Jersey Late Greats
Featured Late Great
Is a 1964 Impala Sports Coupe.
Owned by Leigh Humphreys of Carneys Point New Jersey.
Click on picture to larger veiw
Owner Leigh Humphreys
Vehicle: 1964 Impala Sports Coupe
Engine: 327 ci 300+ hp
Trans: 350 Turbo
Rear: 308
Body color: Vermillon Red
Int. color: Black
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History
I purchased my 1964 Impala Sports Coupe in August
1970 for $1,295. This was the summer just before my senior year in high school.
I still remember filling the gas tank on that first day. It took $7.95 to fill
and I can remember telling myself how am I ever going to afford this car.
Always used as a daily driver and my toy. My 64 was transformed many times over
the years. At first the 64 had a 283, power glide, and 308 rear. Then the cam
went out of the stock 283 and a GM 350/ 350 cam was used without success, a
week later the 283 started to smoke like a freight train. So a 1966 283 replaced
that one over night. Out to the Drive-in Saturday night, another motor in and
running before Sunday afternoon. Then a 1963 Impala was a donor for all the
four-speed stuff I needed to change to a four-speed. The power glide came out
and the 1966 283's was pulled for a freshly rebuilt 1967 327 300 hp. Along with
the aluminum intake, Holly Carburetor, Lakewood ladder bars, headers and a 411
rear. Are we having fun yet? The 411 broke one afternoon playing around and
was replaced with a 456. Now this was way too much gear for the street not fun
any more. In the late 70's gas prices started to skyrocket and a change had
to be made. So the 456 and 4 speed went for 355's and a 350 turbo. In 1981 I
took the 64 off the road and stored till 1990.
In 1990 a full frame off restoration was started. Back in the early 70's the
frame got bent in a mishap with a MG. So another 64 donor car was used for its
frame. The frame was dismantled, sand blasted, repainted and reassembled. With
the frame done, work started on my 64. The body was lifted off and all the rusted
and rotted metal to the under side was replaced. All rotted sheet metal on the
body was replaced or repaired. All body work was done and painted with Glasador
urethane. Full reproduction interior was installed. All new trim and re-chrome
bumpers was also installed. The 1967 300 hp 327 was complete rebuilt, .30 bore
with TRW pistons, moly rings, Comp cam, headers, new intake and carb. The 350
turbo was completely rebuilt and reinstalled. Upgraded the steering and added
disc breaks. There is one more thing to mention this car never left my garage
or yard for the complete restoration.
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Last updated 10/31/05
Copyright © February 2001
