Considering creating a '67 Impala COPO what if, suggestions?

[jbailly]

Hi guys,
First post here so bear with me. I recently inherited my Dad's '67 4 door sport sedan Impala 275 horse 327 with a Powerglide. The car was parked for 40 years and I just recently got it back on the road. While it's a colossal survivor it has next to zero collector value, so I was considering a tribute to the COPO cars. Now as far as I know there were no COPO Impala's? So I want to do a what if, I was thinking a 4 door version of an SS 427 with a 4 speed, but look factory possible. I'm not too concerned with date correct blocks or transmissions, but it won't have a W block either or an LS. Maybe I should look for another car with more than 34,000 miles.

[Lee Stewart]

IMO . . . if it was a 2 door than I would agree with making it a tribute/clone/etc. I guess you could replace the 327/PG with a 427/385 HP along with either a TH 400 or a 4 speed. But either way you are going to need to do some suspension and brakes upgrades

[John]

…

… Welcome to the site !

… Maybe make it a "Penn. State Trooper Car"

… then you can get pictures at shows … pulling all the other cars over !

… :naughty:

[EZ Nova]

Honestly, sounds like a fun car. Sorta seen stuff like this before, but with wagon versions of the muscle car. Like Chevelle SS wagon, Olds Vista Cruiser W30 wagon and Nova SS wagon for examples.

So a 4 dr version would be neat. I would just follow the styling cues of the SS 427's. Could use buckets, but bench and 4 sp is cool too.

IF you look at most of the COPO cars, there usually bare bones style of cars with the big motors, like the COPO '69 427 Chevelle's. They were, or mostly bench seats and NO console. So maybe bench and 4 sp, plain jane with "poverty" caps too. That's COPO styling. Doesn't HAVE to be a 427 either. Could do whatever you get your hands on, just dress it up as a 385Hp/427.

[hogdaddy]

Do it!
I acquired my dads old 71 Impala 4-door with 400 small block years back and did some minor upgrades.
It was fun. I remember getting a rear sway bar set up from a newer impala from a u pull it auto parts salvage yard.

[Mr. Chevy]

I would leave it alone. Sounds like an awesome survivor car. I know it's a 4 door but think about it, you don't see these cars around today... I'm willing to bet that car would get more attention at a car show or cruise than others because of what it is.

I have a 67 Impala Sport Coupe 2d that my neighbor bought new. It's an awesome car and a low mileage survivor. It has the same drive train as yours. Other than detailing it I have left it alone. I absolutely love the car and have fun driving it. It does get alot of attention at shows. You don't see these cars today even though they made "a million of them". People drove them and junked em'.

Just my .02

Rich

My 67

[Mr. Chevy]

You can even have fun changing wheel and tire combos. With a set to TTs.

Rich

[TimG]

That sounds fun, go for it.

[tom406]

I think you'd be surprised about the market for a 1967 Impala Sport Sedan (hardtop 4dr). Since it has been the "hero" car in the long running cult series "Supernatural" good examples have been pretty sought after and hard to come by. Paint it black, get some of those wheels, and you not only have a good looking rig, but you'll have something much more sellable than a one-of-none COPO what-if.

[Bill Pritchard]

I think we need more info here to make a rational decision. You seem to indicate that your dad's car has 34K original miles? If so, and it has not suffered due to poor storage or damage/abuse/neglect, I would clean it up as best as possible and drive it as is. Nothing to be ashamed of!

[Charley Lillard]

We need pics ?

[jbailly]

Not the best, but gives you an idea.

[Mr. Chevy]

Very cool. Fender skirts and all.

Rich

[jbailly]

Funny thing is, Dad actually ordered it this way. I have yet to find again, but I know somewhere there is a handwritten order form in the salesman's hand writing. I also have the sale receipt when he bought it. He traded a '65 Ford Galaxie 500 on this car. Pretty funny seeing the prices, just add a zero to the end and you get close to todays values.

[jbailly]

If I do change anything it's going to look factory possible, which is where the COPO idea came from. It is a cool car and gets lots of compliments and conversations, but it's not exactly exciting to drive. Maybe I'll save my money and try and find a SS 396 or SS 427.

[67since67]

Not the best, but gives you an idea.

Wow, Royal Plum! Fits this car perfectly! With optional corner lamps and skirts sort of a budget friendly Caprice. I love it as it sits, only thing I'd put in it is gas!

[jbailly]

Yep, it also has deluxe seatbelts, and rear speaker, power steering as well.

[cook_dw]

I'm sorry but if its original drivetrain, interior and paint.... Leave it alone and enjoy it the way it is. That color is one of my favorites for 67.

[jbailly]

All original. Only things new are tires, hoses, belts, entire brake system and fuel line. Never been wrecked or driven in the snow. It was stored on jack stands for years. These pictures are the day I removed it from it's storage spot of 20 years.

[67since67]

Dad had an Oliver tractor too? Looks like a model 66 or 77? Those were built 30 miles from me in Charles City IA.

[SuperNovaSS]

If you want a big block then by all means go for it. Your Dad bought it new and I'm sure he would want you to enjoy it. Find a mild built 454, dress it as stock and have a blast. I like the idea of dressing is as a 385HP, seems more plausible. Whatever you decide to do, keep us in the loop.


Jason

[jbailly]

Yes that is his '51 77 had since new as well. Good suggestion on the engine, I'll see what I can find, but I'm not going hog wild either. A 400 hp big block will be more than enough for this old girl.

[bbbentley]

I’ll take the 77:drool::cool2::naughty::cool::cool:

[jbailly]

$5k, I'm actually consider selling it, I really don't have any use for it and could use the money.

[EZ Nova]

NOPE, I would full on COPO that. IF it we mine, I would unbolt (since you or someone later can always BOLT the original stuff back in) COMPLETE driveline and save it off to the side.

Due to the size/weight, I would go 496 dressed as 427 with oval port head and 163 intake. Holley sniper EFI, 4L80 or 700R, 4.56 gear, 8" rear rims, 6 or 7's on the front.

AND RIDE IT OUT...........................

[jbailly]

I was actually considering wider rims. Could you do 8" all the way around on an Impala? As far as the EFI, not unless I can make it look stock, I'd consider a 700r4 or 4l80 as long as no electronics are needed, I probably will go to a lower gear ratio as I think it now has like 2.08 or something.

[EZ Nova]

Holley Sniper and FiTech and even Summit have self learning EFI that swap out the carb and a few other things and look much like a carb with the air cleaner on. No electronics and mild build, go 700R4. BUT if going to a bib block in that car, I would just do a stock with shift kit 4L80. And if you get 4.56's car will spin the tires nicely too.

[jbailly]

Ok, I just want it to look factory possible. 4.56 seem WAY low, I was thinking 3.73 range.

[EZ Nova]

Not with the over trans it shouldn't be. Or even 4.10s.

[jbailly]

You suggested a 496 dressed as a 427, any idea what a 496 would run price wise? Or a 700r4 to stand the power it would provide? Or where to get these things? If I go crate engine/trans is there a good place that sells them with all required accessories? Is Jegs/Summit an option or should I look at Scroggin Dickey?

[EZ Nova]

What would you want power wise? As for the 700r4. Many place do them well. It would be a combination of power and weight for that trans, not just power.

As for who to get the motor from, VortecPro out of Colorado. Even his milder 467 would do what you want. There in the $6200 range. That is a 467 with 570Hp hyd cam 9.6 to one compression. Get him to tube the Snioer EFI and its smooth sailing.