Jim Brownlee's 427 cars! (Yep, more than one!)

[Xplantdad]

The first car is a 68 427 Caprice that I purchased in 1982 after I finished high school.

It is factory black and has approx 40 factory options. I really wanted to buy Rick Nelson’s 68 SS427, which I saw in Super Chevy, but could not afford it, so I have kept
the Caprice for all these years and have put approx 30K miles on in that time.

It had 63,000 when I bought it from the 8th owner who had it in a garage for 3 years. I have met 3 of the previous owners, but have not been able to get much info from them over the years.


Because it is a Canadian car I have been able to get all documentation for the car from GM and I also found a build sheet under gas tank about 50-60% intact. My wife and I used the car and a 396 Caprice with the same color combination for wedding cars and we have just recently been driving the car again after having kids over the last 10 years.


We have really only had the car on two road trips, one to Super Chevy in Seattle in 86 (where we met one of the previous owners from Calgary and Doug Marion
from Super Chevy took pictures!), and then to the National Impala Assoc meet In South Dakota in 2005. Car was sold new in Calgary and has been within 100 miles ever since. I have owned the car for longer than the other 8 owners combined.

Next step with car is what to do with body. We had drivetrain rebuilt in 2003 and the last time someone touched the body and paint was approx 1977. On a holiday to Spokane in 1983, I found a 68 SS427 hood that had been on the car ever since. It really makes the car look extra special.The car has a few added options, wood wheel, and corvette rally wheels. Other than that, the car is Original or factory stock.








The second car is a 68 SS427 bench 4 speed convertible, built in San Diego and it was kept in the California area till Dec 1994 When it was purchased by a man in New Jersey who kept it until a man in Georgia purchased it in 2003.

We purchased it this spring from Georgia owner who has several other 427 cars.I had it shipped in an an enclosed trailer to my dad’s in Denver and then drove it 1000 miles
Home to Calgary, Canada. It was perfect to get to know the car.


The car has been inside pretty well all its life and has approx 105,000 miles. There have been a few factory options Added over the years, tach and gauges, Super Sport interior, AM/FM radio, bumperettes and soon to be power seats, tilt and rear sway bar! The car is a hoot to drive, with the flowmasters and 2 ½ inch exhaust.


Unfortunately I do not have the original paperwork for car, but I have the last 14 years worth of repair and replacement receipts. I have been trying to get some Info from the San Diego dealer who sold the car in 1994, but so far they are unable or unwilling to provide. They either purchased it or had on consignment from the second owner who apparently owned a body shop in the area and painted car prior to selling in 1994. Still have the original smog equipment and would love to get a set of vette rally’s to make it look a little more like the Caprice. Car did not have man factory options when new. SS427 package, rally’s,
M20 4 speed, drum power brakes, power steering, and that’s about it! Not even a Z03 super sport interior!

Thanks

Jim


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[prototype]

What a small, small world.

Jim I looked at you 427 convertible when it sold in 2003. It was on ebay and I was very interested because I had always loved these cars since seeing a black SS427 with olive interior like your Caprice. It was a hard top and it was a block away from Peters drive in.

Whe your convertible came up on ebay I thought it was so cool, black with a white interior and a 4spd to boot. When I went back to check the auction I was about five minutes late or she would have been in Calgary in 2003.

Congrats and take care of her, that is a neat ride.

[68427caprice]

Hi Fred,
Interesting about the convertible. I also spoke with a guy in Edson who had a 68 396 Caprice I used to own, who was selling to a friend of mine here in Calgary, and he said the same thing!!
We are trying to get a local Impala Association chapter started, let us know if you are interested. It will be in the NW cruise calendar and NIA magazine. Thanks Jim http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[DarrenX33]

Boy I'll tell ya. All the stars and the moon lined up for Chevrolet when they did the 68 Impala. What a cool car. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

[COPO 70 RS/Z28]

AWESOME STABLE

Impala's Rule

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[ss427copo]

WOW........now that's a nice pair (pun intended!) http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif
I wish I still had the Motion-prepped L72 68 SS427 from the early 70's. Now....that car with gears was as rude as they came! That's me behind the wheel heading out to terrorize the streets of Chester, Pa. (where did my hair go?)
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r59/nhra1060sc/JohnImpala.jpg
Jeff x 2 http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[PeteLeathersac]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/drool.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/drool.gif!!!.

Although I was never a big fan of the hideaways back in the day, I can't believe how sinister and deadly they look now!!! Kinda' like how the funny looking girls back in grade school turned into the sexyist ones in high school?.

~ Pete
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[Belair62]

Hideaways look just plain perfect on a 68. And a 4 speed rag... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/drool.gif

[68427caprice]

I think a lot of people would love to have any Motion related car (or Yenko.......).
I sometimes think, what if I kept that W30 car or SS nova, or or..
We should all have enough money and time to have what turns us on and enjoy everyone else's also.
Thanks for the comments everyone.
Jim http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[68l30]

68 SS-427 with a Ivy gold gut..... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif


http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/Can-I-Have-It.gif



Steve http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif

[2qwik2c]

Awesome cars. Are there any 67 427 cars kicken around Alberta??? There is a 68 396 caprice here in manitoba that is almost the same as yours except for the engine of course. The one here even has the SS427 hood aswell. 2qwik2c.

[L78Impala]

WOW....again, I can never see too many BIG cars. Great collection. Love that 68 body style and a Z24 to boot.

[DaveC68]

Jim, A friend of mine had a very similar 68 convertible, here in NJ back in the late 80's early 90's. At the time it was triple black, 427/425 4 speed bench seat. Came to find out it was originally red with white gut and top, non-SS.COPO (At the time it seemed crazy to spend the $$$ to change it back) He was able to track down the first owner in WV who confirmed all this. Another one he should never have let get away. Seeing and reading about yours had me thinking they were one-in-the-same....with the NJ reference http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif Great Looking Cars. Congratulations.

[68427caprice]

[ QUOTE ]
Awesome cars. Are there any 67 427 cars kicken around Alberta??? There is a 68 396 caprice here in manitoba that is almost the same as yours except for the engine of course. The one here even has the SS427 hood aswell. 2qwik2c.

[/ QUOTE ]
I know the car coincedentally. I used to own that one also, and I just took my trailer with a friend of mine (who I originally sold the car to in the first place) and he bought it back from a guy in Edson Alberta that bought it from the guy in Manitoba!!!

My wife and I brought that car to Winnipeg for the Northern Lights car show (many moons ago - 1992) and won the car rally!. Car is on the ImpalaSS427.com web site. I bought it on consignment from the original owners (husband passed away) and the wife did not drive. We had it painted and used the 2 Caprices for wedding cars in 1990. They look almost the same on the outside ex 427 car has hideaways, and 396 car had cloth stratobench both cars with headrests.

Could not afford to keep it back a few years ago, same old story. Car is great, ran and now still runs like a top! Thanks for the reply. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Jim

ps bought the SS427 hood on 396 car for 175.00 in 1989 and for my 427 car paid 125.00 in 1983. Slightly more now.
picture is when my friend John who just bought the car back had taken the car to NIA in SD for the 68 year!

[68427caprice]

[ QUOTE ]
Jim, A friend of mine had a very similar 68 convertible, here in NJ back in the late 80's early 90's. At the time it was triple black, 427/425 4 speed bench seat. Came to find out it was originally red with white gut and top, non-SS.COPO (At the time it seemed crazy to spend the $$$ to change it back) He was able to track down the first owner in WV who confirmed all this. Another one he should never have let get away. Seeing and reading about yours had me thinking they were one-in-the-same....with the NJ reference http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif Great Looking Cars. Congratulations.

[/ QUOTE ]
I spoke with the NJ owner and the man who sold it to him in San Diego, and from what I know, it is original, but I am still waiting to hear from someone who knows what Paul Harvey would say "The rest of the story". I figure, it is what it is, and I will just have to enjoy it till I get the background I am looking for.

A 425 horse convertible, hummm makes me think a 502 (or bigger) would be http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif also.
Thanks for the reply.
Jim

[prototype]

[ QUOTE ]
Awesome cars. Are there any 67 427 cars kicken around Alberta??? 2qwik2c.

[/ QUOTE ]

I know of a burgundy hard top and a butternut yellow rag here in Calgary, both are long term owners.

[68427caprice]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Awesome cars. Are there any 67 427 cars kicken around Alberta??? 2qwik2c.

[/ QUOTE ]

I know of a burgundy hard top and a butternut yellow rag here in Calgary, both are long term owners.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey there, are you talking about Doug's cars? I spoke with Doug the other day and we are trying to get him into the local NIA chapter also! The yellow convertible used to be Dwight Lee's in Red Deer. Very nice auto. Have it picture'd together with my Caprice somewhere, from the early 80's.

Do you know any more about the car you saw by Peters Drive in?
Thanks http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Jim

[68427caprice]

[ QUOTE ]
Awesome cars. Are there any 67 427 cars kicken around Alberta??? There is a 68 396 caprice here in manitoba that is almost the same as yours except for the engine of course. The one here even has the SS427 hood aswell. 2qwik2c.

[/ QUOTE ]

Picture of 396 car did not take. Try Try again.

[2qwik2c]

I have heard that most likely there will be a NIA regional convention here in Winnipeg in July??? You Alberta guys will have to bring some cars out if it happens??

[2qwik2c]

Any more info on the cars??? Are they SS427's or just SS's??? I'm just trying to see how many Canadian 67 427 cars are out there??? I picked up my 67 427 Biscayne from Alberta a couple years ago. 2qwik2c. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[2qwik2c]

Thats neat that it used to be one of your cars. So the 396 Caprice is no longer in Manitoba?? Boy those SS427 hoods were cheap back in the day.

[68427caprice]

[ QUOTE ]
I have heard that most likely there will be a NIA regional convention here in Winnipeg in July??? You Alberta guys will have to bring some cars out if it happens??

[/ QUOTE ]
If it was in July we could do it. But if June, we have 2 kids in school, and soccer and ...........
Would love to though, we really enjoyed it last time.
Chewy and the gang made us feel very welcome.
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gifJim

[tractorboy-il]

Finally someone beside myself who likes them big cars. I have a 69 Caprice 427, not quite a s highly optioned as yours. I also have a 70 Impala ragtop.

[68427caprice]

Cool! I have always enjoyed the "fat cars" as they say just because not everyone has one. I always wanted a 69 or 70, but seem to have stuck with the 68's over the years. I would love to have a 70 made into an LS6 SS454 impala, like Chevy should have built...

Merry Christmas to you and all the Yenko folks out there.