NEW! Award 70: 1974 Chevrolet Impala Spirit of America – Sold?

June 6, 2021 Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call Rudy directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

May 18, 2021 Update – We just spotted an updated listing for this one-year-only Impala Spirit Of America edition whether the seller lowered the asking price by $2,000 to land at $18,000.

Capitalizing on the growing patriotism of the United States’ upcoming Bicentennial celebration in 1976, Chevrolet introduced “Spirit of America” edition Chevrolet Impalas such as the example originally listed on Craigslist in April 2021 in Assonet, Massachusetts (South Boston) with approximately 60K original miles and an asking price of $20,000.   Hagerty Insurance currently does not provide estimates for this vintage of Impala, however, the Collector Car Market Review confirms this private seller has their Impala special edition priced well above this guide’s #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $16,338 after factoring a net five percent premium for the Spirit of America package (+15%) offset by the lack of factory air conditioning (-10%). Another pricing source, Classic.com, confirms that while several similar examples sold at auction during the five years, none of those sales came close to the price requested here. Consequently, we’re awarding the seller our latest “NEW!” (short for “No Effin Way!”) Award as we believe the correct price currently is in the mod-teens despite the low mileage and one-owner provenance.

Chevrolet redesigned the fifth generation Impala for the 1971 model year and continued its production through 1976. For 1974, the rear bumper of Impalas and other full-sized Chevrolets incorporated shock-absorbing cylinders to meet the upgraded bumper standards with new taillights above the bumper, separated by the license plate and fuel filler. The front end featured a new grille and headlight bezels, a new header panel, and a bumper with a drop-down center section. The marker lights moved back up beside the headlamps.  Chevy offered a limited-edition Spirit of America package on Sport Coupe models. Primarily an appearance package, it featured white body paint, a white full vinyl top, white upholstery with red or blue trim, color-keyed seat belts, and floor mats, special wheel covers, optional white rally wheels, sports-styled dual remote outside rearview mirrors, a vinyl bodyside molding insert, and red pin-striping. Special fender and dashboard badges announced the package to passers-by and passengers.

If you can get past the speaker’s monotone narration, the YouTube Channel OldCarMemories.com provides a detailed overview of these Spirit of America Impalas:

This Impala appears to be a nicely preserved example of a Bicentennial car.  Based on the seller’s description, we believe the second owner is trying to say he bought this car from the original owner.  This is one of those cars that will have people stopping up to you and saying, “Hey, I remember these!” 

Here’s the seller’s description:

“1974 Chevy impala sport coupe Spirit Of America edition only 2500 made.
Sbc 400 Th350 Ps Pb.
1 owner rot-free garage kept car excellent condition in and out runs drives and shifts perfect drive it anywhere.
Car needs nothing.
Very rare donk.
Clean title in hand and most of the original paperwork when purchased new.
$20000.​

Show or go: what would you do with this Impala survivor?  Comment below and let us know!