Gallery

It’s been a long road, but one worth traveling. Our Supernatural Impala journey began in Ohio in 2008, and it wasn’t until April of 2019 that we realized our dream. We discovered that it’s not all about the destination, as the journey itself is just as valuable. So have a seat and sit for a spell, there’s plenty to peruse.

In The Beginning – Ohio, 2008

Sammy the un-restored Caprice, as we found him in June, 2008. Capri Cream & black vinyl top with gold interior. Original 14″ wheels, single exhaust. Sammy was rather heavily optioned with tilt wheel, AC, rear window defogger, AM/FM Multiplex (stereo) radio with 4 speakers, 8-track tape player, and the optional TH400 three speed transmission. Having spent the first 15 years of his life in southern Minnesota, Sammy had been treated to at least one re-paint, and a fair amount of bondo. He still looked very good, though.

And so it begins – Ohio, 2008-09

Sammy did run and drive very well, but his original 327, at 112,000 miles, was a titch tired. We started with what needed done most: brakes all around, new shocks, a new carb, and HEI ignition. We also had the heads rebuilt. And lots of little things here and there. The first major change: installing headers and dual exhaust. We also removed the vinyl top, and a local body shop professionally prepped and painted the roof. We then added period correct chrome reverse mags and new tires. And then something fun: spotlights! This group of photos takes us up to Spring, 2009.

CNK 80Q3 – Ohio, 2008-11

We were fans of Supernatural from the beginning. When “What Is And What Should Never Be” aired in May of 2007, we were lucky enough to snag the CNK 80Q3 plate number. We officially held the Ohio registration for that license plate number from 2007 through 2012, when we could no longer renew it (as new Florida residents). Yes, we had the plate before we had Sammy, but that’s the way it went down. Since CNK 80Q3 was a special plate, it was produced by hand and featured a slightly different font from the regular production stamped license plates made in Ohio. Either way, the style of lettering differed significantly from the prop Ohio plates used on the show. We also had registrations for plates CNK 80Q2 and KAZ 2Y6.

A Big Move & Down Time – Florida, 2011-16

Work on Sammy ground to a halt by 2010. In late 2011, we relocated to southwest Florida, and Sammy took an extended break in our garage. It would be June, 2016 before we were able to perform any work on Sammy, but we went big: complete rebuild of his original 327 and TH400. We were lucky enough to find a local shop with a older fellow who described himself as a Chevy Nut, and he was very eager to tear into a vintage V8.

Sammy’s Back! – Florida, 2017

It was great to have Sammy running stronger than ever. We worked on numerous things in preparation for his transformation into a Supernatural Impala: the original Caprice bumper ends were replaced with Impala bumper ends, and the reverse lights were relocated to the proper position in the taillights. Sammy’s original Caprice door panels were replaced with new Impala panels; we found a local upholsterer to mount the new Impala skins to the original top plates and backing panels. The new door panels really made a difference. Finally, we installed a new gas tank and sending unit.

And now for the trailer wheels – Florida, 2017

While we hated to say goodbye to the period correct chrome reverse mags, it was finally time to install the correct US Wheel mags used on the show. Yeah, some folks use them on trailers, apparently!

Westward Ho! – Florida, 2017

July, 2017 – The big day! We loaded Sammy up for transport to Garnett, Kansas, home of The Shop. There, Rick Blevins and his amazing crew would work their Supernatural magic for Sammy’s final transformation. It was a bittersweet day for sure, as we’d owned Sammy for nearly 10 years, and we were quite used to him as he was. But we knew that our boy was in good hands!

Sammy arrives at The Shop – Kansas, 2017

July, 2017 – Sammy arrived safely at The Shop in Garnett, and the tear-down process began in earnest.

Nearly 50 years to the Day – Kansas, 2017

Sammy was originally assembled at the GM plant in Janesville, Wisconsin, during the third week of July, 1967. He was # 192,323 off the line that year, the 9,475th Caprice assembled at Janesville. We found it notable, in a way, that Sammy was essentially being disassembled almost exactly 50 years later. We knew that Sammy had a fair amount of bondo going on, but once the guys got down to it, they discovered a bit more rust than they’d expected. Worst of all, rust-through was discovered on the top part of the driver’s side, front frame, and it was determined that Sammy would need a new frame. So we were now doing a “frame off”!

Thank you, ’68 – Kansas, 2018

Fortunately, The Shop had plenty of donor cars on-site, so Sammy’s new frame came from a Kansas ’68 Impala 4 door hardtop. The new frame turned out great: it was blasted, primed, and painted. We enjoyed seeing all the new suspension parts installed: tubular a-arms, new bushings, front and rear sway bars, springs, shocks, and front disc brakes!

Back on track! – Kansas, 2018

It was great to see Sammy’s body installed on the new frame. Thankfully, the “low rider” look was very short-lived.

Moving Along – Kansas, 2018

Work progressed quickly after a rather lengthy delay with the quarter panel skins.

Coming Together – Kansas, 2019

Once the primer coat had been applied, it was time to spray the Light Buckskin on the dash. Then, application of Tuxedo Black to the inner door jambs and other areas.

Sammy gets his black tux! – Kansas, 2019

It was so amazing to see Sammy in the paint booth with his new coat of Tuxedo Black! We never thought we’d see the day!

Interior Work – Kansas, 2019

We loved watching Sammy’s interior come together. Light Buckskin on the dash, door panels, kick panels, b-pillars, and the headliner. We opted to dye Sammy’s original headliner as it was in nearly perfect condition. We had a small amp installed for the AV 3000 radio, as well as sound deadener under the new Ford Tan carpet. Rick did an amazing job on the interior!

Fitting Sammy Out – Kansas, 2019

Don and Mike worked tirelessly on Sammy. The Shop in Garnett is truly the best!

Spotlights! – Kansas, 2019

From the very beginning, we knew that our Sammy would have spotlights. Baby on Supernatural featured spotlights for seasons one, two, and the first part of season three; the last episode for spotlights on the Impala was 3×09 “Malleus Maleficarum”. The correct spotlights are Unity model S1, with short shafts.

Devil’s Trap & Weapons Box – Kansas, 2019

The screen-accurate Devil’s Trap was hand-painted by Rianna Melton. Rick designed and built the weapons box from measurements and specifications of the boxes in the screen-used Impalas.

Finished! – Kansas, April, 2019

After nearly 11 years, Sammy was finally finished! It took years and years of overtime, saving, hard work, and a lot of help, but thanks to Rick and The Shop, our dream of owning a real Metallicar had become a reality!

First ride from The Shop to The Garnett Inn

On The Road – Kansas, April 2019

Sammy’s first road trip from Garnett, Kansas, to Oklahoma City. A heck of a convoy with The Darkness Impala, Yertle The Supernatural Gremlin, & The Savior Impala. First leg of the journey to Austin, Texas.

Sammy Ramblin’ Through Kansas – April, 2019

Video courtesy of Rianna Melton

Oklahoma City – April, 2019

Pit stop for the night in OKC, home of Hilly’s Angel Impala, owned by Jan Ashmore. Sammy with Hilly’s Angel and Yertle the Supernatural Gremlin, owned by Rianna Melton.

A Haunting of Impalas 2 – April, 2019

Family Business Brewery, Dripping Springs, Texas

Sammy’s first meet-up was more than amazing: the largest gathering of completed Supernatural Impalas, tributes, and their owners – ever! Six Supernatural Impalas: Sammy, The Darkness, Rocky the Wayward ’67, Hilly’s Angel Impala, Mary the Impala, & Yancey the Impala. Tributes included The Savior Impala, Rowena the Impala, and Icy Blue Impala. And Yertle the Supernatural Gremlin joined in, helping to provide a watchful eye on all the rowdy Impalas.

It was an outstanding event with SPN Family and friends, old and new. The convoy to Family Business was very cool, and to everyone’s surprise, Jensen himself came out to check out all of the Impalas. Jensen was unfailingly polite, gracious, patient, the perfect gentleman. And he clearly enjoyed checking out every car, ensuring that he spent plenty of time with each owner and their family. Jensen really got a kick out of Sammy’s spotlights. Absolutely awesome, definitely one for the books!

The Impalas (and Yertle!) arriving at Family Business Brewery

Heading Home – April, 2019

After all the excitement, Sammy needed a little rest, so we trailered him from Dripping Springs to North Fort Myers. So grateful for our brother Travis and Uncle Randy-Paul for all their help, especially driving during the lengthy tow home.

Home, Sweet Home – July, 2019

It was great, and just a bit surreal, to have Sammy back home again after nearly two years! And were finally able to fit out Sammy’s weapons box.

Out and About – December, 2019

We enjoyed taking Sammy to the weekly classic car show at nearby Merchant’s Crossing.

Hunting Things! – January, 2020

Indian Spring Cemetery is one of the oldest, continuously operating cemeteries in all of Florida, having been established in 1886. Tucked into a secluded area bordered on one side by a sizeable creek, it was easy to forget that the bustle of nearby Punta Gorda was only a quarter of a mile distant. A nighttime visit actually netted some EVP, which we managed to record:

https://weghosthunt.com/location/Indian-Springs-Cemetary/