Back in 1981 when I was 16 years old, I drove a 1964 Impala sedan.
That old Impala was my first automotive love.
It was actually my second car, as I blew the engine in my 1959 VW Beetle in a matter of weeks, but that’s another story…
The Impala.
My parents bought the Impala in the mid-1970′s from an acquaintance of my grandfathers. The guy was selling the Impala for a mere $500.00. We had to drive down to Hemet, California to get the car. It was beige with beige cloth interior. Powered by a 327 / Powerglide combo. Everything worked, even the factory A/C.
I hated that car as a pre-teen. My friends and I would hang out at the local skating rink every week, and when it was my mom’s turn to drive, we had her drop us off a block or two away, so no one would see us in the Impala.
When I blew the engine on the Beetle, my dad kindly traded me the Impala for the dead VW. I had a job working at Magic Mountain, and I needed the transportation.
The car was huge. I hated driving it at first. Did I mention that it was HUGE?!?!
As time went on, I learned to like the car. First of all, it was quick. Back in 1981, there were very few cars that could beat me in a stop light drag race. There were MANY stop light drag races in that car.
As my friends soon started acquiring cars of their own, we spent our time dreaming up ways to make our cars cooler, faster, and better.
One day I heard a loud banging sound coming from the driveshaft tunnel. My dad and I took the car to the local mechanic he used to use in Newhall called C&R Automotive. The mechanic told me that the Impala had a two piece drive shaft with a U-joint in the center, and there was a can-like bearing that supports the center of the drive shaft assembly that had gone bad. He replaced it, and I was on my way…
For about a week…
The dreaded knocking sound returned. I took the car back, and a new drive shaft support was installed. It lasted…
About a week…
This happened FOUR times.
The mechanic accused me of racing the car and being “too hard” on the car. I told him that these cars came with much more powerful engines than my humble 327, and that didn’t seem like the answer. He wasn’t very nice or helpful.
I started looking for a mechanic who knew these cars.
I found a shop called Maranatha Chevrolet Service in Canyon Country, California. The owner, Jerry Shumard, took the Impala for the day. He called later that day to tell us that the other mechanic had put the drive shaft back together wrong, and it wasn’t balanced. That’s why it was tearing the drive shaft support bearing apart.
I knew right then that I had found my mechanic.
Over the years, I had taken the Impala to Jerry for numerous repairs and upgrades.
Jerry was always excellent at what he did, was nice, honest, and just a great man to work with.
I remember seeing his 1962 Belair race car whenever I was there. It was light yellow, and I was amazed at the light weight bumpers and full aluminum paneled interior. I still remember the RFC (Racers for Christ) decals that he had on the car. I always dreamed that my Impala would some day be that cool!
My favorite modification that Jerry did for me was to install a 400 cubic inch small block engine in the Impala. My stock engine was pretty whipped. I bought a used built 327 that had forged pistons, a HUGE cam, and piston slap! I blew up that engine racing some Japanese sports car right in front of College of the Canyons in Valencia. I left quite the smoke trail and oil slick.
Anyway, Jerry had found a supply of these new small block 400′s and was running one in his daily driven blue Chevrolet station wagon. That engine was a torque monster! I really enjoyed the car with that setup. I had previously swapped in a Turbo 350 transmission in place of the old slipping Powerglide.
When Chris and I got married and we had jobs in the San Fernando Valley, we decided to sell the Impala and get a (gasp) Honda Civic as the Impala was too expensive to drive on our meager salaries.
I sold the car back to my dad, who drove it until it was finally sold to a guy who wanted it solely for the engine. I am sure the car was crushed after that.
Who knows? Maybe it still exists. Black California Plates: HBU 852.
Anyway, my wife and I still went to Maranatha Chevrolet with our other vehicles. Jerry became like extended family to me.
We moved to Oregon in 1991…
I really miss Jerry and Maranatha Chevrolet Service.
I’ve never since found a mechanic with whom I’ve had total confidence.
I’ve tried to keep up with Jerry’s racing.
Here is a Super Chevy article about his son Luke’s Nova.
I remember seeing that Nova in one of the bays at Maranatha back in the mid-80′s!
Here is a pic I found of Jerry’s Belair circa 1970′s.
I wish I had a pic of the car when it was light yellow.
I also wish I had a picture of Maranatha Chevrolet Service.
Jerry sold the Belair and bought a Camaro, and as far as I know, he is still racing.
I know he sold Maranatha Chevrolet as well. I always wonder if he sold the business to Rich or one of the other guys that worked there.
Maranatha is still there, but is now called:
Maranatha Automotive Service
26770 Oak Ave
Canyon Country, CA 91351
(661) 251-5600
The point of this blog is this:
There are very few people in this world that have made a positive impact on me during my lifetime.
Jerry Shumard is one of them.
Mr Shumard, if you ever see this, thank you!
Thanks for being a positive influence!
You have certainly been a mentor to me.
Sincerely,
Stewart
(The kid with the 1964 Impala)
We owe this generation everything.
