400 V8: 1973 Chevrolet Impala Custom Coupe
From its inception in 1958, the Impala would become Chevrolet’s best-selling car on and off through its eventual retirement in 2020. Though it may have been most popular in the 1960s, Chevrolet sold a bundle of them in the 1970s, including this 1973 Custom Coupe (an Impala with the Caprice’s formal roof). This one looks to largely be in good condition, though it could stand a new coat of paint. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this Chevy is available here on craigslist for $8,500 OBO (thanks, T.J., for another great tip!).
General Motors redesigned all of its B-body full-size cars in 1971, resulting in the largest automobiles that Chevrolet ever built. These land yachts would sell reasonably well until the OPEC oil embargo of 1973 drove buyers to more fuel-efficient vehicles. So, the machines were redesigned again in 1977 and were downsized (the correct lingo was “right-sized”). This 1973 Impala wears its size well, just before the bumpers grew to proportions like cow-catchers.
This Impala comes in the Custom Coupe body style which arrived on the scene in 1968. The shell was shared with the more expensive Caprice but using Impala trim. We don’t know the history of this car other than the seller acquired it from the original family. That could be an indicator that the 72,000 miles on the odometer are legit. Under the hood resides Chevy’s 400 cubic inch small-block V8 paired with a Turbo-Hydramatic automatic transmission.
This is a fully equipped Impala that’s said to perform well except for the factory air conditioning. The photos suggest either a redone interior or one that is nicely preserved (the upholstery looks a bit too fussy to be factory, but I could be wrong). Although it sports cool aftermarket wheels, the seller says the original ones and most of the wheel covers also come with the car. Just add new paint and you should be good to go!
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Comments
This resembles the Detroit Muscle “Project Fat Stacks”. They took a ‘71 Caprice coupe, same color and gave it a new big block, 4 speed and total makeover. Loved that project. I like big coupes and I cannot lie…..
I love this, it almost has a ‘Repo Man’ (the movie of course) vibe, but Bud’s car was a 4 door. I saw that people thought the Monaco wagon was a little pricey, and I think this is too, but make an offer and this could be a lot of fun. I have a friend that had a ’70 Impala 4 door, 350 with a powerglide. We had a ton of fun cruising in the car until the cam went flat in it.
Here it is:
This features the always present A/C that just needs a charge of freon! boy if I had a nickel for everytime I heard that I’d retire!
No joke! I buy, recondition and sell used cars. I NEVER use the term just needs a charge of freon or probably needs it. If the a/c works I say so in my ad. If it doesn’t then I say a/c not working. No passing off false hope to buyers.
I recall the 400s being less reliable than the 350s, 327, 307, 283, and 265s that came before. Does my age shrunken brain decieve me, or do I remember correctly? If so, why do you think that was? The SBC was devinely inspired, but some sure were better then others.
Not less reliable if kept close to stock. Yes, the big bores required Siamesed cylinders, but this was fine at the normal low revs this engine was designed for. These engines were designed for torque, not high rpm power.
The 400 tended to run hot due to siamesed cylinders. (No coolant passages between them) Heads would crack. Made really good power with minor upgrades, though.
You are correct. I was told years ago that they had stream passages between the cylinders and heard that they overheated.
I put a 400ci in my 77 Vette. With an aluminum radiator and 180 degree thermostat, it ran at 180 all day long. Low end torque was awesome!
400 sb is a torque monster. never had a hot issue with mine but have heard horror stories though. looks good with the truck wheels on it gives it a roadkill vibe. Good luck.
Those cool aftermarket wheels are GM van rally wheels. I believe 1973-1991.
My parents owned this same year and body style car in Caprice trim with a 454. Dark brown with a black vinyl top. It was our family car for what seemed like forever to me (from birth to around 15 years old). I never thought I would’ve been saying this back then, but looking back now, “I wish I/we would’ve kept it”.
The wheels look, like C10 pickup truck and van rally wheels from the 70s and early 80s