Restoration: 1967 Chevy Impala V8 Rustbucket

[PAVAN KADAM]

Well, well well. An American Muscle 5 litre 327 Horsepowered V8 Chevy Impala made its way all the way up from North Karnataka to Bangalore. Car is being a Single owner since new, came to India in the early 80's. Being driven in and around Haveri - Davangere untill mid 80's, due to maintenance issues, the car stood its ground till date.

Owned by a Surgeon. passed on to his son, who is a Dentist by profession. I met this doctor on facebook, when one day i get a message requesting my visit to his house 360 kms away to take a look at his car. And suggest next course of action. I was infact excited by this request and booked a Shatabdi. With my mechanic in tow, i paid a visit to see this RARE Muscle car.

AWESTRUCK at the first sight, i gave in to the temptation and the car got loaded and landed in Bangalore couple of months ago. What ensued after that is something that i had not thought i will get into

This by far is the Worst ever rusting i have seen on a standing car. A Big Big challenge, but a car like this is worth all the effort.

[greenhorn]

A bit confused by the US plates. Could you share the story behind them?

[PAVAN KADAM]

Originally Posted by greenhorn

A bit confused by the US plates. Could you share the story behind them?

Sorry for the confusion, the car was purchased by the said Doctor while he was practicing in the U.S, later in the early 80's got into INDIA under TR.

Later in the 80's the car was infact registered here and has Karnataka plates

The moment this Beast came into the workshop, the first thing my mechanic did was to overhaul the carb, tune the car, and Fire it up. Hear the Turbofire V8 Gurgle. The Most amazing music ever heard

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RKaWaHIP0U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35L6ViDme3c

[samsag12]

Been following this restoration project on FB & was wondering why you haven't documented it on the forum. At last its here & am looking forward to this project.

This surely looks like herculean task, lot of rust & acres of area to tinker with. Am sure your tinkerer will have sleepless nights while working on this car.

Will keep an eye on this thread closely.

[condor]

The car, even in this form, is awesome ! Wonder how will it be when it is restored.

And it's a NJ registered car !

[KPS]

Thanks for sharing Pavan. Great to see a Karnataka car in long term ownership being restored. I am sure she will look great once fully restored.

Amazing to see this amount of rust considering that Haveri is relatively a dry zone. Cannot imagine if this car would have survived, had it been near a coast.

Cheers

KPS

[coloneljasi]

Wow. You really are diversifying aren't you? From small VW bugs to a relatively huge Chevrolet from (New) Jersey. By the looks of it, I think your attention would be on getting the bodywork to look like new. There doesn't seem to be much work in the interiors, at least by looking at the pictures.

Do keep us posted on how you get on.

[GTO]

First the Kingsway & now this V8 Impala! It's raining American classics on Team-BHP

What an absolute stunner the car is in these pictures....and that magical engine note!! Can only imagine its personality in person. Congrats to you & the owner on the restoration. Knowing your work, the end result will be nothing short of outstanding.

Since these cars were mass produced & have such a huge fan following, I see a lot of American websites selling parts. Do you source any online or is it local jugaad?

[Lukeskywalker]

Good you started this thread, will keep tuned to it and claim my test Drive the moment it's ready to roll. Need to drop by and have a look at the progress.

[unni246]

Love the Aerodynamics of the 60s.
Each penny spent on restoration should be worth for this Classic Muscle. Waiting to see the progress shots

[Roomy]

That's going to be one hell of a job with all that rusting. Can't wait to see how its gonna turn out in the end.
I feel the rear windscreen is gonna be real tough to source. Do keep us posted and all the best Pavan.

Originally Posted by unni246

Love the Aerodynamics of the 60s.

Or rather, the lack of aerodynamics.

[unni246]

Originally Posted by Roomy

That's going to be one hell of a job with all that rusting. Can't wait to see how its gonna turn out in the end.
I feel the rear windscreen is gonna be real tough to source. Do keep us posted and all the best Pavan.


Or rather, the lack of aerodynamics.

The Front does lack them.

But just look at the flow from the top to the Rear!

[FINTAIL]

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM

Well, well well. An American Muscle 5 litre 327 Horsepowered V8 Chevy Impala made its way all the way up from North Karnataka to Bangalore. Car is being a Single owner since new, came to India in the early 80's.

This by far is the Worst ever rusting i have seen on a standing car. A Big Big challenge, but a car like this is worth all the effort.

I was rather hoping that this car sported a Turbo Fire V8 + Ramjet Fuel Injection.

Okay! So it has Carbs! So which make are they? Holley?

Single owner? Original Paint I presume? mmmmm

More details needed Pavan. Now that the car is with you, we have high expections!

Cheers!

P.S: Whatever happened to the Vauxhall Velox/Wyvern which came from Hyderabad?

[PAVAN KADAM]

Originally Posted by KPS

Thanks for sharing Pavan. Great to see a Karnataka car in long term ownership being restored. I am sure she will look great once fully restored.

Amazing to see this amount of rust considering that Haveri is relatively a dry zone. Cannot imagine if this car would have survived, had it been near a coast.

Cheers

KPS

Unnecessary Washing of the car every weekend has done the damage.

Originally Posted by coloneljasi

Wow. You really are diversifying aren't you? From small VW bugs to a relatively huge Chevrolet from (New) Jersey. By the looks of it, I think your attention would be on getting the bodywork to look like new. There doesn't seem to be much work in the interiors, at least by looking at the pictures.

Do keep us posted on how you get on.

Diversifying yes Atleast for such an automobile.

Originally Posted by GTO

First the Kingsway & now this V8 Impala! It's raining American classics on Team-BHP

What an absolute stunner the car is in these pictures....and that magical engine note!! Can only imagine its personality in person. Congrats to you & the owner on the restoration. Knowing your work, the end result will be nothing short of outstanding.

Since these cars were mass produced & have such a huge fan following, I see a lot of American websites selling parts. Do you source any online or is it local jugaad?

No Jugaad whatsoever. Each and every part will be imported from the US.

Originally Posted by Lukeskywalker

Good you started this thread, will keep tuned to it and claim my test Drive the moment it's ready to roll. Need to drop by and have a look at the progress.

ha ha ha, sir, you've been noticing the car every week.

Originally Posted by unni246

Love the Aerodynamics of the 60s.
Each penny spent on restoration should be worth for this Classic Muscle. Waiting to see the progress shots

Originally Posted by Roomy

That's going to be one hell of a job with all that rusting. Can't wait to see how its gonna turn out in the end.
I feel the rear windscreen is gonna be real tough to source. Do keep us posted and all the best Pavan.


Or rather, the lack of aerodynamics.

The Rear windshield has been identified and ordered, should arrive by Mid March

To begin with, the main aim right now is to sort out all the ROT that is there on the car.

[unni246]

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM

Unnecessary Washing of the car every weekend has done the damage.
=========
To begin with, the main aim right now is to sort out all the ROT that is there on the car.

Am surprised to see how the Rust has eaten up so much of the American build.
The Rear Windshield needs to travel from the US shores? If so would this be via Air / Sea, Pavan?

And just off the topic.. Is there any limits & assumptions on the Budget that is going into this exciting Project?