Restoring a Canadian-Made Impala—and Keeping It Canadian—Is a Challenge - Hagerty Media

Greaser · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Restoring a Canadian-Made Impala—and Keeping It Canadian—Is a Challenge - Hagerty Media

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

Very cool, wow. I had the opportunity to see this car in it's as-found state years ago before Jim had it restored. Talk about a rare piece of Canadian GM performance history.

66 Grande guy · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

It sure must have gone through a few sets of those skinny tires! Quite the treasure but a Pontiac would be even cooler!

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

Great article!

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

Beaumontguru supplied some decals for that car. Jim sent me an NOS Bendix booster. Dave got it from me and reproduced the decal from the booster.

As the article states, there's a number of unique Canadian pieces and features on the cars vs the US models.

Beaumontboy · Veteran Member

Freaking beautiful!

cdnpont · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

An Oshawa icon from 66. Wow.

Would the L72 automatically have come with F40?

seventy2plus2 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

The only Canadian unique thing I saw in the article was the bare aluminum coil.

65 SD L79 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Great article but I would have to question the 39 L72 being all the B bodies included. My guess would be 39 Impalas. Knowing there was 8 GPs and 6 Caprices that would leave 25. That would include Impalas, Belair, Biscayne, Parisienne, Laurentian , Strato Chief and don't count out wagons, it's possible.

cdnpont · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

The body colour firewall and trunk along with the awesome poorly masked cowl tag are also ours to gloat over.

I think more than we realize, a ton of parts were sourced in Canada for these cars. Sad nostalgic pangs begin when I think back to when we actually made stuff here....

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

seventy2plus2 wrote:
The only Canadian unique thing I saw in the article was the bare aluminum coil.

Many of the things aren't visible in these pictures.

The wire harness running across the top of the rad cradle (not visible in these pics) is unique.

The shock absorber colour is unique.

A number of nuts, bolts, fasteners etc are unique.

In one case, a particular bolt/nut combination was installed opposite (bolt went into the hole facing up, nut on top vs. US models having the bolt going down from the top, nut on the bottom). So yes, you may not see anything but if you talk to Leigh you'd be amazed at how many things were different Canada vs. US cars.

Over the course of the restoration Jim and Leigh sometimes asked me to look at my Strato Chief to see how something was installed or painted/finished (or left natural), especially when it came to chassis items that I was sure had not been touched on my car.

The thing I really find interesting is that our Impala SS was an Impala with an optional SS package vs the US car being a separate model.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

65 SD L79 wrote:
Great article but I would have to question the 39 L72 being all the B bodies included. My guess would be 39 Impalas. Knowing there was 8 GPs and 6 Caprices that would leave 25. That would include Impalas, Belair, Biscayne, Parisienne, Laurentian , Strato Chief and don't count out wagons, it's possible.

I had the same thought. I suspect that number may be low. You would think the most common by far would be an Impala and/or Biscayne.

CdnGMfan · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

I remember seeing a Canadian L72-powered '66 Biscayne in Aztec Bronze a number of years back. Also decades ago I could've sworn I saw a 1-of-a-kind L72 Grande Parisienne for sale in the National Old Car Autotrader.

Many unique things about the Canadian '66 Chevrolet compared to the U.S. version. I wasn't aware of the fastener differences or shock colour differences.

The center console gauges came standard on Caprices with buckets, but were not offered optionally for the Impala Super Sport as they were in the U.S.

Three extra colours were offered on the '66 Canadian Big Chevies: Cypress Green (65 carryover), Plum Mist (aka Royal Plum didn't appear in the U.S Chevs until '67s), Blue Charcoal (typical '66 Toronado colour)

I was aware of the A51 Sports Option for '66 Impala & Pontiac Parisienne Sport Coupes & convertibles for that one year only (also '66 & early '67 Chevelles & Beaumonts).

The point made in the article about the firewall paint differing so "they wouldnt have to set up a different paint system for the firewall" may be valid, but I also think it was due to the complete coverage of the external body with durable acrylic enamel to deal with the harsh conditions most of these cars would see seasonally, if not daily.

Today I was talking on the phone with a guy in B.C. that has restored a unique Canadian '67 Malibu SS with a 396 to the same fanatical level, on an amazingly loaded car, with all the unique Canadian bits present. Very few have the knowledge & resources (and a suitable car) to restore one of these Canadian versions. Other than Kevin and his bodyman...

seventy2plus2 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

4SPEED427 wrote:
seventy2plus2 wrote:
The only Canadian unique thing I saw in the article was the bare aluminum coil.
Many of the things aren't visible in these pictures.
The wire harness running across the top of the rad cradle (not visible in these pics) is unique.
The shock absorber colour is unique.
A number of nuts, bolts, fasteners etc are unique.
In one case, a particular bolt/nut combination was installed opposite (bolt went into the hole facing up, nut on top vs. US models having the bolt going down from the top, nut on the bottom). So yes, you may not see anything but if you talk to Leigh you'd be amazed at how many things were different Canada vs. US cars.
Over the course of the restoration Jim and Leigh sometimes asked me to look at my Strato Chief to see how something was installed or painted/finished (or left natural), especially when it came to chassis items that I was sure had not been touched on my car.
The thing I really find interesting is that our Impala SS was an Impala with an optional SS package vs the US car being a separate model.

I guess I should have said the only thing mentioned in the article was the bare aluminum coil. They didn't specifically mention anything else.

LT1Caddy · Guru

seventy2plus2 wrote:
The only Canadian unique thing I saw in the article was the bare aluminum coil.

It's the small details that someone with a 66 BB would notice.

There are still a few out there. I found a 66 Black BB car in Hamilton this week. I talked to a guy, second owner, bought the car in Jan 67. Said it won't be for sale for 3 years, he wants to drive it when he turns 85!!! Big block 400hp, 4spd Impala

A buddy of mine ordered one brand new. 427/425hp, 4 spd, 4.11 gears. Street raced it in Brampton..

Here's a few pics of my Biscayne..Orig 327, M20 4spd (one of 3). Now 427 700R4, 3 pedals waiting for install.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

LT1Caddy wrote:

There are still a few out there. I found a 66 Black BB car in Hamilton this week. I talked to a guy, second owner, bought the car in Jan 67. Said it won't be for sale for 3 years, he wants to drive it when he turns 85!!! Big block 400hp, 4spd Impala

I assume you mean either 390 horse hydraulic lifter or 425 horse solid lifter Bruce?

LT1Caddy · Guru

Here's a pic of one of the other cars the man in the article owns...

LT1Caddy · Guru

4SPEED427 wrote:
LT1Caddy wrote:

There are still a few out there. I found a 66 Black BB car in Hamilton this week. I talked to a guy, second owner, bought the car in Jan 67. Said it won't be for sale for 3 years, he wants to drive it when he turns 85!!! Big block 400hp, 4spd Impala

I assume you mean either 390 horse hydraulic lifter or 425 horse solid lifter Bruce?

Yes, I've got pics of a bunch, off the top of my head 7-10 cars. All here in Ontario, couple from the States, but mostly Ontario

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

No, I mean the specific car you said has 400 hp, I assume it's still a 427?

LT1Caddy · Guru

4SPEED427 wrote:
No, I mean the specific car you said has 400 hp, I assume it's still a 427?

Yeah, 390 HP car. I worked on too many Vettes, getting the HP figures mixed up. If it wasn't a 425 HP car, it hardly got mentioned in a conversation...LOL

GLHS60 · Poncho Master!

Greaser wrote:
https://www.hagerty.com/media/car-profiles/restoring-a-canadian-made-impala-and-keeping-it-canadian-is-a-challenge/

Thanks for posting a very cool story!!

Mr. Adams is local to me, hopefully I get to meet him one day.

I have a Picture somewhere of a 1966 BELAIR l-72, 2 DR sedan drag car in that color

It was taken at a drag strip in New Brunswick or Nova Scotia some decades ago.

I've had dreams of that 1966 BELAIR L-72 since I last saw it.!!

Have to find the picture and check the firewall color

Thanks

Randy

CdnGMfan · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Back in 1975 I was with my parents and aunt heading to Stratford, Ontario to the Shakespeare Theatre. Dad was a Type A and was concerned about being late, and so very unusual for him, he drove there in our '74 Biscayne in one hell of a hurry. On Highway 8 we passed a stone stock Danube Blue '66 Bel Air post, factory 427 with whitewalls & wheel covers, I'll never forget it. Dad was going 90 when he blew past the Bel Air in our Biscayne on the 2-lane section. My eyes were fixed on the Bel Air as it had the correct red Turbo Jet 427 flags on the front fenders and other hardware underneath, like dual exhausts & 12-bolt. (I try to be a quick study)
I wonder where that Bel Air is today? Assuming it is still around.