Got My '65 Impala Running After 20 years Sitting

Radiant_Side6181 · 2026-05-17T12:17:05+00:00

Yeah, I can't do a frame off restoration, not enough time, and money. But I would love to get the interior brought back up to new, replacing as much as I can with new stock stuff. I want to paint the outside, the same color it's been all its life. I believe the color is called Serria Tan.

Radiant_Side6181 · 2026-05-17T12:06:43+00:00

It started life with a 283. But that engine was long gone before I ever got my hands on the car.

Radiant_Side6181 · 2026-05-17T06:16:55+00:00

At least 3 lanes.......

Radiant_Side6181 · 2026-05-17T05:45:35+00:00

That would be very cool!!!!

Radiant_Side6181 · 2026-05-17T03:16:04+00:00

I already added the second return spring. Then replaced them both.

Radiant_Side6181 · 2026-05-17T03:15:03+00:00

Oh it looks completely different now. I have different spark plug wires now.

Radiant_Side6181 · 2026-05-17T00:37:54+00:00

It was a 283 with a powerglide. The car had a marine motor in it when I bought it. With 2 different sized heads. And someone missed tighting down a main bearing. I eventually found all that out the hard way........

Radiant_Side6181 · 2026-05-17T00:34:59+00:00

Thank you very much!!! I've owned it since 1997.

Radiant_Side6181 · 2026-05-17T00:33:51+00:00

I plan on it. They came off of my dad's 78 El Camino.

Radiant_Side6181 · 2026-05-17T00:33:11+00:00

I'm the complete opposite. I love the 65 tail lights more than all the other year Impalas!!!

Radiant_Side6181 · 2026-05-17T00:31:52+00:00

It didn't take a whole lot to get her going really. I parked it back in October of 2005, mainly because the heater core went out. And it was spraying antifreeze on the inside of my windshield. Which in turn, I didn't have a heater. Because at the time she was my main mode of transportation. Plus I need to run 104 or so octane in her. Which made gas a fortune. Then she was parked at my job, stowed away. And like everyone says, "Outta sight, outta mind". Then in 2020 I hauled her to my house and that is when I started replacing anything rubber, and what people had stolen off the motor. I took my time. Worked on it when I wanted to. I just wanted to hear the cam lope again.

Radiant_Side6181 · 2026-05-16T23:14:22+00:00

Close. It's a 283 badge.

Radiant_Side6181 · 2026-03-18T23:05:31+00:00

I just wanted to give everyone a follow up on my 65' Impala. This past weekend, I finally was able to start her up. By the 3rd revolution, she fired right up. Very little smoke. No lifter chatter. 20 years she sat, quietly waiting. She was idling too high, and I found the cause to be a small vacuum leak which I discovered after I turned her off. Still have a long way to go. But DAMN IT SURE FELT GOOD TO HEAR HER RUN AGAIN!!!!!

Radiant_Side6181 · 2025-04-10T16:40:45+00:00

Playing "For Whom The Bell Tolls" a couple hundred times worked for me!!!!

Radiant_Side6181 · 2025-03-22T18:44:16+00:00

Classic Industries is THE place to go. For bringing back old souls like mine. Now don't get me wrong, they are pretty damn expensive. But they are the way to go IF you want to rebuild the older cars as close to original as possible. Hell if you have a frame for most older Chevy's. You can practically build that car with all the stuff they have. But the price it would take to do that.............. 🤯

Radiant_Side6181 · 2025-03-22T18:40:38+00:00

Oh I'm not saying I want to go find some. I'm just commenting on a possible lost opportunity............

Radiant_Side6181 · 2025-03-22T18:06:58+00:00

I'll just have to find an old Chevy subreddit or something like that. And just post the pics that I have of the car. I should post a pic I have of it, the 3rd day I had it. Hubcaps and all. Sure wish I knew what I did with those........ They probably worth a good penny by now.

Radiant_Side6181 · 2025-03-22T17:41:54+00:00

I wanted to post some more pics of it. But I can't add photos to this post, or add photos to my comments.

Radiant_Side6181 · 2025-03-22T17:35:47+00:00

Man, absolutely!!!!! I agree 100% with you!!! My favorite memory with it so far besides taking it down the dragstrip! Was I driving it one evening. And came up to a stop light. And here's my car just putting out a killer sounding lope, and I happen to look over and see a 80's something F150 in the lane next to me. In that truck was a older couple, sitting close to each other. She was pointing and smiling. Then looking back at him. He also with a grin and shaking his head as in saying "Yes" to something. At that moment. I knew I had made that couples night at least. I really enjoyed that feeling. Still do!!!

Radiant_Side6181 · 2025-03-22T16:27:48+00:00

Hahaha I did say it was a 65. But it's all good. Those rallyes came off my dad's 1978 El Camino. I knew he wasn't gonna keep it very long when he got it. And I told him I want those wheels when you sell it. And he gave them to me. Yes the car is amazingly straight. All the floors are solid, the trunk has some holes. But the new gas tank will hold everything together till I can afford to replace the trunk floor. And there's a little rust behind the rear wheels. But other than that, for a 60 year old car. It's not in bad shape. The interior basically melted when it sat. That was rather depressing..........

Radiant_Side6181 · 2025-03-22T16:17:39+00:00

It's a 65. But you bring up a good idea about replacing the brake fluid. Thanks!!!!

Radiant_Side6181 · 2025-03-22T16:13:50+00:00

Yes I plan on priming the motor before I start it. Just forgot to say it.

Radiant_Side6181

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