True Barn Find: 1968 Chevrolet Impala 396

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When envisioning what my dream 1968 Chevrolet Impala might consist of, the first thing that comes to mind is an SS 427.  Unfortunately, this one’s not a Super Sport and there’s no 427, but it is equipped with a big block and perhaps that’s the best thing going for it, as a lot of effort is going to be required to get this one back out on the streets.  But if you’ve always wanted a full-size late-sixties Chevy coupe, this 1968 Impala here on Craigslist might be worth checking out if you’ve got a good set of metal skills.  This one’s in Prairie du Rocher, Illinois, with the asking price set at $6,000.

We’d like to thank Tony Primo for the tip here!  The seller tells us his late father bought this car new in ’67 and used it as a daily driver until 1974, and that’s when the car was involved in a rear-end collision, which left body damage to not only both the trunk and passenger side quarter panel but also to the frame.  Apparently, the car was moved to a barn after that and didn’t get pulled out until late last year, when it was towed into a shed.  Along with plenty of surface rust, both quarters appear to have corrosion, plus it’s sort of hard to tell in some areas what’s just on the surface and what goes deeper.  But at least the exterior is mostly complete and the vinyl top is said to be in excellent condition, just know this one’s going to take a significant amount of bodywork and a new trunk lid at minimum before it’s ready for a respray.

It doesn’t appear that much effort was put into cleaning up the interior before the photo shoot, but trying to look below the grime I’m seeing some wear and at least one tear on the driver’s side of the bench seat.  If the next owner is just going for a driver and is really determined, maybe that back seat can be cleaned up and saved, but I’m not sure.  Looking around elsewhere inside, this seems to be a fairly plain-jane model, but lots of Impalas were back in those days and the excitement here is under the hood.

Stepping up to a 396 got the buyer 325 HP from the factory, and even though it hasn’t been fired-up since 1974 things seem to still be in decent order under the hood, so while I’m anticipating a rebuild will be in order at least it doesn’t like much has been tampered with in the bay.  But my bigger concern is all that bodywork and especially the bent frame, and I hope this one gets into the hands of someone that has the time and skills to save it.  Is this 1968 Chevrolet Impala a reasonable candidate for restoration?

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Comments

  1. Nevadahalfrack NevadahalfrackMember

    A lot of work for $6000 but the title is clean and a good frame guy could tell you whether or not it’s worth trying to straighten. It looks a lot better than some of the cr@p we’ve seen selling for more on Faceplant and Cracklist..

    Like 11
  2. Scott McConnell

    If you owned a shop with a frame machine, or had one growing up, it might be worth the effort. Not at 6 grand any day of the week.

    Like 8
  3. Maggy

    This is a parts car for the 396 and th 400 and some other parts imo if someone has 68.Too far gone and too much $ and time too restore..Bet the frame is rotted by looking at the rest of this car.The short style water pump ac brackets are worth some coin as it was the last year for them.The 12 bolt most likely open is worth 500.The base engine for a 68 Impala was the 250 inline 6 .The base v8 was the 307 which debuted that year. I’d pay 2k tops for this car imo.I got your dream 68 SS427 z24 z03 CC rust free original drive train and factory posi in my garage.glwts but it definetly ain’t worth no 6k.

    Like 9
  4. Marshall Belcher

    Looked like someone was kid napped an locked in the trunk an tried to repeatedly kick the trunk open. Wonder if there’s a Shelton inside that goes with it. Jimmy Hoffa. Lol

    Like 4
  5. Nostromo

    For anyone over 50 years-old, I’d say that in looking at this car you’re looking at a lifetime commitment. I can visualize it fully restored. I like the swivel ball A/C outlets. One side blew the air straight out; flip it around and it had a deflector to diffuse the chilled air more widely.

    Like 5
  6. CCFisher

    The standard V8 in ’68 was the 307, the only year the Chevrolet 307 was used in full-sized cars (thankfully).

    Like 6
    • Jim in FLMember

      Yep, had a 68 Caprice with the 307. What a pooch!

      Like 0
  7. George Mattar

    Parts only. Cost to get on the road far exceeds value to anyone with a brain. These cars rot everywhere.

    Like 0
  8. Zen

    Restored to original, it would be a fun car to drive to shows and cruising around. A big block with factory A/C, what’s not to love? I hope it finds a good home.

    Like 1
  9. JOHN KRIEGSHAUSER

    Looks like a demolition derby candidate, but not at 6k for Pete’s sake.

    Like 1

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