1968 Chevrolet Impala

Of course, the model that gets everyone’s juices flowing is the two-door convertible like this. Powered by the 307 cu in/five-litre Turbo Fire V8, ‘WGC 36G’ is an original right-hand drive Impala, which is not something you get to write very often.

As a 1968-MY car it gained the triple ‘horseshoe’ rear lamps, a redesigned front end, and a plush new interior. The five-litre engine develops 195bhp, which might have endowed it with a somewhat leisurely 0-60mph time of around ten seconds but cars like this are about effortless whoffling about the place, something the 285lb.ft of torque helps with.

Restored seven years ago, then last owner bought it in 2020. He sadly passed away, at which time it moved into his son’s hands and into our seller’s shortly thereafter. 
 

Finished in a wonderful shade of golden-green, the Impala presents exceptionally well with a very good sheen to the paintwork and impressively aligned panels; while it would have taken a great deal of time and trouble to get door shutlines as tight as this during the restoration, they had a headstart as the body was originally built by coachbuilders Fisher, who were by then a wholly-owned subsidiary of General Motors.

They’re still flat and straight too and missing the dents and dinks that are a lesser example would sport.

And big. They’re big panels, but the creases that run along the flanks and fore and aft through the bonnet and boot add rigidity and style in equal measure.

And have we mentioned what a wonderful colour this is? Shimmering in an ethereal way, the colour changes subtly depending on how the light falls across it.

It’s bewitching.

The extensive chromework also has an equally impressive shine. Free of anything resembling serious pitting, tarnishing, or scratches, it is American muscle car design at its very best.

The badges have a light patina, but what they have is nothing more than is required to prove authenticity – and isn’t the font used for the model name excellent?

The lamp lenses have no chips, cracks, or fading, and the black and silver numberplates add yet more period authenticity.

Cooper Cobra tyres (was there ever a better name for a tyre?) grace 15-inch, deeply-dished wheels that boast ‘Chevrolet Motor Division’ centre caps.

They all look to be in good shape too, and we will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly.

The cream roof rises and falls at the touch of a button, and its fabric is free of scuffs, rips, and other damage. Very neatly stitched, it fits nicely when it is up and tucks away beneath a very clean pale green vinyl cover when it isn’t required.

As for work to do, the wiper arms are missing, there is light rust on the chrome headlamp trims and around the rear numberplate, and the door mirrors and handles have light pitting to their finish.

There is also a thin smear of rust on the nearside of the rear deck where the two panels meet, the hood frame would benefit from being refreshed, and the sidewalls of those wonderfully named tyres have started to perish.
 

The pale green fabric used for the seats and door cards is almost iridescent, and their condition is every bit as impressive as the coachwork.

Quite possibly retrimmed as part of the restoration, the button-back seats are glorious, aren’t they?

Practical too because the base of the front seat in a one-piece design, allowing your other half to slide across and snuggle up unencumbered, while the two-piece uprights allow both to set the position of the backrest to their preferred position. Lap belts are fitted in the front.

The rear seat is a conventional bench shape, and all the seats are in an excellent condition being free of even creasing much less anything more significant.

The matching door cards are as brilliantly designed as they are perfectly presented, and both they and the seats are enhanced by yet more chrome trim.

The dashboard top looks like it has been recovered, and it appears that the same tan-coloured fabric has been used for the rear quarter panels and the front footwells.

The green dashboard is a more conventional design than some of the more OTT offerings we’ve seen in its contemporaries, but there’s thoughtful design there nonetheless with a sleek, minimal look.

The carpets look very recent and are therefore in an excellent condition with no signs of wear whatsoever. The engraved lettering on the switches is still  impressive, and both the brake pedal, accelerator, and foot-applied parking brake are as big as they are beautifully preserved.

The dashboard contains a period Blaupunkt radio, with a modern Sony headunit having been hidden in the glovebox. Kenwood speakers have been fitted in the doors.

The boot floor appears solid but it does have some light surface rust, so it would be as well to get that sorted sooner rather than later. The underside of the boot lid has a nice semi-gloss black paint finish to it though, so you could perhaps be guided by that as to how to refurbish the floor. 
 

The five-litre V8 starts well, idles solidly and the Edelbrock carburettor gives it a lovely induction rasp when it is provoked. There is a bit of belt squeal, but it otherwise sounds fabulous.

Our man has driven it and reports that it “drives well”.

The engine bay is painted black, and while this finish is in a decent condition there are some patches of light surface rust evident. There is also superficial corrosion on many of the steel and chrome components under there, but this seems to be cosmetic rather than anything more serious.

The underside is in much the same condition as the engine bay, being solid in appearance but marred by light surface rust. There is work to do then, but it should be preventative rather than remedial.
 

The Impala doesn’t have a current MoT certificate, and while it is exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it MoT’d at the earliest opportunity. The cost of an MoT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic vehicle, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies…

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and there are receipts on file for both parts and repair work. 
 

We doubt much offers better value on a pound-per-pound basis; a convertible Ferrari might make more of an impression with teenagers, but everyone else is going to flock around this instead.

Because it’s got the sort of presence that draws admiration rather than jealousy, and it makes the sort of noise that raises neck hairs rather than hackles.  

It’s in a fine order too, yet has enough small jobs to help you bond with it during your winter downtime.

We are happy to offer this car with a BUY IT NOW price of £13,750 which includes the buyers premium.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.