Imagine finding your very first car from 44 years ago and bringing it home for a restoration. Then you end up spending a fortune on mechanical repairs, only to have one major thing blow up after another, destroying your trip down Memory Lane. That’s what happened to the seller with this 1970 Chevrolet Impala Custom Coupe, to the point he/she wants to wash his/her hands of the whole thing, taking a major loss in the process. This hard-luck Chevy is in Lake Park, Minnesota, and is available here on eBay, where $510 has been bid with no reserve. Thanks for the tip on this “Calamity Jane” project, Mitchell G.!
Chevrolet added the Custom Coupe to the Impala line-up in 1968. They took the formal roof of the fancier Caprice and applied Impala trim and badging. The seller’s edition is from 1970, and it first entered the seller’s life when it was eight years old. We don’t know when the car moved on to its next owner, but the seller ran across it again in 2022 while surfing craigslist. Still retaining ancient memories, the seller set forth on a journey to restore this old Chevy. That’s when all the pleasant thoughts began to go south.
The seller spent $25,000 on a new engine, rebuilt transmission, new suspension, brakes, fuel system, and more only to have the tranny crap out after four miles. Finger-pointing between the seller and the shop commenced resulting in the repair shop assuming no responsibility. Then after getting the transmission repaired elsewhere, the new engine blew up on the second ride home.
We’re told a new 300 hp Vortec motor with 50 miles is here, but the photos show an old dirty engine instead. With the seller now into the car for 30 grand, the body and paint have yet to be touched, and the interior may be as it was when the seller first owned the car. Sounds like the seller needs a good lawyer, yet he/she is now willing to take the loss and try to write it off on taxes (good luck with that). Sometimes trying to recreate the past isn’t a good idea.
$510 for the drive train would be a great deal. I don’t want the car and woukd part it out.
Sounds like somebody thinks they have a race car. Or….got badly ripped off by the mechanics. I don’t see 25k in work done.
Run away from this one .
I am curious as to the full story and how things work out for the seller. $25k seems ludicrous for the work that was completed and it doesn’t seem like it was done correctly. They say every time an old man (or woman) dies, a library burns to the ground. I feel like the effects of losing tombes of experience and information about classic cars is finally beginning to show. I had a letdown that was less expensive but similarly hearbreaking woth my 300J.
Run Forest Run!! Bad ju ju here.
“My baby left me, my mule got lame, lost my money in a poker game. A windstorm came, just the other day. Blew the house that I lived in away. I’m havin’ so much trouble…” Lonesome George said it best.
You have to be willing to turn wrenches yourself, or you’ll wind up with crazy bills and possible sketchy workmanship. I do it for the satisfaction (and I’m cheap). I would feel little connection to the car unless I did it all myself. I would have gone with a used engine/transmission. You can do that for $1,000. What else you need? A hoist and floor jack? Basic handtools? $25,000 is an expensive lesson.
I wouldn’t part this car out, it looks pretty complete, the bumpers and grille are even straight. I feel bad for the guy who lost his a$$ here but again, its not the car’s fault. I have a soft spot for these, my 2nd car was a gold 69 custom with 327 engine and had a set of Western slotted rims, was really sharp. You don’t see these around like you do 65 thru 68’s. If I had room I would drag this home. I can picture it with a straight body and that gold paint glowing in the sun with a set of 8″ Vette rallies and a set of raised white letter BF’s to finish the look. Definitely not a parts car!
I do agree with Cooter about the car being complete. I would want the original am fm radio and look the dash is not cut up around the radio!!
With no disrespect to the 70 impala as a whole; run from this scam
Who puts a rebuilt engine in without getting a warranty on vehicle.? Its sad how some take advantage of those not experienced….
Project cars can be a great learning when researched and validated to be cost effective. This could have been a starter project and fairly low dollars. The type to start and continue to grow on money spent.
Just start with basics of a minimal horsepower and basic paint to get a car to play with on weekends and not be in debt.
If one is not sure of mechanics to go to then check better business bureau or respected online catalogs.
Personally start going to car shows and look at cars that are in your wheelhouse. When i take my cars to A cars and coffee or fun weekend car shows I get questions asked about engines, paint and interior on who painted or where did you get the interior. I try to answer and point to forums and reputable places.
The online forums on Chevrolet models that discuss issues, past questions and answers from others in same budget plus respected vendors and rough estimates are great resources…
For example (basic low buck engines)
A summit racing online basic engine
“ ATK High Performance GM 350 Vortec 290 HP Stage 3 Long Block Crate Engines HP99C” $3625.
Then if possible use existing fuel systems … starter and breather etc..
Trans…
Summit Racing™ TH350 Automatic Transmission SUM-700310-X
Automatic Transmission, Forward Shift Pattern, Automatic Valve Body, Chevy, 600 HP, TH350, $2024
Shipping required
But not 25 grand…
Good luck and yes this car can be built on cheap or high end ..
Good luck folks and be careful and validate dealers and warranties ..
Cars that are in your wheelhouse. Great automotive pun!!!
Seller missed the opportunity to market this as the lost Hurst prototype.
Why when someone says “Minnesota” does the word “bondo” come to mind?
Not my tastes, but I see this becoming a Donk. Very popular now.