As a huge Impala fan, I must admit this nameplate has more or less lost its cool factor during the ’70s. My favorite model continues to be the 1961 SS, but I wouldn’t say no to a late ’60s Impala either.However, just like many other models born in the ’70s, the redesigned Impala had to comply with many regulations that turned it into a dull car.
Needless to say, its yearly sales declined as well, though the Impala continued to be one of the nameplates bringing home the bacon for the GM brand.The 1976 example I recently discovered on eBay is a beautiful survivor that ticks all the boxes for a spot in someone’s collection. Sure enough, it’s not necessarily as desirable as an Impala born in the ’60s, but given its condition, this 1976 model is quite a little piece of automotive culture.
eBay seller stevenhasenbank says the car was won by an old lady at the PNE fair in Vancouver back in 1976. It was a brand-new vehicle, but as it turns out, the old lady wasn’t necessarily impressed with the prize. She barely drove the car before moving it to storage back in 1991.
The odometer currently indicates around 20,000 miles (a little over 32,000 km, for our European friends).
The current owner says they discovered the 1976 Chevrolet Impala in the same barn where it was moved in 2004, so in theory, it hasn’t moved in 19 years.
This doesn’t mean its tip-top shape has been affected, though. Not at all. The 1976 Impala still looks impressive, with everything obviously in the car.
The engine under the hood is a 350 (5.7-liter) V8 unit that starts and runs like new. You can drive the car anywhere, so in theory, the buyer should be able to take the car home on its own wheels. No towing would be necessary, though you should obviously inspect it thoroughly before going on a long journey.
Everything is rust-free, and except for a few minor dings and scratches, the original paint still looks almost flawless. A collector would probably want a respray anyway, but otherwise, the Impala looks like it just rolled off the assembly lines.
As an Impala born in the ’70s, this 2-door model can’t be expensive. The bidding has already reached $5,100, but on the other hand, the seller also enabled a reserve. Unsurprisingly, it’s yet to be reached, and with no information on its value, we’ll just have to wait a few more days to find out if someone manages to unlock it. The vehicle is currently parked in Peachland, British Columbia, so you know what you have to do if you’re interested in inspecting the car in person.