1967 Impala SS
A True Survivor!
This car was built the 3rd week of December 1966 in Los Angeles California, the 327 275 hp motor was built in the Tonawanda New York engine plant on Dec 16, 1966. On January 12, 1967 it was delivered to Chris Kleingartner of Springfield Oregon by Garanty Chevrolet Co. of Junction City Oregon. The Protecto-Plate and manuals are still in the car.
Update April 2008!! Chris Kleingartner contacted me by e-mail after a friend spotted the Impala info on this website, he was kind enough to send the picture below, it was taken when he first bought the car in 1967.
It spent it's first 30 years in Oregon and was then purchased by Duffy's Collectible Cars of Cedar Rapids Iowa. They documented the authenticity of the car and on August 29, 1997 sold it to Larry Doeppenschmidt who had the car shipped to New Braunfels Texas, where it remained until it was imported into Canada in 2002. It's really nicely equipped as described in Duffy's documentation below, although they missed a couple of the obvious factory options on it, the front disk brakes which were offered for the first time in 1967, and the optional headrests on the front seats, which are pretty rare. Now 40 years old, everything still works (even the clock) and the car runs like a new one!!
I purchased it September 21, 2006 from Bob Vandersluis of Fergus Ontario who was getting a little over stocked with collectible Chevys (3 - 57's, a 53 and a few others). It was originally ordered with good performance in mind, 327 4 bbl motor, Turbo 400 transmission and 3.55 12 bolt rear end.
New in the last year before the "Great Adventure" described below, 4 BF Goodrich Silvertown redline radial tires (225/70-15), 4 new KYB Gas-Adjust shocks, new water pump and heater core, new alternator and power steering pump, new 2.5" dual exhaust with X pipe crossover (all stainless steel), R134 A/C recharge.
In 2007 this car participated in the Hot Rod Power Tour, 7 cities in 7 states in 7 days, for details and pictures click below
In the spring of 2008 I had a little difficulty getting it's big butt past another car into the garage resulting in a scrape on the right rear fender. While getting it fixed I decided to investigate some bubbles in the edge of the original vinyl roof around the back window, the vinyl roof was stripped off and all the glass removed. The old adhesive was sanded off the roof and any rust damage repaired around the window channels. The rest of the chrome and trim were removed from the car at the same time and any other signs of rust or damage were removed or repaired.
The roof was painted Granada Gold to match the rest of the car and then clear coated.
The paint match and finish were perfect. The upholstery shop installed a vinyl roof that matched the original and then the glass was re-installed using all new clips. The car is now like new again!!
Thanks to:
Mascotek Auto Body - Barrie, ON 705-727-4747
Classic Upholstery - Barrie, ON 705-720-2091
Kelly's Auto Glass - Alliston, ON 705-435-0884
What it could be - Ok .... maybe I watched "Up in Smoke (Cheech and Chong) a little too often :)
(Don't be alarmed - it's just PhotoShopped - not dropped)
All my friends know the low rider
The low rider get a little higher
The low rider drives a little slower
Low rider is a real goer
Hey low rider knows ev'ry street, yea
Low rider is the one to meet, yea
Low rider don't use no gas now
The low rider don't drive too fast.
Take a little trip, take a little trip
Take a little trip and see.
Take a little trip, take a little trip
Take a little trip with me.
Lyrics to "Low Rider" by WAR - 1975
(from the Album "Why Can't We Be Friends")
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