Garage Find? Dad's '67 Impala

[jbailly]

Hi guys,
August 18,2017 will forever be a sad day for me. That is the day my Dad passed away. On to his Impala, not sure it counts as a garage find since I've known it was there since 2000 and in another garage since new, but anyway. It has a 275 horsepower 327 with power glide, AM radio, power brakes, power steering, and not much else, the skirts may have been optional as well, Royal Plum Metallic with Black Vinyl interior. He ordered it and the original title was dated Nov. 1966. The car only has 33,xxx miles and the last safety inspection ran out April 1978. I have the original window sticker and the original salesman's handwritten order slip. It was the get away car in their wedding Oct. 5, 1968. There isn't much I don't know about this car. Over the next few months I hope to get it running and driving again. When I went to start it with a new fresh battery it wouldn't start and acted like it had no spark, I went ahead and ordered all new ignition except wires and plugs. I may have to drop the gas tank as the gauge now spins like a clock. Anyway sorry for the long winded intro. Now onto the pictures.

[Clyde65]

Sweet! I’m sorry to hear about your dad passing, that can’t be easy so prayers for you my friend.

My parents had 67 and a 69 four door impalas, I love the history of yours! Your doing your dad proud imo!

I’m following!!

[jbailly]

The picture with the wheels on and on the ground was the first time for either in like 17-18 years. I remember changing the oil and spark plugs about 5 years ago, but may have been longer, so it ran then. I can remember one time about 20 years ago maybe more Dad wanted to get it out for it's yearly run around the yard and it wouldn't start and we traced it down to the coil being bad, we sourced one off a '72 Chevelle in a junk yard and that's the coil that is still on it, so that may be the source of no spark or the points are rusty or stuck, hard to say at this point being 100 miles away make it hard to work on. Cool deal that you parents had a '67 4 door hard top as well, I almost like this body style better than the 2 door.

[Clyde65]

I know it’s really building in popularity but I would really like an old 63-72 station wagon...but all the nice ones are high $

[jbailly]

I hear you on the wagon, they are gaining popularity. I'm not restoring this car more like preserving it, since it is so original, I am only planning on replacing what I need for safety sakes. Those pictures show new radial tires that I bought for it as the originals were SUPER UN-Safe. The list of UN-original parts is way shorter than original.
Tires
All brake components will be new
Spark plugs
Fluids
Ignition
Fuel line may need replaced
Fuel sender needs replaced as the gas gauge spins like a clock
Clock needs rebuilt
May need new springs, but will definitely get new shocks
That's it, mostly just wear items +50 years.
Can't wait to drive it again, I only ever drove it one other time around 20 years ago with Dad having the ever watchful eye in the passenger seat @ 5 mph around the yard.

[Clyde65]

Good for you to make it safe! Hopefully you will enjoy it for a long time!

[jbailly]

Well I think it's time to start ordering parts for the brake rebuild, but not sure if I should stay four wheel drum or convert the front to disc, they were an option in '67 and would vastly improve stopping power. From what I've seen there are no companies that make front drum rebuild kits, and to get a drum\drum master seems next to impossible as well, but maybe that could be rebuilt, not sure on that. I'm figuring on new shocks all the way around and possibly new springs, just not sure springs are necessary. Maybe I'll concentrate on the fuel system first, I need a new sending unit, possibly lines, may need to clean the tank, and possibly a new fuel pump. This is starting to get to be an expensive thing, but I don't think I can ever let it go.

[alsriv2]

Don't let it go. Upgrade the items you have mentioned, particularly the brakes. Once that thing is running and driving....you will be smiles from ear to ear. That car is not replaceable so please hold on to it and keep it in the family.

[jbailly]

Don't worry, it means too much to me personally so it will go to one of my son's when the time is right.

[NONHOG]

Cool car had a couple 69's (SS427, Caprice) loved them. Wish I still had them.
Love it all stock but I'd probably add disc and maybe a 4 speed auto then add some miles! Either way have fun with it!

[jbailly]

Discs in front may happen if I can keep 14" wheels, of course I could put 15" on it as I believe they came with 15" if you ordered disc brakes. 4 speed auto, I hadn't really considered it, but depending on price I may, I guess a Turbo 350 would work nicely.

[mongocanfly]

I would go with bigger wheels...14s are getting hard to find...

[68Gold/white]

Originally Posted by jbailly

Discs in front may happen if I can keep 14" wheels, of course I could put 15" on it as I believe they came with 15" if you ordered disc brakes. 4 speed auto, I hadn't really considered it, but depending on price I may, I guess a Turbo 350 would work nicely.

My first car was a 67 Bel Air. I had it till 1997. I adapted 69 Impala front disc brakes on it. You CANNOT use the factory 14" wheels with that setup.

I did a lot of things to that car. Mostly bolt-on parts.

PM me if you have any questions, I likely have an answer.
I will post more here, later when I have a few more minutes!!!

[jbailly]

Finally got it outside and to the garage that will be doing the work for me. I wanted to try and do all the work myself, but if I want it road worthy by August I'm running out of time. Anyway on to the pictures. Apparently only this one is good for now. I'll have to re-format the others.

[jbailly]

And now the rest of the story...

[Advanced Design]

Very nice to have it out and getting it back on the road. Love the pic’s! Everyone looks happy...good times.

[jbailly]

I just got a call from the mechanic that is working on it for me, he got it running. Only for 3-4 seconds off of some gas down the carb, but that is progress. The brakes are almost done, so we are getting there.