1969 Impala on ebay

[Jonesy]

Trim tag confirms its Azure Turquoise with Black top.

[69VN]

Gary, have someone videotape you pulling a &quot;holeshot&quot; up your street. Then post it. Nothing wrong with opening up the engine a bit---probably been sitting a while! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

[Bill Pritchard]

Gary,

Regardless of what Colvin's book might say about 'early' or 'late' Trim Tags, that car was produced in October 68. Our old 69 Impala convertible had the exact same style of Trim Tag and it was built (in St. Louis) the third week of October 68 (10C). I know that because I got a copy of the original title to the car and it was sold to the original owner in Chicago in November of 68.

I wouldn't claim to know everything about 69 Impalas, but I do know a bit since we owned that car for 18 years and I spent 3 of those years doing a frame-off, nut-and-bolt restoration on the car. So if you have questions, fire away [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]

[GaryC]

Thanks Bill. I'm sure I will have questions when I get it home. Just going by that one engine pic I have it's mostly likely an LM1 engine. I found out today there are 2 differences between the LM1 and the L48 engines. One was the heads (LM1 had #441 with 76CC chambers and the L48 had #041 heads with 64CC chambers) and the other was the distributor calibration. Both had identical short blocks and both can come with 2 or 4 bolt mains. I know on the Camaro there was a trim tag change but wasn't or am not aware if any of the other Chevy models had the change. That's why I was asking. I just saw the later style tag and just assumed. Haven't really found out any factual stuff on the Impala yet. Googled last night for a while and found a few sites but no one site has all the info in one stop shopping so to speak. Bits of info here and there and go to the next and find bits there. That's OK though. I'm sure I'll find everything I want to know. Inquiring minds want to know as they say.


Are there <span style="font-weight: bold">ANY</span> good books that are recommended? I haven't seen a one.

[GaryC]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 69VN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Gary, have someone videotape you pulling a &quot;holeshot&quot; up your street. Then post it. Nothing wrong with opening up the engine a bit---probably been sitting a while! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] </div></div>



I was thinking about that. Something we used to do back in 1970 was power braking if you had an automatic. When I did that with my dads 69 Impala that is when I found out about the bad motor mounts. Car took off on me and it was a be-otch to stop. Lucky for me I was in big parking lot. I noticed in the engine pic this car has the retaining cables on both driver and passenger sides. I have a spare set of locking mounts I keep for my Z and might just use them and store the originals away.

[GaryC]

The dash pic I have indicates it's a powerglide trans. Those are OK aren't they? Rear gears? Want to take a guess? LM1 with powerglide trans 3 ratios I could find 2.73, 3.08, or 3.36. I'm gonna pic 2.73. Might be a decent mileage car.

[slammed1]

Swapping in a th350 is very easy and makes the car feel like you gained 75hp. The heads from the 300hp will have unique casting marks but pulling a cover will show real quick what you have. Nothing real special about the 300hp engines,most had 2 bolt mains and flat top pistons. They are decent though when built fairly mild.

I dig the car alot,I would change the wheels/tires,throw in a th350 or 4 speed auto,swap to decent gears,repair the seats and drive the hell out of it. Nice project.

[Bill Pritchard]

The Powerglide is pretty bulletproof. We had that in our 69 and never had a lick of trouble with it. My guess is that the rear gear is a 3.08. If it had been a Turbo 350, it would probably have the 2.73. I also bet that it's a 2 barrel 350, not the LM1 or L48....I think the LM1 and L48 would have the canister type AC fuel filter mounted vertically right at the front center of the engine.

[GaryC]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bill Pritchard</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The Powerglide is pretty bulletproof. We had that in our 69 and never had a lick of trouble with it. My guess is that the rear gear is a 3.08. If it had been a Turbo 350, it would probably have the 2.73. I also bet that it's a 2 barrel 350, not the LM1 or L48....I think the LM1 and L48 would have the canister type AC fuel filter mounted vertically right at the front center of the engine. </div></div>

The first question I asked the guy was whether the car had a 4 bbl or 2 bbl and he said 4bbl. I'll see if he can get a pic for me with the breather off. I'd be happy with the power glide and 3.08's. If it's a 2bbl than we're looking at what 250 HP or something like that? I can live with that too.

[GaryC]

Bill Pritchard asked me to post the window sticker from the Impala I bought. He thinks it looks suspicious. I don't know myself. I've never been close enough to one to know the difference. The guy in Virginia still has everything.