School me on SS427s!

[442w30]

Paul:

Paul:

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I guess my common sense asks, Why would they sell a car with out an impala nameplate on it?

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Perhaps the same reason why Oldsmobile sold the Aurora without any reference to Olds? I can't profess to know, but while your reasoning is sound, it's just a theory that isn't supported by the VIN, right?

Think of it another way: Pontiac had a 2+2 in 1967. It was an option package, I believe. Does it say Catalina on it?

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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.


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I don't see it as focusing on the "legendary 427 engine" as much as offering a full-size performance package, since the SS really was never a hi-po package to begin with.


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"who would pay 5000.00 for a Chevrolet? "

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I think 5 grand is an exaggeration. Perhaps the example you quite was close to that number, but the average musclecar probably sold for more like $3800-4000. While the SS427 was not the average musclecar, if you get an SS and add the SS427 package and a few power accessories, I don't think it'll reach up to the 5s.



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It was all about sensationalizing the 427 mystique.

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Never thought there was a mystique with the 427 - just a good engine. However, compare it with a L88 (yes, I realize it's a 427 too!) or Stage 2 or RAV and you'll find engines with mystiques. Guess that's a subjective one, eh?

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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 ..


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But, on the other hand, there are plenty of "models" that are rarer than the SS427, so I see that only as a theory. Ditto for the inverse - the 1965 GTO was an option package, and they made over 70,000 of 'em!

[Paul Vitale]

Reguarding the Aurora you better take a look at the radio in the dash. Yep it Says Oldsmobile.....

You already digressed to the ss396 Vin .. As you can see it was the most economical decision with a run of 2100 cars. Why change the vin ..

As to your 2+2 comment it was a standalone Model that they removed the Catalina name from which reverted to a option package you might want to rethink your example ..

"Pontiac 2+2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pontiac 2+2 Manufacturer General Motors
Also called Parisienne 2+2 (in Canada)
Production 1964-1967 in the U.S.
Class sports grand tourer

The Pontiac 2+2 was a full size high performance automobile manufactured by Pontiac Motor Division. It debuted in 1964 as an interior trim option with special door panels, buckets seats and center console on the Pontiac Catalina. Pontiac marketed the 2+2 as the "big brother" to the popular Pontiac GTO.

****[1]Beginning in 1965, 2+2 became a standalone model, and the name Catalina was no longer found on the car.****

The 2+2 was given the 421 cubic inch power plant, dual exhaust, heavy duty front springs as well as its own outer body trim appointments. It officially became its own series in 1966[2], on the same platform, but reverted again to an option in 1967[3] and was discontinued in the United States the same year due to poor sales. It continued as a series in Canada until 1970.

I was a stand alone model 65 ,66 , and changed to an option in 67 obviously it was not a catalinia thats why the name is not on it ..


"who would pay 5000.00 for a Chevrolet? "

This Quote was taken from a test drive of the SS427 in 1967 so the price was fairly accurate to who ever wrote the article. I believe you think I just gussed at that number if you want the article I can supply you with a link.



As to having Mystique

It was mysterious enough that they made only 2100 of this car and we are all talking about it today lol . Every time I have my car out I am asked where the hood louvers are and the V nameplates. maybe it is more notorious than mysterious .. I agree it was all about taking it to the next performance level with the Corvette power plant no doubt...


I digress to your last comment there is no black and white as to why they did things at Chevrolet it is what it is ya know ..


And here is a couple of write up highlights about how other people feel about what the SS427 was all about ..

" NOT to be confused or mistaken as an SS Impala with big engine, the SS427 was available only as RPO Z24. Any Chevrolet could be ordered in the late ‘60s with a 427, but the SS427 was a special high performance vehicle. The SS427 was first introduced in 1967 and was build produced through model year 1969. 1967/68 RPO Z24 shared the Impala SS trim options but was fitted with HD components; the L36 385HP/427, special badging, front bucket seats/console as the Impala SS and special instrumentation-optional was the 425HP/427 L72 solid lifter-V8. For 1967 a special ‘V’ sculptured hood with three chrome air duct ‘pots’, SS427 grille/deck badging and special ‘V’ flagged 427 front fender emblem. Available in both convertible and 2dr hardtop versions, the SS427 was billed and marketed by Chevrolet as, “For the man who’d buy a sports car if it had this much room.” 1968 saw a facelift and new SS427 ‘domed’ hood with chrome vent at the windshield, and front fender vertical chrome louvers. It should be noted that the Impala SS as a model was dropped at the end of 1968. 1969 was another facelift with the RPO Z24 SS427 Impala as the only big Chevrolet to wear SS markings. Emblems consisted of the front fender Chevrolet big car family 427 marking, SS emblem below the front fender Impala script, black accented grille with SS marking and SS rear deck emblem. Interior trim was the same as the standard Impala with SS emblem on the steering wheel center-bench seating and column shift were standard fair with front bucket seating and floor console now optional. L72 425HP/427 was an option again for 1968-69 and along with the hardtop and convertible body style, for 68/69 the Impala Custom Coupe was also available with RPO Z24 SS427 package. The only transmissions available with RPO Z24 were the Turbo 400 or 4-speed manual. RPO Z24 build; 2,124/1967, 1,778/1968, 2,455/1969. Recently sold at Barrett-Jackson 1967 SS427 convertible $85,800.00. 1968 SS427 convertible $73,700.00. "


"Now keep in mind that the Super Sport option that had made Impalas so popular in the early '60s was still available in '67. But it was essentially a trim package that included bucket seats, special badging, and extra trim, so you could order it with just about any engine-even a six-cylinder. The Bow-Tie boys figured they could take the SS Impala concept one step further and make an engine-specific version-one with an engine that was powerful enough to make this large car muscular. So they dipped into the Corvette parts bin, pulled out the Mark IV 427 Turbo-Jet V-8, and created the SS427 ."

I guess call it what you want still one of the coolest cars GM produced wish I had one ..


Paul

[69hurstSC]

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RPO Z24 build; 2,124/1967, 1,778/1968, 2,455/1969. "


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Is there a convertible breakdown?

[Tarrytown SS427s]

Nope, that's as good as it gets for the US built Z24s..

[Paul Vitale]

The number I have read and heard is 39 SS427 Convertibles were built. But I suspect it was speculation as I have never seen an official build list besides the one you mentioned. If that accurate it would be about 20% of total production with 2124 being built. I know one convertible was a raffle prize for the 1967 Worlds Fair per the owner at the time I saw it others have said it was some GM special car give away prize. It was owned by a Michigan farmer and sold recently at the Mecum Auction in 2005. It was White with red interior. The farmer raced it at the Pure Stock Drags unrestored . It had 25,000 original miles on it when I saw it and featured a whole host of factory options, among them being power front disc brakes, power windows, power drivers side bucket seat, tilt steering column with simulated wood sports steering wheel, "Comfortron" air conditioning, AM-FM stereo radio, 8 track tape player, tachometer and gauge cluster only thing it was missing was the D96 side stripes.

Paul

[442w30]

Paul:

I am overdue for a response, whether it's neither here nor there . . .

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Reguarding the Aurora you better take a look at the radio in the dash. Yep it Says Oldsmobile.....


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Now you're nit-picking. Regardless, the lack of Impala nomenclature doesn't mean the car is not an Impala, although it's a premise I can understand.

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You already digressed to the ss396 Vin .. As you can see it was the most economical decision with a run of 2100 cars. Why change the vin ..


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But do you think economics is the qualifier whether a car is a model or an option package? The SS was a package for the Camaro for its entire life, yet I don't think it was ever subverted as anything other than a model.

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As to your 2+2 comment it was a standalone Model that they removed the Catalina name from which reverted to a option package you might want to rethink your example ..

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That's not true. In 1964, it was a Catalina 2+2. And I believe it was an option package for all 4 years. While it may have been branded better in '65-67 as a stand-alone, it still was an option package.

Riddle me this: If it or the SS427 were models, why don't we have breakdowns by bodystyle? How come we don't know how many 2+2 ragtops were built? (In a little caveat on my part, my memory suggests the 2+2 was its own model in 1966, but why aren't there any numbers for ragtops?)

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"Pontiac 2+2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Not a good source!

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"who would pay 5000.00 for a Chevrolet? "


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This Quote was taken from a test drive of the SS427 in 1967 so the price was fairly accurate to who ever wrote the article. I believe you think I just gussed at that number if you want the article I can supply you with a link.


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No, thanks . . . I thought I was clear - maybe not? - that the SS427 was not a $5000 car, but perhaps a road test had one that was. Obviously it was a loaded-up example. But I bet most SS427s were closer to $4500 or even hovering just above $4000 - don't forget, the average price of a car back then was on the other side of 4 grand!

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As to having Mystique...
It was mysterious enough that they made only 2100 of this car and we are all talking about it today lol . Every time I have my car out I am asked where the hood louvers are and the V nameplates. maybe it is more notorious than mysterious ..

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Yeah, but that's because your car is confusing - I think most people assume the 427 was not available on the Impala SS and only on the SS427. I know I wasn't sure as recently as 2 years ago, but I wouldn't have asked you about the dome; instead, I would have asked you whether it was correct to have a 427 in an SS, but that's just how I approach things.

Anyway, just a little bench racing and bantering about an interesting car that no one really seems to know about, but I think we probably know it all collectively.

[Paul Vitale]

Tax Title and Plates your gonna be closer to 5000 than 4500.. I did a quick search came up with 4300 - 4500 not a convert.. Even at 4500 we are talking Cadillac money for a Top of the line Chevrolet. They were not my words LOL fight with the author of the article written in 1967.

And you better check your data the 2+2 was a model in 65 and 66 .. But due to the GTO kicking it`s sales butt they reverted it back to an option in 67 and if it was tagged a 2+2 the name catilina was not on the veh anywhere all 3 years.. Don`t matter if it is Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia or not it is accurate. How many 4 speed cars where built in 67 ? How many power glides, This was a reg option and it is a mystery. Why would it be surprising they did not keep track of what was built on a 2100 car run.. No one really thought it was important at the time I guess ..

Nit picking or not you said it is not on the car anywhere and I am telling you it is and I am accurate it is there ..

As to my car being confusing It is not much different than a copo tow truck or a Kingswood wagon with a 4 speed and 427 .. They checked the right box.. Part of the confusion was they wanted to sell more of the SS427`s so it was not well known you could get it in the impala .. I guess it is more of people trying to get what they wanted and smarter than the average bear salesmen who knew there way around the order sheets.. And again who knows why GM did some of the tings they did..

Paul