Chevrolet’s top-seller got an entirely new design to begin its fifth generation of production in 1971, featuring a more streamlined and modern appearance than its predecessor. While the sedans remained popular choices for family cars, Chevy didn’t forget that the 2-door market was also still thriving back then, with the Sport Coupe among the offerings for those seeking something a bit cooler than an ordinary Impala. The seller reports that this 1971 Chevrolet Impala here on eBay is a Sports Coupe model, and it seems like a decent cruiser already, but he also believes it’s ripe for a restoration. This one is in Valley City, Ohio, and although bidding is already up to $8,200, that’s still not enough to lift the reserve-not-met status.
The owner seems to be right on track when he tells us that this Impala is super clean, and just driving it as-is without doing much of anything outside seems like a good option. Unless you stare closely, it’s not very obvious that the paint is wearing thin in a few areas, as the overall strong shine sort of draws attention away from any defects in the finish. Corrosion doesn’t seem to be an issue anywhere either, as the panels appear solid, with the chrome trim still present and looking well-preserved.
This one’s powered by a 350 engine with a 2-barrel carburetor, and the only information given about the V8 is that it is getting tired. This could indicate a variety of different scenarios, and while it would be helpful to have gotten more specific details, the car is stated to run and drive. Perhaps it just needs a thorough tune-up or something relatively minor like a carb rebuild, or maybe a complete overhaul is on the horizon. Replacing the small block with a larger engine might also be worth pondering, especially if the 350 will require extensive work to become dependable.
Things inside are still looking decent for the most part, and although a couple of the interior photos supplied are a bit blurry, they are all clear enough to show that there aren’t any obvious tears in the seats or much wear on the door panels. The dash is cracked, which is common in many vehicles from this era, but the instrument panel appears to remain in excellent condition.
I might start with a tune-up and see where that gets me before considering any major mechanical undertakings, and I probably wouldn’t get in too big of a hurry to repaint the exterior either. However, I can also understand the desire that some buyers might have to immediately bring this 1971 Chevrolet Impala up to a top-tier example. How do you envision moving forward with this one in the short-term?
My family had 64. 73 and 76 Impala, with a 68 Caprice between the 64 and 73 Impala. 64 and 68 had 327, 73 and 76 a 350. Great cars, easy to work on. Whats the mileage, as you just about cant kill a 327 or a 350. The 73 and 76 were over 100k, and a tap of the accelerator and you were gone. Got good gas mileage too. Worst we ever had to do was put a timing chain on the 76. But, you had room to work. Could be the carb needs rebuilt, could be the timing chain. Gaskets.
If the engine is gone, put in a crate 350 and enjoy. I WOULDNT put in a LS 1, keep it original. I cant stand the ones who want to put a LS 1 in everything
And there was a time when folks grew tired of the trend of sticking 350’s in everything under the sun. But time marches on and it’s now the LS1 trend. Nothing wrong with either. I prefer the look of a stock 350 under the hood as well but there are trade-offs. In the long run the LS would probably be a better choice over the 350.
BTW, the stock 76 chevy 350 was a dog performance wise……less than 175 hp and even in 4-barrel form 0-60 had to be 10 sec. or more in a full size like an Impala.
My dad had a white with red vinyl top 1975 Caprice 2-door. We called it Moby Chevy – these cars are HUGE! GM changed the rooflines in ’75 and installed picture windows where the quarter windows were supposed to go. This was part of the decline and fall of GM styling after the glorious ’60s, (except for the colonnade cars which suffered horribly from the box-bumper mandates).
Hum. They are just not worth much but it doesn’t mean they are not a good car. Yeah just get some kinda 350 with a four barrel in it. This should go cheap and that’s not a bad thing.
“Corrosion doesn’t seem to be an issue anywhere”……except in the engine compartment
Featured on this site July 9th. This is the 4th time the seller has run it through an auction on eBay, the three previous attempts started with a $12,000 opening bid, none received any bids. It’s not a bad car, but the price ceiling looks to be between $9,100 and $12,000, hopefully it finds a buyer
Steve R
Beauty. Solid looking car, wondered being Ohio. South Carolina sticker on it.
I’d clean it and drive it. But its a great sporty big blank canvas
Just classic style.
Another dreaded steering wheel cover! Why?!!
The black hard plastic wheel could be hot after a day in the sun. They’re also prone to splitting and crumbling. That cover is period correct and may have provided some protection.
It’s period correct for the restorer going for authenticity!
You do know they can be removed?
this was for sale a while back. i see its back. neat car. there is a reserve on it so i guess they are looking for some good coin. not worth much more than the high bid. these are a tough market. you really got to want 1.
Future DONK, unfortunately.
Why don’t the hub caps on the left side match the ones on the right side? Left side standard Impala, left side baby moons.
In high school I had a 71 sport coupe, 350 2bbl with 2.92 gears in the back. Would barely pull a fishing boat up the ramp, but it sure would run! 1-2 shift was at 62 mph, 2-3 shift was at 96 mph, it ran out of breath around 145 or so.
Slept in the trunk on a foam mattress a few times in the Holiday Inn parking lot when I got off at 2a & had to be back in at 7a.
ran out of breath around145 mph? Believe you have a typo there. With that engine/carb/rear gear set up…..it would begin to wheez before 120.
Could that car be built and sold today… maybe a computer to run the motor efficiently, but after that… a/c, lots of speakers and sound proofing, MAYBE intelligent cruise control and power windows… that is about it. I know people reading this LOVE their big old pick-up trucks, yet I can imagine a car this big weighs about the same as a big pickup. Why have luxury rides shrunk to ‘mid-size’ while pick-ups and SUV’s have grown to giant size? Anyway I miss the quiet plush ride of a car like this Chevy, along with the absence of so many computers. And of course, WITH open-access wireless telematics. Closed telematics are the enemy of new car buyers. Anyway, I love this Chevy, big, quiet, highway cruisin’ grocery-gettin’ vacation going, friend tot’n conversation pit.A NEW one could get 30 mpg, right?
Maybe the engine isn’t really “tired.” Maybe its just depressed that it hasn’t been detailed in the past 20 years (if ever).
Seems exceptionally clean & still outwardly intact for its age. Though it NEEDS undercarriage pics! A rare example of the marque no longer seen on the road today. Even then, not as common of a sight as one would expect. Nonetheless, one of GM’s transitional B-bodies which remains unappreciated. Some suspension tweaks here’n there, a 4bl. w/duals, keep the steelies but locate authentic pie pans & I’d be a happy camper! For some strange reason, ’71 & ’72 full-size GM’s have always seemed to be specifically designed for my 6′ 4″ frame……. though I hafta’ have a tilt column!
Great-looking car. I love that 1971 top’s lines.