School me on SS427s!
 

A good debate here . . . this past weekend, had a good discussion with two guys at the Pure Stock race, as I love learning I was mistaken about something I have held to be true for awhile.

Specifically, it is about SS427s. I have held the belief the 1967 SS427 was an option package on the Impala SS; of course, the 427 was optional on the Impala SS separate from the SS427.

Two friends say that the SS427 was its own model, and one of their pieces of evidence is the fact (?) that the SS427 doesn't have any Impala badges.

Anyone can set the record straight here? Thanks!

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

http://www.impalass427.com/ Here's a great website for those cars and yeah.....it's true that the SS427 was it's own special model due to all the unique parts and badging on the car. That's always been one of my favorite things about them, especially the '67's! They really get to me! My father actually had a white 1967 SS427 4-speed car when I was growing up and sold it because my mother had trouble driving the stick-shift.

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

Well, I don't think a website is proof, but do you realize the site supports my theory? It's not its own special model any differently than the Judge was its own special GTO model.

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

Correct, Diego. The SS427 was an option only on 67 Impala Super Sports model #s 16887/16867. In 68 and 69 the Super Sport and SS427 were options on the Impala all having the same model numbers.

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

Diego, I wasn't presenting that website as absolute proof, I just thought you'd enjoy seeing the many pictures of those beautiful cars. I've just finished doing by own book research and yeah, looks like it wasn't it's own model like I had thought. It was just a option even though many people have called it it's own model.

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

then I blame Paul https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/blush.gif

http://image.superchevy.com/f/998189...pala_SS427.jpg

Paul ran a 13.13 at 106 in that large barge..... just an Pure Stock oval port 427.

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

Mark, it's all good - no worries!

Donny, just cuz someone joined in and agreed doesn't mean you're wrong. Shouldn't we allow the opportunity for a counterpoint? Not trying to rub it in, but rather keep it as a dialogue to see what perspectives others have? It's a remarkably obscure car for a company that built a million similar models.

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

These cars can get real complicated and confusing. Now that black '67 just posted above is a 1967 Impala SS with a 427. It is a much different animal than the '67 SS427. Although both models were 427-385 HP motors with L-72's being optional. Those '67-68 SS427 cars are really neat, neat cars that have been over-shadowed for a long time. Lots of very cool features on these cars. The '69 cars are alright but they they've always looked to me like somebody added the SS emblems to make a home-made Super Sport and just don't have the appeal of the '67-'68 cars.

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

I used to classify cars like the black one from SS427's by calling them 427 SS cars..but that just confused everybody. So now I call them Z24 cars and non Z24 cars.

The SS427 option was merely a trim package, just like a Judge, RS, SS396, etc. It was a separate option costing about $95.00 and got you the special trim, bright engine accents, F40 suspension, redlines(or white), and automatically equipped the car with a 427. By the body numbers it wasn't technically ever it's own "model", but in the literature it is classified as such, the same way a regular Super Sport was in 68.

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

What a lot of people don't understand is, you could purchase an Impala Super Sport with a 427 or you could order an Impala with the RPO code Z24 and get the "SS427". Two entirely different cars so to speak. The SS427 carries a lot more mistique than a 427 equipped Super Sport as their hoods and badging had a lot more appeal.

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

Mark, I am pretty sure the L72 was not available at all in 1967 Impala....

am I wrong ?

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

You're correct, until one of the supposed few that were produced turns up lol

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

[ QUOTE ]
These cars can get real complicated and confusing. Now that black '67 just posted above is a 1967 Impala SS with a 427.

[/ QUOTE ]

The black car is what may have started the conversation. Certainly it was there at the event, although we all knew the difference between an Impala SS with a 427 (it's an original 396 car, BTW) and an SS427. There was a white ragtop that used to run the event.

The other guy who was involved in this discussion is not a Chevy guy, although he is the owner of a '70 Laurentian with a 454. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

[ QUOTE ]
Mark, I am pretty sure the L72 was not available at all in 1967 Impala....

am I wrong ?

[/ QUOTE ]get ahold of Ron Mroz out of Chicago and ask him..

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

My understanding (with some new info this past weekend from Donny, perhaps?) was that no L72 cars were built, although a few engines were built. This was due to the plan of having the L71 available till GM's ban on multiple cabs on its passenger cars.

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

Yeah, I have had a few leads in the past on 67 L72 coded big car blocks, but they never got anywhere. Check out this scan I made out of the 67 owners manual a while back showing a 6000RPM redline tach. Kind of makes you wonder!
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...mber272007.jpg
Steve

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

Did either or those options include the F41 suspension?
Here is a photo of my car at the Richmond NSRA car Show...
It is a 1966 Belair 2 door sedan "post car" that has F41 suspension ( and 427 station wagon springs on the front )the F41 suspension was suppose to have come off an "original 1967 427 Impala" that the body was rusted out.

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

I'd have to say that there would be a high probabilty of a 1967 Full-Size L-72 427-425 HP car. Colvin's book lists an engine suffix for 17 possible engines shipped from Tonawanda, so maybe a few did see the lot of day. Another interesting fact is that the L-72 was available in 1966,1968 and 1969. Just seems strange that they would skip a year. I tell 'ya, those L-72's really are something else. I know people like to talk about L88's and all, but a well tuned L-72 is just one heck of a street engine that will tear your head off at the drag strip on Saturday night, but still well-mannered enough to drive to work 5 days a week. I'll take mine in a '66 Corvette, thank you! That just has to be a brutal, dangerously fast little Musclecar!

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

F41 was never included with any package. F40 however was included in certain packages like station wagons and Z24s. The stance of that Biscayne is sweet! Are the rear springs originals?
Steve

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

Guess I have to weigh in lol .. when you ordered a SS427 you no longer were buying a Impala as all Impala nameplates were removed they wanted to draw attenting to the engine with this package. There actully was a few SS427`s that left the factory with "Impala SS" fender badges apparently by accident they were early cars and only a handful were released. Another tid bit is there were only a handfull of Imapala SS with the 385hp 427 ever made I have heard 15 - 20 as it was a special order and not publicized as there did not want to step on the toes of the SS427 RPO. Officially the last year for a full Impala SS assemblly line was 1968. in 1969 they did exactly what the previous poster said slapped badges on a run of the mill impala on the line and called it a SS Impala .

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

As for the L-72 I have read it was suppose to happen but never did no car has ever been found or paper work to support it. There was a Tripower set up that was also going to be available and when the vette boys heard about it they put the kabash on it .. They only wanted tripowers on there precious corvette .. The engine is in the build manual with a cancelled stamp on it .. it did not denote as L-72 I believe it was L-68 I found this.

http://www.impalass427.com/72res/67cancelled_3.jpg
http://www.impalass427.com/72res/67cancelled_2.jpg
http://www.impalass427.com/72res/67cancelled.jpg

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

And from everything I have read and seen RPO F41 is heavy duty front and rear susp. You could order this on almost any car if you wanted it just like ordering the 427 in a Biscayne in 67. This one is an original restored White with green guts,,

http://www.impalass427.com/72res/67BelAir2.jpg

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

I have a 67 427 rally dash I believe the Tach redlines at 5700 I will look tomorrow.. I have never seent hat tach pic Very Cool what owners manual is it in ??

Paul

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

That was my car, which is now in the Bruce Litton collection. More photos here-

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/556993375pANMbd

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

It was just a random owners manual I decided to page through one day. I assume that picture is in all editions.
Steve

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

I always understood that F40 was the heavy duty suspension, and F41 was more of a sport suspension, because it had the sway bars. I don't have any of my literature handy right now though.

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

------Paul,,,L68 in the 67 Corvette world is the 400hp upgrade on the 390hp motor. That would have been an interesting combo in a big body. Tons of torque!!! The comments on 427/425 Vettes are on the mark in reference to acceleration, but I can tell you that I have driven many 66 427/390 Vettes that could stay up with all but the best tuned 425s. I think it revolves around the somewhat temperamental attitude of a 425, and the abundant torque down low of a 390..........Bill S

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

Remember the thread here a couple years back where someone very reputable laid the story on us of his long gone '67 L72 B-Body...GM factory demo maybe?.
The thread included pics of a tag he'd saved that was an additional tag (perhaps inner fender mounted) that had 'Special' or something to that effect on it?.
There's been a few other '67 L72 B-Body reports that sounded to be possible truths over the years but this was the one I had the most faith in..

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif
~ Pete

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

[ QUOTE ]
Remember the thread........included pics of a tag he'd saved that was an additional tag (perhaps inner fender mounted) that had 'Special' or something to that effect on it?.


[/ QUOTE ]

Special order

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

That's it!.
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...emlins/eek.gif

Thanks Rick, I'd forgotten it was John Z just remembered it was someone reputable..

Among other reported factory '67 B-Body L72 cars I've heard of are a few Canadian cars including Canadian Pontiacs..
As many here are aware, Canadian B-Body Pontiacs had Chevrolet chassis and drivetrains..

The twist to keep in mind w/ this is many (but not all) Canadian built Chevrolet powered Ponchos and Chevys had unique suffix codes that had alpha/numerical digits and included in these were the Tonawanda built MK1V's..
What I'm getting at is an unknown '67 B-Body L72 suffix for Canadian production is a very real possibility too!.

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif
~ Pete

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

If anyone cares here's an example of one of the unique Canadian Suffixes as mentioned above..
This one is from a Canadian built and GM Vintage documented '68 SS427 Coupe L36/Stick car..
Not that it has anything to do w/ the Suffix code but yes it's a Z24 equipped SS427 car, not an Impala SS w/ a 427..

Engine stamping # T12143T
Obviously Tonawanda Dec. 14'th '67
Suffix 3T = Canadian L36 Manual Trans

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif
~ Pete

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t...dge/img503.jpg

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Remember the thread........included pics of a tag he'd saved that was an additional tag (perhaps inner fender mounted) that had 'Special' or something to that effect on it?.


[/ QUOTE ]

Special order

[/ QUOTE ] Wow! This was an awesome thread to re-visit. I absolutely love that gold, non-vinyl top '66 Caprice. All three are just beautiful examples. I would have loved to seen all three in person.

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

Pete,
Do you have a copy of the GM docs for that car? I've never seen a suffix like that 3T one before. 68 4 speed L36 codes were IE and IH. This info would have been stamped at Tonowanda..
Steve

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

[ QUOTE ]
Pete,
Do you have a copy of the GM docs for that car? I've never seen a suffix like that 3T one before. 68 4 speed L36 codes were IE and IH. This info would have been stamped at Tonowanda..
Steve

[/ QUOTE ]

Check your emails Steve as I'm forwarding the complete Canadian documents for the '68 SS427 L36 car I used in my example..

Your comments are on the ball and exactly why I've been preaching these Canadian suffixes for years but few have ever seemed to care...or understand what I've been blabbing about?.

And to clarify, the example is not a stamping mistake or a one-off situation as many Canadian cars had different Alpha Numeric suffixes plus lots of unique Numeric-Numeric suffixes exist too!.

Something I've always thought interesting w/ a mixed Alpha/Numeric suffix too but reversed w/ the Alpha first instead of the Numeric first like the Canadian code above is the Gibb Nova E3 Suffix..
Does anyone know of more mixed Alpha/Numeric suffixes w/ the Alpha first like the Gibb cars had?.

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif
~ Pete

--------------------
I like real cars best...the REAL real ones!

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

[ QUOTE ]
Guess I have to weigh in lol .. when you ordered a SS427 you no longer were buying a Impala as all Impala nameplates were removed they wanted to draw attenting to the engine with this package. There actully was a few SS427`s that left the factory with "Impala SS" fender badges apparently by accident they were early cars and only a handful were released. Another tid bit is there were only a handfull of Imapala SS with the 385hp 427 ever made I have heard 15 - 20 as it was a special order and not publicized as there did not want to step on the toes of the SS427 RPO. Officially the last year for a full Impala SS assemblly line was 1968. in 1969 they did exactly what the previous poster said slapped badges on a run of the mill impala on the line and called it a SS Impala .

[/ QUOTE ]

So here's the other guy I was chatting with last weekend. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

But, Paul, some people here suggest what you've written above is incorrect.

For what you've written to be true, the VIN will tell the tale - I'm betting the SS427 was not a model with its own unique VIN. Just because the SS427 may not have Impala nomenclature doesn't mean it's its own model or that it's not even an Impala. . . hell, you've even posted links to the site that suggests the SS427 was an option package!

So color me confused! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/scholar.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

Wait, this sounds like symantics. Just because the VIN does not designate it does not mean it was not its own model. The 64-68 Chevelle SS had a unique VIN. The 69 did not. Does that mean the 69 Chevelle SS396 was not its own model?


Jason

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

Yes, that is correct.

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

This is just my personal opinion after reading and collecting information on this model for 25 years. Everyone has a right not to agree with me lol. I guess my common sense asks, Why would they sell a car with out an impala nameplate on it? This Model ,Package, Car has a Name SS427 It is on all 4 sides of the vehicle with the only other designation Chevrolet. As to the vin it was the most cost effective route using the standard sports roof designation. They were making a special car different and 1 step up from a run of the mill Impala SS and focusing on the legendary 427 engine. If you read the articles out there they complained

"who would pay 5000.00 for a Chevrolet? "

"ONLY the SS and 427 medallions say this car differs from run-of-the-mill Impala family sedans. Yes but Price, appointments and appearance, however, put this particular vehicle in the luxury car class."

It was all about sensationalizing the 427 mystique.

It makes perfect sense that it would be a package as they only made 2400 of these wonderful cars .. But in my eyes there always gonna be something other than an Impala ..

Paul

Re: School me on SS427s!
 

I have drooled over the pic of your car many times even considered building one after seeing your car on the SS427 site. She is a beautiful example of what sleeper was all about back in the day.. Would have loved to take it for a test burn https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smile.gif .. The Black/Red interior Impala SS 427 4 speed at the pure stock drags is my car there is a pic on this thread someone posted ..

Paul