LowKat
Well Known Member
Some of you may have seen this car in my intoduction thread but thought I'd share the complete story.
I'm always envious of the cool cars being found. Well, it finally happened to me about a month ago. I do have an advantage to connect with "projects" as I work at Chevs of the 40's managing a car collection and once or twice a month do assembly on cars at a high end restoration shop.
About a year ago, Ron, the owner of www.chevsofthe40s.com asks me to pick up any "good" cars at his pole barn and bring back to the new museum building. I'd never been there so took a mechanic with me who had. Here's what I saw on one side of the building when I opened the door.
Notice the very rare (1 of 20) orange 1970 Ranchero 429 SCJ next to the Impala. The other side of the barn held the cars I hauled off. A nice pair of '57 Ford converts, a restored 55 Packard Caribbean convert, 71 Torino 429CJ.
Anyway, I'm walking around looking at each car deciding which ones to haul out and the mechanic with me is telling me what he knows about each one.
We get to the Impala and he tells me it belongs to a friend of Ron's and it's been there about 15 years. Also says: "I'm buying this car as soon as I have the rest of the money together. I've had it running good and Ray (the owner) told me he'd listen to offers in the 9-12,000 range".
I guessed it's a $6-$7G car and forgot about it.
Fast forward a year and the mechanic tells me he spent his "Impala money" on a bulldozer and won't be buying the car. Well, I've known Ray (car owner) a few years and have him do outside work for the museum. I figure next time I have work for Ray, I'll talk to him about the Impala since I'd done my research on it. Ray is a very cool 82 year old, hardcore gearhead that mostly does 100 point restorations on 1920's - 1930's cars.
A couple months before I knew the car was available I went out to the barn and picked up more cars to transport. While there, I looked the Impala over for the mechanic that was going to buy it for an originality report and I snapped these pictures. The only thing I could see missing was the original air cleaner. I hadn't been back to see it since then and based my decision to buy off of this quickie inspection.
Last month I had work for Ray (car owner). He came by the museum and we talked about the Impala.
He's the 2nd owner. One repaint, original interior. A little over 80,000 miles with the original drivetrain that has never been out or apart. He bought it 34 years ago as a restoration candidate. Had it for 20 years before driving it to where it's now stored. Started taking it apart then had other projects push it back. He came out yearly to start the engine and let it run a while.
I offered him 9G's and he said he'd have to think about it and to call him in a few days. I figure he's not ready to sell but call him and he says "You're 2G's short on your offer"
I say OK and a deal is struck at 11G's.
This is gonna be fun.
~ Mark
I'm always envious of the cool cars being found. Well, it finally happened to me about a month ago. I do have an advantage to connect with "projects" as I work at Chevs of the 40's managing a car collection and once or twice a month do assembly on cars at a high end restoration shop.
About a year ago, Ron, the owner of www.chevsofthe40s.com asks me to pick up any "good" cars at his pole barn and bring back to the new museum building. I'd never been there so took a mechanic with me who had. Here's what I saw on one side of the building when I opened the door.
Notice the very rare (1 of 20) orange 1970 Ranchero 429 SCJ next to the Impala. The other side of the barn held the cars I hauled off. A nice pair of '57 Ford converts, a restored 55 Packard Caribbean convert, 71 Torino 429CJ.
Anyway, I'm walking around looking at each car deciding which ones to haul out and the mechanic with me is telling me what he knows about each one.
We get to the Impala and he tells me it belongs to a friend of Ron's and it's been there about 15 years. Also says: "I'm buying this car as soon as I have the rest of the money together. I've had it running good and Ray (the owner) told me he'd listen to offers in the 9-12,000 range".
I guessed it's a $6-$7G car and forgot about it.
Fast forward a year and the mechanic tells me he spent his "Impala money" on a bulldozer and won't be buying the car. Well, I've known Ray (car owner) a few years and have him do outside work for the museum. I figure next time I have work for Ray, I'll talk to him about the Impala since I'd done my research on it. Ray is a very cool 82 year old, hardcore gearhead that mostly does 100 point restorations on 1920's - 1930's cars.
A couple months before I knew the car was available I went out to the barn and picked up more cars to transport. While there, I looked the Impala over for the mechanic that was going to buy it for an originality report and I snapped these pictures. The only thing I could see missing was the original air cleaner. I hadn't been back to see it since then and based my decision to buy off of this quickie inspection.
Last month I had work for Ray (car owner). He came by the museum and we talked about the Impala.
He's the 2nd owner. One repaint, original interior. A little over 80,000 miles with the original drivetrain that has never been out or apart. He bought it 34 years ago as a restoration candidate. Had it for 20 years before driving it to where it's now stored. Started taking it apart then had other projects push it back. He came out yearly to start the engine and let it run a while.
I offered him 9G's and he said he'd have to think about it and to call him in a few days. I figure he's not ready to sell but call him and he says "You're 2G's short on your offer"
I say OK and a deal is struck at 11G's.
This is gonna be fun.
~ Mark
