Impala enthusiasts love to point out that the SS 427 is not an Impala and doesn’t say “Impala” anywhere. Built from 1967-69, it was the big brother to the Chevelle SS 396 and separate from the Impala SS that had been around since 1961. One of these cars, a 1968 SS 427, is our Pick of the Day. It is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Addison, Illinois. (Click the link to view the listing)
From 1962-68, the Impala SS was a trim package or model, depending on the year. Bucket seats and console were the biggest distinguishing characteristics of the Impala SS. It was never about performance in those years because you could get an inline-six as well as the ever-popular V8. For some reason, despite big performance cars having fallen out of favor several years before, Chevrolet introduced the “Z24” SS 427 package in 1967. Available only for the Impala Sport Coupe and Convertible, the package included the 385-horsepower 427, special hood and ornamentation, redline tires, and special suspension.
In 1968, the package was expanded to the new Impala Custom, which was an Impala with a formal Caprice roofline. The Super Sport package was independent to the SS 427, so it was possible to order an SS 427 without the “Z03” SS package, which only meant you didn’t get bucket seats, console, SS wheelcovers and special instrumentation. It was even possible to order an Impala SS with a 427, but that didn’t make it an SS 427. Confused? Seems that even Chevy people can get confused by this because this vintage order form shows that the SS 427 package as the Impala SS 427. Hmm …
This 1968 SS 427 is one of those unusual Impala Customs painted in Ash Gold with gray-green bucket seat interior, which also means it has the Super Sport package. Take note of the domed hood, front fender louvers and SS 427 badging, which were all a part of the Z24 package. Paired to the 427 is the optional TH400 automatic with console shifter. Other options are front disc brakes, Rally wheels, power windows, air conditioning, and bumper guards front and rear. This vehicle is equipped like a full-size GT, if you will, complete with performance and comfort equipment.
Among the 1,778 cars equipped with the SS 427 package, it is not known how many were Impala Customs, so any SS 427 body style is a rarity. The seller states, “Nice original interior with original metal & quarters. Investment grade level.” The cost to get into an unusual Chevrolet muscle car like this? $65,914.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
The order form viewed through the link is cool, guessing it’s just for reference and not the order form for this car. It reads as a Fleet order for the Calaveras County CA Sheriffs Department. It looks like it specifies the 396, not the 427, none of the power equipment or A/C boxes are checked and the hand written notes specify Heavy Duty seats, Mats and Police Equipment. Still, it’s interesting to see how a dealer would have ordered these cars back then. Not hard to see how a rushed sales person or manager would skip or miss a box, and that’s how you end up with anomalies like fully loaded with no A/C or Power everything except the Armstrong windows.
My first car (in 1974) was a ’67 Impala SS with the 396/4bbl and a PowerGlide 2spd auto, in Madeira Maroon over black. The best cruiser & drive-in car ever, but no racer. Years later I acquired a ’68 SS Impala Custom with a 396/4bbl & TH400 in Rallye Green, white vinyl top, parchment interior. The previous owner put in 2″ drop spindles & air shocks, and it wore 15×10 rear/15×8 Keystone Kustomags with BF T/As. Best stance ever, that long deck + the big 60’s just worked.
I miss both, but think the Custom looked more the business. Being old sux.
look for a 1967 Impala