virtually guaranteed a quick sale of your Chevy, regardless of its condition or other equipment. There was nothing wrong with the strategy of buying any big block Chevy you could get for a decent price because those three numbers would mean an easy flip. This 1967 Chevrolet Impala SS 396 did not (obviously) come with a 454, but few enthusiasts looking for a driver-quality classic will complain. Its status as a true SS 396, according to the seller, makes it an interesting find, and while this full-sized beast hasn’t run in four years due to electrical issues, it comes with an estimated $3000 in parts to help sweeten the pot. Check out more pictures and details at Craigslist where the asking price of $10,000 (firm) could make it yours. Thanks to reader Pat L. for spotting this captive and stationary Impala.
The 454 cid (7.4L) mill makes a good visual stand-in for the 396 (6.5L) original. Both editions of the Mark IV Big Block made big torque for moving sizable vehicles like the full-sized Impala and pickup trucks, and with more radical internals, they make ferociously fast weapons out of anything they power. Some of the best times I enjoyed as a young hooligan came behind the wheel of a 454 Chevy pickup that could boil the tires from a 20 MPH roll.
A fresh console and the stuff to fill that void in front of the steering wheel come with the sale. Some assembly required. The shiny console is a nice touch as many an Impala SS left the factory with a boring (but date-friendly) bench seat. The automatic transmission could be a two-speed Powerglide or a three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic according to Hemmings.
Numerous full-sized fastbacks greeted car shoppers in the late ’60s, and they look especially menacing with giant tires under the quarters.
Ah, the photograph of a car on a trailer, the universal sign for “someone got a better deal than I will.” Still this is a lot of car, literally and figuratively, for $10,000. People are paying more for tricked-out golf carts these days. Maybe a Chevy expert can weigh in on why the normal Impala wore a flying donkey (actually an Impala) on the rear quarter but the Super Sports, like this one and in the ’67 brochure, do not. Would you take this full-sized Chevy over a fancy golf cart?
Love a 67. Sure would be great to see this one brought back, with a 4 speed.
Good luck and happy motoring.
Cheers
GPC
The sight of the cowl/firewall assembly sitting on the hood is scary. If that needs replacing, it would turn this into a parts car rather than a project.
Steve R
I’ve always loved the style of the ’67. Fav year fo sho.
I know I’m getting old when 454s in junkyard go unplucked and to the crusher AND 454 transplants make the car worth LESS then if it still has the original engine, small or big block……. :)
Must be some REAL GOOD Drugs ON THE LEFT COAST…
Agreed, and if you notice, it’s a non-AC cowl; the car’s a fact AC car. AC delete planned???
Neat old beater, great year, and despite the numerous problems it does in fact have a shiny new air cleaner.
I always looked at the 427 Chevy as the special one, the high winding menace. That bore and stroke died before smog equipment and way low compression tamed it down, unlike the 454 which wound up relegated to truck duty for Years. As far as I know the longer stroke 454 had more to do with easier passing of smog certification. Ive heard that somewhere.
Located in the Inland Empire California