By the mid-1970s, the full-size Chevrolets had grown to become some of the largest automobiles produced by General Motors. A downsizing would come along in 1977 that “rightsized” the cars with less bulk and weight for better fuel economy, without sacrificing passenger room. This 1976 Impala Custom Coupe is the last of the big, bulky Chevies. It’s been in a barn for ages and has the dirt and grime to show for it. With maybe just 27,000 miles, this Impala is waiting for someone to come save it. Located in Shelocta, Pennsylvania, this once-stylish coupe is available here on craigslist for $4,500. Kudos to Tony Primo for another hidden gem of a tip!

Just how big had the full-size Chevies gotten by 1976?  They had gone from 200 inches in 1957 to 217 inches before the downsizing. In an attempt to help with fuel consumption, engines had gotten smaller which also made the cars slower. A 305 cubic inch V8 in a 1976 Impala was much less efficient than one in a 1977 Impala. A 350 V8 was still an option, and the seller believes that’s what sits under the hood of his/her automobile. The Custom Coupe, which we believe this one is, had large side windows that stayed in a fixed position.

If this is a Custom Coupe, it’s one of more than 43,000 assembled during the U.S.’s bi-centennial year. We don’t know the history of the vehicle, but for some reason, it was stashed in a barn at 27,000 miles on the odometer (but it could have flipped over and was on its second go-around). Underneath all the dirt might be a passable  paint job finished in a version of red, but the seller mentions there is rust in the rear fender (s) and the front bumper. If it has sat for ages, you have to wonder about the condition of the undercarriage.

On the plus side, the interior looks to be quite nice, supporting low vs. high mileage. With the extended body length paired with bigger government-mandated bumpers fore and aft, these Chevies were too bulky for my tastes 45+ years ago. But today, with so few still on the road, this Chevy now has a new allure and might be worth restoring if for no other reason than to be the only guy in your circle of car friends to have one!