Although it’s now mostly considered nostalgic, a custom paint application with flames on the front was once not uncommon to find on certain vehicles, resulting in an effective and attention-getting appearance on cars such as the Corvette or just about any tri-five. While this treatment is a bit unusual to find on a seventies family station wagon, this 1974 Chevrolet Impala here on eBay wears it well, with the amount of fire falling into the just-right level instead of going overboard. This one’s been sitting in the seller’s shop for the last five years, and he sounds ready to sell, with the buy-it-now cost of $12,000 also supplemented with a make offer button. Head over to Watertown, New York, if you want to check out this cool family mover in person first before making any decisions.
To display such an aggressive look from the front, the rest of the wagon is much more subdued, with the tinted windows and blacked-out headlight bezels being less assertive touches outside. The Chevy hubcaps and whitewall tires only add to the otherwise timid nature of the exterior, and while that’s all well and good, a set of rally wheels or some vintage mags with white letter tires might help even things out a bit on the outside. While the paint is OK for a driver, the sheet metal has developed some light rust in a few lower areas, but it seems minor and probably not worth addressing yet.
When it’s functioning properly, the clamshell rear end on these wagons is a fine feature, allowing the tailgate to retract underneath the floor and the window to slide into the roof. The seller mentions that this somewhat complex feature is often inoperative in one way or another on such-equipped GMs, but no worries here, as this combo is stated as working fine. It can be controlled by a switch on the dashboard or from the rear lock.
To be past the fifty-year-point, the interior looks a lot better than many examples with this sort of age, with the only specific defect mentioned being a small tear in the driver’s bench. This one’s also loaded for the period and features power seats, windows, and door locks, along with cruise control. No engine photo is provided, but the 350 is said to be running great and appears to be free of oil leaks. The flames on this 1974 Chevrolet Impala station wagon may be a bit much for some potential buyers, but I think they work fairly well here. How about you?
At least they didn’t put a surfboard on it!
Ahhh, I can almost smell the vomit from here. Oh come on, these were family movers, and there was always that kid, like Wendell Borton on the school bus, that always tossed their cookies. 200 viewers, so definitely interest, no bids, however, but it will sell, and some lucky buyer will mighty happy. There just isn’t anything like this today, and you’ll see, people will tire, I hope, of the electronic gee-gaws failing, and future choices may include, “the all new 2035 Chevy 6 passenger station wagon, at your Chevy/Misubishy dealer today”,,,
Reason I say gee-gaws failing, my nephew came to visit, rented an almost new VW Whatsis, and the info screen was all scrambled. I said, what’s this? He said he rents a lot of cars, and that is very common.
Those black headlight bezels make it look like a middle-aged woman trying out the “smoky eye” for the first time and hoping she doesn’t look foolish.
My parent bought brand new and owned this exact car. Same year, same exterior color, same interior color up until 79 when they traded her in for a brand new 79 Oldsmobile Delta 88. The memories we had in that car. ❤️
Nicely optioned for a family wagon, nice to see one so well preserved. Being an originalist, I’d get rid of the flames, and enjoy it for what it is.
Whoa…someone used the body filler on those lower quarters like they were frosting a cake!
National lampoon’s vacation. Something that you hardly ever see, in really good shape too
I had a 1973 impala 4 door with the drive by windows back in the early 2000’s It was light green with a white roof. 350 /350 driveline and dual exhuasts. The options were power bench seat like this car A/C P/B P/S and a am radio. It was a Nevada car with no rust and I sold it for 2500 to a friend in 2002. This wagon is cool but the price is to high and being in NY rust is a factor!
Lovely looking car. Although I was way too young at the time to drive a car, I’ve known people who have. Assuming this car runs and drives under its own power, and all it needs is a paint job, this looks like it would make an awesome resto project to drive while uploading certain things.
I think $4,000 might be a little more realistic.
All that came to mind when you mentioned it had flames on a family wagon was the movie “The Inlaws” where he drives his car into a body shop to get away from someone chasing them and comes out with flames on his BMW.
The flames are to me just…. strange.
As strange as a vinyl top, landau bars and “opera lights” on a Camaro!
Of course it has to be green! 🤮
I had a ’73 Caprice Estate wagon in blue (not much better but tolerable) in ’76. Loved that car. Not a luxury vehicle, not a powerful land yacht, but one of the best cars I’ve ever owned. Absolutely love the clamshell. Came in handy so often, especially with the power option.
I’d love to get this and repaint it. Get those flames off and make it at least a tolerable green so the door jams don’t stick out.
Great derby cars
Blasphemy! I love seeing cars preserved.
There is one of these with a big block in it that has been setting about 20 miles from my town for 30 yrs plus that I know of and the guy won’t sell it. It’s been setting in plain sight at his auto repair shop on a 4-lane state route in east TN.
Nice Wagon!
I ve got one on my own, too; But my Tailgate- Sealings are very bad, would love to know if the seller of this one, has got a connection to someone who could help me with ’em;
Gassi
I drove a similarly-equipped ’76 Buick Estate Wagon for a few years. I loved the clamshell tailgate, which never failed me. It was handy for loading in drunk friends to haul them home from the bar. My closest friends always referred to the tailgate as the “Jaws of Life.”
Personally, I would lose the flames on this one. And the smoky eyes.
SOLD.
Best Offer Accepted.
The amazing thing about this one is the functional tailgate!