Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]

Announcements (Updated: July 11, 2018)

Welcome to Swifty's Garage!


Thanks to all of you for making this board what it is today!


Attention new members: We would like to welcome you personally, so please introduce yourself. Click here: INTRODUCTIONS


For all the latest news and announcements, please click here: PA System



Thank you - The Swifty's Garage Team




This board is best viewed at 1024 x 768 Resolution

Car of the Week:


Matchbox 1968 Ford F-100


Click Here: Matchbox '68 Ford F-100
Welcome to Swifty's Garage. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.

Thank You,
The Swifty's Garage Team


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features.

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Car Of The Day: January 8, 2010; L.J.N. '74 Chevrolet Impala
Topic Started: Jan 8 2010, 05:02 AM (1,035 Views)
Swifty
Member Avatar
The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
Posted Image

Today's car of the day is L.J.N.'s 1974 Chevrolet Impala.

Posted Image

Wikipedia
 
The Chevrolet Impala is a full-size automobile built by the Chevrolet division of General Motors. The Impala became the best-selling automobile in the United States when full-sized cars dominated sales. From 1958 until 1965,it was Chevrolet's most expensive full-size car. In 1965, reaching its sales peak, Chevrolet introduced the Caprice. The Impala was then positioned down one trim level but still above the more economical models the Bel Air and Biscayne. It remained the most popular full-size Chevrolet model through the mid-eighties.

The Impala, named for a southern African antelope, is most readily distinguished by having three sets of taillights, while most contemporary cars only have one or two. It competed in the market against other full-size cars such as the Ford Galaxie 500 and the Plymouth Fury. The Impala SS nameplate was revived in 1994-96 on the full-size, rear-wheel-drive Chevrolet. The Impala nameplate is currently used (since 2000) for the full size, front-wheel-drive Chevrolet.


Posted Image

For more information and pictures of the real car please visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Impala

Posted Image

This one normally resides on my junkyard layout but is unfortunately the best example I have of this car. I've been looking for a mint one for quite some time but they are not easy to come by!

Posted Image

Wikipedia
 
In 1971, the redesigned full-size B-body would be the largest full-size car ever offered by GM. However, the 1970s marked the impact of the 1973 energy crisis. Gasoline prices doubled between 1973 and 1979. Industry car sales plummeted 20 percent between 1973 and 1974, and for the first time in recent history, annual passenger car travel in the U.S. actually declined. The Impala's sales dropped to 176,376 units in 1975, the weakest since its introduction in 1958. In spite of their large size, an Econominder gauge package was offered for 1975 and 1976 models. Station wagons replaced the swinging tailgate with an unusual design where the back window retracted into the roof, which was abandoned on the subsequent redesign.

The 1972 model introduced a grille which extended below the bumper. Powertrains consisted of mostly V8 engines. The 250 inline six was standard through 1972; the 350 2bbl V8 was standard from 1973-1976, with 350 cubic inches (5.7 L), 400 cubic inches (6.6 L), 402 cubic inches (6.6 L) (through 72) or 454 cubic inches (7.4 L). However, the long-familiar OHV six-cylinder Turbo Thrift engine continued to be standard on two-door hardtop coupe and four-door pillared sedan models through the end of the 1972 model year. Beginning in 1972, all engines were designed to run on unleaded gasoline. 1972 saw the last Impala convertible.

1973 Chevrolets featured a larger front bumper. The shock-absorbing bumper was due to new federal mandates which required 5-mile-per-hour (8.0 km/h) impact protection. New taillights were mounted in the (still) conventional rear bumper. This was the first year of the Caprice Classic convertible.

In 1974, the rear bumper was redesigned to meet the new standards with shock absorbers, featuring new tail lights. The front end was also freshened as in previous years, with a new grille and headlight bezels, a new header panel, and a bumper with a dropdown center section. The marker lights moved back up beside the headlamps once again. This was the only year of the 1971-1976 models the Impala had a different front end design than the Caprice Classic, as other years used either a grille insert or previous year Caprice front to distinguish the two. The rooflines of the Impala coupes were also revised. For 1974 the Custom Coupe was no longer a hardtop, with large fixed rear quarter glass and a thick B-pillar. The Sport Coupe, still a pillarless hardtop, now used larger roll-down quarter glass like that of the 1971-73 Custom Coupe, and had a narrower, fastback style, flat back window. Sedans used carryover body shells from previous years.

A High Energy Ignition, or HEI, officially debuted on the 1975 models, however HEI was installed on some 1974 cars as a clandestine option. Several new options were offered for the first time in 1975. Catalytic converters were introduced in 1975. In addition to the Econominder gauge package, new options included intermittent wipers and a divided 50-50 bench seat (with a choice of sport cloth or vinyl trim). Also in 1975, the dashboard, radio and climate control graphics were revised; the speedometer read up to 100 miles per hour (160 km/h), and had smaller numbers for kilometers per hour. The door panel were revised for aesthetics as well as the rest of the upholstery. The 1975 Impala used a direct "hand-me-down" 1974 Caprice nose, with the only change being the grille insert and its emblem, while the entire front end of the Caprice model was revised with new fenders, hood, and a swept back style header panel with recessed headlight buckets, making the car appear shorter overall to the now economy minded consumer. This was the final year for the full-size Chevrolet convertible.

1976 Impalas used a previous year Caprice nose, with a new "egg crate" grille insert. The Impala had round headlamps while the Caprice used the new quad rectangular ones.

From 1968, two coupe models were offered on Impalas, the "Sport Coupe" was the lower-priced hardtop coupe design, shared with other GM "B" body hardtop coupes, and the formal-roof "Custom Coupe" which was the Caprice Coupe body in Impala trim. Sport Coupe models were discontinued after 1975, leaving the Custom Coupe, with its wide "B" pillar and fixed rear window, the only 2-door Impala available in 1976. This body style had been introduced for the 1974 model year, a precursor to Detroit's complete abandonment of pillarless body styles before the end of the Seventies.

Although the "Super Sport" model was long since discontinued, two special Impala models were offered in the latter years of the 1971-1976 body style: A Spirit of America package. Offered in 1974 on Sport Coupe models, this was primarily a trim package featuring special white body paint, a white vinyl top, sports-styled dual remote outside rearview mirrors, special wheel covers, optional rally rims (sourced from the Chevrolet C10 truck, painted white), a vinyl bodyside molding insert, and pinstriping and interior trim in either red or blue. The interior trim also included color-keyed seat belts and floormats. Special fender badges (along with one on the dashboard) announced the package to passengers or passers-by. A Landau model, for 1975-1976 models (and carried over into the late 1970s and 1980s; an identical version was also offered for Caprice models). Like the "Spirit of America" package, this was primarily an appearance package. The model featured a choice of special paint colors, sports-styled dual remote outside rearview mirrors, color-keyed wheel covers, a landau vinyl roof (with chrome band across the roof), a vinyl bodyside molding insert, and pinstriping. Inside there were color-keyed seat belts and floormats. Fender and dashboard emblems rounded out the package.


Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
James
Member Avatar
Mr.Bowtie
When you get a mintier one, Put me first in line for the junker, I love it, Needs a little stop light red and amber paint for teh lights though.

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
craftymore
Member Avatar
Support your local demo derby.

This has been on my grail list ever since I saw a pic of one on the boards about 4/5 years ago. NEVER seen any of these around at all. Swifty is right, not an easy find.

Of the '71-'76 full size Chevys, there are 4 made in small scale. JLs '73 Caprice wagon, Motormax '71 Impala & '76 Caprice and this '73 Impala by L.J.N. This is LJN is the only sedan of the group. Really wish someone would make a '74 Impala sedan for police duty and a '74 Impala wagon, I'd buy bunches of those! :D

Swifty, what's the proportions on this casting length/width wise? Is it about the same size as the MB Plymouth Gran Fury that represents the '74-'78 full size Mopar?
Edited by craftymore, Jan 8 2010, 10:39 AM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
james_autos
Member Avatar
Minivan
Never heard of LJN before, nor have I seen this casting. Doesn't look too bad either.

I'd like to know more about LJN.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
ivantt
Member Avatar
New casting? Quick! Take it apart!
james_autos
Jan 8 2010, 03:12 PM
Never heard of LJN before, nor have I seen this casting. Doesn't look too bad either.

I'd like to know more about LJN.
I agree with everything that James Auto said. :)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Swifty
Member Avatar
The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
LJN was based in New York and issued models like the above Chevy in the mid 1970s before being one of a number of companies purchased by Universal (others being Matchbox and Kenner's Fast 111's line, in addition they had created the Kidco brand for their own castings). Universal had likely been the one manufacturing these cars for LJN in the first place.

Speaking of Universal, today's COTD will be up shortly and will be our first Universal casting!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
old442dude
Member Avatar
Midsize
I've only ever found one as well, but mine has a different roof light cast, and different paint ( black and white). They are just a few millimeters smaller than the MB Plymouth Fury scale wise , kind of closer to some of the playart cars, maybe 1:68 scale? Not sure if I should post a pic of mine in here, but will if ok.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Swifty
Member Avatar
The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
old442dude
Jan 9 2010, 08:20 AM
I've only ever found one as well, but mine has a different roof light cast, and different paint ( black and white). They are just a few millimeters smaller than the MB Plymouth Fury scale wise , kind of closer to some of the playart cars, maybe 1:68 scale? Not sure if I should post a pic of mine in here, but will if ok.
Go ahead! :thumbup:
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
old442dude
Member Avatar
Midsize
here is the one I have, roof lights are different, decal says highway patrol
Posted Image

here it is in front of the questioned plymouth gran fury by matchbox, just a little smaller
Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
craftymore
Member Avatar
Support your local demo derby.

Thanks for the comparison pics Eric. Are the lights casting into the roof of that version? Do know this, it would look sweet with some skinny mud tires and some exhaust stacks running up through the hood!

If anyone ever finds an extra one of these, for the diecast Gods sake, send me a pm!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
old442dude
Member Avatar
Midsize
yes they are part of the roof, not a plastic insert
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Swifty
Member Avatar
The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
old442dude
Jan 10 2010, 12:14 AM
yes they are part of the roof, not a plastic insert
Same with the one in my pics- cast into the body.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Tone
Member Avatar
Rocket 88
I have one of these, it was in a case of Hot Wheels from a garage sale 7 years ago. It's as good as if not better than the Hot Wheels red lines. There was also a ladder truck complete with original ladder in that lot.

The toys were tie-ins with TV series The Rookies and Emergency!.
Edited by Tone, Jan 10 2010, 03:13 PM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Tone
Member Avatar
Rocket 88
Looks like different shades of blue ... although it may be the way the light is hitting it.

Posted Image

Posted Image

Posted Image

The last of the three is a Larami "Captain America Lincoln" but LJN also released it as a Spider-Man car, with a different grille.
Edited by Tone, Jan 10 2010, 03:17 PM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Swifty
Member Avatar
The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
Mine's pretty light so I'm thinking it probably is a shade variation. Between this and the black one Eric posted- looks like there's a lot of variations to look out for!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Dean-o-mite
Member Avatar
Muscle Car
I've got a Fire Chief version of the Impala, as well as the black & white Highway Patrol version, both with the rectangular light bar.

Dean
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · Car Of The Day · Next Topic »
Add Reply



March's Picture of The Month Contest



Congratulations DinoMom for winning March's contest!



April's Picture of The Month Contest



Congratulations carsdownunder for winning April's contest!






Powered By

This board is best viewed at 1024 x 768 Resolution


eXTReMe Tracker