Impala project I've found but is it too much work?

[ianlea73]

I've craved something Yank & a bit different for a while now.I found this 10 mins from my front door.
Its a 63 Chevy impala 4 door base model.
Was originally a straight 6 manual column change but now running V8 auto.
Issues include some trim missing,front screen cracked,rear tubs need work & a few patches.No interior carpet,console etc.
Brakes are dead.
Now normally these issues are minor but its a 63 1 year only car & 4 door parts are hens teeth.
Also now being an auto means there is no way of knowing gear selection so some sort of indicators on the dash will need to be made.
Its relatively cheap though but for a few grand more I could import 1 ready to go.
I think it could be put on the road cheap but with issues or stripped & body off for big money.
I already have a jeans beetle project & an R33gtst skyline which I'm selling at the moment so I don't want to stretch my cash to thin.
Help me decide with options & maybe some photo bucket mods.

[slammage]

You are going to kick yourself if you don't buy this.

[Mystery Machine]

If it's that cheap, just buy it.

You then have the luxury of time to weigh everything up and decide what you want to do with hit, how much things might cost etc...

Then, if you decide it's not for you, take some cracking photos, write a good description and you'll no doubt make some money on it. What is there to lose?

You'll regret it if you don't.

As for things like the auto indicator, I've run cars without them (The Land Rover for one) and you just feel when you're going into neutral, or reverse, or drive etc....never been a problem.

That's a stonkingly cool looking car and certainly too much of a good opportunity not to grab if it's really as cheap as you're making out? Carpets and stuff are a doddle, don't that put you off. The windscreen is probably a bit harder to source, but still can get had if you ask around in the right places.

I wouldn't be hesitating if it were me, that's too cool a car to miss out on.

Keep us updated.

[skylinedave]

I seem to see that a lot of import cars that are cheapish have just been filled will bondo and given a blow over , the basis of which is that once they are over here its too late for you to complain  , as your not exactly going to send such a vehicle back . So unless you travel to have a good look you may end up with a lemon which costs you more .
Go for it , as said , you can always sell it on .

[rsmithy626]

Get it... lifes too short!

[slackerTHEpinstriper]

Worst thread ever!!!!!!!!

Just buy!!!!!!

[awoo]

the Chevy impala is like the Cadillac of cars, you should get it man

[ianlea73]

I kind of agree & really want it but I've got to weigh up costs.Even storage for it as my garden won't fit it,let alone my garage.I need a friendly local I cold rent a unit with!
Its also not even registered yet so I need to look into the legalities & how too's.
Cost wise its a few grand but I'm hoping to do a deal with him soon.

Plans were simple to take care of stance & stopping;
It needs brakes all round so was going to get dropped spindles & disk brake conversion from eBay.com

Interior.
Mexican blanket seat covers.
A traffic light system of lights to sort gear selection.

Exterior.
Sponge & bucket to wash off mould.
Replace screen & missing trim.

[fannywhacker]

SBC Chevy engine parts are dead cheap new and plentiful second hand.

Service parts won't be 1 year only (yanks never change anything) and are cheap. Look at Rock Auto.

Speak to Peter Jones about the screen - www.amercanglass.co.uk

Don't buy mechanical parts from ebay, you don't really know the quality of what you are buying. GP at Duksville over here would be the bloke I'd speak to about a disc brake conversion.

I've done an auto swap on mine and as MM says lack of gear indicator isn't a problem. P R N then leave it in D.

Trim might be a little harder but probably the least important. Ebay US would be your best bet or I'm sure there are some Impala groups on Facebook that would be useful.

Those wheel aren't original and a baby moon hubcap is dead cheap from Northants.

Buy it soon so you have time to go over it and get a shopping list ready by the Southern Swapmeet.

[PandaSelecta]

Terrible idea, don't buy it, it will just be a money pit.

On a totally different matter, do you have the sellers phone number

[ianlea73]

Jan 19, 2015 18:40:32 GMT fannywhacker said:

SBC Chevy engine parts are dead cheap new and plentiful second hand.

Service parts won't be 1 year only (yanks never change anything) and are cheap. Look at Rock Auto.

Speak to Peter Jones about the screen - www.amercanglass.co.uk

Don't buy mechanical parts from ebay, you don't really know the quality of what you are buying. GP at Duksville over here would be the bloke I'd speak to about a disc brake conversion.

I've done an auto swap on mine and as MM says lack of gear indicator isn't a problem. P R N then leave it in D.

Trim might be a little harder but probably the least important. Ebay US would be your best bet or I'm sure there are some Impala groups on Facebook that would be useful.

Those wheel aren't original and a baby moon hubcap is dead cheap from Northants.

Buy it soon so you have time to go over it and get a shopping list ready by the Southern Swapmeet.

That's excellent info I didn't even know there were many parts dealers over here.Cheers.
You guys are relentless aren't ya!
What's the best yank forum in the UK to check out for info & contacts?

[ianlea73]

Jan 19, 2015 18:40:56 GMT PandaSelecta said:

Terrible idea, don't buy it, it will just be a money pit.

On a totally different matter, do you have the sellers phone number

Cheeky!

[fannywhacker]

Jan 19, 2015 18:48:02 GMT ianlea73 said:

Jan 19, 2015 18:40:32 GMT fannywhacker said:

SBC Chevy engine parts are dead cheap new and plentiful second hand.

Service parts won't be 1 year only (yanks never change anything) and are cheap. Look at Rock Auto.

Speak to Peter Jones about the screen - www.amercanglass.co.uk

Don't buy mechanical parts from ebay, you don't really know the quality of what you are buying. GP at Duksville over here would be the bloke I'd speak to about a disc brake conversion.

I've done an auto swap on mine and as MM says lack of gear indicator isn't a problem. P R N then leave it in D.

Trim might be a little harder but probably the least important. Ebay US would be your best bet or I'm sure there are some Impala groups on Facebook that would be useful.

Those wheel aren't original and a baby moon hubcap is dead cheap from Northants.

Buy it soon so you have time to go over it and get a shopping list ready by the Southern Swapmeet.

That's excellent info I didn't even know there were many parts dealers over here.Cheers.
You guys are relentless aren't ya!
What's the best yank forum in the UK to check out for info & contacts?

Rods N Sods I suppose.

Get yourself a copy of Custom Car (if you can find it) or Classic American and you'll get an idea of the amount of suppliers over here.

For custom parts I use Miles at Jackhammer first then Geordie Paul at Duksville.

For Service Parts I ring US Automotive for a price then usually end up getting it from Rock Auto.

Dollar is a bit rubbish at mo but usually with import tax and shipping it can work out cheaper getting direct from US Suppliers. I don't know much about Impalas but Speedway might do a kit for your disc brake conversion?

[Dez]

its worth somewhere between 2 and 3 grand as it is at the moment, depending on how much floor it has and the state of the mechanicals- does it run, can the autobox be shown to be working, etc. a duff autobox can be a sudden 500 quid expense, and they get tempremental if theyve been left sat with old trans fluid in.

a screen will be very expensive. best part os 500 quid for that model, they ran 62-64 i think, chevy/pontiac/olds, but theres two different types, a 2dr or 4dr post is different to a hardtop one (hardtops are shorter)

brakes will be cheap, that chassis runs 58-64.

[ianlea73]

Jan 19, 2015 19:51:53 GMT Dez said:

its worth somewhere between 2 and 3 grand as it is at the moment, depending on how much floor it has and the state of the mechanicals- does it run, can the autobox be shown to be working, etc. a duff autobox can be a sudden 500 quid expense, and they get tempremental if theyve been left sat with old trans fluid in.

a screen will be very expensive. best part os 500 quid for that model, they ran 62-64 i think, chevy/pontiac/olds, but theres two different types, a 2dr or 4dr post is different to a hardtop one (hardtops are shorter)

brakes will be cheap, that chassis runs 58-64.

He wants slightly more but I'm trying to sneak it in for £3k.
It apparently runs & drives by has been sat in a yard for nearly 3 years.
I have been told that a 63 4 door screen is a lot rarer than the 2 door which is easily available.
Would it be feasable to convert to manual?

[ianlea73]

What's the best yank forum in the UK to check out for info & contacts?[/quote]Rods N Sods I suppose.

Get yourself a copy of Custom Car (if you can find it) or Classic American and you'll get an idea of the amount of suppliers over here.

For custom parts I use Miles at Jackhammer first then Geordie Paul at Duksville.

For Service Parts I ring US Automotive for a price then usually end up getting it from Rock Auto.

Dollar is a bit rubbish at mo but usually with import tax and shipping it can work out cheaper getting direct from US Suppliers. I don't know much about Impalas but Speedway might do a kit for your disc brake conversion?




[/quote]

I'll check out there websites & go to Whsmith for some mags.

[Dez]

for 3k id at least expect to see it running and the box selecting gears. expensive paperweight if its got a crank bearing gone or duff autobox. gone are the days of cutout 350/350 combos for 500 quid, anything under 800 is cheap these days.

as ive said, there 2 tyres of screen. 4door sedans and 2 door sedans have the same screen, but verts and pillarless hardtops have a different, shorter one.

you could convert to manual, but itll be expensive. prices start at wrong side of 700 quid for a full setup of fly/cutch/bellhousing/box/shifter/prop, depending on what box you choose. possibly starter too. then you may find your axle ratio needs changing too depending on whats in there.

[domino1971]

Buy it , get it ready for summer with the elbow oot the window and make it nice and low . Could be very P I M P.give it a shot . Get some inspiration from low rider mag . :-D or I think there was 1 on the stanceworks website. . Or you could buy it and sell it on if it doesn,t work out. Good luck . .;-)

[Motorama]

It's not an Impala, it's a Bel Air! Impala has three rear lights each side not two, the other give away is the Bel Air badge on the rear quarter LOL.

If the car was in nice shape being a 4 door sedan you would struggle to get £7k, with it being messed around with and needing work it's £1500 to £2000 as is.

Parts availability will be pretty good, Ecklers Late Great Chevy, Impala Parts, Cars Inc, Summit Racing and lots more. The glass is available and not expensive to buy, the cost of getting it here will be more than the screen but if you use someone like R and R Hot Rod Imports who brings a container in every month it'll only be £50 or so

www.lategreatchevy.com/full-size-chevy-windshield-tinted-and-shaded-2-and-4-door-sedan-and-wagon-impala-bel-air-and-biscayne-1963-1964.html





.

[ianlea73]

Jan 19, 2015 20:54:34 GMT Motorama said:

It's not an Impala, it's a Bel Air! Impala has three rear lights each side not two, the other give away is the Bel Air badge on the rear quarter LOL.

If the car was in nice shape being a 4 door sedan you would struggle to get £7k, with it being messed around with and needing work it's £1500 to £2000 as is.

Parts availability will be pretty good, Ecklers Late Great Chevy, Impala Parts, Cars Inc, Summit Racing and lots more. The glass is available and not expensive to buy, the cost of getting it here will be more than the screen but if you use someone like R and R Hot Rod Imports who brings a container in every month it'll only be £50 or so

www.lategreatchevy.com/full-size-chevy-windshield-tinted-and-shaded-2-and-4-door-sedan-and-wagon-impala-bel-air-and-biscayne-1963-1964.html





.

Seller told me it was a bel air impala,I'm a yank novice but after checking Google you're right.
Do you really think its only worth £2k?
He'll never go that low.
Thanks for more contacts too.