69supersport396 Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 During the week of August 2nd, my son and I flew to Maryland to pick up our newly acquired 1966 Impala. Appears to be garage kept as the original interior is in excellent condition for being 49 years old. The package shelf and the carpet are the week areas. The 283 / Powerglide combo run like a top! We took five days to drive it cross-country to Arizona. It did well, averaging 17 - 19 MPG. Except for a mechanical issue in OKC that was quickly repaired, it performed excellent. It was repainted some years back. It is a single stage repaint. My guess it's a Centari Enamel repaint. My preference is to leave the car as is and only repair some minor mechanical issues. The Adam's air freshener took care of the "old car smell" in the interior. But after the road trip, I had 2410 miles of bugs and road dirt to remove. I started by jacking the car up and placing it on jack stands. Made it easier to clean the undercarriage and engine compartment with APC and various brushes. I will soon remove the wheels to adjust the drum brakes and will hit the fender wells and backsides of the wheels at that time. Followed up with a three bucket strip car wash. I think the previous owners used turtle was on it, as I has lots of it to remove from under moldings and emblems. I also scrubbed the jambs. After blow drying the car, I proceeded to clay the paint. This was probably the worse I've ever seen as I needed two clay bars. The biggest improvement I noticed was to the glass. The old paint was too far gone for Adam's Paint Correcting Polish, so I broke out some more agressive stuff I still had along with my oldschool Snap On buffer. This Centari is hard stuff! However, it did help a bit, and I followed with Paint Correcting Polish. Maybe when the weather cools off, I may color sand it. I followed with Adam's Paint Finishing Polish, but only on the roof and hood as I really noticed no benefit. Maybe if the paint was in better condition, I might have noticed a difference. An IPA wipedown followed and then I applied some old Adam's Machine Super Sealant and allowed it to cure. Time to hit the interior. Copious amounts of Adam's Leather and Interior Cleaner were used on the seats, door panels, and dash. Adam's Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner was used on the carpet. I followed with Super VRT. That stuff is awesome! Adam's Window Cleaner cut through the "film" the previous owner could not remove with foamy stuff and paper towels. I haven't figured out what to use on the 49 year old trunk mat, as I did not want to damage it. For now, wiping it down with APC will do. After removing all of the junk, I vacuumed the trunk and returned only items that belong in the trunk. Another area requiring caution is the original trunk spatter paint, as liquids can damage it. Spent about 23 hours on it. I slapped some Chevy Mag Style Hub Caps on it, dropped it back on the ground and this is the finished product. Later that day, I drove it to a local cruise and was pleasantly surprised with all of the attention it received. Clearly the interior is the best area of the Impala. The next day, I gave it a quick two bucket wash and followed with H2O G&G. I think it turned out very nice considering what I had to work with. I may try some Adam's Brilliant Glaze before taking it to the next cruise. Now I have a reason to buy new Adam's Orange and White Foam Pads as I ruined my old ones. b_pappy, rwisejr, LFairbanks and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marquez93 Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 Very nice! Those quarter panels are enormous. You probably spent a lot of time just on those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
694doorbird Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 Looks like you'll be ready for the next car show. Enjoy that beautiful car!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ledger64 Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 looks very nice. love the "montgomery ward" bag in the trunk.... nice find and nice restore Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkj4243 Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 Great save, looks very good from start to finish! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris@Adams Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 Nice job......she looks good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Bowtie Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 Great find! I have always been a Chevelle guy, but had a 67 Impala Fastback. I have beem looking at Impalas here lately due to the price of Chevelle's has gone through the roof. By the way, what is the milage on her? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
69supersport396 Posted August 13, 2015 Author Share Posted August 13, 2015 Thanks everyone. I enjoyed bringing this one back! It now has 93700 miles. Here are just a few of the road trip pics we took Rock Cafe in Stroud, OK Rock Cafe in Stroud, OK I-44 outside Tulsa Rolled right up to the very first parking spot at The Big Texan in Amarillo, TX. What an awesome steak house! Yes, I did switch hub caps. The centers on those SS caps kept falling off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sizzle Chest Posted August 14, 2015 Share Posted August 14, 2015 Very nice! Great pics and story! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwisejr Posted August 14, 2015 Share Posted August 14, 2015 Sweet ride and nice save. My dad had the belair version with the 427 when I was growing up. Brings back great memories. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
69supersport396 Posted August 21, 2015 Author Share Posted August 21, 2015 Just for fun, last night I applied Brilliant Glaze and some Americana. I'd say it was worth the effort. Even old, dead paint can look great. LFairbanks, BrianT, wely324 and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red94chev Posted August 21, 2015 Share Posted August 21, 2015 Nice car! That would be the perfect car to dump on some air suspension and cruise around in style. Looks like a fun project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_pappy Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 (edited) Great find, and beautiful car. Nice. Um, how many sets of hubcaps are you showing us? I see what looks like the original Impala hubcaps, then some ('64?) SS style caps, and the simulated 5 spokes! Lots easier changing hubcaps than wheels! The trunk mat and spatter paint are still available for the trunk. I've had great luck with "Impala Bob's". Great car, enjoy. Bruce Edited August 22, 2015 by b_pappy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
69supersport396 Posted August 22, 2015 Author Share Posted August 22, 2015 Thanks Jake. Air conditioning, air ride, and an overdrive trans are planned if I keep the car. You are correct Bruce, 3 sets. The guy I got it from insisted on slapping those '64 SS caps on, but they were rubbing the tire just above the wheel, and one by one, the SS center caps kept falling off. So during the road trip, I slapped the originals back on. I had a set of mag style hub caps waiting here at home, and they will stay on the car. red94chev and b_pappy 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_pappy Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 I like your final choice. Best of luck with it, and keep me posted if you don't keep it. I know someone who would be very interested. (not me, a coworker) Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianT Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 That's a BIG car!! Sweet ride, congrats!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
69supersport396 Posted August 24, 2015 Author Share Posted August 24, 2015 Thanks guys! The engine compartment got some attention today. Had to use some brake clean on the caked on grease, then used APC, an assortment of brushes, and topped with In And Out Spray. Sprayed Quick Seal on the jams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianT Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 When was the last time you looked into an engine compartment and could see the ground? A 396 would look small in there!! 69supersport396 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redline Challenger Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 I know Rick, and I know who he got this Impala from. It used to sit at a service station only a few miles from my house. I saw it, and I know what it looked like before the road trip even began. What a world of difference!! You should be very proud of how well this turned out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red94chev Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 (edited) Lol, I thought the rocks under the engine bay were peanuts for a minute. Must be snack time. @Redline Challenger cool to see a local on here. I'm in Conowingo, just across the Susquehanna. Edited August 31, 2015 by red94chev Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
69supersport396 Posted August 31, 2015 Author Share Posted August 31, 2015 Thanks guys! Did some brake work on it this weekend; new master cylinder, bled the brakes, adjusted the shoes, lubed the parking brake, re packed the front wheel bearings, and while the tires and wheels were off, scrubbed the undercarriage and back sides of the tires and wheels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
69supersport396 Posted September 6, 2015 Author Share Posted September 6, 2015 Two Adams-ized cars going to a cruise. mc2hill 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LFairbanks Posted September 6, 2015 Share Posted September 6, 2015 What did you do take a set of plates with you for the trip home? Noticed AZ plates in OK. I guess I pay too much attention to details....lol. Looks good BTW. 69supersport396 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
69supersport396 Posted September 6, 2015 Author Share Posted September 6, 2015 Sure did. I registered the car in AZ before I flew out to Maryland. The plate and registration were packed in my carry-on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
69supersport396 Posted September 12, 2015 Author Share Posted September 12, 2015 Called my buddy (that I acquired this car from) last night. He showed many of these photos to the previous owner that now wants the car back. I don't think so. mc2hill 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now