1968 SS427 Chev Impala
The mid-Sixties represented a convergence zone for
muscle car buyers. In the Chevrolet Super Sport camp, the fullsize
Impalas were being replaced by Chevelles, Camaros, and Novas. Chevrolet was
still producing Impala Super Sports, but sales were diminishing. The almost
across-the-board usage of Chevy engines in most body styles meant than you
could get a hot 350 or a high torque 396 in a wide variety of bodies.
One high prestige engine that could only
be had in fullsize Chevrolets and Corvettes was the awesome 427 big-block. The
engine was also available in rare COPO cars, but the average consumer had to go with the sporty
Corvette or parade-size Impalas and Caprices. The relative rarity of the 427
made for some daringly different muscle cars, including the Impala SS 427s of
1967-1969. The SS 427 package was also available on fullsize Biscayne, Bel Air,
and Caprice models, but the Impalas were the style and image leaders.
When the SS 427 debuted as a 1967 Impala
model, the engine was rated at 385 horsepower. It was essentially the same
engine as the 390hp version found in the 1967 Corvette. The primary difference
was a Holley carburetor in the Corvette, while the Impala used a Quadrajet. The
SS 427 engine had a 10.25:1 compression ratio. It produced 460 lb-ft of torque
at 3400 rpm, which was more than ample to get these large cars under way
quickly.
The 385hp 427 was continued in
the 1968 Impala SS 427, as seen here in Wayne Davis’s Matador Red convertible
with a white soft top and white guts. The added rarity here is the 4-speed
manual transmission. The 15-inch rally wheels and red stripe tires were
standard SS 427 equipment.
Besides the
base 385hp SS 427 engine, it was also possible to order a 425 horsepower L72
big-block. Torque was the same as the 385hp engine, but compression was 11.0:1.
This is a rare engine. Only 568 units found their way into the engine bays of
fullsize 1968 Chevys.
SS 427 Impalas
are very distinctive and unique. Sales were modest, so finding an Impala SS 427
(especially a convertible) could be a little challenging. The mostly similar,
but not quite as unique, Impala SS 396 was produced in far greater numbers,
making it a viable alternative that’s still daring and different.
Many of the photos in the slide show below may
be duplicates. I figure more shots is better than less.
muscle car buyers. In the Chevrolet Super Sport camp, the fullsize
Impalas were being replaced by Chevelles, Camaros, and Novas. Chevrolet was
still producing Impala Super Sports, but sales were diminishing. The almost
across-the-board usage of Chevy engines in most body styles meant than you
could get a hot 350 or a high torque 396 in a wide variety of bodies.
One high prestige engine that could only
be had in fullsize Chevrolets and Corvettes was the awesome 427 big-block. The
engine was also available in rare COPO cars, but the average consumer had to go with the sporty
Corvette or parade-size Impalas and Caprices. The relative rarity of the 427
made for some daringly different muscle cars, including the Impala SS 427s of
1967-1969. The SS 427 package was also available on fullsize Biscayne, Bel Air,
and Caprice models, but the Impalas were the style and image leaders.
When the SS 427 debuted as a 1967 Impala
model, the engine was rated at 385 horsepower. It was essentially the same
engine as the 390hp version found in the 1967 Corvette. The primary difference
was a Holley carburetor in the Corvette, while the Impala used a Quadrajet. The
SS 427 engine had a 10.25:1 compression ratio. It produced 460 lb-ft of torque
at 3400 rpm, which was more than ample to get these large cars under way
quickly.
The 385hp 427 was continued in
the 1968 Impala SS 427, as seen here in Wayne Davis’s Matador Red convertible
with a white soft top and white guts. The added rarity here is the 4-speed
manual transmission. The 15-inch rally wheels and red stripe tires were
standard SS 427 equipment.
Besides the
base 385hp SS 427 engine, it was also possible to order a 425 horsepower L72
big-block. Torque was the same as the 385hp engine, but compression was 11.0:1.
This is a rare engine. Only 568 units found their way into the engine bays of
fullsize 1968 Chevys.
SS 427 Impalas
are very distinctive and unique. Sales were modest, so finding an Impala SS 427
(especially a convertible) could be a little challenging. The mostly similar,
but not quite as unique, Impala SS 396 was produced in far greater numbers,
making it a viable alternative that’s still daring and different.
Many of the photos in the slide show below may
be duplicates. I figure more shots is better than less.