1979 Chevrolet Impala Wagon 350 ci from North America

Summary:

Fun and easy on the soul

Faults:

Not much. Number 1 exhaust cam lobe in going away - but still has power.

General Comments:

So much fun. The kids - the dog - tools - tie it on top - stuff it in the back - simple - cruise, roll down the back window and you're enjoying the day.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th September, 2007

1979 Chevrolet Impala 305 V8 from North America

Summary:

Grandma cars rule!

Faults:

Rebuilt the carburetor.

Headliner fell.

Air conditioning clutch broke and air needs re-charge.

Valve guides are leaking a bit.

Replaced brakes and brake lines (they rusted)

General Comments:

This is a one-of-a-kind car that turns heads with its lime green paint and cream vinyl top.

It's in rare condition with very little rust for a Minnesota car!

The previous owner was an elderly woman who was the original owner.

It's slow, handles like mush, but I could ride in it all day.

We love it so much we want to keep it in mint condition for our yet-to-be-born children.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th January, 2004

3rd Apr 2004, 09:46

Hold on to that car for your newborns Parts are cheap and available at almost any auto store. Used parts by the thousands (body parts, trim, engine ete...) junkyards, internet...

If you take care of it you should be able to pump out another 26 years out of it and they can pass it on to there kids.

1st Apr 2005, 21:32

I learned to drive on a 1979 Impala 350 with F-41 suspension. My daddy factory ordered it with a/c, split bench seat, stereo cassette, cruise and tilt. Total sticker was, get this $8,300! The Canadian spec 350 ran like gangbusters. I spent many, many hours behind the wheel of that car and to this day cannot remember a better ride. It went like stink and held the road like glue, a real sleeper. Yes, it horsed gas by the ton, but was no worse that an SUV of today. It was in the family for ten years and to this day, I regret my father trading it in without telling me because I would have certainly bought it and would still have it today. Today's cars really do not hold a candle to that piece of honest Chevy iron; strong, comfortable, reliable and cheap!

1979 Chevrolet Impala 350 from North America

Summary:

The essence of what an everyday car should be

Faults:

Valves blew.

Head liner fell.

RUST.

General Comments:

This is a boat of a car with room for six. I can haul two full size bicycles, one in the back seat and one in the trunk.

Driving this car I know I'm safe. I am surrounded by 5000 lbs of steal, which expands in front of me and behind me for a vast distance.

When I first got the car the engine was dying, the previous owner lacked any knowledge of cars and did not take care of it. I decided to go all out. A summer of weekends and $6000 later I lowered in my 500 horsepower self built 355 with performance everything and a 11:1 compression ratio. This leads me to the next point.

This is the most dependable and easy to maintain car I have ever known. I have replaced almost every part on this car, (most were the original 20 year old parts), myself. And I have had no formal mechanical training.

This car will be on the road until I can no longer buy gasoline, of which I burn a lot, and every time this 5000 lb beast rockets by a hopped up civic or some pony car, I will laugh at the look of amazement/horror on the face of the other driver.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th October, 2003

1979 Chevrolet Impala 305 from North America

Summary:

Life was good in this car

Faults:

I acquired the car from my father in 2002. I bought it off of him for only 300 dollars and it was my first car. He always took good care of his cars and expected me to do the same.

The only major problems with the car is it took forever to warm up. On cold winter days it would easily stall if time wasn't given to the engine for it to warm itself up.

Another minor problem was the header on the roof of the car liked to fall off.

One more problem was the gas mileage, it was a horrible gas hog.

General Comments:

The bench seats were incredibly comfortable and was a lot of fun to drive. Besides being comfortable it had a lot of space and could comfortably fit five passengers.

The engine was old and didn't have a lot of pick up to it.

All and all the car was definitely worth the minor wear and tear maintenance and was an excellent first car for me being only 16.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th August, 2003