Long Lost Family Impala SS Found and Given to Dad on his Surprise 50th Birthday!!!

Dad had always talked about the 1969 Impala SS 427 convertible he found for his brother. Dad had a 1969 327 Impala and when his brother was looking for a car in the late 70's he found the ultimate in full-size Chevrolet muscle, a 427/390 HP Impala.

In the early 1980's dad's brother lost the car in a divorce. His brother had removed the SS emblems and dad jotted the VIN down for a keepsake.
Decades later dad was embarking on his 50th birthday, and us kids wanted to do something over the top for him. Knowing that the slip of paper with the VIN had been in dads wallet for all this time, we decided the time was right to see this holygrail of paper. What we hadn't expected was Dad had been tracking the whereabouts of the car for the last 25 years!

We made the phone call a year before his 50th, and the current owner knew just how important the car was to this family. Dad's brother had been in a work accident and was disabled. We knew we had to buy this car for dad.

The seller and us kids came to an agreement and we sat on the car for a full year before the unveil, which you've just watched or will be watching soon.
Years later after the restoration, and after dad's brother handed him the SS emblems for reapplication for the finishing touches to the Impala, dad was able to give his brother his first ride ever in the car. The car had always been a project car and had not seen the road during the brothers ownership. As they pulled away in the car dad's brother raised his arms in triumph and declared, "This is the best day of my life!!!" Our uncle passed away a short time later, but we'll always have the memories of that perfect culmination of family and cars.

[johnboy]

I did the same thing for my dad . It was best thing I have pulled off .

[_BAD_MERC_]

I just 52 yesterday. I still think about finding my dad's old 1967 Ford F100 that I learned to drive in.

[mannycarinha]

Beautiful story and super great kids great car also.

[anvil]

Only thing I gave my dad was nightmares, well done!!!

[justmejm]

Man I've always wanted to find our old family cars and my cars from back in the days too bad DMV doesn't have a link till your history and too bad we never took pictures of license plates and or ID what a great gift for your dad

[junior]

Just the way she sits on the trailer she's still beautiful

[markwatts]

I'm a car guy I about started to cry, I'm glad you were able to get it back, I've heard stories about people selling their first impala or loosing their first car some getting them back as you did but most regret selling their car. my first impala is a 64 4 door which my son loves so it will stay in the family. I was lucky enough to get a 63 impala also but my mom had a 63 impala wagon so that's my dream car to have. I hope you do a resto video.

[keithcalitri]

That was a great story you’re dad looked so happy. The car came out super nice.

[keithcalitri]

What a great video and story you’re dad looked so happy and the car looked like it came out great.

[fleetwin]

What a great story, sure looks beautiful after restoration....Wish I had my 73 Caprice coupe back again, but know that would be nothing left of it due to north east winters/rust.

[diegojuan]

Hey, Wes Eisenschenk's Lost Muscle Cars. it is a fairly top video. thanks. :)

[darrellbounds]

I have been looking for one like mine since 1977 I am a 69impala convertible nut

[patfromamboy]

I thought they were going to restore it. I have a 427 in my 1966 Chevelle out of a 1969 Impala SS. Radiator too.

[luissantiago]

I thought your was going to give it to him restored.

[romad]

Too bad you put link thumbnails over the last picture of the restored car. There are only 2 cars I wish I could have kept: my parents 1964 El Camino, and my 1973 Capri V6.

[High]

That a slame that the original motor and hood are gone

[jcb]

Great story Wes! Thanks for sharing. In watching the video I notice a white Satellite sitting next to your Road Runner. Does that belong to your family?

[jimd]

Now it will sit around for another 10 years

[stevephillips]

Well, you shouldn't have given it to him until AFTER the restoration .... Hey Dad, here s that POS you abandoned 20 years ago ...and in worse shape...HAPPY BIrtthday !