The Supercar Registry - 1968 L72 M21 Impala Custom Coupe

The Supercar Registry (https://www.yenko.net/forum/index.php)

- Supercar/Musclecar Discussion (https://www.yenko.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=79)

- - 1968 L72 M21 Impala Custom Coupe (https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=108274)

1968 L72 M21 Impala Custom Coupe

I thought I would share my latest project with everybody on here. It ‘s a Matador red 68 Impala Custom coupe L72 M21 3:73 posi. I’ve been in contact with the previous owner since last February and finally got a chance to pick it up after Christmas. The trip was 4272 miles and we had a blast. The car sat in a field in Cameron, TX from about 1973 until 2008 when it was removed and brought to Burleson TX. It has 42000 miles on it. The engine and tranny were pulled for a 69 Camaro drag car in 1973 and the owner of the property passed away shortly after leaving all the cars to sit on the property until a few years ago when his wife started selling things. I am very excited about the car and I thought you all would enjoy seeing it. Other options include U14 special instruments, 806 full vinyl interior, F41 special performance suspension, N40 power steering, and ZJ9 auxiliary lighting package (front fender lights, ashtray, courtesy, underhood). A black vinyl top was added to the car early on, and that is what got the roof so bad. I have no idea what wheels/tires it came with originally, but I plan to go with ZJ7 rallys and redlines.
Additionally, I was wondering if anybody in Texas knows if a car’s history can be traced by the license plate. The car still has one 1972 plate on the front.

The rig in MD on 12/27
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...4536Medium.jpg
I finally get to see the car! Burleson TX 12/28
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...4601Medium.jpg
I spent a few days last week cleaning the car out and getting the drums hammered off the rear axle as they were both locked up. Made the car much easier to move!
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...5487Medium.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...5402Medium.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...5161Medium.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...5269Medium.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...5144Medium.jpg
This is one of the branches which had squeezed up through the hood-fender gap..
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...5091Medium.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...5372Medium.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...5535Medium.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...5534Medium.jpg
Plain style round pedal pads. The upgrade was square pedal pads with stainless trim.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...5547Medium.jpg
Mylar dealer sticker from Dan Steakley Chevrolet, Temple TX. The middle of the sticker reads “BEST DEALS IN TEXAS”
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...5096Medium.jpg
Original keys
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...5511Medium.jpg
4 speed specific crossmember intact and clean
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...5532Medium.jpg
4 speed interior stuff was in the trunk
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...5074Medium.jpg
original LH manifold and engine pipe
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...5588Medium.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...5574Medium.jpg
original deep groove crank, waterpump pulleys
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...5575Medium.jpg
Original BB fan shroud
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...5581Medium.jpg
Some 69 smog stuff was in the trunk
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...05Medium-1.jpg
This was a cool surprise! We found the Flint Fisher body broadcast card in the seat the other day! This was done specifically by Flint, and we have found several examples in the same location. During seat assembly, a worker in the soft trim shop would stick this card between the RH front seat back skeleton and spring. They were only concerned about the color cover to install, but as you can see the card also shows the vehicle body number and M21.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...5655Medium.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...5656Medium.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...5659Medium.jpg
Power steering pump with its original cast iron deep groove pulley. I also found the original dated power steering belt in the trunk.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...5690Medium.jpg
Z bar with clutch fork push rod stuffed inside
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...5703Medium.jpg
M code (L72) core support emissions sticker
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...5087Medium.jpg
Single 3/8 fuel line
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...5705Medium.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...5449Medium.jpg
JP code F41 rear spring tag
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...5190Medium.jpg
The guy who owned the farm with this car put wood blocks like this under every car in the field.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...5198Medium.jpg
Disassembly begins!
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...5735Medium.jpg

Re: 1968 L72 M21 Impala Custom Coupe

Wow! Great find. Great project. Best of luck Steve. Keep us updated with lots o pix! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: 1968 L72 M21 Impala Custom Coupe

Cool car, but wow....... I've never seen a roof that bad!

Re: 1968 L72 M21 Impala Custom Coupe

Man.......that's really a neat car, but good luck with that one. I know that I could never commit myself to project like that. The best you could do is to find a really decent donor car to sacrifice so this car can survive. I commend you on driving 4300 miles to bring that car home. It shows that you just may have the enthusiasm to finish the car! By the way, Steakley Chevrolet was Kelly Chadwick's sponsor on his flip-top Camaro Funny Car.

Re: 1968 L72 M21 Impala Custom Coupe

Great! Best of luck with the resto.

Re: 1968 L72 M21 Impala Custom Coupe

Congrats Steve, I followed this thread on the Impala SS427
website. Neat car, lots of work ahead!

Re: 1968 L72 M21 Impala Custom Coupe

Cool find. That is one rare car!

Re: 1968 L72 M21 Impala Custom Coupe

GOING TO BE A LOT OF WORK BUT WHEN YOUR DONE YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ANY ONE HAVING ANOTHER ONE LIKE IT AT MOST CRUISE NIGHTS GOOD LUCK . HOPE THE GUYS ON THE SITE CAN HELP YOU FIND THE PARTS YOU ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING FOR AS THE RESTO GETS GOING.

Re: 1968 L72 M21 Impala Custom Coupe

Steve,

I congratulate you for finding such a rare car and taking on this project. Seems to me the right guy found the right car! Best of luck. Keep us posted with pics of your build.

Dan.

Re: 1968 L72 M21 Impala Custom Coupe

Really nice find, If that resto was left up to me there would be condo's in those fields before I was done lol. -- I see that's a true "radio delete".

Re: 1968 L72 M21 Impala Custom Coupe

Steve....that has the potential of being a really cool car but I must say I've never seen anyone try to bring one back that was that far gone. I'm sure when you get it finished, I'll love it!

Here's another one that will give you some inspiration...a 1968 Impala SS427 Custom Coupe owned by a very good friend of mine who I think you know, Arnold Boris. It's all #s matching,Tripoli Turquoise, white vinyl top, Parchment interior, simply a stunning car.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...n_DSCF0573.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...n_DSCF0567.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...n_DSCF0560.jpg

These were taken before the car was actually finished but the car is now done. I'll see if I can get some updated pics. Good luck with the resto!!!

Re: 1968 L72 M21 Impala Custom Coupe

Custom Coupe big block big cars are flat out cool rides, Nice score Steve https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif

Re: 1968 L72 M21 Impala Custom Coupe

That will be one cool ride when you're done with it. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: 1968 L72 M21 Impala Custom Coupe

Thanks for the encouraging words! The important parts of the car are solid (frame, cowl, pillars, rockers, roof skeleton, and rear wheelhouses. Everything else can be replaced around that, and It looks like it will need to be lol.

68 is my favorite year, and I love that it is a red smooth roof car rather than vinyl top. It's also interesting to me how a car sold in Texas was built in Michigan. Perhaps the closer Arlington TX plant couldn't do the order for some reason. There were two Steakley Chevrolet dealers, the one in Temple and a large one in Dallas. I assume they are somehow related. Since there is no original engine/trans I plan to move slightly away from completely original with the addition of factory head restraints and a parchment interior. I also plan to drive the car daily once I finish it.. as long as the roads are dry, but I haven't figured out the best engine configuration to allow that yet.

Randy, thanks for sharing those pictures. Last I saw the car was in original condition. Arnold has a great collection of big block big cars, and the best part, they're all 4 speeds!

Steve

Re: 1968 L72 M21 Impala Custom Coupe

What a neat car! Glad to hear you're saving it.

Re: 1968 L72 M21 Impala Custom Coupe

wow https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...emlins/eek.gif an L72 custom coupe! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/tongue.gif
i thought cars rotted badly up here but i've never seen a roof that bad. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif
good luck with it steve, please post your progress. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: 1968 L72 M21 Impala Custom Coupe

Very sweet project. I look forward to seeing pictures of the progress. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: 1968 L72 M21 Impala Custom Coupe

OMG! What a cool car! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif Good luck, but I would'nt try and restore the valve covers! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif
I have a 68 Impala convertible, and trying to decide if red lines/rallys are right for the car. And yes they are! thanks, and good luck again. Love the tree parts!
Peter

Re: 1968 L72 M21 Impala Custom Coupe

Hey Steve,
How is car progressing?
Did you also get a line on L72?
I just found a boat load of pictures from a friends 69 L72 and another 2 friends LS6 cars (one 4500 mile orig)from back in the early 80's.
Let us know how it is going.
Thanks
Jim

Re: 1968 L72 M21 Impala Custom Coupe

[ QUOTE ]
I love that it is a red smooth roof car rather than vinyl top.

[/ QUOTE ]

Isn't that chrome trim between the roof and body for a vinyl top? I would think a rotting vinyl top is why the roof panel is so cancerous?

Re: 1968 L72 M21 Impala Custom Coupe

I've been pretty busy since I went back to school, but I did get the car completely stripped and off the frame before I left. Forgot to post some pics up. The bare body shell is like a rock!
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...5909Medium.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...5886Medium.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...5931Medium.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...5935Medium.jpg

Bill you are correct, the car had a vinyl top, however it was not factory, but added on at some point between 1968 and 1972-3. The aluminum strips were some cheap setup that were pop riveted on.. I'm sure this is why the roof got as bad as it did. Here is the cowl tag:
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...5083Medium.jpg

Re: 1968 L72 M21 Impala Custom Coupe

Is that a white 65 biscayne in the back ground? what is the story on that one

kevin

Re: 1968 L72 M21 Impala Custom Coupe

WOW https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/drool.gif I'm completely nuts about this car! What a find. Please keep us up to date on your progress. . . I think i may have soiled myself . . .

Re: 1968 L72 M21 Impala Custom Coupe

[ QUOTE ]
Bill you are correct, the car had a vinyl top, however it was not factory, but added on at some point between 1968 and 1972-3. The aluminum strips were some cheap setup that were pop riveted on.. I'm sure this is why the roof got as bad as it did.

[/ QUOTE ]

A-ha, that explains the trim. Such a cool car with the red 427 call-outs on the fender.

Re: 1968 L72 M21 Impala Custom Coupe

[ QUOTE ]
Is that a white 65 biscayne in the back ground? what is the story on that one

kevin

[/ QUOTE ]

That's my father's 65 L31 (409/400) M21 4:10 Biscayne, which we've been working on for years. It's slowly starting to look like a car though! Got about half the interior in a few months ago.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...9023Medium.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...3077Medium.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...3080Medium.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...6779Medium.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...6780Medium.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...6792Medium.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s...6800Medium.jpg

Re: 1968 L72 M21 Impala Custom Coupe

OK, I gotta ask. What's such a desirable car, in such poor shape cost you? Just curious is all. Thanks for saving it

Re: 1968 L72 M21 Impala Custom Coupe

tryin some newbie sorting

Re: 1968 L72 M21 Impala Custom Coupe

Man, I just love Chevy and Pontiac full size stick cars! This one will be a beauty! Can't wait to see it. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif

Re: 1968 L72 M21 Impala Custom Coupe

Groucho she set me back 100 bucks plus the cost to fetch it from TX. I sold some extra parts that were in the trunk and had money leftover to put towards a 427!
steve

Re: 1968 L72 M21 Impala Custom Coupe

[ QUOTE ]
Groucho she set me back 100 bucks plus the cost to fetch it from TX. I sold some extra parts that were in the trunk and had money leftover to put towards a 427!
steve

[/ QUOTE ]Good deal (unless you're pulling my leg). LOL