I have some terrific news.
The '67 Impala has reached Pindi safely, from Karachi, today!
Whilst I'm still in Kharian, I had (somewhat eagerly) requested Imran Ustaad to have a look at the vehicle. I'm told that the vehicle is complete in all respects. Starting from the front, the grille, lights, indicators and bumper are absolutely perfect. The body is completely dent-free, and has a coat of astar on it, but there are some patches where the primer has faded away / has become discoloured. The body panels are in perfect condition. The roof is ding/dent free, and is virtually good to go. The bonnet and rear deck are perfect, too.
The interior will require some work. It has all the right mouldings / fittings, but is in a state of pretty bad repair. I'm told that some TLC will definitely be required as far as this aspect is concerned. In this case as well, though...this is an Aussie Impala, so it's a genuine, honest-to-goodness right hand drive version!
Another fact which makes me VERY happy indeed, is that the vehicle's engine is intact. In the 1967 Impala 4 door, the Chevy 327 V8 came as standard. The specs of this engine (taken off Chevy 327 V8 Engine Specs, 327 Information, Firing Order : Engine Facts.com) are as under:-
1965 - 1968 with 4 Barrel Carb (L79)
Displacement - 327 cu in (5.4L)
Max Brake Horsepower - 350 @ 5800 rpm
Max Torque - 360 @ 3600 rpm
Stroke - 3.25
Bore - 4.001
Compression - 11.0
Firing Order - 18436572
The gearbox is also attached, and the vehicle is carrying its own diffs / axles.
The wiring however, is missing.
This has all the portents to become a very VERY good looking ride, indeed. Other than (largely) cosmetic appearances, some TLC to the mechanicals, and the proforma requirement of some really bad-a$$ wheels, I think that it should be on the road very quickly. Perhaps earlier even, than the Phantom, which has already been a couple of months in the making!
Once I get this beast up and running...other performance "tweaks" can be added at a later stage, and at leisure.
True happiness...is a Chevy, after all.
