If you walked into your Chevrolet dealer in 1969 looking for a full-size convertible, you only had one choice. That was the Impala (sorry, no Biscayne, no Bel Air, and no Caprice drop-tops). 14,445 of those Impala ragtops were built, including this Glacier Blue example, which may still be wearing its original paint. This babied Chevy looks like a real “cream puff” and can be found in Arlington Heights, Illinois. It’s available here on craigslist for $34,900. Tip finder T.J. delivers once again!
There’s a lot to like about this Chevy. It may only have 62,000 miles and comes with a 350 cubic inch V8. Given the transmission shift pattern on the dash, the V8 may be paired with a 2-speed Powerglide automatic. That should add up to a 2-barrel carburetor on top of the exceptionally clean engine. The Impala has power steering and brakes, but no factory air conditioning (why would you need it with the top down?). The seller says the vehicle drives as nicely as it looks.
The interior has recently been redone, so you should be able to drive around in comfort. The factory radio has been replaced, and the new stereo unit is likely to sound better, but it’s a shame the door panels had to be cut to accommodate the speakers. Everything about this convertible speaks turnkey, including the brand-new BF Goodrich T/A radio tires. The photo showing the top in the up position displays a nice canvas unit.
We’re told that the pictures “do not do it justice” and its hard to argue with their point. With a tight, rust-free body, this car should be ready for the summer cruises that we hope are just around the corner. With dual exhaust and extended pipe tips, we’re betting the Chevy sounds more aggressive than it did in 1969. Who’s ready to hit the road?
fun!
Nice one.
Beautiful Impala. However the reupholstered front seat does not match the rear seat. That takes away some of the originality of the interior. Just my opinion. Other than that it’s a beautiful classic.
I do believe that the convertibles had all vinyl interiors back then, like the back seat. The cloth front is incorrect and out of place with a non-matching back seat.
Maybe not the correct/original upholstery on the front seat but much more comfortable with the top down. That’s a change I can live with.
@Ron
Guess he didn’t want to burn his @s$ again on the vinyl so he replaced it with cloth. Would have been nice if they matched.
Too much effort and expense. Convertible rear seat doesn’t swap with the sedan and coupes.
Nice car but the price is a bit high for no A/C or big block.
How many of us here cut our door panels for speakers? I would bet that more did than not. Thats just the way things were
Me and everyone I knew in the ’60s and ’70s put the speakers in the doors as the single one on the dash and under the rear window just didn’t hack it for a stereo.
Put an under the dash 8 track in my 1965 Olds Dynamic 88 convertible in 1970. Cut holes in the lower door cards & under the rear side windows.
In 1983 did the same to a 1974 Chevy Vega after putting an aftermarket stereo in it.
Add me to the guilty party with my ’72 Caprice Cpe.
( head slap here)
Beautiful car, but barely an Impala. Not even a clock! And I’m not a GM expert, but a Powerglide in a V8 Impala? I’m shocked.
I just read in a blog that most Impalas from 68 and 69 with the 327 or 350 were paired with the Powerglide as the TH400 was the only (expensive) option until the TH350 went into production at some point in 1969. No mention of 1970 stats. The Powerglide must have been incredibly profitable for GM by that time. Boring but bulletproof, and oddly great in snow because of its crawling start. A case of, “hey, it works.”
This Impala is dreamy.
Always wondered why my 283 powerglide 65 Impala was unstoppable in snow. Sears snow tires in the rear all year long.
I agree, once having a Powerglide myself. Ford automatics were (or still are) good in the snow too. Shift into second and it will start in second.
Just to reference your mention of ’70 stats, my Dad had a ’70 Impala with the std. 350 /250 hp V8 & I owned a ’70 Caprice with 400sb/265hp. Both 2 bbls. & both had Turbo Hydramatics. But, from the dealer brochure which I have, the std. 350 V8 could have either PG, or TH as could the optional 350/300 hp. But from my 400sb up to the 454/ 390hp only the TH could be had. Yes, you could still get the 3 on the tree with the 6 cylinder or std. 350 V8. Whew!
Just one more thing, Hi, Angel!
Just to reference your mention of ’70 stats, my Dad had a ’70 Impala with the std. 350 /250 hp V8 & I owned a ’70 Caprice with 400sb/265hp. Both 2 bbls. & both had Turbo Hydramatics. But, from the dealer brochure which I have, the std. 350 V8 could have either PG, or TH as could the optional 350/300 hp. But from my 400sb up to the 454/ 390hp only the TH could be had. Yes, you could still get the 3 on the tree with the 6 cylinder or std. 350 V8. Whew!
Just one more thing, Hi, Angel!
I’ll try again. TriPower, here’s the ’70 engine / trans. rundown. Both Powerglide & Turbo Hydro were available on the 155hp/250 cyl., the std. 250hp/350 & the 300hp/350 V8. The 265hp/400 small block, 345 & 390 hp/454 V8 were Turbo Hydro only. You could still get 3 on the tree with both std. 250 6 cyl. & 350 engines.
Clock? If standard on an Impala it would only have been on a Custom Coupe.
These are nice cars. The 350 is an excellent motor. At this time, a 350 with a powerglide was a common combination. The 350 with the 3 speed automatic was a nicer set up. Personally, I feel the asking price is way too high.
I know my older brother had a car just like that, only it was a 2 door hardtop.
His 4 barrel 350V8 had more power than the other 396 V8 had. His had a 3 speed automatic. He just loved it the the day that he bought it brand new. Big mistake when he traded it onto 1976 Chev. Caprice.
I have always considered the ’69-’70 Impalas to be my favorites, but after looking at that ’62 bubble top 409, this just isn’t doing it for me…
I’d say this is a 4 barrel. Look at the angle that the fuel line goes in under the air cleaner.
At less than a third the asking price of the white Charger R/T, this is something you can actually drive, and it looks fabulous! This is the Chevy the boys in Supernatural should have driven.
@Curt
The 1967 4 door Impala HT they drove was previously their father’s. Still, it was somewhat souped up & modified. It wasn’t a bad looking car but definitely could have used the Caprice fender lights.
Yes, the four door HT in black was sharp, but too bad dad couldn’t have ran across this in that used car lot when he was intending to buy that silly VW van. This old geezer does love Supernatural. Maybe the only reason I keep Netflix. Amazing to binge watch it without the cat food and erectile dysfunction ads. Almost done with season 12 of 15. Was the season of The Winchesters any good? I have heard mixed reviews on that one.
I never really watched it. Saw a couple of episodes that’s why I know about the ’67 Impala. I need to correct nyself….. after looking up the Supernatual Impala on Google it does have the Caprice fender lights. Totally useless light but very cool.
Too much money, no umph, power glide 2 barrel small block No A/C no options, not exciting for that money