1968 Chevrolet Impala SS 427

As the 1960’s rolled on, full sized Muscle Cars began to dwindle in sales. Alarm bells were about to go off at Divisional headquarters.

In 1967, Super Sport Impala buyers could choose the SS 427 model, known as option code Z24, as both the Impala SS and the SS 427 were option groups, and not separate models in 1968. The SS 427 was never featured in an advertisement, and was given a small amount of room in the 1968 catalogue. The L72 option wasn’t even listed in the catalogue, but was on the dealer’s order sheets.

As for the SS 427 in 1968, you had offerings of your choice of a 385hp L36, or 425hp L72 big block V8 engine, with chromed rocker covers, air cleaner and oil filler, heavy duty suspension, a special domed hood and fender treatment (with chromed “faux” air extractor grills , but looked really cool). The 425 hp L72 V8 ran you an extra $542.45.

There were 3 separate front fender badges (located by the side marker lights ) that were available on the SS 427. Early production cars had an SS 427 foil emblem, cars later than February got a cast bezel that simply said “427”, sans the “SS”, with a black background. There was a third badge that was similar to the second type, that had a red background that was on Canadian spec models. Special SS 427 Grille and rear badging were also evident, with the famous Chevrolet “Bowtie” insignia  in blue on the header panel. The grille also has the vertical bars with a blackout paint treatment, to make that SS 427 badge really stand out (look at me!!) Another ’68 Impala SS 427 “nugget”: the SS 427 doesn’t have an Impala script anywhere on the body. (cool, huh?)

Interior-wise, the SS 427 was available without the Z03 code bucket seat and console option, so bench seat manual stick and  automatic transmission SS 427 were available to produce.  The horn and glove box badge both said  SS 427 , unless you ordered the rare, simulated wood steering wheel, which sported no special SS 427 trim. (...got Faux wood?)

U14 code “special instruments packages” included a dash mounted tachometer, ammeter, oil pressure and water temperature gauges, (the L36 had a 5,500 RPM redline tachometer, and the L72’s got a 6,000 RPM redline tach.)

Last piece of info: Chevrolet Motor Division built 710,900 Impalas for 1968, of which 38,210 were Super Sport Impalas  , 1,778 of them were SS 427’s. (568 were L72’s.) Your mission…if you choose to do so…is spot one of these rare magnificent beasts at your local cruise night or car show. And now…This  article will self  destruct…in 60 seconds. Good luck. (Okay, that last part I borrowed. Seemed like a good idea at the time!)