Supernatural 1967 Impala Conversion

[5thWinchester]

Ok everyone here are some pictures of what I'm dealing with. For those that are squeamish you might want to look away...:sick

Help me, you're my only hope!:lol

 

[projectthx138]

Cool Photos! If I was you or if this was my car, I would pull the engine go through it and and put everything new in and on it. I would also get rid of the low performance heads and install a set of the double hump high performance heads in their place. Finding the missing parts on the firewall and front support of the car should be pretty easy as ALL Impalas are the same.................:cool Just make sure you replace the heater core while everything is exposed......

 

[Russ]

Ok everyone here are some pictures of what I'm dealing with. For those that are squeamish you might want to look away...:sick

Help me, you're my only hope!:lol

Have you removed anything from the engine bay yourself? or is that how you bought it?

Off the top of my head you need:

- Alternator + alternator brackets.

- Power steering pump + brackets + hoses + power steering pulley.

- Radiator + upper & lower radiator hoses

- Battery

- Brake booster and master cylinder, however if you're upgrading to front disc brakes, you should buy a kit which includes both.

There are other little bits and pieces such as pulley belts, hoses, battery cables etc.

There are also a few things to consider before buying the products, if you're going the full MetalliCar build:

- Your current alternator and bracket is bolted to the exhaust manifold (your drivers side). You can see the two mounting holes. The after-market header you buy will not have that provision, so you'll need to buy a mount/bracket setup that doesn't need it.

- Your aftermarket valve covers may be slightly taller than your current covers, this will effect where the alternator sits, so you need to ensure the alternator bracket you do buy is long enough, as you may have to move the alternator out an inch or so.

- Do not buy any alternator belts until the above is done as you won't know the correct size until everything is properly adjusted.


What are your plans for the engine? Do you know much about the car? When the engine was last started etc?

If you're not going to bother with an engine rebuild, at the very least have the everything removed and inspected, new gaskets etc, before turning it over. You really need to have someone that knows what they're looking at to take a peak inside just to be sure. Could keep you from experiencing a massive headache down the road.

If you don't plan on removing the engine from the vehicle, now would be the best time to start removing the heads, manifolds etc, so you can get a look-see, before bolting crap on and painting etc.

Couple things to consider replacing: Water pump; starter motor; fuel pump.

If you need help, just ask, but realise when you ask a question, nice big clear pictures are better than any description


Also, if you plan on doing at least some of the work yourself, go and buy these few books:

67 Full-size Factory Assembly Manual
Chassis Service Manual
Wiring Diagram

You can also buy them on CD to use on your computer, however I find the books more convenient when you're actually out working on the car.

They're not the be all and end all, but will help when trying to figure out what you're missing and what goes where; except the assembly manual It's a great book, however it has no index. Finding things in it can be a pain in the arse.

Good luck!

 

[Extimorous]

Just stumbled across this. I know my comments aren't of any use, but I had to say that reading through this was really interesting and inspiring - I've wanted to work with an Impala for nearly a decade now and this has given me the drive and footing to give it a shot, and for that I'm thankful. I say this knowing I'll be extremely lucky to even find one suitable, but thank you for giving me that sorely needed kick up the arse to get motivated to get back in the game!

There are quite a few of us that have undertaken this particular task. It's expensive, but I'm happy for the things I've learned and the friends I've made along the way. Keep an eye on your local classifieds, I don't know what the New Zealand equivalent of Craigslist is, but that's where I've found both of my Impalas. These cars go pretty quick once they've been posted online somewhere, so stay vigilant and start putting money aside for it.
I wish you the best of luck, sir.

 

[5thWinchester]

Have you removed anything from the engine bay yourself? or is that how you bought it?

Thanks for the info Russ! Nope I bought it as is.. Got a great price though!:lol

Guess I'm going shopping this week!:lol

Thanks again!

 

[5thWinchester]

Cool Photos! If I was you or if this was my car, I would pull the engine go through it and and put everything new in and on it. I would also get rid of the low performance heads and install a set of the double hump high performance heads in their place. Finding the missing parts on the firewall and front support of the car should be pretty easy as ALL Impalas are the same.................:cool Just make sure you replace the heater core while everything is exposed......

Thanks for the tips Rick!

Sounds like a lot of work but a good idea! :lol

I'll keep you guys posted on my progress!:cool

 

[5thWinchester]

Thought I should post my findings for today!

Not sure if you guys noticed but the side moldings for my car are the flat designed style and not the same as Dean's car. So I went on a hunt to find these and I first searched locally. Randomly while I was driving I passed a junk yard about 10 miles from my house and I spotted an impala! The car was a junker but still had the front bumper guards and the side moldings! The guy had all the molding pieces except for the right rear side. He also had almost perfect black leather seats that just needed cleaning and the chrome floor steps(not sure what they're called) when you open the door and it covers the bottom carpet. I bought all of this for 100.00!! :eek

Such a great deal and the best part was when I got back to my car. I looked at the side molding again and I noticed they are all the flat style design except for the rear right side!!! The piece I was missing was on my car! The last owners changed the side moldings except for that one! Talk about good luck!

I've included some pictures of the parts I bought, the flat style moldings and also a picture I forgot to post showing the new tires and rims I put on "Cross" before it went to the shop!

 

[Russ]

Thanks for the info Russ! Nope I bought it as is.. Got a great price though!:lol

Guess I'm going shopping this week!:lol

Thanks again!

Don't mention it.

One thing to consider. There are a lot of aftermarket parts for these small black Chevy's, but don't go crazy on the shopping spree as there are some nuances regarding certain parts. Despite being a 1967 Impala, there are plenty of parts that only fit a certain body style (hardtop, coupe, 4 door hardtop, sedan, wagon etc), as well as engine type, and it's not exclusive to a motor size. You might have a small block Chevy, but with every model, there was a different option. Different horsepower ratings, different setups etc. A 327 in an Impala, might have a different setup to that in a Camaro. Some alternators were on the left, some were on the right; different brackets; different style heads; and so on.

Don't assume because an eBay seller says "will fit SBC's from 1965-1972" that it actually applies to your application.

There's also a lot of sellers, but not all of them are car guys - they're simply salesman. Though quite a few parts are specific to certain applications, sellers aren't always up front - either because they don't know or don't care. Plenty of dudes have been burnt buying parts that don't fit their specific needs - myself included - despite the seller assuring you so.

Don't be afraid to ask.

Thought I should post my findings for today!

Not sure if you guys noticed but the side moldings for my car are the flat designed style and not the same as Dean's car. So I went on a hunt to find these and I first searched locally. Randomly while I was driving I passed a junk yard about 10 miles from my house and I spotted an impala! The car was a junker but still had the front bumper guards and the side moldings! The guy had all the molding pieces except for the right rear side. He also had almost perfect black leather seats that just needed cleaning and the chrome floor steps(not sure what they're called) when you open the door and it covers the bottom carpet. I bought all of this for 100.00!! :eek

Such a great deal and the best part was when I got back to my car. I looked at the side molding again and I noticed they are all the flat style design except for the rear right side!!! The piece I was missing was on my car! The last owners changed the side moldings except for that one! Talk about good luck!

Dude, you scored like a boss!

Those side mouldings are not a common piece and can go for a pretty penny on eBay. Same goes for the front bumper guards. $100 is a bargain. You easily saved yourself $400 for that lot had you had to resort to eBay. Congrats.

So long as the side pieces were from a 4 door and not a 2 door. The doors and quarter pieces differ between the two. The fender piece is the same though.

Note, those side mouldings are not standard chrome, they are anodize aluminium (aluminum to Yanks). They can't be cleaned up by a simply chrome polish. They require quite the process to get "as new". Will cost a bit. Same goes for all exterior trim on the car, as well as the interior trim (roof lining, window trim etc)

 

[Rudy]

Hello everyone! Just wanted to introduce the new member of the family! She was just sitting in someones front lawn for a while. I have the black one in the body shop (getting all prettied up ) and she wont be home for 3 weeks. So this gives me time to work on the grey one!

 

[Chris92]

I've wanted one of these cars since the pilot episode! I can never seem to able to find one though... (At least not that I can afford...this makes me very sad... :/ )

If anyone was looking to help out a fellow RPF member find an affordable Metallicar, hit me up? ;D

 

[Russ]

What State are you in?

And what's your budget? If you want one that doesn't need any work (other than the Supernatural changes), that you can just jump in and drive, you won't get much change from $10,000. If you're lucky.

 

[scornell1]

I agree with Russ. If you are really lucky you find a factory AC caprice with front corner lights and a little rust and convert it. I got mine for 4250. Will probably put 5 into it to get it to be Supernatural. I lucked out getting mine though. Some people get stuck with a non ac caprice with no corner lights just the black insert, crap engine and rust everywhere.

 

[Extimorous]

Yeah, if you're not already in to classic cars, you'll learn a lot about the issues that pop up. Like, for example, having to replace a fuel tank or the bottom of the car because it's been sitting in a field for twenty years. I thought I got a pretty good deal on the first Impala I picked up, but I saved myself a lot of money by finding one that was in better shape.
If you don't have cash, you'll wind up swapping that out with effort. I think the 10k-ish estimates from Russ and @Scornell may be a little conservative for what I'm going to wind up spending to get mine going. I think I got a pretty good deal on both of my cars, but I've still got trim, corner lights and front bumper guards to track down. Not to mention having to do a number of other cosmetic things. Yet, I still feel like I've made decent progress on the car.

It's a long road, but you've got a lot of help here if you're wanting to start on down that way.

 

[scornell1]

Also I forgot to add I bought the crap Caprice first and then a **** Impala that I stripped for all the goods I would need then the better Caprice. So far the first Caprice cost me 1800 bucks horrible deal I got screwed but I didn't have my bro here to help so... Then the impala came along and I snagged it for 750 bucks. The frame and body was shot but I got everything I needed to convert a Caprice. The 4250 for the better Caprice. I sold the first caprice for 950 and the Impala for 260. Spent about 1800 on items for the weapons box another 2000 on Engine parts suspension and misc items. The I will, spend 2200 to get the interior like Deans car, then another 3350 for Body, Paint and breaks. Then 1000 to get Rick to make my Weapons box. SO add that and carry the 2 and subtract lol When its all said and done I will be in it for roughly 15,940 bucks. Like Extimorous said were here to help and I have lists and pics to backup all of my findings on how to make the correct Supernatural impala. Trust me there are books and suck out there that are not spec to the shows so if you are very serious about making it perfect then ask before buying stuff it helps trust me.

 

[Impalamazing]

Best advice, don't keep track of what you spend after you find one just do what you can afford when you can afford it. I buy something every couple of weeks or so depending on the cost. Its a labor of love my friend.

 

[Extimorous]

So much what Impalamazing said. I've enjoyed every dollar I've spent on the project, but I've made sure it's cash I'm okay to spend. That means some parts are taking longer than others, but I'm still moving along and I've got a great group of folks able to help as I progress.

 

[CRASH32]

I'm slightly new to this so bear with me. HAHA I have recently acquired a 67 Caprice of course 4 dr HT. So i will be sharing with my new Family "You Guys" as i go through all the fun trials and tribulations. And see where it goes from there......................,,BTW this is Faith. She is still in Kansas at the moment but will be home shortly. These pics are from the guy i am getting her from. And there will be more as soon as she gets home. So enjoy.

 

[Extimorous]

Welcome to the gang, CRASH32
Lots of good stuff in this thread. Good luck with the new ride.

 

[CRASH32]

Thanks for the welcome. Your right I have read all 13 pages before posting anything. There are a lot of nice rides in here or even a lot of potential. Can't wait to see more!

 

[TurboStitchCW]

Hello everyone!! I am the (soon-to-be) proud owner of a 1967 Chevy Impala 4-dr hardtop that will be an "inspired by" car. My niece got me and my wife into Supernatural by saying that I remind her of Dean.....she totally won me over, so we started watching the show and my wife and I fell in love with the car.
I've been looking for a good 4-door car to trade my 77 Corvette for because I want a car for my whole family to be able to enjoy together rather than just me and one other person (like in the two seater Vette).

I found a guy that was selling his brother's 67 Impala (long story short, his brother bought the car to work on, but passed away before he had a chance to do anything) less engine and transmission. His brother owned a 77 Corvette back in the day, so he'd like the trade as a tribute to his brother.

Since the Impala does not have a motor or trans, I proposed keeping my motor and trans to drop in the Impala and he agreed, so I will be pulling my engine and trans out of the Vette and dropping it into the Impala.

I say my Impala will be an "inspired by" car because my engine is an estimate 400hp Chevy small block bored .060 with an Edelbrock full power package....so it's a little different than the Metallicar, and I don't plan on losing power just to be a full replica.

Anyways, I saw the Impala and decided that I HAD to have it. It looks like it was a "ghetto fabulous" car in the past and she needed me to bring her back. It has what looks like yellow crushed velvet seat covers, dash pad, carpet, and door panels.

The body gaps look good and the body itself looks pretty straight, but the windshield is cracked. I've noticed some details that are missing (headlight buckets, lights, bezels, no bumper guards, no side mouldings, wiper cowl, wiper arms)

I do have a question for the true Impala guys (can't find a good Impala forum to ask...or anything 67 specific):
In the first pic, I noticed that this is an automatic trans car (two pedals), BUT I am not seeing the gear selector on the steering column. Any ideas as to why this is? In the 2nd pic, there is no floor shifter either. Anyways...on to the pics, I know forum folks love pics.

Remember, I am setting out to save this car!
first 3 - interior
next 6 - body pics
last 4 - original craigslist pics