Ever find a car that you kicked yourself for not buying because you thought, “I want one with a better engine”? It’s happened to many of us, I suspect, and the object of our Pick of the Day could have been that kind of car to someone in the past. Would you step up to the plate this time? This 1967 Chevrolet Bel Air two-door sedan is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Annandale, Minnesota.
Nineteen sixty-seven was a very important model year for Chevrolet: The Camaro was introduced as what would become the Ford Mustang’s primary competitor, the Corvette was in its last year as a C2 and more refined than ever, and the full-size series — America’s most popular car — was redesigned. Chevrolet had the public holding its collective breath as the 1965-66 full-size series was so strong in styling and so popular with buyers, but the 1967 full-size Chevrolet was a splendid follow-up that reflected several styling trends of the time while still maintaining Chevrolet’s strong DNA.
Most notable among all the models and body styles was the fastback coupe that was available as the Impala and Impala SS Sport Coupes. Fastbacks began appearing on the show circuit, with the 1964 Plymouth Barracuda being first to market among American automakers. It would soon to be joined by the 1965 Mustang 2+2, Rambler Marlin, and 1966 Dodge Charger. The 1967 Chevrolet Impala fastbacks were joined by similar full-size vehicles from General Motors, plus Ford and Mercury, and AMC’s revamped Marlin.
“Of all the Impalas ever built, the Sport Coupe has been the pet of the popularity polls. And we’ve a strong suspicion the ’67 version will continue those winning ways. Why all the confidence? You can tell by the looks of it,” said the brochure. “Fasten onto those Sport Coupe lines — the long stretch of hood, hop-up rear fenders, wild sloping fastback. They’re new, all new.” It’s a style that was as contemporary as could be, but it didn’t last beyond 1968.
More traditional were the sedans that were available in lesser models. Yes, the Impala featured a four-door sedan, but going down the totem pole, from Bel Air to Biscayne, only gave you sedans. The two-door sedan, in particular, lacked the sporty roofline of its more deluxe siblings, but nonetheless, it demonstrated the lineage that was strong within Chevrolet.
Power plants were similar to the previous year’s. Chevrolet continued to offer two sets of models, either with an inline-six or V-8. The only six was the 155-horsepower Turbo-Thrift 250 Six, while the standard V-8 was the 195-horse Turbo-Fire 283. Options included a 275-horse 327, 325-horse 396, or 385-horse 427 (falling five horsepower from 1966). Missing for 1967 was the 220-horse 283 and, strangely, the 425-horse 427, which would return for 1968.
You can imagine that there was a segment of the population that enjoyed the power of the 427 in a traditional American car, but most of those people leaned into the Impala SS and (to a lesser extent) Impala Sport Coupes. Fewer folks ordered 427s in lesser, swifter models like the Bel Air two-door sedan. What about the 396? It wasn’t an engine known for competing on Woodward Avenue, so it just may be rarer than the larger big-block engine. Anyone out there skipped a car like this in the past because it wasn’t a 427? Then now is your chance to rectify your mistake with this 396-powered 1967 Bel Air two-door sedan. The seller doesn’t give us much to work with, but we do know it’s equipped with a four-speed manual, air conditioning, power bench seat, power front disc brakes, power steering, tilt wheel, and updated custom radio with CD player. I also spy front-fender running lights, updated headlights, and three-spoke steering wheel. That’s an interesting mix of options, especially for a model that was more for paupers than princes. “Outstanding paint, outstanding bright work,” says the seller.
Yes, it’s true that performance buffs preferred looking good over going faster. It’s also true that economy-minded individuals generally didn’t order big-blocks in their sedans. For your second chance to own such a unique Bow Tie, head over to your ATM and gather $48,900.
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