13K Mile Garage Find: 1973 Chevrolet Impala
Chevrolet knocked out something like 933K Impalas in 1973 – a very big number and much of that success was due to the “Custom” two-door hardtop such as this Fort Lauderdale, Florida example that T.J. has found for us. The days of Super Sport models, bucket seats, dual quad carburetors, and four-speed manual transmissions were well in the past by ’73 but that didn’t hurt sales as the more mundane examples are what sold in volume – and Chevrolet knew it. Considered a barn find, or maybe a garage find would be more appropriate, this big coupe still shows well in its code 52 GM Yellow (?) finish. Best of all, the mileage reading is a claimed 13K miles! Interested parties will find this “little old lady car” available, here on craigslist for $19,000.
The year 1973 marked the beginning of the end of the era for large cars like the Impala. The October ’73 Arab oil embargo sent fuel prices markedly upward, creating long filling station lines as well as the second-guessing of the wisdom of purchasing full-size, V8-powered cars. The oil crisis had an even deeper, adverse impact kicking off a 1974 recession that lasted well through ’75 – but that’s a story for a different day. Adding to the angst of big cruiser ownership were fuel consumption woes that were worsened by additional weight, thanks to new federally mandated five MPH front bumpers and lost engine efficiency as a result of ramped-up emission control tuning. Still, 933K copies are nothing to sneeze at!
Our subject car is an Impala Custom as opposed to a Sports Coupe which had a less formal, and more sloped roofline. Other body styles included four-door sedans and hardtops and a station wagon, which for the first time in five years was back to being called an Impala as the previously utilized “Kingswood” moniker was now retired. As for the big Chevy convertible, it got a promotion in ’73 and was kicked up to the Caprice trim level. I’m not sure what to make of this Impala’s appearance as the C-pillar trim makes me think that maybe it had a vinyl roof covering at one time, but then again, maybe not. The hue, which is a matter of taste, is truly reminiscent of the seventies, and the finish itself, while not without foibles, is in reasonably decent condition. I’ll assume that this Impala is wearing its original paint but nothing on that front is stated in the listing.
The engine appears to be the standard 145 net HP, 350 CI V8 engine which plies its trade via a Turbo-Hydramatic three-speed automatic transmission. Nothing is said about this car’s operating prowess but I can tell you from experience that this powertrain, while certainly adequate, is not a world-beater. The engine compartment looks “touched up” but it does present itself as complete and unaltered.
The vinyl upholstery in its “neutral” shade looks OK though it is showing some typical signs of yellowing. That said, there’s no evidence of splits or tears – though that steering wheel has some kind of mung manifesting itself on the hub portion. It’s not a completely austere environment but it is rather pedestrian. Of note, 1973 was the last year that Chevrolet employed nylon loop carpet. In ’74, “cut-pile”, similar to what’s used today, would replace the loop weave that had been in use since the fifties.
Big Chevies of this era (’71-’76) really haven’t caught on yet from a collectibility perspective. There’s no reason to suspect that they won’t improve in time, at least to a point, if for no other reason than their outsized girth and stylish two-door body styles. Still, $19 large for this admittedly low mileage example? I’m not feeling it, how about you?
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Comments
Nice to see Power Windows in an Impala. That has to be uncommon – as opposed to ‘rare’. The ad says ‘no rust’ – take a look at picture #6, of the heavily pitted dealer tag, which is missing in other photos. Maybe they mean ‘no rust – that you can see’
The engine bay looks like it was sprayed with salad oil.
This unit was just heavily detailed, which is understandable, but the WORST thing some detailers do is spray the engine bay with clear. BIG mistake! If this unit is put into constant service, that clear will yellow, crack & craze and will create a very difficult mess to resolve!
You may be right. Look at the power brake assist. The top of the coil is shiny but halfway down its not
Motor shine. Usually done by porters.
The paint around the dealer badge, looks strange.
Like it was quickly sprayed on, in a damp location, without surface preparation.
…collision damage?
Also, like the theater of the first shot, with those dirty blankets over the car.
What old lady puts tarps on her car? An old-lady garage find, is going to be uncovered, probably with flat tires, but obviously parked as if tomorrow was going to be another day of bingo or shuffleboard.
Color me unconvinced. I’m getting bad vibes off this one.
Code 52 Corvette Yellow was only available on the Corvette. The color on this Impala doesn’t precisely match anything Chevrolet offered. Code 61 Light Orange is close, but not quite right. This, and the missing vinyl roof, leads me to suspect a repaint. I also suspect that the car’s true mileage is 113,000. It just doesn’t give off that ultra-low-mileage vibe. The driver’s seat foam is collapsing, the trunk mat is dirty, the wheelwells are very dirty, and the underhood appearance is a bit rough for 13K.
The visual wear on the front seat tells me it’s 113K miles. The welting on the edge of the seats is worn too.
Nah, I disagree. But it’s easy enough to figure out on close, personal inspection. That said, you have to be a real AH to advertise 13k on a car that really has 113 or more. Somebody might take a FLIGHT to go look at it. Can you imagine❓”oh, sorry, I thought it was 13,000″ I’d do something to him. I’d make sure to ask enough questions to rule out something like that before I travelled to look at it.
Carpet on the driver’s side looks faded around the heel mat and what’s referred to as “mung” on the steering wheel pad is the remains of mildew that wouldn’t clean off. It appears to be or has been on the lower passenger side of the dash as well. This car has, I think, been damp on the inside for a while. It also has a broken plastic filler on the right side of the front bumper and the bumpers are too streaked for something supposedly inside covered up. Makes me think the bedsheet picture was staged after someone shot paint on it.
Wow, we had one just about like this when I was a kid. My mom drove it from a year before my birth all the way up to when I was 16 years old. It was dark brown with a black vinyl top, black cloth interior. It was a 2 door also. As a side note, I bet those doors weigh 300 lbs each! It was a Caprice with a 454, but no power windows or locks. Dad bought it new. I think he got a deal on it because there was a cigarette burn in the back of the driver’s seat from a test ride and because of the big block vs the rising gas prices at the time.
Some fun stories about that car to follow. I really don’t remember the AC ever working, so not sure when it quit. I remember my dad flooring it when I was a kid and hearing that big block moan. I cried. Dad laughed. Mom consoled lol. I remember when I was in about the 8th grade, my mom came to pick me up at school and had to circle the parking lot like a jetliner trying to land because the brakes had failed. I drove it to high school a few times. I remember pulling in and knocking a garbage can over in front of a cheerleader because I was running late, wasn’t used to the big car, and most importantly was paying more attention to said cheerleader than I was the task at hand. One day as I pulled in, several guys started chanting “Granny car”. So, I stopped, power braked it for a couple of seconds, then slowly let out on the brake as I gave it more gas, leaving a plume of blue smoke as I one wheel peeled that big Caprice a good 100 yards lol. After that, the exhaust sort of sounded different. I looked underneath and the two factory mufflers had ballooned out. Not long after, Dad put glasspacks on it, had it painted white, then lost interest and sold it to a guy who was going to pull the motor and use it in something else. I considered that car an old Granny car at the time, but man I’d love to have one to cruise in now. Not for 19 grand, though.
the “monkey jungle” bumper sticker on the rear bumper makes it all worthwhile! a rarity.. monkey jungle was/is in miami, fl. went there myself in the mid 70’s😂😂😂😂😂
Me thinks this has been staged by a flipper to present as something it is not. That garage photo is very staged in my opinion. Interior doesn’t add up to that low of miles.
I can smell the musty interior from here. You can see it was in a damp garage for 30 years, what a shame, nice car for about 3k,
I’d be looking at rusty floors and rear section too.
This was a big year for Chevy and all of the car biz posting over 13 million units. I believe a record at the time. The color is light copper metallic and it was on everything in ’73. My brother had a ’72 Custom coupe with a 454 that my parents would come to own. I always loved this generation with that rear window and deck lid.
These were nice, but you need to check this car closely for rust. They were notorious for rusting around the back glass and trunk areas. Also, that much for a nice but unremarkable car is a bit steep. And of course, I’d view the mileage with a jaundiced eye. That seat looks like more than 13k miles to me.
As said above 13k, yeah right. I drive a 72 convertible daily and some things on mine look better than this. We then have the old car dealer detail under the hood with that Amour all looking crap they used to spray on everything. I will say it way likely inside a good bit as the dash pad appears to be original and uncracked. I had a 73 in this color. We called it butterscotch and mine had a green interior along with a green vinyl top.
My buddy’s dad had this color ’73 Impala, brand new. Had a white vinyl top and was a sharp looking car that could still, barely, do burnouts.
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The odometer numbers don’t line up as they should. I would want to see documentation proving the mileage.
No rust? That rear bumper is rusty. It is very expensive to have that fixed.
That’s a misnomer that because the numbers don’t align it means the odo was tampered with. Do I think the car is legit? Yes. If the bumper has to be rechromed, I say so what? It’s part of a restoration.
At least he got the piture of his square body in for grins or sale…..
“No rust”? – What’s that on the air cleaner cover?
Also,looks like mold on the steering wheel horn cover.
I concur with the prevailing opinion in the comments that something is fishy with this car. However, saying that these early to mid 70s full size Chevrolets haven’t caught on with collectors is to ignore what has become a significant niche in the low rider culture- Donks. The ’71-’76 big Chevy is at the heart of what defines a Donk. That and like, 28 inch rims, or bigger. It’s because of the Donk scene that cars like this are bringing much more than they’re objectively worth.
Bill West is correct. I have detailed cars professionally since 1977, and back then I worked at a very busy Oldsmobile dealership. Our boss told us we had to steam the engines, then dry them, then spray that nasty glossy crap from an air powered container all over the place. I contested, but told to do my job. Before it dries, it attracts dirt and dust, then dries, and cracks. Most smart car buyers asked, :”What, are you trying to hide oil leaks?” These cars are garbage. Drove them new, cheap plastic interiors, that dry rotted easily. Smogged out engines and with gas $3.50 where I live, forget it. Just another $2,000 car.
Buy this and you’ll be “driving beige baby!!!” … so boring.
Notice seller leaves out any picture of driver rear quarter pane. That’s because there’s a big old dent there. This car was just on Facebook marketplace as a non runner and the original seller disclosed the dent. Buyer beware! Looks like it was stored underground next to Ms Belvidere
Also my pet peeve: you’re only the original owner, or the car is a “one owner” if you bought it new. Not you’re flipping it because you ripped off an old person… regardless of if you are committing a felony by selling it on an open title or you retitled it in your name
I concur. This is probably someone that watches WAY too much discovery channel, and thinks everyone was born yesterday. Spray clearcoat everywhere and suddenly because it shines…. It’s automatically a new car all over again! 😂 If you believe that, I’ve got a bridge to sell ya! 🤣
I really believe you’d have to have been around during that time, and be very observant of details to know for sure this car is the way it came. They definitely came this color and it was fairly common too. Although the c-pillar trim makes it look like it had a vinyl roof, it didn’t. Even back then it had you pause and wonder if it was supposed to have one, but no. Around the dealer ID either that’s dirt or there’s surface rust due to holes drilled there – they were not put on with adhesive. The owner was being crafty not to take a closeup of the driver’s door as the door card is severely discolored. Why, I don’t know. It looks like a legit low miles/sat in a garage for years, car. It’s a great start for a restore to perfect showstopper. I would hate, hate, hate to see this thing with donkey wheelz (huge wheels) and otherwise modded – it’s too perfect. 19k is the start of negotiation, but I’m gonna say this is NOT the “pot-of-gold” you thought it was. Probably half that is about right because of the mileage and the great starting point it’s at. Please somebody YT buy this and preserve it for posterity.