1966 Chevy Impala high school project/daily

[skyblue]

Well the time has come to get going on this one. Quick Backstory, I bought this car when I was in High School back in 1995. It was a textbook barn find. Paid $1500 of my hard earned cash, made it street legal and drove the hell out of it my junior and senior year. Then I got into Datsuns and the Impala was put to the side. well here we are 20 some odd years later and I'm ready for it. It basically needs everything lol. But, rather than take the whole thing apart and risk losing interest, I'm going to tackle one thing at a time. For starters, the engine will need to be freshened cause it smokes and burns oil like no other. It's all original except for the cholo cranberry paint job I gave it back then when i was hardcore into lowriders. Enough talk, here are a few pics i was able to find from back then including some from the day I brought it home.

 

 

 

 

During paint prep phase

 

 

after paint. cholo days lol.

 

 

 

Here she is now

 

 

As of right now I'm trying to get it registered so i can move it around and test drive it. Amazingly enough she fired up after sitting for 12 years. Just a little starter fluid and a jumper pack is all it took. Sure, she's not running tip top but hey she runs and stops. lol 

[125 CSL]

Old chevy motors are not to bad to work on. If just rings it should not take to long to get done.

 

[datzenmike]

Helped re ring a 283 Apache truck engine in the mid 60s. I'm pretty sure I didn't have a license yet. First time I ever saw into a V8... very compact and simple.

[skyblue]

sweet! i think that's the plan. just a simple re-ring, re-gasket, head job, new carb and intake. 

 

[skyblue]

Got it street legal and drove it around over the weekend. Some issues have come up so I'm starting a list here to keep track.

 

- Tune up

- Change oil

- Coolant flush

- Get new tires

- Try to fix leaking freeze plug

- Replace voltage regulator or alternator to fix overcharging.

- Rebuild carb

- Check Brakes

 

Thats all for now. But, of course a pic. Took her to the grocery store for the first time. felt good.

 

Edited August 15, 2018 by skyblue

[]2eDeYe]

That is a nice old ride right there. Gonna be sweet once you've put the time in. ?

[skyblue]

Thanks! I think it will too. I’ve missed it. It reminds me of my car days before datsuns. Lol

[olskool720]

I liked the cholo look... wires, whitewalls, and juice.

[datzenmike]

I had a '65 283 (not Impala) with the horizontal tail lights. This was mid '70s.

[5dimer34]

Put some hidros on that thing

[datsunfreak]

^Update?

 

^{Also, bring back the wires.  ?}

Edited November 16, 2018 by datsunfreak

[skyblue]

Sadly no updates. Winter is here and it's too cold and wet to do anything on the old girl. But maybe one of these days it will be sunny and warm.