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| Taxi of the Day: March 14, 2010; Matchbox '64 Chevrolet Impala Sedan | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Mar 14 2010, 12:09 AM (574 Views) | |
| Scooter | Mar 14 2010, 12:09 AM Post #1 |
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Fullsize
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Today's car of today is Matchbox Lesney's Series #20 1964 Chevy Impala Taxi. Plates for this car came after pictures taken NJ OXT-578 ( which would fit into the NJ time line in 1964) ![]() From WIKIpedia "he Impala was restyled on the existing GM B platform for 1961. The new body styling was more trim and boxy than the 1958-60 models. Sport Coupe models featured a "bubbleback" roof line style for '61, and a unique model, the 2-door pillared sedan, was available for 1961 only. It was rarely ordered and a scarce collectible today. The rare Super Sport (SS) option debuted for 1961. This was also the last year the top station wagon model would bear the Nomad name. The 1962 model featured new "C" pillar styling for all models except the 4-door hardtop "Sport Sedan." Sport Coupe models now featured the "convertible roof" styling, shared with other GM "B" full-size hardtop coupes. This style proved extremely popular, and contributed to the desirability of the '62-'64 Impalas as collectibles. The "overhang" roof style of the sedans was replaced with a more attractive, wider "C" pillar with wraparound rear window. Engine choices for '62 settled down, the 348-cubic-inch (5.7 L) V8 discontinued and replaced by the 340 brake horsepower (250 kW) 409-cubic-inch (6.7 L), which could be ordered with any transmission. The small-block 283 was enlarged to 327 cubic inches (5.4 L), which added more engine choices for small-block fans. The Beach Boys produced a hit single, "409," referring to the Chevy, which became an iconic song for these cars. Impalas again featured premium interior appointments, plusher seats, and more chrome trim outside, including a full-width aluminum-and-chrome panel to house the triple-unit taillight assembly. Super Sport (SS) models featured that panel in a special engine-turned aluminum, which was also used to fill the side moldings, making the SS more distinctive in appearance. Impala also gains the top station wagon after the Nomad is gone. Due to reliability problems, the optional Turboglide automatic transmission was discontinued, leaving Powerglide the only autobox available until 1965. Among collectors, the 1963 Impala is the most popular for its body style, even though it was almost mechanically identical to the 1962 Impala. The 1963 Impala's distinctive body style has crisp lines with pointed front and rear fenders which emphasize the long, low style of car design popular in the early 1960s. The rear taillight panel was aluminum, and was surrounded by a chrome border with the engine-turned surface on SS models. Engine choice was similar to '62, with the small-block 283-cubic-inch (4.6 L) and 327-cubic-inch (5.4 L) V8s the most popular choices. The Sport Sedan featured a new, creased roof line that proved popular. A new "coved" instrument panel was good-looking, but replaced the temperature gauge with "idiot lights" for hot and cold engine conditions. An optional factory tachometer was built into the dash, just above the steering wheel. It was rarely ordered, but gave the Super Sport models an extra feel of sportiness. For 1964, the Impala was slightly restyled, reverting to a more rounded, softer look. Out back, the signature taillight assembly had an "upside-down U" shaped aluminum trim strip above the taillights, but the lights themselves were surrounded by a body-colored panel. The 409-cubic-inch (6.7 L) returned as the big-block option, but the 4X2 carburetor setup was no longer on the option list. SS models continued to feature the engine-turned aluminum trim. Rooflines were carried over from '63 unchanged. The 1964 model has been praised by West Coast rap groups since the early 1990s, with endorsers such as Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, Skee-Lo and The Game among many others. Right hand drive cars were made at GM's Oshawa plant in Canada and often shipped overseas in kit form for assembly in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. The RHD cars - Chevy or equivalent Pontiac (built on Chevrolet frames and using Chevy engines in Canada - all used a RHD version of the LHD 1961 Pontiac dashboard. ![]() ![]() Production 1960-1964 Model year(s) 1961-1964 Assembly Arlington, Texas Body style(s) 2-door convertible 2-door coupe 2-door hardtop 4-door hardtop 4-door sedan 4-door station wagon Layout FR layout Platform B-body Engine(s) 230 cu in (3.8 L) Turbo Thrift I6 283 cu in (4.6 L) Turbo Fire V8 327 cu in (5.4 L) Turbo Fire V8 409 cu in (6.7 L) W-series Turbo Thrust V8 427 (7.0 L)Z11 V8 '63 only"
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| WoloMan | Mar 14 2010, 12:19 AM Post #2 |
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Midsize
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Tampo design has come a loooong way, hasn't it? Thanks for sharing the pic. |
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| Swifty | Mar 14 2010, 12:21 AM Post #3 |
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
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Nice one!
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| Sak | Mar 14 2010, 06:31 AM Post #4 |
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Ezekiel 25:17
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20C Differing shades of yellow, from very bright to cheddar cheese- which matched the Matchbox construction vehicles of the era. Ivory interiors, or red interiors. Hood applique would either be a waterslide transfer, or a sticker. The VAST majority of models have black plastic wheels; however, production began with GRAY plastic wheels. Those models cost a fortune, nowadays, and counterfeits exist. Replaced 20B (ERF 68G lorry in blue with 'Eveready for Life' graphics on side) in 1964. Replaced in 1969 by one of the very first Superfast models- the Lamborghini Marzal in metallic red. |
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| ivantt | Mar 14 2010, 09:47 AM Post #5 |
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New casting? Quick! Take it apart!
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Was there a version with Rally stickers?? ![]() Expensive or not, I can see Craftymore's "derby bait" eyes checking this one out... Edited by ivantt, Mar 14 2010, 09:49 AM.
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| old442dude | Mar 14 2010, 10:20 AM Post #6 |
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Midsize
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I hope not, that one is the real lemon yellow one, was sitting on my desk until it found a better home...nice to see it again |
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| Tone | Mar 14 2010, 10:33 AM Post #7 |
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Rocket 88
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Orange yellow, white interior, with decals.![]() Orange-yellow, red interior, with decals. ![]() Bright yellow, red interior with labels.
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| Swifty | Mar 14 2010, 03:53 PM Post #8 |
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
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No need to worry- pre 1971 GMs are junk in derbies. So this one would be spared by the derby guys!
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| craftymore | Mar 14 2010, 04:26 PM Post #9 |
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Support your local demo derby.
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Swifty is right, GMs from the 50s and 60s are poor smashers in general. The '68-'70 Caddys being the only real exception. I saw a yellow one for sale like the one pictured in Tone's response about 10 years ago at a toy show for sale. They wanted more than I cared to spend for it. do find it odd that MB decided to do a 4 door hardtop version of the '64 Impala. Most following versions by other companies have been of the 2 door version. Seems that 4 door post-less hardtops are a rarity in small scale. |
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| Sak | Mar 14 2010, 06:41 PM Post #10 |
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Ezekiel 25:17
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The usual taxi cab would've been the four door pillared sedan...and more than likely, a Biscayne or Bel Air fleet job. I think Uncle Jack and Uncle Les might've been intrigued by how nice the Impala Sports Sedan was, and keep in mind, such a body style (with the exception of certain Lancia and Mercedes models) was a rarity in Europe. A great candidate for taxi service would've been the 55C/59C Ford Galaxie... |
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| Dragnet_Supporter | Mar 29 2010, 07:06 PM Post #11 |
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SUV
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Man...this one really hit home. This was probably the first diecast I can remember having. I don't know if it was purchased new, or given to me, but I loved that funky "TAXI" tampo on the hood when I was a kid. I don't know when I fist got it, but it was with me when my parents moved when I was three. Somewhere in my teens, it became an obscurity. I had given up toy cars by that time, and was either passed on to relatives or neighbors with small children, or was stuffed into my parents attic. I did find one older HWs from childhood in their attic after Christmas when I was helping to pack away some Christmas decorations. One day, when all the junk in the attic gets a good cleaning, maybe I'll get lucky and find it's still alive and kicking somewhere. Thanks for the memories. I knew this car was a MB, but it has been forever since I've seen one. |
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