We’re big fans of the 90s Impala SS and the Roadmaster/Carpice wagons; so why not combine ’em?
This was previously a wood grain car that was damaged and then repaired without it. We’re torn on that decision, as wood grain is pretty awesomely bad; but the end result here justifies the decision. The seller has invested in this car and it shows. We’d consider undoing some of the interior and audio to get back storage space, but we like the theme and we like the price. We imagine we’d also like the exhaust note…
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Oxnard, CA, USA
$4,013 with nine bids, reserve not met and $8,888 BIN price
What’s not to love about this view? This is pure wagon with that Shamu touch common across all vehicles on this platform.
Impala SS wheels are a nice touch.
Front end is still Buick – no Impala conversion here.
Here’s that iconic, and wide, rear end.
Interior has some custom touches and a competition-style audio system.
The car already has a double DIN head unit, so Android Auto and CarPlay are possibilities.
Tail gunner seat is in tact and custom interior touches carry all the way through to the back. Note the side panel-mounted sub.
Engine compartment is nice ‘n clean with its LT-series 350.
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VEHICLE HISTORY-PREVIOUS LIFE, BUILD, and MORE
Hey folks! This car originally belonged to an elderly couple who used it as a summer vacation car in the south. After 10 years and about 40,000 pleasure miles, someone damaged the front fender and the plastic wood. Because the plastic wood was obsolete, the insurance company totaled the car, blemishing the previous title. (The California title it has now does not read salvage, but I still want to disclose this to the lucky buyer.)The famous Fred L from Waterloo, NY (Mostly Unusual Cars) was the wagon guru who acquired the car and prepared it for my family.
My dad used the car for a couple of years as a fun extra car, and then I used it for a few years. One of the title transfers is from my dad to me, and one was from Fred to our Family. So the car looks like it has more owners but we are really the second owner. And the title history looks like something was majorly wrong even though it was just a technicality for fake wood we took of anyway.
So enjoy reading about this one of a kind wagon. Maybe you will enjoy it next. I have spent countless hours and dollars and have enjoyed every minute of the journey.
Glorious Corvette engine and Transmission
Stock 2 bolt 5.7 LT1 engine/trans, very similar to the glorious Corvette engines. Serviced (new plugs, filters, fluids, etc.), runs perfectly. Amsoil throughout. I have an oil analysis but I can’t post a PDF to eBay. Over the next day or two I will try to get it on the listing.
$2,000+ stainless mandrel bent exhaust system from Clear Image Automotive, installed and modified locally by Bob’s Muffler (who mandrel bends. I repeat, NO CRIMP BENDS ANYWHERE IN THIS SYSTEM!!). Includes stainless Tri-Y headers (I also have stock manifolds jet coated black that will go with the car in case you want to return it to stock) Exhaust looks and sounds really nice! It has a very mellow but smooth tone. New Dynomax Super Turbo Mufflers and Resonators are installed, exiting at the factory location.
http://www.clearimageautomotive.com/
I have a Clear Image Automotive cold air kit that will go with the car that I never installed.
All kinds of new or NOS parts have been installed. Water pump, radiator, distributor, even the A/C compressor is new. Of course the A/C is ICE COLD
I also have a new set of GM plug wires that will go with the car. Engine hood insulation is ratty-I was thinking of painting a mural on the underside of the hood but I will leave that to the next owner.
The transmission has been serviced, and shifts very smoothly like it should.
The engine is bone stock, dead reliable, and delivers 21 MPG with a careful right foot. I have used synthetic oil throughout and have a great oil analysis from Blackstone Labs.
The PCM has been tuned by PCMs for less. Guess what? I have two PCMs of the identical tune in case you want to switch things around. You will get the second PCM with the car.
The finest Wheels and Tires
I spend $2500+ sourcing NOS Impala SS wheels and center caps and wrapped them in new Nitto Invo tires. There is some light curbing on the wheels but they shine great and run straight and true. This is absolutely the best setup in terms of looks, ride, and performance for these wagons.
Complete suspension setup
I spent $3000+ on the complete suspension setup. It handles amazing without being harsh or too low. It is a complete suspension tuned by B-Body performance. I had new springs made just for me by Deaver spring, matching B-Body performance’s precision tuned and calibrated rates, to bring the ride height up to more appropriate levels. This includes not just springs but control arms, ball joints, all the little bits…car is tight but rides nicely. I have all new steering linkage too, uninstalled, that will go with the car. I painted the tie rods with John Deere Blitz black so they will not rust like stock parts do. Naturally, there are brand new Bilsteins all the way around! Yes, I was very thorough, arguably compulsive to a fault, when building this car.
Jaw-Dropping INTERIOR
Wow, what can I say. It is perfect. Leather on the dash, B pillars, column covers, everywhere, with contrasting red stitching. Seats have been redone in MB-Tex that looks great and wears like Iron. The seats are even heated (including the third row!) I replaced the carpet is a mix of 80/20 loop from ACC up front and used black Mercedes Feintuff Velour (FTV) in the back. The door panels are wrapped in leather, vinyl, and Alcantara. The headliner is all Alcantara. The front door panels have been reconstructed to house dual 6.5” focal drivers and the rear interior quarter panels have been reconstructed to house a 10” Alumimpro bandpass subwoofer and an X box, as well as concealing the 2 Arc Audio amps, video matrix/switcher, and power inverter. They have been wrapped in the finest Connoly leather. The kind that is dyed in a vat and not sprayed with dye. I even had it stitched in the diamond pattern that you see as an option on Lamborghinis and high-end Mercedes-Benz. This option on these high end cars is $6,000+ just because of all the stitching and labor required. For a very subtle element of contrast, all the stitching is red. It pops! Words cannot describe the interior. It looks and smells like a new full leather interior Porsche, Bentley or Ferrari. I spent $8k on the interior alone. You will be blown away.
Glossy Deep Exterior
I went all out here, spending $5,000 +. I shaved the sunroof and had a fabricator fill it with metal. The car is blocked smooth and glassy with no orange peel You may want to repaint the hood (water spots and a ding), bumpers (paint flaking off), and roof (scratched). I was leaning towards vinyl wrapping these damage prone areas but I will leave that up to you. Whatever you decide its an easy and inexpensive fix. There are about 6 dings that can be removed by a paint less dent removal company. I have a N.O.S. rear bumper if you wanted to use the new one since it is not drilled for parking sensors. I’m sure you will be pleased with the shine and gloss of the paint. The depth is better than on a new Lexus.
Show-car Electronics
$10,000 in stereo/electronics put this car on the show car map. Custom door panels up front that take 2 6.5” Focal drivers and two cup holders per door. Custom Alumapro bandpass subwoofer- LED lighted behind plexiglass with a show mirror. Pioneer AVIC Z1-B30T Navigation/DVD headunit, X Box, Satellite Radio, Power inverter, multiple screens (in the rear view mirror, dash, plus a 15” dropdown, AV switcher, the list goes on and on. Valentine One radar detector concealed display is flush mounted in the dash. Twin Ipod/Iphone cables, or change them out for your choice- they are standard USB. One goes to the head unit directly and another goes to the A/V switcher/matrix for video control. There are twin midbass drivers by Focal up front with tweeters in the stock location. These plus the 10″ bandpass Alumipro sub are powered by twin Arc Audio Amps. This is a fabulous show worthy custom enclosure. It is screwed and glued and not stapled. It is upholstered inside and out, and even mirrored inside and lighted. I tried to capture it on my camera but it is hard to see. If you look closely you can see the mirror and LED strip. The sound, fidelity, and overall experience is amazing. Whether you are showing off, competing, or enjoying this for yourself you will not be disappointed.
The car even has a full Whelen police strobe package. That’s right, all front lights plus the tail lights are powered by genuine Whelen police equipment. Yes, that’s illegal to use on the road. But it sure is a lot of fun to have and use on your own private property!
There is a Viper Alarm system, of course! It starts the car from your phone. It is called Viper Smart start. I authorize transfer over to the buyer since this subscription is registered with Viper.
OTHER- NOS GOODIES GALORE AND SO MUCH MORE
I replaced almost everything with NOS while the car was painted. New window switches, door handles, mirrors, everything that can come off and break was replaced with new. I was creating the new car experience. So this means you will have a nearly new car and when I find the boxes of these parts I took off (they were working when removed so I tucked them away in storage), I will send them to you. Don’t be surprised when you get a box of goodies. Anytime I did something I used the best and replaced everything in its vicinity.
I spend $35,000+ on this fine, majestic vehicle. I thought, why buy a Camry? I wanted something practical, chic, and a show-stopper. I couldn’t afford to buy it so I had it made just for me. Now it is time to let it go to the next new owner to enjoy. You will always have a smile on your face and get compliments, smiles, and thumbs up wherever you go.
On Sep-08-15 at 10:15:20 PDT, seller added the following information:
Update- some information on the brakes
I completely forgot to go over the brakes and what I have done. The rear brakes are stock drums. Shoes were replaced about 20,000 miles ago and have plenty of meat left.
I replaced the front pads with EBC greenstuff pads about 1,500 miles ago so they are, well, new. The front rotors are the really nice powerslot rotors that I had cryo treated at www.frozenrotors.com. They will last forever if you just keep on top of your pad changes. Cryo treating the rotors changes the molecular structure and almost eliminates wear and warping. Police and taxi fleets do this as well as many race cars.
Update- some information on the electronics
I forgot to mention that the front windows have power modules to roll them up when the alarm is on. There is also a relay hooked up to allow the tailgate to pop, and also turn off/on the electronics (stereo-etc., basically the aux circuit) from the alarm system.
Update- some information NOS goodies
I have a NOS windshield washer reservoir that will go with the car too. I found this when I was going through a closet over the weekend. I never got around to making the engine compartment dead perfect but this plus new underhood insulation will do the job!
I drove the car to work today. Current miles on the car are 82,777. I do not planning on driving the car anymore (other than home today) but I wanted to bring it up to temperature and charge up the battery. As I expected, it drove flawlessly and is ready for you!
On Sep-10-15 at 11:26:08 PDT, seller added the following information:
Update-more NOS parts found
Still cleaning the closet, folks. I just found a center front lower air dam/spoiler (factory), NOS, and a drivers side lower air dam/spoiler (factory), NOS.
I also found a NOS key fob. It is un-programmed but new, fresh and crisp! ( I also have the original one. This one is coded and works.)
I have the factory shop manuals too. I forgot if I mentioned this earlier.
Enjoy!
Brett