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

[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

[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.

[COPO 70 RS/Z28]

AWESOME STABLE

Impala's Rule

[ss427copo]

WOW........now that's a nice pair (pun intended!)
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?)


Jeff x 2

[PeteLeathersac]

!!!.

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

[Belair62]

Hideaways look just plain perfect on a 68. And a 4 speed rag...

[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

[68l30]

68 SS-427 with a Ivy gold gut.....






Steve