My other passion...65' Impala SS

[nicke]

So here is it. I bought this car when I was 16 (I am only 25 now, but it will always be my first car). I have done many things to it and it has changed and progressed over the years. I have done things like install a custom new rear parcel shelf, done dual antennas, and put American Racing torque thrust 2 whheels on it (not the wheels you see in the pic...yea, that was a phase!) It has a 283 engine, but I am hot on the trail of the correct 327, whill be coupled with the powerglide which is already in there. I finally did everything to the best of my ability, and outsourced the rest of the paint and body work to a shop in Tacoma, Washington, all the way on the other side of the state. They are putting on a new rear driver side quarter panel (fixing poor body work from previous owner) smoothing out the entire body, and laying a new fresh coat of pearl white paint on her. I am thinking that I want to go with a new set of wheels, possibly the Coys c5 polished, 20x8.5 rear and 18x8 up front. I will do dropped spindles on it to give it that nice cruiser stance. The interior is in great shape, and I have done it all myself (carpet and seats). I also put a nice little stereo system in there to keep me going. My impala drives like the first day it was off the assembly line, and is relaible as any car anyone has ever had. It was my daily driver through high school and college, and once it is dont, It will be my daily driver again. I just love driving it too much. MY new C20 will see me through the winters, and my impala will keep me old school all summer! Classic vehicles are just too beautiful, I dont think I will ever buy anything new again!
I have one picture but have many more on the way! I hoipe you all like it, and again ****note I grew out of the wire wheel look**** HAHA Pictured behind my impala is my twin brother's 67' Mustang. I am the chevy guy, and someone had to be ford!

[Frizzle Fry]

Staggered Coys C5's would look perfect on that. Can't wait to see it!

[72BlckButy]

I'm with Mike a nice set of Coy's will do that Impala good. IMO... I'd go with 20.8.5's in the front and 20x10's in the rear... if they would fit.

I also think a nice set of Coy's Grey centered would look killer on there as well. What color is the interior?

[nicke]

Interior is black and in great condition. 20" wheels would fit up front (those wires are 20" all the way around) but I think 18"s might set it off a little better up front. The staggered reminds me of the classic look, and ride quality will be better with 18"s.
Not sure yet, the jury is stil out!

[nicke]

Here was a little project that I did on the car not too long ago.
I was getting tired of the warpped cardboard, stock piece so I made my own.
First, I bought a 8′x4′ sheet of 1/4″ particle type of board. I bought it at Home Depot, but this type of material can be found at almost any lumber or building supply store. I got 1/4″ because I wanted it to be light but easy to work with. I then took my old piece out and used it as a template to cut the shape out of the wood. I used a jig saw to make the cuts, being careful not to cut too small.
Once I did this, I put the piece in place to see how it would fit. Perfect!
I then crawled in the trunk with a pencil and marked where the speaker holes were. Previously, I had opened the factory holes to allow my 6×9s to fit. Since I was going to be getting a new parcel shelf, I treated myself to a set of brand new Infinity Kappa 6×9s as well. With this all done, it was time to do the carpeting. Since I have a black interior, I used black carpeting. I elected to use the thin, speaker-grade carpeting, as it molds better and is easier to work with. Also, the stock floor carpeting (80/20 loop) would definitely look out of place. I covered the entire panel and folded the carpeting around the edges, overlapping the back about 4″ all the way around. I then stapled and used spray adhesive to keep it in place. Around the edges, I would cut slits so that the carpet would lay flat. For the speaker holes, I poked a hole in the center and made cuts in every direction to meet the wood. I then folded these flaps back and stapled and glued them as well.
With this piece done, I was almost ready to go. I first put in a thick piece of juke padding down to help insulate and help with sound.
The piece fit perfectly and looks great I think!

[72BlckButy]

That interior work looks real nice, awesome work!

Back to the wheels, I'm more of a non-staggered guy (just my preference) and after that I let the tires do the illusion. Either way, 18/20, or 20/20, that car is going to look sweet.

Now I can only imagine what the engine bay looks like...

Keep those pics coming!

[nicke]

Thank you. I will have to wait to get more shots of the engine compartment, but here are a few more pics to keep you going!
The chrome wheels are the wheels that were on the car when I bought it. I will get some more pics and post soon!

[nicke]

A few more!

[NONHOG]

Love that year ! Great lines. Lots of room for a big block

[nicke]

Yep, ton of room. I am thinking of building the correct 327 though, with camel hump heads and a nice cam. Those can be pretty potent!
Here are a few more pics from a while back.

[samwise68]

Thats a great looking Imp!

I love the styling of the mid-60's, and those coke bottle fenders.

Can't wait to see more pics of this one - she's gorgeous.

-Sam.

[70rs/ss]

Call me wierd but I like the big wires? TT2 or Coys would look cool as well, but?? Anyways get a BBC a stock 454 will crush a hopped up 327 any day of the week. Over 400hp and at least 450lb/ft of tq and that big ol' Imp needs TQ to move it!

[Frizzle Fry]

about the engine

[redneckgirl]

That is one sweet Impala!! I've always been a sucker for the 65-66 Impalas...

[70rs/ss]

Ya know they came with 427's and 4-speeds!! A 396 crank in a 454 block a ta dahhh, 427!

[nicke]

They sure did. Also, this was the first year that the 396 was available. Sounds like you really want me to have a 400+ CI Big block in this old girl. I'd have to get some stiffer springs, change out the motor mounts, but not much else.
Hmm.. Decisions, decisions!

[PanelDeland]

Nice ride.I drove a 66 thru high school and really miss it.It was a factory 396/4 speed SS car but was green.

[OARNGESI]

Really nice impala will be nice with paint

[70rs/ss]

Yeah BBC is only way to go!! The SBC mounts will work and you may need front springs, but the BBC will only squat it about an inch more than it is now.

[Frizzle Fry]

I had SBC springs in my BBC burb for a while and it just lowered it a little. Rode fine.

[NONHOG]

Originally Posted by nicke

They sure did. Also, this was the first year that the 396 was available. Sounds like you really want me to have a 400+ CI Big block in this old girl. I'd have to get some stiffer springs, change out the motor mounts, but not much else.
Hmm.. Decisions, decisions!

Also the last year of the 409. good luck finding one of those. 427 or similar is a better engine but cool factor 409 hands down. Your car is so cool a 327
would not bring it down

ps went from 283 to 427 in a 67 El Camino and it drove great. Never felt I needed to do anything else.

[100%Chevy]

I like your 65 S.S.Impala!
Course I'm a little prejudiced,since I own a 65 Caprice(kind of rare Impala option),65 BelAir,and 2- 67 Impala's.
I also have a 67 El Camino and waiting for an oil pan so I can put the 427 in it!
Weren't too many 65 427's---409's first half of the year,then 396 and 427's.Some with the new turbo-400's.
Yours would have been the 250 hp,327,powerglide.(I need one my self!).
Really nice car!
Mike.

[nicke]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the compliments! Also starting to consider a BBC. Keep your eyes and ears open for me on a block that I can build...near washington.

[68C15]

of course a 500 caddy would make that scoot along but may kill the authenticity.
I had a 66 Imp in HS. everyone else had a G body or Mom's hand-me-down. mine was a 283/PG but I quickly swapped in a 327 camel back angle plugs and a TH350. man I miss that car.

[nicke]

I am starting to like the idea of putting a big block in it!