It’s not unusual to have a friend of the family that you call “aunt” or “uncle,” and indeed my mom’s best friend is Aunt Deb. Years ago, her late mother got remarried to a guy named Paul who was, happily for me, a retired truck driver who loved cars; therefore, we got along very well on the occasions where we’d get to hang out. I never saw it, but Paul had ’68 Impala Custom Coupe, and it made enough of an impression on me that I dreamed that I bought one myself (except mine was a Sport Coupe). I remember it vividly, but because it was a dream and you can’t really control your unconscious mind, it had a vinyl top. Still, I get those pangs of familiarity whenever I see a ’68 Impala, and this is one to treasure, just like family that’s not really your family. Our friend T.J. sent it to us by way of craigslist; it’s located in Arlington Heights, Illinois, with an asking price of $25,000.
Even though this is a fairly standard-specification Impala, what makes it special is that the seller says it’s original except for its “factory color repaint” (Grotto Blue?), and it comes with “all booklets, manuals, warranty card, and protecto plate.” It also has just under 49,000 miles. How does the seller know this? Apparently, it was a one-owner car until late 2023. The engine is Chevy’s basic 307 (which had the 283’s bore and the 327’s stroke); it made 200 horsepower underneath a Rochester two barrel. Without power steering, power brakes, or air conditioning, this is not a luxury cruiser, but it certainly wouldn’t have been too out of place in 1968. Given the fresh paint on the heater box, I’d be willing to bet that the heater core has been replaced, which is one less thing for the new owner to do. And look at how much room you have for maintenance.
The blue “pattern cloth” interior with new “safety armrests” is all-original and in “excellent shape with no rips, stains, or tears.” Based on the pictures in the ads, the transmission is the two-speed Powerglide, but with the 307 up front, you knew that would be the case.
This Impala is honestly better than my dream car because it’s exactly the color combination I’d choose in real life, and because I’m in no hurry, the 307 would suit me just fine (although the red 427 badges of my dream Impala simply look sinister). I’m on the fence about the aftermarket large-diameter Chevy Rally wheels, but it’s a good look and I could certainly live with it. The best part? It reminds me of “Grandpa” Paul, and although he was only a part of my life for a short time, I still smile when I think about him. I think he’d like this one.
Good write-up Aaron. Interesting how a single incident (or, in your case, a dream) flavors how we view a particular vehicle, even decades later. When I read your write-up one such incident popped to mind; maybe I will note it when the specific vehicle appears.
Looks like a nice Impala. I like the blue/blue combination. Not cheap.
What Bob said, Aaron, with emphasis.
And insofar as the Sport vs. Custom, the Custom may be easier to see the surrounding traffic behind you but the Sport lines just flow so smoothly.
Too, like Bob said, not cheap but regardless it’s one that a lot of us would snatch up quickly given that opportunity.
Well done as always, Aaron.
Thanks for the compliments, guys. :)
Aaron. Great article. We had several non blood relative ” Aunts and Uncles” in my family that may as well have been flesh and blood. All great people that meant a lot to me and touched my life in so many positive ways. You brought back a flood of great memories. Nice Impala too and I really enjoyed your article very much.
Very nice clean Impala! Just not a fan of the aftermarket wheels
Nice car, although prefer 65-66.
My mothers boss was offered me his mothers 65 Impala Sport Coupe in 1977. 30k miles, $300. Went through a bunch of old magazines we had around and found a original add, looked cool, drove to Baltimore to buy it. 283 Powerglide. Ran it for 3 years until I graduated from electronic institute, sold for $300.
Unstoppable in snow, dependable and easy to work on. Slow, but kicking into first at 40 felt good.
Wished I had a Camaro or anything with a big motor at the time. Now wish I had it back.
Dad had one as our family car. 327 with four barrel. Tripoli turquoise with a white vinyl top. Three kids in the back with out the extra two doors was a pain, but we looked good!
I always thought cloth seats had a better touch and look then leather. Nice ride
Lots of people confuse vinyl for leather.
Vinyl seats get hot and your bare legs stick to them.
Real leather is quite comfortable in the heat (or cold).
Given the choice of cloth or vinyl though cloth would be my preference too.
really nice-looking car and very clean but the oversize tires and wheels detract from the look. take them off and put the traditional rally wheels on it
Almost all of these wore whitewalls & full wheel covers back in the day. & so did the majority of 1st gen camaros & most other ’60s cars.
I would swap those wheels for 15X8 or 16X8 Rally 1s and drive that thing proudly. The price doesn’t seem too far out of line for one that nice. Add power front disc brakes ~ all the necessary parts are readily available at any auto parts store since that was an available option in 68.
I had a 68 Impala that my father bought new. 307, brown with a green interior. 2 door ht. Terrific car! Drove it for 34 years. Rust bug finally got it.
I’ve mentioned this before, but Dad traded his ’60 LeSabre for a ’68 Impala. One year Sequioa Green with a green cloth interior pattern like our subject. Finally, a car with a radio! I talked him into a rear speaker because by now, I wanted my tunes from WEBC 560 AM from Duluth, Mn.
My Dad was a frugal man, having survived the Depression on a farm, so rather than buy 14″ snow tires and rims, he had a set of 15″ Firestone Town & Country snow tires which went on without wheel covers. WHAT! Well, I found a pair of 15″ ’69 Chev. covers at a yard so it looked a little better. At least the tires were whitewalls.
My brother ended that car’s life at 19,959 miles when he fell asleep and went up and over a cable guard rail. He wasn’t hurt, being winter except for the verbal abuse he got from me for wrecking the car!
Dad bought a ’70 Impala driver training car return, Champagne Gold, which was an exact replica of the one in the centerfold of the dealer brochure, minus the fetching blonde. Interior is in there, too.
That sure looks like it could be my parents’ old car. 68 Impala, fast back, 307, powerglide. Same exterior and interior colors from what I remember. Only difference I can see is theirs had steel wheels and dog dish hubcaps. I only got to drive it a few times, but it was a really nice highway car. The car and my folks are long gone but its fun thinking it might still be around. The one thing I did notice, I don’t remember that steering wheel. It might be legit but it reminds me of a Pontiac transplant I once saw.
Definitely correct wheel. Says Impala in the middle of the “t” .
My sister Deb had one of these for her first car, 307 pg. No idea where she got it from or what she did with it. Only thing I remember for sure is that it was a dark blue and a white top, I also remember having to crawl under it and take a screw driver to the starter to get it started once. That was at least 50 years ago, dang I am getting old
I just wanted to mention how much I appreciate guys like Bob_in_TN, Nevadahalftrack, Aaron Toth, the Cadillac Lady and all the others who keep this a fun, interesting, often educational and respectable site. Once a week I get to sit with my 9yo grandson, open BarnFinds and peruse the cars I’ve liked, loved, owned, experiences I’ve had (and contributor experiences, too) plus all the vehicles he likes. He’s developed an interest in working on cars (my helper) that has given him a sense of confidence and accomplishment. We go to car shows together and when he sees a car he likes, then sees it on barnfinds.com, he get very excited and we start talking about it. He seems to like old Ramblers. I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that was my first car . . . Anyway, thank you all for providing such a great site.
I love stories like this!
My first car was a 1968 convertible. Top down cruising the back roads, not a care in the world. This one looks to be a nice driver . price is a bit high for a basic impala. All in all a good looking car.
What 356ASuper said.
No A-C no thanks!