Like winning the lottery

When it came to performance vehicles, all were full-size models with performance engines and handling packages installed and easily purchased from the optional equipment list.

With the introduction of intermediate and compact cars in the 1960s, the larger full-size cars were marketed as more opulent and comfortable with less of a push on performance. For most, that would suffice, but some buyers still insisted on fitting their full-size cars with all the added performance available.

At Chevrolet, the Impala with the SS or Super Sport package was your first move towards obtaining a sporty performer, and through Chevrolet's option list, there was a full field of V-8 engines to choose from for the added power. The pinnacle would come in the 1966 Impala with the SS 427 option. Born out of NASCAR racing, the 427, or Mark IV rat motor as it would become known, was available in the full-size Chevrolet just by checking off the right boxes on the order sheet.

For 1966, a total of 5,143 Impalas would roll out with 427 V-8 power under the hood, and 1967 followed with 2,124. For 1968, that would shrink to only 1,778 SS 427 cars leaving the factory. Here in Canada, only 80 of the 1968 Impalas would carry the RPO Z03 Impala Super Sport Option package and the RPO Z 24 SS 427 designation. Also, the Canadian cars carry full documentation from General Motors of Canada clearly stating the car and its equipment, something the American cars lack.

To be clear here, any full-size Chevrolet could be ordered with a 427 V-8, but the SS 427 Impala was a special breed. The PRO Z24 was a total high-performance car. It shared all the RPO Z03 Super Sport options, which included a special all-vinyl interior, Strato-Bucket seats, a centre console and all the SS trim, special heavy-duty suspension and brakes and special badging. Now add that fat-rat 427-cubic-inch Turbo-Jet V-8 to the list and we have a real factory hotrod.

So what are the chances of finding one of these 80 Canadian cars? Slim to none would be a great guess, but as you read, you'll see that finding that proverbial needle in a haystack requires only time, patience and perseverance.

For Doug Cox of Winnipeg, the 1968 SS 427 cars have been a passion of his for many years. Owning two Impala fastbacks and a coupe, all in various states of restoration, he never lost hope of finding a real pristine example, or as many would call it, a "survivor" car.

Although he'd heard stories over the years about one or two of the cars that were still out there, it always ended the same way -- finding a regular SS Impala in which someone had installed a big engine. A trip to Kelowna, B.C., in the spring of 2010 would change that for Cox. When the garage door opened, Cox gazed upon a butternut-yellow SS 427 Impala that had full documentation and had only traveled 17,000 miles since leaving the factory. Complete with the original numbers, matching engine, transmission, body panels and original paint, it was a true time capsule.

Assembled in St Therese, Que., the car was sold in Red Deer, Alta., where it remained with the original owner until 2007, when it was sold to the owner in Kelowna. Equipped with the L36 385-horsepower 427-cubic-inch V-8, M20 four-speed manual transmission, power steering, power front disc brakes, factory tachometer, black vinyl roof, rear defogger, tinted glass, pushbutton AM/FM radio with rear antenna, front bumperettes, 15-inch by six-inch rally wheels, redline Goodyear Polyglas tires and original floor mats, it's well optioned. The only deviation from the factory equipment was the installation of a set of Appliance exhaust headers. "You could tell they had been installed when the car was still new and the factory exhaust manifolds were included in the sale," Cox said.

After transporting the car to Winnipeg, Cox replaced the tires with new B.F. Goodrich T/A radial tires, rebuilt the brakes and installed a new heater core and fan belt. The car passed Manitoba safety inspection with no issues and Cox has been on the road with it for a few leisurely drives.

So here it is. Of the 80 cars that came to Canada, this is a fully documented, low-mileage 1968 SS 427 survivor. With the 1968 model being the most desirable among collectors, it's the hardest one to find for sale. Unfortunately, because the American models were not coded as an individual series model, it's also the easiest to fake.

A further breakdown of the Canadian documents revealed it is one of only four that came with the 427 and four-speed manual transmission.

"I had always looked for one of these cars and after finding it, I felt like I had just won the lottery," Cox said.

One look at this brawny beauty tells us he certainly did
.