Time to unwrap the very big fish. The concave rear window is the give-away. But I did lift up the tarp a couple of inches on rear wheel cover, which had a certain reinforcing brand name on it, as if that was necessary. Tata!
1971 -1973 Chevrolet Impala Custom Coupe. The Caprice Coupe shared the same roof-line, but had different wheel covers and rear wheel spats.
Here’s the view of that distinctive concave rear window.
Oops. I guessed Sports Coupe. I forgot those shared the flowing hardtop line with the other B-Body Coupes.
Ooh! I was so close on the color!! I didn’t think they ever came without vinyl roofs!:D
I had a chance back in college to buy a 4 door hardtop Impala from this generation for $600. I’m still kicking myself that I didn’t do that, especially when I see the prices for Impalas on Craiglist and eBay. It was quiet, rode well and did what was expected of it.
Hey, is that an Edsel back there by the house (in the third pic)?
At one time, probably 12 or so years ago, I had the chance to buy I think a ’71 Impala coupe. It was whatever year had the cool-looking vents behind the backlight.
It had been resprayed a pretty metallic hunter green after what looked like some decent-quality bodywork and/or rust repairs, had Cragars and a tired-but-sound 350, a shockingly original black cloth interior in REALLY nice shape, rode a little loose but quietly, no noises, no slop in the steering, no pulls, good 5/ radials, good brakes. $3 grand, and I passed. It wasn’t a killer deal, it wasn’t a special car, but it was a really slick driver and would have been good fun. The air still worked! What was I thinking?
I had a feeling that that is what it was!
And oh wow, change the white top to green, add some rust, and the car in the stock photo is identical to the 1972 Impala that I was brought home from the hospital in, my first car ride! My parents kept that car till I was almost eight, and replaced it with a used Omni, a story for a different day…
GM jumped the shark with its 71-76 models. Bad steel, shoddy build quality, poorly engineered…you name it, previous (pre-1970) or downsized (1977-96) full-size Chevrolets were better by any measurement you can name.