After lurking on this site for years, I finally signed up. I've owned my 69 since '98 and have been planning a restoration since I got it. It was built here in Atlanta and I think it's been here the whole time. I bought it from a guy who got it in '87 with plans to restore it, it's in about the same shape it was when he got it. Over the years I've done a few things like restore the fuel tank/sending unit, install pertronix ignition,brake booster rebuild, carb rebuild(non original carb) timing chain/water pump, plugs /wires, alternator/external regulator delete, new top,sunvisors and I just installed a new steering wheel/ignition switch last month.
The car came loaded with options which makes me wonder if it was a dealer promo car. It came with Comfortron AC, power steering,brakes,door locks,windows,trunk release,tilt wheel,cruise control,fender skirts,front and rear bumper guards,Remote drivers mirror/pass side mirror,rear mount antenna,and Caprice trim package(wide rocker,trunk lid and front valance trim) I've wondered if the dealer may have done the pin striping beings someone removed the emblems to do it,and it's been on there a long time, but it's just pure speculation on my part.
I have most of the parts for it but I still need the correct air cleaner,a tilt lever and a drivers side kick panel if anyone has anything for sale.
The car also has the original #'s matching drivetrain.TH400 L-36 even had the original alternator/water pump on it(which I kept)
Definitely a dealer demo. First thing is to get that SS emblem on the trunk. They tend to rust there. The hood is easy to adjust. Make sure to lube the hinges. Loosen the front bolts and just snug them both sides. With the hood loosen the rear bolts and pull the back of the hood down and tighten the bolts. Close the hood on its safety catch and check that the rear of hood is not too tight. You may have to loosen the front bolts and pull the hood up. This may take a few trys. A Chevelle air filter will fit. New valve covers. An awesome car. I wouldn't mind having it. NICK L72427impalasportcoupe
Thanks for the info Nick. I'll give it a try tomorrow. I've been planning on getting it painted for a while,so I figured it'd have to be taken apart again. The SS emblem was gone when I got it but I keep it inside so no water gets in the holes.
I'm going to try and get the valve covers re-chromed beings they're the original ones. Know of anyone who does chrome plating?
Absolutely a killer car. Love it. And,,Nixon/Agnew bumper sticker? Really seals the time capsule patina of the car for sure. You wont see another item like that anytime soon.
Thanks Steve, I have a aluminum Griffin radiator I'm gonna put on it when I restore the engine bay. I plan on always driving it,and as hot as it gets here in the summer, I figure I'll need all the help I can get keeping it cool.
Wow, what a great car to restore! Other than buckets that car really has it all.
Good luck on the air cleaner, they appear quite rare! I have my original four speed L36 one which is even harder to find, thankfully, but the automatic ones aren't common either!
I wonder how many got lost in the corner of Uncle's garage to put an open element chrome air cleaner on them!
Thanks, I was thinking about maybe adding buckets and a console but my 11 year old is dead set against it. I was surprised by this but then I started to look at from his point of view. In his short time here all the cars he's ridden in have bucket seats,most all cars do now. To him the bench seat is something special and unique. Beings the car will one day be his I value his feedback on it. I still may go with buckets but I'll leave the shifter on the column so I could easily change back to the bench. If I go with a console that came in some cars with column shifters, then I would only have to add a couple mounting brackets(screwed in instead of welded). The ones that have the shifter delete plate. As far as the air cleaner goes, I'll probably have to go a different route when I add the Fitech system.