SS 427! 1968 Chevrolet Impala Custom Coupe
When is a Chevrolet Impala SS not an Impala SS? When it’s an SS 427 variant. Colloquially known as an Impala SS 427, there isn’t an Impala nameplate on this big 1968 Chevrolet muscle car – more on that to follow. Having undergone an extensive restoration, this 1968 Chevrolet SS 427 is located in Brooksville, Florida and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $34,545, reserve not yet met.
As the seller states, there were 38,210 1968 Chevrolet Impala SSs built that year. They could be powered with anything from an inline six-cylinder engine to a 425 gross HP 427 CI big-block engine. The SS package, known as Z03 was really just an appearance package that included bucket seats and a center console. The SS 427 (RPO Z24) was another matter as it was 427 engine equipped only, along with F40 heavy-duty suspension, twelve-bolt differential, unique hood, fender “gills”, 15″ wheels, 70 series red line tires, and the appropriate badging along with a red header panel-mounted Chevrolet bowtie. Available on the Impala sports coupe, custom coupe, and convertible, only 1,778 were produced and this example is one of the few that I have seen in a “Custom Coupe” (formal squared-off roofline) body style. Interestingly, one thing that the Z24 did not have as standard equipment was bucket seats and a center console. A number of years back, I was attending the Daytona Beach Turkey Run and a fellow with a ’68 SS 427 parked out in the infield next to me. His car did indeed have a bench seat and column shifted automatic transmission and he told me that one would have had to order the Z03 SS option, on top of the Z24 option, to get the seats and console. This Chevrolet is carrying model number 6447, which is an Impala Custom Coupe designation, but you won’t find an Impala nameplate inside or out.
The seller states that this Chevy has had a nut and bolt redo and it used to be in the Floyd Garret Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Interestingly, I had a bunch of ’68 Impala parts for sale years ago and I advertised them in Hemmings. One day, I received a telephone call from Floyd, he was looking for red-backed “427” fender badges but I wasn’t able to help him. They were really hard to find back then, maybe they’re available today. Whatever the case, this Chevy is proudly displaying them. I could wax on about the appearance of this car, but there’s not much point in doing so, it looks perfect – just like it did when it rolled off of Chevrolet’s Doraville, Georgia assembly line. One thing to note are the wheel’s center caps, they’re known as “flat caps” and are for a ’67 Chevy, not a ’68 – a surprising error on a car that has been this well finished.
Inside we see that the original owner did select the Z03 option as bucket seats and a center console are in place. Also specified was full instrumentation with a tachometer along with a three-spoke wood-grained steering wheel, a great choice considering how flimsy and crack-inclined the standard 1968 Chevy piece was. Other options selected include A/C and a seldomly seen 8-track player.
Under the domed hood, you’ll find RPO L36, which is a 385 gross HP, 427 CI big-block V8 engine tethered to a Turbo-Hydramatic 400 three-speed automatic transmission. An unlisted option was RPO L72, which was a 425 gross HP 427 engine. There were about 600 full-sized cars built in ’68 with that special motor but I can’t find a model breakdown. I have personally seen about three SS 427s so endowed. There’s lots of feature description in the listing but, unfortunately, none as to how this big coupe motivates – no reason, however, to assume anything less than as originally intended.
OK, this car looks great and it gives prospective buyers what was going on near the end of the full-size performance car era. The SS 427 option, now with Impala badges, would continue for one more year but the ’69 version is more subtle due to the lack of unique body features. No idea what the reserve on this car is but I have seen these change hands for north of $40K, or more, and this one shows so well, it will probably find a new home. With prices gone wild on Chevrolet Chevelles, this SS 427 is a nice alternative, wouldn’t you agree?
Auctions Ending Soon
1965 Ford Falcon Station WagonBid Now2 days$2,300
2002 Jaguar XK8 ConvertibleBid Now3 days$4,250
1979 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28Bid Now4 days$4,500
1960 Dodge D300Bid Now4 days$300
2006 Ford Mustang Saleen S281 SCBid Now6 days$100
Comments
Wow. What condition. Great car.
Someone ordered her up with the big block 427, ac , power windows, and the autoloader, w the tall 3.08 gear. Just perfect for the hwy. Neat color also, looks super w the black roof.
It is a nice looking car, but I would have liked to have seen it with the “hide away” lights
Hideaways were only available on the Caprice.
At least it has the rare fiber optic light monitors. Beautiful car!
Nice car, but has AC, I know big plus to alot of people, but being from ME no use for me. As far as I’m concerned just clutters up the engine bay. When I pop the hood I want to see nothing but motor, not a bunch of hoses, compressors, etc. Gas, compression, spark and oil….all yah need. Unless it was a bargain I won’t even consider an Ac car. Now I’m talking about a car thats a sunny weekend driver, not my everyday ride, I want all the creature comforts I can get in that of course. Speaking of impalas, couple yrs ago I was looking for a drivers side door for my 66 since you can’t get a door skin, A guy about 20mi away had an ad in local classified section with 65-70 parts for sale and had a door, I went to check it out and pulled into this fairly old farmhouse with a garage off to the side. The yard had atleast 15 impalas of various yrs. He tells me the door is in the garage, slids up the door and my jaw about hit the floor, two 67 ss427 were in that garage, unrestored original paint drivers. He brought them with him when he moved here from long island 30 yrs ago, NOT FOR SALE…..I bought the door and left with a 12 bolt rear too….
Yep, down here in Mississippi, I wouldn’t even consider a car without A/C, whether daily driver or weekend warrior. Although yesterday’s high temp was only 80, it was cloudy and muggy. Without A/C for dehumidification, I wouldn’t have been able to see to drive to lunch. A sunny weekend driver? No way I’m doing any sunny driving without A/C! I ran the A/C in my truck last week on the way back from water skiing. I would love to have this SS in my garage, but I’m out of space.
Oh I get where your coming from with the ac, my daughter was living in Dothan Ala when she got out of the army about 10 yrs ago. I flew down that summer to help her move back to Maine. I got off the plane in Dothan and was WTF, it was like hitting a wall of water. Everywhere you went you had to leave the car running with the ac going full blast. Idk how people live there…..Waay way different up here……well it was between -10 an -24 every morning for about a wk at the end of jan buts up into the + temps mornings now, lol
Yeah, you can keep all that cold weather! when it gets down in the 60s, it’s too cold for me!
Would LOVE to have had one of those 67’s! I always thought they had the best round orientation dash instrumentation, better than the 68 which was rectangular. I had a mint black 67 Impala fastback factory order special with a 396 375 horse, but I’d have traded it in a heartbeat for one of those 67 427’s.
I wouldn’t expect a claimed nut and bolt restoration to have a Phillips head screw used to attach the driver’s side rear marker light.
I still own a ’68 Impala SS and that’s exactly how they attach.
JO
What should it have, A.G.? Torx?
Is this a serious question?
Slotted screws were the original sin. Adam, Eve, and the almighty himself would sheepishly admit to that.
The Almighty is sheepish about nothing.
Haven’t we seen this car before – or did I see it on another market site ?
Beautiful. Floyd only puts the best Chevys in his museum. He used to live in Florida. Ran a trucking company. I would love to have this next to my Corvette in my garage. Here in northern PA, we don’t need AC. A few days ago it was 4 below zero. In summer, never above 85.
Quite a few years ago someone pointed out that the screws for my tail light lenses on my 1972 Corvette were “incorrect”. This was at a Corvettes only show of course. Corvette aficionados are notorious for this level of detail. My Corvette was driver quality not matching numbers with numerous “incorrect” issues. Consequently I always requested please do not judge. I politely thanked the gentleman for making me aware of this flagrant mistake (something I already knew). Inwardly I was LOL and once again vowing to never posses a concourse quality collector car. I’ve managed to keep that promise mainly because driver quality is more enjoyable to me than owning a trailer queen. Less of a stain on the finances and stress quotient too.
@ Whiskytango…..I believe your claim is bit of a misnomer. canadian Ipals have been found to’ve had hide-aways as ell.
Excuse my previous horrendous grammar & spelling!
Correction:
@ Whiskytango…..I believe your claim is bit of a misnomer, as Canadian Impala’s as well, have been found to’ve had hideaway’s as an option.