Undoubtedly a Champion: The Savior of the 1959 Chevrolet Impala's Rescue

 

1958 was the year when the Impala nameplate finally came to be, though at first, it was only offered as the top-of-the-line version of the Bel Air.







But thanks to the success of the first Impalas, Chevrolet eventually decided to launch this moniker as a stand-alone series only a year later, so the model that came out in 1959 is generally known as the second-generation lineup.







And what we have here is nothing else than a 1959 Impala, though as you can easily tell by simply browsing the photo gallery in the article, the car has been having a really hard time lately.








This Impala looks like it’s been abandoned for a while, and several big parts are obviously missing, including here not only the front seat and the taillights but also the engine and the transmission.








Listed on Craigslist, with the seller claiming it makes for an “ambitious restoration” project, the car is described as “fairly solid,” though without a doubt, you really need to check everything in person down to every little detail to make sure it still deserves a second chance.








Without a doubt, restoring this Impala isn’t an easy business, and more importantly, there’s a chance the effort to bring it back to the road wouldn’t pay off in the long term, unless you’re really keen on starting such an ambitious project in the first place.









Not to mention that the Impala isn’t the most affordable either, despite its current condition and the missing parts. The seller expects to get $3,000 for the car, which itself is ambitious too, especially given that whoever wants to restore the car would have to invest not only plenty of money into the whole thing but also a lot of time to bring it back to the condition such a classic car truly deserves.

Exquisite Power and Style: The Iconic 1967 Pontiac GTO Hardtop

 1967 Pontiac GTO Hardtop











1967 PONTIAC GTO CONVERTIBLE

1967 Pontiac GTO coupé hardtop #291073 - Best quality free high resolution  car images - mad4wheels






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1967 PONTIAC GTO






1967 PONTIAC GTO HARDTOP

Unveiling the Game-Changing 1964 Chevrolet Corvair Series: Ushering in a New Era of American Automobiles

 The 1964 Chevrolet Corvair Series 700 Series DeLuxe Sedan holds a unique place in automotive history. As an economy sedan, it initially competed with other compact cars like the Ford Falcon and Plymouth Valiant. However, what set the Corvair apart was its groundbreaking engineering approach. With an air-cooled flat opposed 4- or 6-cylinder rear-mounted engine, it showcased innovation and provided a glimpse into future GM styling themes. Despite its early success, the Corvair faced challenges from the emergence of ‘pony’ cars and the infamous book by Ralph Nader, “Unsafe At Any Speed,” ultimately leading to its discontinuation in 1969.











The Innovative Engineering of the Corvair

One of the standout features of the Corvair was its all-aluminum engine, which contributed to its lightweight and durable construction. Road and Track magazine praised the Corvair for its exceptional design. However, Ralph Nader, a well-known critic of automobile safety, disagreed. In his book, “Unsafe At Any Speed,” Nader highlighted safety concerns and the lack of standards in the United States. He specifically targeted the Corvair, claiming that the rear wheels would “tuck under” during turns, resulting in a potential rollover. Although some of these issues were addressed in the 1964 model, Nader remained adamant that the Corvair was still the “leading candidate for the unsafest car title.”






The Battle with Ralph Nader and General Motors

Nader’s book attracted significant attention, leading to legal disputes between him and General Motors. In an attempt to discredit Nader, General Motors investigated his background but found no incriminating evidence. This situation only made General Motors appear more guilty, and as a result, Corvair sales plummeted from 220,000 in 1965 to a mere 14,800 in 1968. The following year, the decision was made to discontinue the production of the Corvair.






The Corvair Monza: The Sporty Model of the Corvair Lineup

Among the four original Corvair models, the Monza convertible option stood out as the sportiest. In 1964, it came with a factory price of $2,492, offering a 164 cubic-inch engine capable of producing 110 horsepower. The Monza’s attractive design and performance appealed to those seeking a youtaful and dynamic driving experience.

The Rise of Compact Cars and the Corvair’s Impact

During the 1950s, the “Big Three” automakers (Chrysler, Ford, and GM) primarily focused on intermediate and full-size vehicles. However, the recession of 1957 prompted consumers to seek more affordable and economical options. American Motors experienced a boost in sales during this period, prompting other automakers to explore the compact car market. By the early 1960s, the Big Three had introduced their own compact models, featuring smaller designs and four- or six-cylinder engines.

Chevrolet, led by General Manager Ed Cole, took a revolutionary approach and introduced the Corvair. With its air-cooled, rear-mounted engine, compact automatic transaxle, and unibody construction, the Corvair defied convention. It boasted independent suspension, wide low-profile tires, and elegant styling without the excessive use of chrome. The engineering and design innovations earned the Corvair accolades, including being named the 1960 Motor Trend ‘Car of the Year.’






The 1964 Chevrolet Corvair: Changes and Challenges

The 1964 model year marked the final year of the original styling introduced in 1960. Sales of the Corvair dipped due to increasing competition, including from within the Chevrolet brand itself. The introduction of the Chevy II, with its conservative styling and front-engine layout, appealed to buyers seeking contemporary designs. Additionally, Ford’s Mustang, launched in mid-1964, captivated the market with its youthful and sporty image. Safety concerns related to the Corvair’s handling issues also contributed to its declining popularity.

The 1964 Corvair Series 500 served as the base trim level, priced at $2,000. It featured essential amenities such as electric wipers, a heater and defroster, rubber floor mats, and front armrests. The Series 700 DeLuxe Sedan, priced at $2,120, offered additional chrome exterior moldings, upgraded interior, and fender model nameplates. The Corvair Monza Series 900 showcased wider rocker panel moldings, full wheel covers, and trim moldings along the wheel cutouts. It came in various body styles, including a two-door club coupe, a sedan, and a convertible. The Monza Monza Spyder Series 600 had distinguishing features like a turbocharged engine and special badges.

Conclusion

The 1964 Chevrolet Corvair Series 700 DeLuxe Sedan played a significant role in automotive history. Its innovative engineering, distinct styling, and early success marked it as a trailblazer in the American automobile industry. However, safety concerns and competition from other models led to its eventual discontinuation. The Corvair remains an iconic and controversial car, forever remembered for its impact on automotive design and safety standards.






FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. Is the Corvair still in production? No, the production of the Corvair ceased in 1969.

2. What were the main safety concerns with the Corvair? The main safety concerns revolved around the Corvair’s handling, particularly during turns, which could potentially lead to rollovers.

3. How many Corvairs were produced between 1960 and 1969? A total of 1,786,243 Corvairs were produced during that period.

4. What led to the decline in Corvair sales? Factors such as competition from other models, safety concerns, and the release of Ralph Nader’s book “Unsafe At Any Speed” contributed to the decline in Corvair sales.

5. Are there any surviving Corvairs today? Yes, there are still many Corvairs in existence today, with dedicated enthusiasts and collectors keeping the legacy alive.











Unveiling History: Experience the Authenticity of an Untouched, Original 1966 Dodge Charger

 

The original Charger got to see the daylight in mid-1966 with V8 engines exclusively, with the lineup starting with a 318 (5.2-liter) two-barrel unit and going all the way up to a 426 (7.0-liter) with two four-barrel carburetors.





However, the 426 is a pretty rare sight today, not only because it’s hard to find one in a good condition, but also because Dodge only manufactured fewer than 500 units for this model year.







In fact, not too many ’66 Chargers got to see daylight in the first place, as Dodge made fewer than 38,000 of them before the first facelift was introduced in 1967.




The 1966 Charger that we have here is a survivor of this first-year model, though as you can easily tell by simply checking out the photos in the gallery, it’s been having a really hard time lately. The car doesn’t come in its best shape, so eBay seller zac.spri has posted it online, hoping someone would be willing to buy the Charger and give it a second chance.







The vehicle hasn’t been driven in about 10 years, and while we’re not being told if the 383 under the hood is still running, there’s a chance it’d require a series of fixes before getting back on the road. So don’t be too surprised if the engine no longer starts, though there’s a chance it’s not yet locked from sitting given the car has been parked for only a year.
  







We don’t know how complete this Charger still is, but on the other hand, the seller guarantees the car is still as original as it gets, as nothing has ever been restored.








So at the end of the day, it’s a rare Charger that’s certainly worth a second chance, and by the looks of things, quite a lot of people think the same too. No less than 16 bids have already been received since the auction went live on eBay, with the top offer right now set at $2,225.

Reviving a Legend: 1964 Chevrolet Impala SS Emerges from a 37-Year Slumber, Unleashing V8 Power

 The 1964 Chevrolet Impala included an already familiar mix of six-cylinder and V8 engines, as the GM brand wanted to make sure the refreshed series can target more customers with a choice of both economical and powerful powertrains.







 
Just like before, the standard engine was the 230ci (3.8-liter) six-cylinder that offered only 140 horsepower, so obviously the purpose of this unit was to let people drive an Impala even if they weren’t necessarily interested in the power under the hood.







Those who were could choose from a wide array of V8 units, starting with the 283 (4.6-liter) Turbo-Fire and ending with the 409 (6.7-liter), which returned to the Impala family with three power outputs, namely 340, 400, and 425 horsepower. The 425 hp was the only version that came with twin four-barrel carburetors.









The Impala that we have here also flexes this high-performance 409, and more impressive is that it started right up after the car got cleaned up. According to eBay seller ginadylan, the Chevy has been sitting since 1984, so without a doubt, an engine starting so easily is definitely good news for someone planning a full restoration.








What’s not good news, on the other hand, is the overall condition of the car. As you could easily figure out from the photos in the gallery, the Impala requires a full restoration, and the body has clearly seen better days. The seller themselves claim most body panels need to be repaired or replaced completely, and the floor must be patched.








Obviously, this is a project car in all regards, but given it’s almost complete and has never been restored, it’s a very good candidate for someone planning to bring it back to factory specifications.








As for the price of the car, only the Internet can decide it, but the eBay auction posted online starts at $8,900. Given it’s a no-reserve auction, whoever sends the highest offer can take the car home.

Preserving a Relentless Legacy: The Fragmented Journey of a 1969 Pontiac GTO, with the Original Build Sheet Surviving the Ride!

 

1969 was a pretty big year for the GTO, not only because Pontiac introduced a series of visual and mechanical changes but also thanks to the debut of the famous “The Judge” that still has so many fans all over the world.





On the other hand, 1969 also proved to be a pretty difficult year for the GTO in terms of sales, as the car faced stronger competition from Ford, Dodge, and Plymouth, all of which invested more aggressively in refining their own models.







So sales of the GTO dropped from close to 88,000 units in 1968 to a little over 72,000 units in 1969, as the Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 and the Plymouth Road Runner both surpassed the Pontiac. Only some 6,800 GTOs left the factory with The Judge treatment.



The GTO that we have here was born as a beautiful convertible that came with plenty of options, including power steering, factory air conditioning, and so much more.







But as you can easily figure out by simply checking out the photos here, none of these seem to matter right now, as whoever owned this once-gorgeous GTO somehow stored it in the worst possible conditions, likely for many, many years, pushing the muscle car painfully close to the rust bucket club.









It’s not hard to tell the rust is a major concern on this GTO, but eBay seller ra-288251 claims the frame and the floors are still in good condition.







This should theoretically be good news for someone planning a full restoration, but it goes without saying whoever buys the car would have plenty of work to do not only to bring it back to mint condition but to get it on the road in the first place.


There’s no engine coming with this GTO, but the owner somehow still expects to get at least $10,000 for the car. This is way too optimistic for a GTO missing so many big parts and in such a poor condition ,though we’d be more than happy to see this car getting a second chance from someone brave enough to start a restoration project.





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