Ron Anast’s first car was a 1966 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport two-door hardtop with a 396 V-8 engine and four-barrel carburetor. His dad helped him work on it and taught the Lake Forest resident the basics of car care.
He owned it from 1970 to 1973. But then vans became popular.
“I traded it in, got a van and kind of regretted it ever since,” Anast says.
But automotive history has a way of repeating itself for enthusiasts. It took awhile, but Anast, 61, once again owns a 1966 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport two-door hardtop and it’s nearly identical to his first.
He found the car in Oceanside last April after years of searching and spent six months getting it into its current condition, including having it repainted in Lincoln Ruby Red (from Aztec Gold, which also was the shade of his original Impala).
The car ran well and already had been upgraded with front disc brakes, so needed little mechanically. Inside, Anast replaced the center console with a better one found on eBay and tweaked the stock AM/FM sound system by adding an amplifier and upgrading the speakers.
“We’ve had it in a few car shows, got some little trophies already, but we’re not really into it for the trophies,” says Anast, a production controller on a team that repairs Navy aircraft carriers.
For him, it’s more about sentimental value and reliving old memories. Accordingly, he plans to keep the car “forever,” enjoying it with his wife, Dianna.
But Anast wishes he had more time to drive it.
“I retired but went back to work as a contractor working for the government,” he says. “I just can’t wait until I get the time to play with it even more.”
