Team-BHP > Vintage Cars & Classics in India > Post-War


Reply
  Search this Thread
162,628 views
Old 2nd January 2010, 18:37   #1
Distinguished - BHPian
 
anjan_c2007's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: India
Posts: 8,240
Thanked: 20,193 Times
A 1966 LHD Original Chevrolet Impala

This is a 1966 model LHD Chevrolet Impala now with my friend who is a garage owner here at Nagpur with a Mumbai registration.The car "Impala" is named by GM after the southern African antelope with this name.
This car has the straight six original petrol engine.The dash is fully original. The seat fabric is original.The door trims too are original.
Lastly, the paint is fully original since 43 years! No doubt the car has some corrosion in its bodywork.The mechanical work is being done at the workshop to restart the engine.
A 1966 LHD Original Chevrolet Impala-dsc04712.jpg

A 1966 LHD Original Chevrolet Impala-dsc04744.jpg

A 1966 LHD Original Chevrolet Impala-dsc04746.jpg

A 1966 LHD Original Chevrolet Impala-dsc04747.jpg

A 1966 LHD Original Chevrolet Impala-dsc04714.jpg

A 1966 LHD Original Chevrolet Impala-dsc04721.jpg

A 1966 LHD Original Chevrolet Impala-dsc04717.jpg

A 1966 LHD Original Chevrolet Impala-dsc04719.jpg

A 1966 LHD Original Chevrolet Impala-dsc04728.jpg

A 1966 LHD Original Chevrolet Impala-dsc04731.jpg
anjan_c2007 is online now   (2) Thanks
Old 2nd January 2010, 18:46   #2
Distinguished - BHPian
 
anjan_c2007's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: India
Posts: 8,240
Thanked: 20,193 Times

More and more of the 1966 Impala. The Impala logo on the steering console (horn button) and the Impala logo on the front fender shows the fleeing bovidae (deer family)

A 1966 LHD Original Chevrolet Impala-dsc04718.jpg

A 1966 LHD Original Chevrolet Impala-dsc04720.jpg

A 1966 LHD Original Chevrolet Impala-dsc04722.jpg

A 1966 LHD Original Chevrolet Impala-dsc04724.jpg

A 1966 LHD Original Chevrolet Impala-dsc04731.jpg

A 1966 LHD Original Chevrolet Impala-dsc04732.jpg

A 1966 LHD Original Chevrolet Impala-dsc04734.jpg

A 1966 LHD Original Chevrolet Impala-dsc04733.jpg
A 1966 LHD Original Chevrolet Impala-dsc04741.jpg
A 1966 LHD Original Chevrolet Impala-dsc04725.jpg
A 1966 LHD Original Chevrolet Impala-dsc04743.jpg
A 1966 LHD Original Chevrolet Impala-dsc04739.jpg
A 1966 LHD Original Chevrolet Impala-dsc04737.jpg

A 1966 LHD Original Chevrolet Impala-dsc04740.jpg

Last edited by anjan_c2007 : 2nd January 2010 at 18:59.
anjan_c2007 is online now   (2) Thanks
Old 2nd January 2010, 19:20   #3
BHPian
 
ishlinea7260's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: .
Posts: 471
Thanked: 539 Times

43 YEARS!!!
And that too all original!
That really speaks of quality standards of chevrolet .
Any idea about her engine specs power, torque?
Can see the rear seats are not in a good condition but hey its 43 years old!
all in all a really nice car though
ishlinea7260 is offline  
Old 2nd January 2010, 19:42   #4
BHPian
 
john a milne's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Toronto / Calcutta
Posts: 908
Thanked: 458 Times

A great car in great original condition!
The photo essay well done and much appreciated!

A friend here in Calcutta has a 57 four door hardtop with the original interiors in good shape. I was able to purchase in the U.S. after market fabric matching his car and he was able to repair a few areas of the upholstery that was difficult to tell the difference.

Would be nice if the interior could retain some of it's originality.
john a milne is offline  
Old 2nd January 2010, 19:52   #5
Senior - BHPian
 
Anand123's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: KL-01
Posts: 2,294
Thanked: 5,218 Times

Great car!!! Does its owner has any plans to restore it?
Anand123 is offline  
Old 2nd January 2010, 20:16   #6
Senior - BHPian
 
the mole's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Mumbai
Posts: 2,189
Thanked: 825 Times

Nice car, I have been offered a similar car. Lets see how that develops.
the mole is offline  
Old 2nd January 2010, 20:57   #7
Distinguished - BHPian
 
anjan_c2007's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: India
Posts: 8,240
Thanked: 20,193 Times

Quote:
Originally Posted by the mole View Post
Nice car, I have been offered a similar car. Lets see how that develops.
Thanks the mole
Quote:
Originally Posted by Anand123 View Post
Great car!!! Does its owner has any plans to restore it?
Last heard he wanted to sell it after mechanically making it fit.

Quote:
Originally Posted by john a milne View Post
A great car in great original condition!
The photo essay well done and much appreciated!

A friend here in Calcutta has a 57 four door hardtop with the original interiors in good shape. I was able to purchase in the U.S. after market fabric matching his car and he was able to repair a few areas of the upholstery that was difficult to tell the difference.

Would be nice if the interior could retain some of it's originality.
Thanks John.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ishlinea7260 View Post
43 YEARS!!!
And that too all original!
That really speaks of quality standards of chevrolet .
Any idea about her engine specs power, torque?
Can see the rear seats are not in a good condition but hey its 43 years old!
all in all a really nice car though
Thanks ishlinea would soon post the technical specifications.The doors are so heavily built that while opening and closing them, you sometimes feel the difference.
A 1966 LHD Original Chevrolet Impala-dsc04723.jpg
anjan_c2007 is online now   (2) Thanks
Old 2nd January 2010, 21:39   #8
Distinguished - BHPian
 
anjan_c2007's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: India
Posts: 8,240
Thanked: 20,193 Times

Pictorial examples of better maintained /restored 4 door Impalas from 1966 and the Chassis data from the oldride website.
A 1966 LHD Original Chevrolet Impala-66impala1.jpg

A 1966 LHD Original Chevrolet Impala-66impala3.jpg

Name:  66Impala5.jpg
Views: 60185
Size:  157.8 KB
Chassis Data

Model / Wheelbase / Overall Length/ Width / Front / Rear Treads/Tires

Chevrolet / 119 in 213.2 in / 79.6 in / 61.5 in/ 62.4in / 7.35 x 14/8.55X14


More information about the straight six 1966 Impala from the hemmings website:

The buyer of a new 1965 Impala had a choice of 10 engines including the standard 230-cu.in., 140hp straight-six. By 1966 the choice narrowed down to seven engine options. The beauty of the Impala was that Grandma could order an economy car with a straight six-cylinder engine and three-speed manual transmission or Powerglide; and those looking for performance could order one of two big-block V-8s, a 396- or 409-cu.in. engine, even in a four-door Biscayne, the lowest-priced of the full-size Chevrolets, and have it bolted to a four-speed transmission. The VIN tag that is riveted to the driver's side door post will tell you what model the car was originally. For example, if the first five numbers are "16867," you will know that it is a true 1966 Impala SS convertible. There is also a cowl tag below the windshield on the driver's side, which states where the car was built and gives the paint code and trim. Brent Barrett, a technical advisor on 1966 full-sized Chevrolets for the National Impala Association, says some factories, like St. Louis, included a list of options on the cowl tag, while other factories did not.
The cylinder heads themselves are strong iron pieces that rarely ever see head gaskets fail, unless the engine has been severely overheated. The engines were well designed, but given the state of technology at the time, including lubrication qualities and out-of-tune carburettors, many engines need a rebuild after 100,000 miles.
The standard braking system on 1965 and 1966 Impalas was a four-wheel-hydraulic 11-inch drum setup, front and rear. The total swept braking area was 328.3 inches. While certainly not state-of-the-art at the time, the brake system was adequate, and if properly maintained, rarely failed. The standard 14-inch wheels were pressed steel with drop-center rims and were fitted with 8.25 x 14-inch bias-ply tires.
Like all big Chevys of the 1960s, the Impala utilized an independent front suspension that featured unequal-length A-arms with ball joints, direct-acting shocks inside heavy-duty coil springs, and a stabilizer bar. Due to their size and weight, Impalas are known for wearing out lower ball joints, even with regular lubrication. The original ball joints were riveted on at the factory, so if you find a car with bolt-in type, they've been replaced. The upper ball joints, however, last nearly forever.
The rear suspension is stout and has a rigid axle, coil springs, direct-acting shocks and a lateral control bar. The bodies on 1965 and 1966 Impalas were rugged, but as with most 1960s cars, they are prone to rust. Steve Leuing, the National Impala Association and Vintage Chevrolet Club of America's technical advisor for 1965 full-size Chevrolets, says the biggest area of concern is body and frame rust. "Unfortunately, because of the nature of the construction of these cars, they are very prone to rusting in front, above and behind the rear-wheel opening, wheel wells, floors, trunk pan and gutters at the base of the windshield," Steve says. Convertibles are susceptible to severe rust in the front and rear floor pan because water doesn't get channeled out properly. However, one area of these cars, the rocker panels, remains solid unless exposed repeatedly to salt-covered roads. This is due to "flush and dry" rocker panels, which were designed to allow water to flow through, followed by a burst of air to dry out the remaining moisture. The door hinges were built like Fort Knox, but after 40 years, the bushings may need replacing.

Last edited by anjan_c2007 : 2nd January 2010 at 21:52.
anjan_c2007 is online now   (2) Thanks
Old 2nd January 2010, 23:27   #9
Senior - BHPian
 
Anand123's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: KL-01
Posts: 2,294
Thanked: 5,218 Times

How much will a 1960s model cost now? Any idea??
Anand123 is offline  
Old 3rd January 2010, 00:55   #10
Senior - BHPian
 
agspins's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: MH-31
Posts: 1,651
Thanked: 508 Times

Wow..nice car there..where the garage is located ?
agspins is offline  
Old 3rd January 2010, 01:24   #11
Newbie
 
Hesbee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Chandigarh, IND
Posts: 24
Thanked: 3 Times

HI is this car up for Sale?? & would like to knw how much please!!
Hesbee is offline  
Old 7th January 2010, 23:50   #12
Senior - BHPian
 
harit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Mumbai
Posts: 4,033
Thanked: 3,281 Times

If I did not have enough of these, I would buy. She is pillarless, but the version is the favourite Indian one, 6 cylinders for economy. That was the way the Indian market worked, exteriors plush, interior....well, inferior.
This lucky car escaped the filmwallah's, many of these were thrashed by that industry.
Are the books intact and taxes uptodate?
This car will not come cheap, and a lot of tinwork will have to be done. But you get a full sized American cruiser, they are not so freely available anymore. The original paint is of no help. The upholstry should be saved by restitching and putting some back-up material at the joints. Rear bench is beyond restoration, one should try to match colours as best as possible. You do get new upholstry in America, but difficult to match with 43 year old seat covers.
If you want to have something striking, go ahead, send a PM and get it.

The cost of a 1960 model will depend upon the condition, body style and the seller.

Cheers harit

Last edited by harit : 8th January 2010 at 00:00.
harit is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 8th January 2010, 00:19   #13
Distinguished - BHPian
 
Stanher's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Hyderabad, AP
Posts: 6,491
Thanked: 2,083 Times

Now that I think of it, I remember seeing what I now suspect was an identical model in dark blue (though slightly lighter than this) sadly junking away outside the ICMR guest house which was then at Safdarjung Rd (IIRC) in Delhi, when we had once stayed there.
I was told it was owned by a Punjabi family and the owner had passed away, the children went abroad or so, leaving the car behind. It was covered all over with leaves I remember, the rear glass missing. But was still restorable, even the hubcaps were intact then. I was told it was eventually towed away by the Municipality to be scrapped. I've no pics. of that car I'm afraid! but straining whatever memory I have of it (was just a kid then!), I'm sure it was like this.
Stanher is offline  
Old 8th January 2010, 01:02   #14
Senior - BHPian
 
agspins's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: MH-31
Posts: 1,651
Thanked: 508 Times

IIRC there were two third gen Impalas around Nagpur in very sad condition.One was in chhindwara( was lying in open eating rust ) and another in with Bidi business family at Chandrapur( was lying neglected in their backyard).Dont know about the current status of the cars lasr time i saw them was few years back.Both of them were black.
agspins is offline  
Old 8th January 2010, 16:22   #15
Senior - BHPian
 
canonball's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Mumbai
Posts: 1,466
Thanked: 205 Times

Harit I thought we were going to use PM's to talk prices and stay away from subjective or personal opinions on price urge you to maintain decorum. You were the one afterall who suggested this!
canonball is offline  
Reply

Most Viewed
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Team-BHP.com
Proudly powered by E2E Networks