The Custom Coupe was added to the Impala lineup in 1968. That gave buyers more than one choice of 2-door hardtop, a sleek fastback, and a formal hardtop. The Custom Coupe was essentially a Caprice with Impala trim, so it was more affordable than the higher-end Chevrolet. This beautiful example from 1968 is said to be original from head to toe and comes with a nice surprise under the hood: Chevy’s 325 hp 396 cubic inch “Turbo-Jet” V8. The car has been in the same family for some 40 years.
More than 700,000 Chevy Impalas were built in 1968, which surely would have kept the automobile in first place among buyers of U.S.-built automobiles. There doesn’t seem to be a breakdown out there of how many Custom Coupes were produced compared to the Fastback, but we’re guessing the latter won that battle. The Impala Super Sport had shifted back to a performance car in 1967, so if you ordered one of those, it came with Chevy’s 427 V8 powerhouse. That left the 396 as the “top dog” for all other Impala buyers.
The seller’s Chevy appears to be finished in Grotto Blue, which was a cross between blue and grey. There is no mention of a repaint, but at 128,000 miles even a single family would find it hard to keep a 1968 automobile this nice for four decades. The interior is equally tidy and original, though the carpeting may be starting to show some signs of wear or fading. Turn-key seems to be the best word or words to describe this Chevy.
A TH-400 automatic transmission is paired with the Turbo-Jet and we assume the car runs as good as it looks. The only thing that seems out of place is the wheel covers – they strike me as coming from a later model year of the full-size Chevrolet (1969 perhaps?). For those who like the look and feel of the kind of car their parents may have once owned, how about this Impala in Canby, Oregon? It’s available here on craigslist for $24,950. Kudos to Barn Finder Matt H. for this nice tip!
Yes, Russ you are correct about the 1969 wheel covers. Still a good looking old Chevy. I still remember going with my parents to the former Shirk Chevrolet in Paradise, PA to see the new ’68’s. Oh my gosh, where did all those years go. I feel old.
BF has been on a roll with some full sized Chevy heat the past day. Another clean and apparently well taken care of ’68 here. Add some dual exhaust to let that big block breathe, perhaps, the wheel and tire combo of your choosing, and hit the two lane.
Nice car, great value.
1967 SS Impalas weren’t a performance build, just badges. Could be ordered with a 6 cylinder. Mine was a 327 4 speed.
The 427 SS was a separate sub model.
I was a little disappointed in the photos under the hood. They did a poor rattle can restoration, seeing over spray is not a good look. However, I would let that detour me, it is a very c.lean car and the price seems fair.
Great shape for a car of this age & high mileage. A bit pricey for a two door sedan…
2 door HARDTOP
I had that same body style back in 1971, in the SS version, 396/325, THM 400, console, PS, PB, A/C, gold, vinyl top, cream vinyl interior, not a speed demon, but a very nice car.
Really love the car, style…motor, originality-damn! But when I see the word “grotto” blue for its color, all I can think of is Playboy mansion West with Hefner or many others naked in a warm low-flow spa with a bunch of money-grubbing tramps. HELP!!