Tidy Driver: 1979 Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupe
Sitting in this garage is an American classic that is a turnkey proposition for its new owner. This 1979 Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupe might not be the most desirable car on the planet, but it is an unmolested classic that has survived exceptionally well. It features a V8 under the hood and appears to need nothing but a new home. The seller has listed the Impala here on eBay in Patrick Springs, Virginia. After intense action, bidding has raced to $5,000 but remains below the reserve.
You know you have reached a certain, shall we say, plateau in life when you look at a car like this ’79 Impala, reflect on the reviews you read about the car in the freshly-printed magazines you’d just grabbed off the shelf when it was new, and then realize that the vehicle is now forty-five years old. Where did that time go? I can place my hand on my heart and declare that this classic is far better preserved than I am. Its Code 11 White paint retains a warm glow, contrasted by fine dual pinstripes. There are no significant flaws or defects, and the panels are straight. The seller doesn’t mention rust issues, and while the photo quality leaves much to be desired, they show no signs of problems. The trim and glass are in good order, and although the Rally wheels aren’t original, they do add a muscular appearance to a car with performance that some will consider mediocre by modern standards.
Chevrolet’s Sixth Generation Impala range graced showroom floors from 1977 until 1985, and in 1979, buyers could choose from several engines to power their new purchase. This car’s original owner selected the 305ci V8 with a three-speed automatic transmission and power assistance for the steering and front disc brakes. The seller waxes lyrical about the car’s specifications, using terms like “remarkable balance of power and performance.” They describe the engine as “formidable,” and I must award points for creativity! I described the car’s performance as mediocre, and with 130hp and 245 ft/lbs of torque tasked with shifting 3,710 lbs, progress was never going to be rapid. The ¼-mile journey will take 19.5 seconds, and the 305 will gasp for air with the needle hovering at 104mph. However, this Impala should be at home in heavy city traffic or cruising on the open road. The seller provides no information about the Impala’s mechanical health beyond their poetic description of its specifications, although they supply contact details for those wishing to ask questions. I always recommend that potential buyers do this before committing their hard-earned cash to a classic purchase. It often saves a lot of heartache.
The seller supplies two interior photos, and this one is the better (or least worst?) of the pair. Neither tells us much about its condition, although I find the front seat’s lack of wear and marks encouraging. This classic has over four decades of active service under its belt, so expecting deterioration is fair. However, it appears the interior has been treated respectfully. The engine shot reveals the compressor for air conditioning, but the seller doesn’t specify what other creature comforts the buyer will receive.
This 1979 Impala Sport Coupe appears to be a tidy survivor. Apart from the wheels, it seems to be original and unmolested. The seller emphasizes its rarity, and whether or not that is accurate depends on your point of view. Chevrolet sold 26,589 examples of the Sport Coupe in 1979, which doesn’t appear to fulfill the criteria typically associated with rarity. However, with Chevrolet’s total vehicle production that year reaching 2,284,749, the Sport Coupe represents approximately 1.2% of total sales. Some may argue that all that proves is that if you utilize the right set of figures, it is possible to paint any car as rare. This Impala has received thirty-one bids, suggesting people like what they see and are willing to vote with their wallets. Do you share that view, or will you pass on this classic?
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Comments
Very nice looker but 130hp is terrible, how much will a Holley sniper, intake, headers, and nice exhaust bring HP up? Or just put in a SB?
Needs a 502 HO crate engine
Is a car with a paint job still original and unmolested? I think not.
Love the C-pillars on these. Looks a lot like early 60’s Chrysler fare. Except of course for the squared back glass.
One of the most handsome coupe designs from The General.
Drop in a dual exhaust, 4 barrel, 3.55 gear ⚙️ and enjoy effortless cruising.
I was 20 in 1979 when I bought my 1978 Impala coupe, same interior but mine was carmine red. Great riding and driving car. I liked the unusual heat bent rear glass. I still like them but have too many cars to even think about it although it looks tasty.
No mileage listed by the seller. I believe the stand-up hood ornament was a Caprice-only item. Wonder if it was added as a personal preference, or as part of front end body work/repair.
You’d have to guess at the top speed because these cars had an 85 MPH speedo. And the way cars were “smogged” in 1979, that speedo wasn’t such a bad idea. Would I own one of these, especially in this condition? Not really. Maybe in 20 years when they’ve appreciated.
Put a LS in it & forget about it already! It’s a Chevy after all!
Between imposed legislation and manufacturer quality these cars suffered so much. What wasn’t sacrificed was style. That back window was beyond cool. It was even unique from it’s corporate siblings. It seems you either bought a basic Impala or a much nicer Caprice and not much in-between. The white and red look good. Maybe it’s just a sweet fair weather daily.
As lead valet at the local country club from ‘76-‘78, I became quite the car critic and developed some strong preferences. Club clientele was older and middle class, American iron was almost the rule, mostly GM and Ford with a few Mopars mixed in. One of my least favorite cars was the ‘73-‘76 Impala, caprice, Bonneville, Le Sabre. Fat, clumsy, slow and ponderous. They were a pain to park and worse to drive when a member would request an airport run. The ‘77s were a revelation, much tidier, lighter and more maneuverable. One member rolled up in his new Caprice sedan, 2-tone gold and the little F41 badge on the trunk lid indicating the sport suspension. 305 4 barrel, maybe GM slid a more aggressive axle ratio in the F41 cars as it felt reasonably responsive around the complex. Interior was decent, it was a Chevy not a Caddy. Oddly, another member bought a new Delta 88. It had the Olds 350 4 barrel and would light up the tires easily with a bit of brake torque. Much nicer interior as well. Other favorites were GM intermediate’s like Grand Prix and Cutlass Supreme and Lincoln’s in general. The first gen Seville was also pretty great. GM had it going on with those downsized big cars
The only place it’s referred to as a sport coupe is the Barn Find ad.
I worked at the Chevy plant in Saint Louis from 76 until they shut it down in 82 then off to the Corvette plant here in Bowling Green, Ky. We built the heck out of these cars. I owned a 78 Caprice Classic & a 79. I got them through GM program. Kept them both until about 86. The plastic was falling off of them & parts were higher than a Cats back. They were a great interstate auto.
You’ve got to question a car dealership that does not list the VIN or the mileage and supplies minimal and non-helpful pictures.
Rare? Maybe, but probably not.
I don’t know, I’ve never seen an Impala with that back window. And I worked in a Chevy dealership from ’81 to ’86.
79 was the last year for that type of rear window. Chevy changed the Roof line in 1980.