Original Family Owned: 1970 Chevrolet Impala

By 1970, Chevrolet’s B-body line-up (Caprice, Impala, Bel Air, and Biscayne) was in its sixth and final iteration of a smashing, successful run that had commenced in 1965. While the Impala, Chevrolet’s Crown Jewel, such as this 1970 Custom example, had changed over the six ensuing years, it also remained basically the same. Stay tuned, and I’ll explain in greater detail. We have Rocco B. to thank for this Nampa, Idaho discovery, and it’s available here on craigslist for $22,500.

The ’70 Impala rode on what was basically the same 119″ wheelbase perimeter frame that underpinned the ’65. Some minor steering gear and rear axle upper attachments changed slightly in ’67, but the differences are minimal. The engine lineup changed, but the ’70’s powerplants were really just larger versions of those available at the beginning of the run. Super Sport (SS) trim, Bucket seats, center consoles, and four-speed manual transmissions were gone from the ’70 option sheet, but 15″ wheels were now standard (a really good move), and a “Custom” body style, such as our subject, with a formal roof line was an option not available in ’65. And, that Custom came standard with front disc brakes – a necessity from my experience with these B-body Chevies. Other body styles included a two-door sports coupe (with a sloped roof line), a convertible, four-door sedans and hardtops, and a “Kingswood” station wagon. The total ’70 Impala body count was 613K units – pretty good shootin’ and the Impala was one of the pivotal components that kept Chevrolet in the number one position in the domestic automotive production race that year. Their tagline, as I recall it, was “Putting You First, Keeps Us First.”

So, this example was inherited from the seller’s mother. It has been completely restored, according to the seller, to the tune of $30K. It looks good, all of it, but a full restoration will do that. Of particular concern would have been the lower front fender legs. On both the ’69 and ’70 versions of the Impala, they’d rust if you stared at them long enough, so if that had been a problem, the resto rectified it. Rally wheels were an option in ’70, but they weren’t chrome-plated; they were finished in an argent hue and included stainless steel trim rings. The red stripe tires are a nice touch, though they had last been factory offered on an Impala in ’69.

The seller states, “All stock and original (except for stainless steel headers),” and that’s referencing the 350 CI V8 engine. Two were available, one at 250 gross HP, and the other cranking out 300. It’s not said which version is doing the driving here. As is usually the case, a Turbo-Hydramatic automatic transmission is in place, and the seller claims, “runs and drives great.”

We’re told that the bench seat “interior is original and looks like new.” Pretty amazing considering 56 years of experience and 102K miles of driving.  I can’t find a thing to gripe about (well, maybe one, there’s no A/C) as the entire environment shows like new. The seller states that the car has always been covered and garaged, and that may help explain the interior’s crispness – no sun fade or degradation. And hey, hey! It’s got an 8-track player!

So, has the ’70 Impala finally come into its own? I don’t think so. I track the values of these and the ’65, ’66, and to a lesser degree, the ’67, hold up pretty well – not so much so with the ’68-’70 models unless your ’68 or ’69 is an SS427 version. Price-wise, this one seems reasonable, I guess, considering its fine condition. How about you, what do you think, priced right or not quite?