That a 52 year-old car can spend 41 years off the road should surprise no BarnFinds reader, and that’s the story on this 1969 Chevrolet Impala SS427 outside Jefferson City, Missouri. The highly original full-sized Chevy began life in Moberly, Missouri. Only 2,455 SS 427 Impalas left the factory in 1969, and this one retains its original numbers-matching big block AND manual transmission. Looking mostly solid, the Impala wears a deep dent behind the driver’s door, but otherwise shows little more than surface rust, weathering, and wear that you’d expect from a classic of this age that’s covered 102,300 miles. The listing here on craigslist asks $16,500 for the opportunity to own this high-powered heavyweight. Honestly, at 3800 lb, this beast weighs less than today’s Camaro SS! Thanks to reader Pat L. for spotting this long-parked Chevy.
The SS 427 package added $422.35 to the Impala’s $3158 base price, adding a specific blackout grille treatment, power front disc brakes, “bright engine accents” i.e. the chrome bits you see here, and of course the SS-specific L36 427 cid (7.0L) V8 making 390 HP and a house-wrecking 460 lb.ft. of torque. Thanks to Hemmings for some details.
The SS-standard 3.31:1 gears with optional Positraction should match well with the big block torque to launch this barge with authority while enabling reasonable highway RPMs. Like the front bumper, the rear unit retains some shine and looks fairly straight. With “SS” badges all around, no one will mistake this Glacier Blue classic for Grandma’s tired old Impala. After 1969 Chevrolet nixed the Impala SS package until the revival in 1994.
The sweet console shares woodgrain and chrome with the dash. The original seats show expected wear. Mammoth floor vents provide plenty of air flow while this coupe is in motion, a phenomenon that goes unappreciated by drivers growing up in the days since air conditioning became more common.
You may spy a “427” badge on a non-SS Impala of this vintage, but those models make 55 fewer HP than the SS. I’d treat this flying full-sized weapon to a stock-appearing warm-up front-to back, resist the urge to add air conditioning, and drive the wheels off it just like you see it here. With a legitimate 450 HP, modern tires, and overdrive, this sweet SS would gobble up the miles on your favorite power tour, and draw a crowd anywhere you park it. Have you seen a ’69 Impala SS 427 in the wild?
Another high powered, big-engined car that has been beaten to doo-doo with an exorbitant price. I guess if one cares to invest $20,000 in it they might recoup their investment.
Does anyone restore with an eye to recouping their investment?
Exactly! This one is rare. I love these ’69 full size Chevys. Have had 12 over the years. The original owner wanted over 5 figures for this, I believe this car has been for sale for at least five years. Current owner has had it for over a year and put more time and money in it.
If a person was worried about the investment, renewing the powertrain would be the smart bet – it may not need as much as one thinks.
To me, harvesting the power train is blasphemy, but I don’t get upset when people want to do just that. Because, hey, let’s face it…the world could always need another NOM Camaro or Chevelle…right? 🙄
Are you suggesting no one does, Bill?
Someone will eventually buy and restore this car. Sellers like to throw around the word “rare” to sucker some gullible buyer. This car is actually rare and very desirable, especially to full size Chevy enthusiasts. It’s matching numbers, 427, 4spd, has loads of documentation, bucket seats and console, that checks more than a few boxes when it comes desirability. It’s rough, but probably not too far gone to restore.
Steve R
i live in australia , and im not an expert , but i do remember reading ” super chevy ‘ magazine in the early eighties , and even back then , these cars were rare , especially being a manual
Trust me, there is no problem ‘recouping your investment’ with this SS. These are far too few to not be worth it. Mind you, most `69 SS 427 coupes you see are the sports roof, and not this Caprice-like roofline, but that’s part of what makes this one unique. And by the way–it will take A LOT more than $20K to restore this. It’s still worth doing. DO NOT ‘street rod’ this SS! Fully restored, this will be a show-stopper that will draw crowds.
Being a 1960 child, it was a jungle full of high powered animals out on the road, flash foward to 1979 and now I’m 19, and you could still pick up one of these street fighters for a cool grand. For me it was the 69 Mach 1 I cut out of the sticker bush’s for $500, fresh gas and a new battery and I on my way to my own street fights with a 351 with a 4 speed behind it, it would do 55 in second gear with lots of pedal and 2 more gears to row through, thanks for reading my trip back in time, sure wish I could of kept that mustang
That’s in my neck of the woods! But that’s way to high!
That’s in my neck of the woods, but that is way to high! Going to need a lot of work!
It’s off by three years, has a vinyl roof, but everytime I see a blue mid to late sixties full size Chevy with no hubcaps I instantly think of that old flick Dirty Mary Crazy Larry. I was nine when I first saw it on our ‘stolen’ cable channel, the movie was fairly new, and even as a child I gravitated more to the blue Chevy than the flashy Charger. I really liked the police interceptor that had that Chargers lunch.
I like this old mean machine, especially with that four speed shifter in the console, 427 looks a bit neglected to say the least. Yeah, it’s a get away car.
This would be a great one to harvest the driveline. I could the hull being listed like many on barnfinds minus the engine and tranny saying rare car for 15 k .
Great Impala. On a restoration one could actually come close to breaking even, or better, a rarity in our addiction.
One minor niggle, owner states leather, it’s obviously vinyl.
Hi price-but these top of the line examples are growing in popularity to the point of being in demand. Real nice car and the blue beats black
Surface rust? Not so fast pilgrim! Yucky stuff on paint under vinyl top is hiding nasty secrets.
I have had better stuff than that hauled off for scrap steal
Another a big mouth keyboard warrior talking out of his ass.
What’s your I.Q.?
Love the 69 big cars because I have one. A numbers matching 69 Biscayne L-72 427/425 4-sp car.Going on 16 years now.
My favorite “full size” muscle car. I’ve always liked the plain-Jane look, with that L-72. Some have window stickers, at shows. You’d see the low base price, the L-72 option, and the destination charge. That was the only way to order a full size Chevy.
Not many new about the L-72 option because only 540 full size Chevrolet’s had one put in. Actually even more rare then the copo Camaro.
Quite surprising about the weight difference mentioned above, considering that a ’60s Chevy all iron big block bent my friend’s engine hoist. & the ’69 has steel bumpers & a full frame & is much much larger than the current UNIBODY Camaro – which has a lot of plastic parts, aluminum wheels, part plastic mast cyl, lighter rack & pinion steering, & i believe in some models an aluminum block & heads!
I don’t get how the latter could be heavier!
Could have something to do with the air bags, power windows, power locks, anti- lock brakes, air conditioning, stereos, emission controls, thicker glass, roll over protection to name a few Joe.
I think you got screwed on your hoist. I’m just saying cmon really Joey.
Speaking of rarities, is that a factory 8-track tape player? If it still works this is a rare bird indeed!
JoeJ56,
Not only is that the factory stereo tape unit with the bow tie emblem on the tape cartridge door, It’s got the matching AM/FM stereo radio with the correct wiring & connectors, as the tape unit required the radio for the amplifier. Without that radio the tape unit won’t work.
The window sticker included with the car shows it was ordered new with both the radio and tape deck. This is a fairly rare option, and because the tape deck’s case has a welded-on bracket to attach to the dashboard base, this won’t fit anything but the full-size Chevrolet. [Based on Delco Radio info repair & service guide.]
I’ve got a 69 impala sport coupe with a 300 hp 350 bench seat m20 4sp 331 posi and disc brake car whats rare about these cars is that not to many were 4sp cars
I dont seem to recall a 69 SS with the formal roofline. Looks like someone cloned a Caprice or Impala Custom. Could be wrong but don’t remember seeing any like this….
Yes the SS427 in 69 was a option pxg. that you could put on any body style.
“Looks like someone cloned a Caprice or Impala Custom”
And I suppose he forged the build sheet, as well?
There is a Biscayne 427 parked near my house I’ve been drooling over for many years. As usual “not for sale”. Just sitting.
On the flip side a friend of mine picked up a 427/auto Impala just 2yrs ago. Driver for $3k old lady car. They are still out there. Rare though.
I had a 69 Mark 1 as well and feel the same way about wishing I would have kept it as well. My wife at the time wanted a VW so I traded it in for a BUG. I cried every time I seen it on the road.
Owned one of these with the automatic trans, except I did some mods, 4:30 posi, extensive head work and hotter cam intake & carb, Trans rebuild with different ratios, better exhaust with headers and “cheater slicks” for the weekend street races. Was a hot fun car to play with. Before i sold it added nitrous but didn’t real need it.
Rare new, rare now. What a car. Buy and drive. Life short. Do not dump $50,000 plus into it. Then too valuable to drive with today’s lunatics in SUVs going 97 mph with phone glued to their pie hole. If I could trade my Corvette for this Impala, I would.
I agree George.
But, hey. You can always sell the Vette and buy this.
Having lived in central Missouri for 28 years I hope that a potential buyer checks for frame rot as a lot of salt is used in winter.
I had one of these 25 years ago, I bought it for $250 and drove it home on 7 cylinders. Changed the cam and it ran fine…Tens years later I removed the big block and 400 turbo and sold the roller for $200…These boats handle as bad as or worse than a school bus.
I don’t think this thing has power steering! Not listed on the list of options. Must be a bear to handle!
I don’t think this thing has power steering! Not listed on the list of options. Must be a bear to handle!
I may be wrong, but I think 68 was the last year for the sport roof. All 69’s had the more formal roof line.
In 69 & 70 (and for a few years after that) there were TWO roof lines available for Impala coupes. The standard roof was no longer the fastback style of the previous years, but it was a little less ‘formal’ than the Caprice/Impala Custom roof. The Impala Custom coupes were more common than the standard roof cars.
This is cool times ten. Brother’s friend had a ‘68 SS427 four speed and it too was rare, but this is genuinely rare. Nicer styling too. I’ve never actually seen a ‘69 like this. This is for someone who already has everything.
These GM metallics led a pretty short life, so I wouldn’t judge it by that. It looks pretty solid and original. Bummer about the quarter. Suppose it needs to be a genuine labor of love since it doesn’t have the Camaro/Chevelle cookie-cutter resale appeal.
Was reading a forum discussion on a slightly nicer looking, but low option ‘70 Sport Fury GT that had a $22K price tag. The consensus was that it was a $15K car which puts it kind of inline with this one. But this one has more goodies, a nicer color and it’s a four speed.
The option this car is missing that I would like to see is the covered headlights.
Caprice was the only 69 B body that could get the Hideaway headlight option.
Ahhhh- The memories. In ’68 I bought a new Chevy Suburban with 396 and all the goodies. One of my buddies picked up a 427 Biscayne new in ’69. After race prepping, On Sunday! Sunday! Sunday I would tow him to the strip and we would both race and win a few trophies. Me in LPSA and him in B stock. I ran in the 15’s and he a whole lot quicker. Then came family responsibilities and all that adult stuff.
It looks like this large car with the big-block 427 would weigh more than 3,800 lbs. GM used to put out weight figures that were before any fluids were added and were always on the low side. The GM muscle cars like Chevelles in this period with big blocks were said to weigh around 3,750-3,900 pounds. I think my 1970 Chevelle LS5 with air conditioning had a 3,401 weight on the registration card which was way too low according to all the weight numbers in the car magazines back then.
Cars were weighed with standard equipment for that model. That was the way state motor vehicle departments set the weight class for tags. Additional weight due to options did not count for this purpose.
Crank up windows…??!! Not electric, i’m out on buying it..😉🥴
Boy, You can really tell the morons on this site and the ignorant goofs who think they are experts. (who probably ride a bicycle and don’t own a car).
If you read the craigslist ad, the seller states no rust under the top, has the build sheet etc etc.
But you can say a stock Vega is worth $15,000? Really?!
This is a running driving car for a minimal price whose value can only go up
as you improve and Enjoy it!
BRAVO!!!!! Here, here!! Spot on, sir….
Agreed. This is a good one.
Having grown up in Missouri, I know where Moberly is, it is North of Jefferson City, and they get snow and Ice, so I would want to really check out the frame and the truck and floor pans, because they will be rusted or bad rust. My Mom is from this area, and with the snow and ice they would get in the late 60’s and early 70’s I can bet and win money that the frame has some rust.
Let us know when you go check it out, Big Mike. 🤣
There have been some people on Barn finds that have mentioned the full sized Chevrolets might have had a problem with the front suspension being weak and to check for rust issues on the frame especially in the rust belts. They only mentioned the full sized Chevrolet and I have wondered if this was true of the other GM immediate models.
I dont know about other areas, but in CT. , the 69 and 70 full size Chevies were prone to more rust body wise than the earlier or later year models . I’ve always thought it had a lot to do with the wide wheel wells collecting more dirt and salt then the other models . I’ve never heard of any frame issues here , but maybe that’s because a car has only about a ten year life span here !
Imagine a ’68 luxury caprice built like the above impala ss with the ultrarare hidden headlites yet for ’68 – possible to order, but i bet none were built with 427 & 4 speed.
Bone, i believe most ’71-76 GM big cars & GM colonaide cars rusted ALL OVER the body in places you would not expect. Same with 2nd gen f-bodies.
Almost as bad as the Vega.
The great thing about the big chevys was you could order any engine in any car. So I would bet a 68 or 69 427 4-sp Caprice is out there and it has Hideaway headlights too.Air conditioning was not a option for the L-72 but one 69 Caprice wagon ordered for a company executive had air and it was built right on the assembly line. A copo car for sure.
Rare ? Both a buddy and me sported around in 1969 SS 427 Impala convertibles in the late 70’s – his yellow mine red.- both auto’s.
So, you’re saying that now, in 2021, this 69 Impala, as equipped, is not rare? Did I read that right?
They made 1.168 million big chevys in 1969. Any one of those that is still running is rare. My Biscayne is 1 of 77 built with the L-72 engine . The L-72 was only put into 548 big chevys.
They probably made a lot of big chevies too in ’68, yet i only ever saw just ONE!! ’68 caprice coupe with the hidden headlites & i remember where i saw it in ’68, just like i remember where i was when Kennedy was shot! Oddly, tho, i saw a lot of ’69 big chevies with the hidden headlites.
one of my mentors when i was a teen had one of these back in the 70’s i’ll never forget he snapped the pinion in the rear and we pushed the car with him laying on a skate board pulling the pinion out with pair of grips
i’d love to buy this and restore it really cost of restoring it is well worth it to me and i’d drive the hell out of it
67 – 69 impala SS are great cars and i still have sweet spot for them and the 63-64 impala ss
I had a 69 with 427 / 390hp, turbo 400, hide away headlights, power everything, with tape deck (factory), special order for GM executive. Sold it during the gas shortage for $500 due to $ issues. Sorry to this day.
Not as sorry as Steve McQueen, who took 3K quick cash, instead of 10% of the gross, for the Blob. He would’ve made over 400K, in 1958. 20 years later Donald Sutherland did the same thing, with Animal House. He was offered 10% of the gross, or 50K, for two days work, but his ego got in the way. Belushi was being paid a salary of 35K, so Sutherland just took the salary, because it was more than Belushi’s. He missed out on more than 4 million, in 1978.
Thanks for the info, and now I don’t feel as bad! You just never know.