One Family Owned: 1968 Chevrolet Impala

Fifty-six years is a long time to own almost anything, and it’s often unheard of in the case of a car. Well, that’s the case here as this 1968 Chevrolet Impala Sports Coupe is said to be one family-owned. This example, a discovery by Tony P., is fairly typical of the 1.2 MM full-size Chevrolet (B-body) cars assembled so long ago but it does have one interesting feature – more on that to follow. Correctionville, Iowa has been kind to this outsized ’68 big-seller, so let’s examine it in some detail.

Impala came in six body styles for ’68, a two-door Sports Coupe (our subject), Custom and convertible, four-door hardtops and sedans, and a six or nine-passenger station wagon. The Coke bottle styling makes this Chevy look longer than it actually is though it does measure in at seventeen feet, nine inches in length, not exactly a compact. The finish appears to be Ash Gold and for lacquer, it has withstood the test of time and not succumbed to fade. This vintage Chevrolet is notorious for developing rust in the fender legs (ask me how I know!) but I’m not spying any evidence of that malady with our subject. Many Chevrolets of this generation, and almost every other, are outfitted with rally wheels, and this Impala is no exception. These could be original as they were a ’68 option and the offset, which should be neutral for the six-inch rim, looks like the case here.

The engine is unphotographed but it is the optional 250 gross HP, 327 CI V8 and it’s connected to a three-speed manual transmission (that’s the “more on that” to follow item). Generally, this engine is found in front of a Powerglide two-speed automatic, though the big Turbo-Hydramatic 400 was an option too. Want a four-speed manual? Yup, that was on the option sheet as well. The listing says little to nothing about this car but does claim 55K miles of originality, though there is no documentation provided. Assuming that’s true, this Chevy should have a lot of life left to offer.

The interior image isn’t very revealing and it’s really a very average environment for the era – typical for full-size domestics. The seats are a cloth and vinyl mashup with matching vinyl door panels and nylon loop carpet. The big instrument panel only houses a horizontal speedometer, a fuel gauge, and in this case, an optional clock. Gear shiting is the old-school three-on-the-tree arrangement whereas a four-speed would have necessitated a floor shift – with or without a center console. Anyway, from what can be seen, it all appears to be in sound nick.

I’d have to say that this is another optimistic example with its $26,000 price tag – my research indicates that number just doesn’t measure up in the marketplace. Want to know more? You can find this Impala Sports Coupe here on craigslist. Don’t get me wrong, I like this car, just not $26 large worth of like – how about you?