I was out of the office this week looking at some land for a developer. I was in a rural area that I was not familiar with. I stopped to talk with an older gentleman mowing his grass. He gave me some help on what I was looking for. While talking with him I noticed next to a house located behind his a red '64 Impala. I commented that my Dad had one like that when I was much younger. He commented that it was his sons' car, and that he had owned it since the 1970's. I stated that my Dads' was an SS, I was about a hundred yards away and didn't notice that this one was an SS as well. He cleared that up and I said, 'Dads' was blue/green metallic with a white top. 'That one used to be!', he stated. I said, 'Does it have white interior?' He confirmed that. I said, '327/300 with a 4 spd with the factory console?' He said, 'it had a 327, it's an automatic though, and it has a console.' I just had to take a closer look. It was an old paint job and you could see in the doors the blue/green metallic paint under the peeling red topcoat. The automatic console was kind of yellow. I thought, 'Dyed an a/t console from another car'. He stated that his son was in the middle of a nasty divorce. Also indicating that the car could probably be bought and that if I/we were interested, he would urge the son to sell it since it has been sitting outside for 2 years and he was tired of seeing it rust away. He gave me the copy of the old registration card from the glovebox. I ordered a Dept. of Motor Vehicles history report. My Dad sold his car in 1973 to his nephew 40 miles from our home. The nephew then sold it sometime thereafter to another guy. I got the report back today. 3 owners ago, my Dad owned that car. I'm not sure that I want another project, and I haven't told Dad yet. I just thought that I would share that story. I vividly remember my Dad running around town with me in that car, snatching gears. I was born in '68, so he sold it when I was 5. One specific memory was when he drove me in that car to Popes' Hardware in Wellons Village, Durham, NC. It was a snowy day and he took me there to buy my first snow sled, a genuine Flexible Flyer. I still have that sled. I must have been 3 or 4 years old. I remember that I would slip around on the broad bucket seats so I would sit in the floorboard. Neat memories. Seth
Seth, what a great story! What are the chances of you finding that car after all of these years! All I can say is that it wouldn't take long for me to decide to buy it back! I guess I think of the found memories of my first car, and like others here wish we could find it again! I don't know your situation, but it would be great to see if your dad would like to try to restore with you . . . even though it is a chebby. Nothing beats good times and good memories!!! Good luck in your decision, and keep us updated on your final decision. Later,
GET IT!!! That is so unbelievably incredible! Jump on it! I say buy it and keep the report of the cars history. That is such a crazy story. What are the odds of that happening? Seriously, for something like that, I would put the Mav on hold for a little bit and restore that car. I am not a huge believer in superstition, but man for him to be just mowing his grass, you to be on the job there while hes mowing his grass, and for you to just glance over and see it, and then having it be your fathers from when you were little?! That hasta be a sign in some sort of wierd little way. I say jump on it. That is one of the best car stories I have ever heard! Good luck with everything! -Todd
Seth... PLEASE - PLEASE! JUMP ON THAT CAR!!!! You'll regret it forever if you don't. I SO wish I had my old 1972 Hurst Oldsmobile. There were only a few over 500 made that year. I searched for that same car for many years - to no avail. It's not often you get a chance like this (as in "HARDLY EVER!").
Dad's car What an incredible and heart warming story. With the everyday trials and tribulations we face, to find something of this nature is quite a miracle in it's self. Memories are a great way to hang on to our past, and please get that car. If nothing else set it up on blocks and every once and awhile just go out and sit in it, close your eyes and let those memories take you into the times that are now gone but never forgotten.
I'm with everyone else. I'd fine away to buy that car back. I've been trying to find a 53 Mercury that my Dad owned. What would be really cool, is to buy it then restore it and give it to your dad. Good Luck. Russ
Even though I've got blue blood, I still think you will kick yourself if you dont get it. Now, anyone seen a 65 Galixie 500 LTD, 2dr hardtop, black with maroon interior????
It is called fate, and it led you to the car. You will never forgive yourself if you dont buy it. Dan
Great story! Even though it's Chevy, like others have said, you gotta buy that thing back. I have sneaky suspicion that you have been plannning to, otherwise, why would you go to all that trouble to search DMV records to find out? LOL. I always check out 66 & 68 Mustangs that I see hoping I might stumble on my Father's old cars that he bought new...
I agree with everyone else. While I am not a religious person, somehow, this was "meant to be" whether or not you want another project car, buy it and put it on the back burner. Tell your pops, I gaurantee when he finds out he will want to buy it. My parents are the original owner of My Maverick, that is the single most thing I am proud of, the memories growing up in it, and that it was my parents. No matter WHAT the cost, if you do not buy this car, you will regret it everyday you live for the rest of your life!!! Please keep us posted, and post pics!! Take care, Jeremy
Well.... ...if it was up to you guys my pockets would be much lighter. I left my phone number with the owners' father. I haven't talked to the 'horse' yet, so I do not even know if the car can actually be bought. Since he bought it in the 70's, he has owned it long enough to be attached to it. Maybe his father was right, maybe it can be bought. It is not in very good shape, there is some obvious surface rust. I looked for the cowl tag to see if identified color, interior etc. Chevrolets and other cars of that era did not have the VIN on the dash as our Comets/Mavericks do. They had a tag in the forward part of the door jamb that identified; year, model (2 door sport coupe in this case), package (V8 SS package) and built plant. This one was built in New Jersey. The only year that Impalas were built there. The cowl tag should identify motor, tranny and rearend as well as colors, exterior and interior. It is pretty rusty. I will let you guys know if I find anything out. I did snap a pic of the interior so that I could show Dad. I thought he might recognize something in there. My estimate, it would take $10K ro restore it. The original 327/300HP is gone, a 350 is in its' place. Seth
$10K is a lot o' green- but over a period of 5+ years, it isn't THAT bad. 'Hope to soon see your post where you bought it! Good luck, RB
I guess I am lucky . My second car was a 1971 CometGT which I bought in 1982 when I was 16 . It is still sitting in my garage .
Incredible story Seth!! Find a way to get this car! I used to have a 63 Impala when my Dad had a 64 SS Impala so I know how you feel about this car! Good luck man! Scott
that is a very cool story you have to buy that car and while you are finding cool cars keep a look out for my mothers 68 dart 72 nova and her 64 impala
