Original owner 67 SS427 Impala

[SS427]

I remember this car as a teenager and fell in love with it when I saw it race at North Star Dragstrip in MN in the mid 70's. I recently went to the Street Machine Nationals in St. Paul and while looking at this car I commented to the owner that I remembered a similar car as a youth at the dragstrip. He smiled and reached his hand out to shake and stated he was and still is the very same owner of that car that I took pictures of in 1977. As soon as I get the slides converted to digital I will post them. The top two photos were not taken by me nor do I know the photographers name. The top photos I believe was taken at Donnybrook (Now Brainerd International Raceway) and the bottom one was at North Star.

[67since67]

That's an awesome experience Rick, to meet this car and owner after all these years!! Interesting sleeper look in the vintage pic with the removal of the 427 emblems, and that 13.12 on the windshield is hustling along pretty good for an (I assume original) oval port 427.

[SS427]

Those times were actually while running an L78 engine in the car. He pulled the original engine to protect it during his drag racing days though he told me he did run the 427 for awhile. When I get the slides converted I do have at least one engine compartment shot.

[novadude]

Very cool car!

[ZAPPER68]

Cool ride and story...thanks Rick.

[MosportGreen66]

Thanks for sharing Rick.

Great looking car

Dan

[67since67]

Those times were actually while running an L78 engine in the car. He pulled the original engine to protect it during his drag racing days though he told me he did run the 427 for awhile. When I get the slides converted I do have at least one engine compartment shot.

Interesting that anyone back in that time frame would be concerned about protecting his original engine. I ran the dog sh*t out my red Super Sports original 396 :3gears: and by the mid '70s it was stored in my Dad's garage with no engine in it. Kudos to the owner!!

[GrumpyJeff]

Wow !!! Really Neat Car

[RPOLS3]

Great story.

[Big Block Bill]

I remember the Santella? brothers raced a Loaded 1968 red SS-427 Impala at Union Grove Wisconsin back when I raced my Rallye Green Hemi Raodrunner. If I remember correctly it ran in the high 12.0's. SS-427's are Cool cars in any year.

Bill

[Tenney]

Perfect!!

[galveston]

Great story Rick!

[Craig_Maiorana]

This is awesome .. Love the old photos of that land yacht shifting its weight

[big gear head]

Is that one of the cars that was at MCACN last year?

[SS427]

To my knowledge, the car has never been out of MN.

[RAII4speed]

Big gear head, I think you might be thinking of this one …. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m91FoNA5D_k

[SS427]

Yep, indeed a different car and owner.

[Dave Castine]

Great story - great memories are wonderful, but how many come "back to the future?"

[Xplantdad]

So cool Rick! :)

[Steve Shauger]

Rick, thanks for posting. This story made my day, and look forward to your back in the day photos.:3gears:

[PeteLeathersac]

'

Way cool Rick and looking forward to the pics too!
Did the owner buy it new or used?
:beers:
~ Pete

.

[SS427]

He bought it brand new. I need to get more information from him as to the story behind the purchase and which dealer. Seems to me it was one of the Hi Perf dealers in Mpls.

[SS427]

You will note the SS427 deck lid emblem as well as the Impala SS emblem. They are in my original slides as well and I believe was a factory fubar.

[Mr. Chevy]

I am 2nd owner of this 67. Almost the twin to the one in this post minus the big block. I took mine drag racing a week ago.

Cool car!! Thanks for posting Rick..

Rich

[PeteLeathersac]

'

Cool he's the OO and love to hear what you find out.
Maybe an off the lot car or if ordered, was he trying for an L72 but got the L36 like everyone else for '67?:hmmm:
So great you've hooked up w/ him, especially how this specific example was part of what grew into your passion for these cars!:headbang:
:beers:
~ Pete

.

[dykstra]

Way cool car and story!

[novadude]

I am 2nd owner of this 67. Almost the twin to the one in this post minus the big block. I took mine drag racing a week ago.

Cool car!! Thanks for posting Rick..

Rich

What did it run? 327/PG car?

[Mr. Chevy]

What did it run? 327/PG car?

Don't laugh, but it did a 17.35 @ 81 MPH in the 1/4 mile...

It's a bone stock 327/275 horse, 4 barrel Quadrajet, 3:08 rear 10 bolt non posi, Power Glide tranny, true dual exhaust through stock exhaust manifolds.

The car is de tuned a bit also. I have the timing set back and heavier advance springs in the distributor because of pinging issues I had on pump gas. I left it it, but should have bumped it up for the track.

I was just there having fun. I left it in drive and the slush glide shifted at about 62 MPH into 2nd gear and it was hilarious when it shifted, so slow. I laughed every time... It's a heavier car of course also... But it was fun...

Rich

[novadude]

Don't laugh, but it did a 17.35 @ 81 MPH in the 1/4 mile...

It's a bone stock 327/275 horse, 4 barrel Quadrajet, 3:08 rear 10 bolt non posi, Power Glide tranny, true dual exhaust through stock exhaust manifolds.

The car is de tuned a bit also. I have the timing set back and heavier advance springs in the distributor because of pinging issues I had on pump gas. I left it it, but should have bumped it up for the track.

I was just there having fun. I left it in drive and the slush glide shifted at about 62 MPH into 2nd gear and it was hilarious when it shifted, so slow. I laughed every time... It's a heavier car of course also... But it was fun...

Rich

a 'glide and 3.08s in a full size Impala isn't the best combo for good ETs. I'd bet you could knock a full second off easy if you wanted to play more.

Wonder what the base I-6 w/ PG would run in a full size '67? :eek:

[Mr. Chevy]

a 'glide and 3.08s in a full size Impala isn't the best combo for good ETs. I'd bet you could knock a full second off easy if you wanted to play more.

Wonder what the base I-6 w/ PG would run in a full size '67? :eek:

Yeah I know, but the car is all original with low miles. I don't want to get into changing things.. It's not a race car just a great driving fun car...

Rich

[ZiggyL78]

Great story of a great car.Thanks for posting.

[SS427]

I found a company in town that will convert my slides into digital. As soon as I get that done and get the full story from the owner I will post it.

[SS427]

Here are the photos I promised. Thanks to Paul Cavaseno for inverting them for me as the company I hired to digitize the slides gave them to me backwards.

I have asked the owner to write me a complete story on the car since the day he bought it new and will post that when I can. In the meantime, here are the photos I took in the summer of 1978 at North Star Dragstrip in Minneapolis. Notice again the SS427 trunk emblem as well as the Impala SS emblem as well as the lack of a grill emblem. I am waiting to hear the story behind both.

[Mr. Chevy]

That Impala looks great with the Cragars..

Rich

[SS427]

I just received this note from the still original owner of the car. I also found some more photos on Facebook.

"Hi Rick, It was good to hear from you. I purchased my SS427 from Midway Chev in July of 1967. I wanted a 67 SS396 Chevelle but it was to late to order and while looking for the 396 they found me this SS427 Impala, I went and looked at it and bought it. Little did I know I would still own it 51 years later with a wife 3 kids and all.

I had a little problem with speed and tickets with the car. In 68 a friend of mine got me into drag racing. With the stock 427 M20 4 spd 3.55 gears, dropped exhaust and 7" slicks the 1st run on the car was a 13.75 and I was surprised and forever hooked. Over the next 2 years I added headers, 4.56 gears and Mallory ignition and got the car to run consistent 12.90 while still street driving it! In 1980 I had the motor blue-printed and balance by (Jack) Wheeler Racing for the stock eliminator class. The best runs at that time were in the 11.90's at 116 mph (very competitive at that time). Stock rules changed and I bought a blue-printed and balanced 375hp 396 from Warren Johnson after changing to a BW 2.88 low Super T10, 5.13 gears and 10.5" slicks. I bracket raced it ran pretty consistently in the 12.0's with a best of 11.78.

Last year the car was put back on the street with the 427, original Muncie M20 4spd and 3.55 gears and put about 2000 miles on it (the car now has around 29900 miles and counting). As far as the Impala SS emblem, I bought that at the dealer in 67 and it's been on there since. My dads original 69 SS 427 car has only the Impala emblem. Like you that's the 1st one I have seen. I hope this wasn't too lengthy.
Bill"


As I told Bill, this car forever changed my life after that day at North Star Dragstrip and from then on I was hooked on SS427 Impalas. I got married in 1981 and had EIGHT 427 Impalas/Caprice in my driveway at one time that I owned and have since owned at least on of every body style and years that the Z24 was offered. All because of THIS car that I completely fell in love with that day.
Rick

[Xplantdad]

Great post Rick! :)

[RPOLS3]

Cool!

[Charlierogers]

cool car

[mockingbird812]

Good, good stuff Rick. Great story!!!:cool2:

[Bill Pritchard]

So cool to hear the back stories from these original owners.....priceless!

[Woj]

Rick, great story and photos. Thanks for sharing!

[SS427]

I remember the Santella? brothers raced a Loaded 1968 red SS-427 Impala at Union Grove Wisconsin back when I raced my Rallye Green Hemi Raodrunner. If I remember correctly it ran in the high 12.0's. SS-427's are Cool cars in any year.

Bill

Came across these on Fakebook today Bill. What a beautiful car. Would loved to have seen it back in the day and wonder where it is today?

[Big Block Bill]

Came across these on Fakebook today Bill. What a beautiful car. Would loved to have seen it back in the day and wonder where it is today?

That's the Car Rick! I remember it had power windows and a Ton of options. I believe they raced it since it was Brand New. Thanks for posting the pictures, it brings back a lot of memories especially the Motor Sport Research name on the front fender. Bill

[Too Many Projects]

I raced my '70 SS 454 Chevelle out at TC a number of times a summer thru the seventies, but I have a hard time remembering most of the guys and cars. There is an fb page for Twin City Dragstrip, if you are interested in seeing more pics. Some of the cars I recognize. My car MAY be in one pic in the tower lane, but it's hard to know for sure, as the pic is from the fence and mostly of the other car.

[SS427]

I raced my '70 SS 454 Chevelle out at TC a number of times a summer thru the seventies, but I have a hard time remembering most of the guys and cars. There is an fb page for Twin City Dragstrip, if you are interested in seeing more pics. Some of the cars I recognize. My car MAY be in one pic in the tower lane, but it's hard to know for sure, as the pic is from the fence and mostly of the other car.

Mitch, I have been on several of the MN dragstrip FB sites for years and check them routinely. I raced there in the late 70's and recognize a lot of the cars. What color was your Chevelle?

[Too Many Projects]

Black, White stripe, black interior. The car had 3.73 gears and I ran 26/9 wrinkle walls that I had to keep 12 lbs of air to avoid a bad bog off the line. I would launch at 3,500 and let them spin for a short time. The announcer would occasionally make a comment about how I needed new tires every week.
Where there the day the Snake and Mongoose made 3 runs ?? Totally awesome !!

[prototype]

Came across these on Fakebook today Bill. What a beautiful car. Would loved to have seen it back in the day and wonder where it is today?

RKE and the piston just in front of the rear wheel well is from Ronnie Kaplan
He was a helluva wrench and great guy!

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2014/03/03/ronnie-kaplan-a-driving-force-behind-amcs-trans-am-efforts-dead-at-age-87

[prototype]

I wonder if there's an SS427 hood lurking in the Santanella garage :)

They put a cowl induction style hood on the car, cool.

[Too Many Projects]

I wonder if there's an SS427 hood lurking in the Santanella garage :)

They put a cowl induction style hood on the car, cool.


If there is, it's probably worth more than that car cost new right now.

[dykstra]

Love the body style of these cars!

[SS427]

If there is, it's probably worth more than that car cost new right now.

In fact, that hood is valued at about twice what the car cost new. 68 Z24 hoods are about the same and maybe even a little more. Throw in the side louvers and you might be able to buy a couple of these cars.

[Big Block Bill]

In fact, that hood is valued at about twice what the car cost new. 68 Z24 hoods are about the same and maybe even a little more. Throw in the side louvers and you might be able to buy a couple of these cars.

Rick,

As far a value, which is worth more, a complete original 1967 SS-427 Impala hood or a 1968 SS-427 hood? I always thought the 1967 was worth the most and the rarest when complete with louvers.

Bill

[prototype]

I'm not current on 67's, for a 68 you'd be hard pressed to find a good used one for 5K, an NOS hood is broaching 10K.

[aawtech]

I'm not current on 67's, for a 68 you'd be hard pressed to find a good used one for 5K, an NOS hood is broaching 10K.

LOL, you are spot-on with your values. I have both in my collection along with the inserts for a 1968. As far as what one is more valuable, it depends on what someone is looking for. The 68 hoods were more prone to rusting along the back area due to their internal design. It's an age-old argument/discussion. I'm a 68 guy and the 68 hoods are more desirable to me. A 67 guy would feel the same about his stuff.

Donny

[GM Powertrain]

Don't laugh, but it did a 17.35 @ 81 MPH in the 1/4 mile...

It's a bone stock 327/275 horse, 4 barrel Quadrajet, 3:08 rear 10 bolt non posi, Power Glide tranny, true dual exhaust through stock exhaust manifolds.

The car is de tuned a bit also. I have the timing set back and heavier advance springs in the distributor because of pinging issues I had on pump gas. I left it it, but should have bumped it up for the track.

I was just there having fun. I left it in drive and the slush glide shifted at about 62 MPH into 2nd gear and it was hilarious when it shifted, so slow. I laughed every time... It's a heavier car of course also... But it was fun...

RichI loved reading this. A friend had a '66 Impala convertible with the same combo and 2.73 open if I remember correctly. Ran it at Milan and got into the high 16's. A lot of fun. It's not always about going fast but just having a good time.

[Oldss]

I too like the 67’s and 68’s. Was looking at the blue 67 and the 2 gold 68’s at MCACN and was shocked by something I had never noticed before. How short the doors are. Or at least compared to the fenders and quarters.

[SS427]

I have posted this a few times before but the original owner of my 67 Z24 came running after me as I was pulling away with his car that I just bought. With tears in his eyes he handed it to me. Pretty cool.

[napa68]

I have posted this a few times before but the original owner of my 67 Z24 came running after me as I was pulling away with his car that I just bought. With tears in his eyes he handed it to me. Pretty cool.

How appropriate as we are in gun deer season here in WI!