Author's Note: This is a Classic Industries team member's car. As of this writing, we've logged over 900 miles on our Factory Five Racing Mk4 Cobra roadster replica. Since this is the very same sports car that is the subject of the book that I wrote, How To Build Cobra Kit Cars + Buying Used, we thought you would enjoy reading about our first test drive of the FFR Mk4 after Dad and I constructed this little road burner.

Here's a quiz question for you that has several answers. Like with many tests, there is only one correct answer. The question is, "What do all of these cars shown in the lead photo have in common? 

Chevrolet produced an impressive 832,600 Impala Series vehicles in 1963. By way of comparison, Chevy's biggest full size vehicle rival, the Ford Galaxie 500, had a total production of 722,647 units. Whether you're a Blue Oval fan or a Bow Tie woman or man, both of these American automobile manufacturers were flying high in the Swingin' '60s. 

Many parents hope to share their interests and hobbies with their kids, whether it's fishing, sports, music, or cars. For Andrew Barker, of Lakewood, California, an appreciation for classic cars definitely runs in the family. When we met Barker in the parking lot outside our Retail Showroom, we asked him what motivated him to restore this beautiful '64 Impala wagon. His response was simple: his kids wanted a project car, and he was more than willing to oblige. The license plate "KIDS64" is a testament to this backstory.

"We’ve been sleeper fans since the concept came into being, and we still are. So, when this pristine 1968 Chevy Bel Air came into our possession recently, it wasn’t a matter of what to do with it, but merely a question of how to go about it." In the January 2022 issue of Hemmings Muscle Machines, writer Chuck Hanson explained how the Hemmings team dropped a fully-built 454ci big block into their '68 Bel Air. More recently, in the upcoming March 2023 issue, Hanson showed how the team made the car even more fun to drive by preparing to swap in a manual transmission.

The Chevrolet division of General Motors first used the name Impala for its 1956 General Motors Motorama concept car. The graceful African antelope was used as the car’s logo starting with this show car that incorporated Corvette-like design cues, especially in terms of the vehicle’s front grill. Notice the word grill is missing the ‘e’ at the end of the word. For some reason GM always left the ‘e’ off the end, ala BBQ grill, while other car companies use the more common and generally accepted spelling of grille replete with the ending ‘e’.

At Classic Industries®, we believe our ultimate responsibility is to ensure that you will get not only the parts but the information you need to keep your project on the road. So whether it's help sorting your way through the maze of electronic parts, selecting the right belt system for your specific application, selecting the right spring rate, or straightening the body on your classic, Classic Industries has the experienced tech support and the products to help you complete your restoration.

Since 1958 GM has built a cross-market following from low-down land yachts to quarter mile winning cutters. The Impala has been a part of that diverse culture sailing through America. 1964 we saw the waning of the “Populuxe” era of jet inspired styling move toward luxury cruise ship size elegance. So, how does a restoration and performance parts supplier modernize those features some 43 years later?

This car started off as two cars. Cutting one apart with a blow-torch was half the fun. It took six years to rebuild this car with it's original 396 (first year in a production car). It was home built with a sandblasted and painted frame. I've recently added the 20" wheels. Check out my wife's 1957 Pickup with the Louis Vuitton accents.

I bought the car in 1988 from the estate of the original owner. The car at that time was 30 years old and only had 62,000 miles. There were a few things that needed fixing, like he had spilled brake fluid down the driver's rear quarter panel so that needed a repaint. He had Astroturf in the trunk, which was funky, so I bought a new trunk mat. I had the brakes rebuilt, a complete tune-up, and new tires. I had to replace the water pump and thermostat along with all the hoses under the hood. At first, I installed bias ply repro tires but they drove so badly that I just recently changed to radials. I had to replace a tail light lens which he had broken. Currently, the car has just over 90,000 on the clock. The valve covers have never been off the engine. Now for that brief description. It is a Bel Air Impala sport coupe. It was built in Los Angeles. It is paint code 930A, which the factory calls SILVER BLUE METALLIC, and it has the multi-stripe blue interior. It has the 348 cu. in. V8 engine, power steering and brakes, powerglide transmission, AM radio, and standard heater. It has the rare vinyl dash covering in blue to match the interior. At least 50% of the exterior paint is factory. The entire front grill, bumper, and trim is factory. I have had the rear bumper rechromed. The interior is all factory.