Carport Find: No Reserve 1968 Chevrolet Impala

Until recently, this 1968 Chevrolet Impala had been part of the same family since new. It was passed from mother to daughter and served as a daily driver for many years. However, the daughter reached the point where she could no longer drive or care for this classic, so it spent years parked in a carport. The seller located and revived it and returned the Hardtop to a driveable state. It needs some further attention before it will be ready for a cross-country journey, but it is the type of work that the next owner could tackle in their home workshop. Located in Los Angeles, California, you will find the Impala listed for sale here on eBay. The bidding has hit $3,650 in a No Reserve auction. I need to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Larry D, whose well-tuned radar allowed him to spot this classic for us.

Once the seller had removed this Impala from hiding and sloshed away the accumulated dirt, it revealed a classic finished in attractive Tripoli Turquoise. The original owner indicated that the car received a repaint in the 1980s, but it looks pretty tired now. It has developed a patchy appearance, and horizontal surfaces like the trunk lid have faded badly. There’s no doubt that a cosmetic refresh would make an enormous difference, and the fact that the car has spent its entire life in its current location means that the buyer will be commencing that process from a solid foundation. There is no visible external rust, and the supplied underside shots reveal little more than a dusting of surface corrosion. It seems that the grinder and welder will be staying in the cupboard during this restoration. The panels are relatively straight, with no significant bruises or marks. All of the original trim, including the hubcaps, is intact and in good condition. The original owner ordered this Impala with tinted glass, which appears to be flawless.

This Impala’s interior sends mixed messages. The original owner replaced the front seat upholstery with basic vinyl, but the rear seat retains its original turquoise vinyl and cloth. That means a mismatch exists, and some people will find that distracting. There are a couple of alternatives to consider here, but it will require opening the wallet if a high-quality appearance is the aim. I located a front and rear upholstery set in the correct color and material combination, but these retail for $1,100. The carpet is pretty faded, and a replacement set will cost the buyer a further $200. Some cracks are appearing in the pad, and while these might potentially be repairable, it may not be worth the time or effort with a reproduction available for around $400. The seller indicates that the headliner is developing a seam separation, and if this is irreparable, a headliner will add a further $130 to the tally. The rest of the trim is in good condition for a survivor of this vintage and will require no further attention. Given the car’s location, it is no surprise that the original owner chose to equip it with air conditioning. It isn’t clear whether this blows cold, but if it doesn’t, it may take little more than a service and recharge to return it to its best.

Lifting the hood of this Impala reveals a dusty engine bay that is home to a numbers-matching 327ci V8. This motor should be producing 250hp that finds its way to the rear wheels via an automatic transmission. The seller doesn’t indicate which transmission this car features, so it could be a two-speed Powerglide or a three-speed Hydra-Matic. Regardless of which it is, this Impala should still be capable of producing a sub-18-second ¼-mile ET. When the seller located this classic, it had been sitting for many years. He coaxed the 327 back to life and has returned the car to a driving state. He has used it locally but indicates that there is some work for the buyer to tackle before it could be set for any extended journeys. It seems that many of the perishable items like belts and hoses are original, and with so many years under their belt, their condition would come with a giant question mark. However, the work required is not complex, and most of it could be tackled by the next owner in their workshop or garage. There’s a bit of time left before the warmer weather hits, and that would leave ample opportunity to ensure this classic is ready for some long-distance cruising once summer arrives.

Returning this 1968 Impala Hardtop to its former glory would be a rewarding process for its new owner. Its color combination is one of the most attractive that Chevrolet offered in that model year, and there’s no doubt that it would attract plenty of attention once the work is complete. Alternatively, the buyer may decide that leaving the car untouched would allow it to wear its survivor badge proudly. It would still garner the same level of attention, but whichever path they choose will be a matter of personal taste. If you were to buy this classic, what would be your approach?