SECOND-OWNER’S SECOND WIND

SO OFTEN WE HEAR ABOUT TEENAGERS who, during the muscle car era, were forbidden by their parents to purchase the high-powered, big-block, four-speed rides that they really desired, having to settle instead for something less. Not so with John Upton of Flora, Illinois.

Back in 1970, John was 17 years old and searching for his first car. His dad, John Sr., worked in the coal mines, and his friend Charlie Wyatt was selling his 1969 Impala Custom Coupe.

Wyatt had bought the formal-roof Chevrolet to race at the local drag strip, so he outfitted it with the $422.35 Z24 SS 427 option, which included the L36 390-hp Turbo-Jet 427 engine and chrome valve covers and air cleaner lid; black-accented grille; “SS” callouts on the exterior and steering wheel; “427” fender emblems; upgraded suspension items; power front