Christopher's Eleanor Story (the impossible dream car!)

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Christopher Michaels tells the story of his unsuccessful lifelong pursuit of a Chevrolet Impala SS.
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#VINwiki #ImpalaSS #ChristopherMichaels

[@L8-APEX]

Christopher is my favorite story teller on this channel. His life could almost be a movie 😂

[@savgre9400]

Ikr what a exciting life he’s had

[@blue_thumb]

I was about to comment the same thing

[@tryin2figureitout]

Same

[@bestdiycarcustomization941]

No almost about it it could probably be at least 3 movies

[@bmooch1]

Couldn't agree more between him and rabbit

[@CrackedCandy]

We need an animated version of this. Too bad there wasn't a "wife at the time", but we did get a "girlfriend isn't going to like this but I can get a new one."

[@kylem2010GT]

I was going to suggest a VinWiki Animated channel. It will attract a different audience, but that could push traffic to the main channel. Then Ed would have 2 channels for revenue. EDIT: Just remembered he has Ed Bolian too.

[@ForsakenLiye]

@@kylem2010GTIt would help him get more salvage title Lamborghinis

[@VINwiki]

Christopher is back!

[@PowerstrokeSynd]

He's been busy on NBC. Lol😂

[@grex57]

Hell yeah! About time.

[@joshuagibson2520]

Way better than most of the trash on the channel as of late.

[@joshua.snyder]

Please make sure, Lauren doesn't come back. That was miserable in content and delivery.

[@JK-js2td]

Hell to the yeah!

[@WeAreCurated]

Waking up to watch Christopher talking about fighting dogs was unexpected...and amazing. You'll get one!

[@AnomalousOne1401]

Who knows, John? Someone might bring a pristine Impala SS to Monterey this year. #JustSaying LOL‼️

[@randallshelton1630]

If it was up to me Christopher would be a once a week guest at least, he is by far my favorite person on this channel.

[@cooterhedrick2906]

Chris wearing an OutKast shirt tells me all I need to know. LEGEND

[@ericwackowski7747]

As I’ve said many, many times every time I see Christopher is up on a story of his I tune in waiting like a kid on Christmas morning. Thank you Ed!

[@louyork8379]

1991-1996 Chevy Caprice is my favorite car of all time. Had a few. Loved them all.

[@EdBolian]

A real life Eleanor story

[@stevenpage8847]

I used to drive by a house almost weekly in Norman Oklahoma on my way to the golf course. This dude had two in his driveway. They’re beautiful beasts.

[@AndyDandy51]

What a story. Chris is such a great storyteller!

[@OriginalMomo]

This is also my favorite car. I’d drop a 6.0 LS in it and big fat sway bars for modern power, though.

[@KMopar07]

it already had big fat sway bar from factory. if its a true SS. and not a base L99 Caprice! 😅 ive own 3 impala SS they handle fairly well for its weight.

[@BigO1484]

This was my first car too! I just did an exhaust though. Just a fun car to drive.

[@michaelhowell2326]

These things will hold their value until the sky falls so it would depend on the condition. In a perfect a world I could have two: one all original and one built to a manageable monster.

[@bwofficial1776]

@@averagenugget A big, comfortable cruiser with tons of space and respectable power is a great first car. I would have happily driven an Impala SS in high school. I still have my first car and I'll never get rid of it. My car has been in the family since about 2005 and my grandfather was the 3rd owner after it had spent a decade parked. Never sell your Impala because you'll regret it for the rest of your life.

[@ssnerd583]

@@KMopar07 ....There was some d0000000d who had done one up and was the national auto x champion for the class in one of those about 20 years ago....they CAN be made to do things you would NOT expect.....seeing that damned boat haul ass around the auto x course was a hoot!!! the guy could DRIVE that thing!!!! it was something to see!!

[@Prodriver33]

“Forget her, find another one! This cars AWESOME! “ yep 😎

[@emii4233]

Best stories he puts so much detail you can feel his passion

[@darrenw4621]

This makes me miss my 96 Impala SS so bad! I never should have sold it

[@chopdogrulz1337]

The Legend! The greatest storyteller of all time, Mr. Christopher Michaels! Your stories paint such vivid pictures. That car is on my bucket list as well. I hope ya get to realize your dream someday. Didn’t the ‘96 models have a center console option that the ‘94-95s didn’t? That sticks in my mind for some reason as the one to get.

[@SuperJuicebox24]

96 had the shifter in the center console, and also had an analog gauge cluster. the 94-95 had column shifters and a digital gauge cluster.

[@chemstreescreations]

More Chris stories! He NEVER disappoints!

[@bryanterry6387]

I don't know how rich Christopher is financially but he is rich in story's. Keepem coming

[@bussin_buses]

Yes!!! It's Christopher!

[@Reginald_cumberfuk]

He's back! Christopher and Rabbit are the only reasons I watch vinwiki

[@GD-tt6hl]

Can confirm, graduated in 1995, this car was dope AF.

[@iBeerus-]

my grandma still has one. thing is sharper than fuck. i want is so badly

[@Sam-kn2mm]

I can’t wait to get off work to watch this!!! This guy is the best story teller!!!!!

[@nickzarnetske9994]

I love his stories!

[@DunnDifferent]

I’ve been looking for a clapped out impala SS since the 90s as well. A couple months ago i was at my local Aldi and saw one pull into the handicap spot and an older gentleman stepped out. There was trash falling out of it and the entire interior was piled full of garbage and what not. Paint faded, 200k miles, and just about everything was worn or broken. I asked him if he was interested in selling it and he sternly told me no. Someday I’ll find a clapped out one I can hoon.

[@ThatOneGuySometime]

This car always reminds me of a build where the car was an SS but the customer had spots and push bumper from a police impala installed, and then a more modern LS3 and 6L80 put into it, as well as a bunch of really trick custom CNC bits and bobs added to the interior for a high quality user experience. The story was that the owner did a lot of cross-country driving because he hated flying and wanted a powerful reliable car. Sounds like a sweet build to me.

[@tkong35]

I'd love to see that thing they are a dream on the hwy!!

[@fitp97]

Annnnnnd the greatest storyteller on the channel doesn’t disappoint !!!! Thank you Christopher Michaels !!!

[@whatchanobouitdem]

Love any story told by Christopher!

[@Joe_Dirt82]

Couldn't afford one as a kid but got a 96 caprice 9c1... in black. Those cars are amazing. Full frame, 2 tons, still turn heads.

[@colebertils7359]

Can confirm everything Christopher said about this car is 💯 true. Grandfather bought one new in 1995. A blue collar family man his entire life, was the first car he’d bought new off the lot. Used it only for summer road trips and would not let grandma drive it saying it had too much power. Told me years later “she tops out at 142. Don’t tell your grandma!” Given to me before his death in 2010.

[@DunnDifferent]

Who remembers the 15yo that stole one in the late nineties and outran the news and police helicopters on the turner turnpike between OKC and Tulsa?

[@bwofficial1776]

I may know the video you're talking about. B-bodies could do 155 all day long whereas Crown Vics struggled to hit their limiter at 130.

[@ruipacheco2939]

Christopher's stories are always so fantastic (of course, he's one hell of a story teller, which makes eveything even more enjoyable!) Fun fact - I have the book that has that same two pages with the SS and specs lol. Cheers from hot and sunny Portugal!

[@dapperdanbuilds]

Christopher is an absolute LEGEND! I understand how he feels. I miss my BBB 96 SS. Those cars are SO good!

[@ianmcadams7642]

“Let’s tear this thing up, I don’t even like my job” 😂😂😂

[@illsuspect]

My man Chris has great taste in cars, motorcycles, and music! Outkast. Niceeee

[@johnnygeorgopoulos4072]

I felt the same way when i first seen the 96 Impala SS, don't remember how old i was (I'll be 41 this year), but i was in the passenger side seat of one of my buddies cars, i was young, it wss probably 97-98 (don't know why i never seen one before, me being highly interested in cars), but there was one in front of us at the light, I'm like "that doesn't look like a regular old Caprice" and i noticed the dual exhaust, and i noticed that emblem on the back, and it took me like an hour of racking my brain after the SS left that light with the tires smoking (good first impression) to finally realize "hey, that's an Impala emblem, but stylized" (i literally owned a '65 Impala when i was 15-16)..... since that day I've wanted one, still haven't bought one, probably definitely not going to be able to afford a clean one now with the way the pricing has gone rather recently lol.....one day maybe 😅

[@mvez10]

about 20 years ago i had a 96 Police car painted black with all the impala badging done, i still miss that car.

[@Thatguy55595]

Finally a video worth watching it’s been months of Ed just bragging about Lambos

[@jamesmagnus5040]

I have owned 22 of these chevy impala ss"s in every color and condition still one of my favorites! after being in the car business since 14 i am currently 51 i have amazing stories i can go on for days!

[@trackrat62]

That exact magazine ad is my earliest memory of a car making an impression on me. I was in the 1st grade and we were cutting up magazines for some art project. I tore those pages out and brought them home.

[@imfatbrololol]

Why are always the guys with an accent the best story tellers 😂

[@toddoconnor840]

What a great story teller , awesome . We need more Christopher stories !!!!

[@lthudgins]

I see Chris, i click and like

[@yotafan174]

My guy!!! One of the greats.

[@dvonehrlich]

Love those Impalas. I had a 95 9C1 Police Caprice for years. It was the secret Impala that I could actually afford. It was a former K-9 unit and came without rear seats and had a tornado of dog hair when I first rolled down the windows and smell that never completely went away but god I loved it. Swapped in an interior from a Buick Roadmaster and cruised in comfort. I dream about it sometimes.

[@excaliberracing]

My prayers have been answered... MORE CHRIS

[@TwinTalon01]

I was waiting for him to say “and there behind the barn was that gold-emblem Impala, and I still have it to this day.”

[@USAirsoft]

As someone who should be getting his own 96 Impala (my dream car as well), I shall take this story as a survival guide.

[@MikeHarris1984]

There is a bunch out here in Phoenix area... Plus you get with NO rust or body cancer.... It's worth it, but hard to find someone wanting to part with it. the people who own that car, know what they have and will hold on to it for dear life.... Thats like me with my '05 GTO... not a popular car when it came out, but anyone who has drivin one, knows that it is a special car... and with Pontiac going under in '09/'10 era, parts became instant overnight hard to find... I have a stock pile of extras (seat leather, half shaft, carrier barrings, wheel, seals and other misc buttons and things.... all new in package just incase... I purchased my GTO at 3.5 years old with 6k miles on it... now has nearly 158k miles in the 14 years i've owned her...

[@user-ls6mv7ue5z]

I always love that guy's stories. One of the best story tellers ever

[@jonbrockman5308]

Just picked up a CLEAN 92 custom cruiser wagon. No wood on it either. 350 limited slip diff camaro 20's trans slipiing.....but made it from Chicago to madison wisconsin right after I bought it. Lol. Love them bubble cars man. I'd have fought off a pack of dogs for this one for SURE! Always nice hearing from Christopher 🤘

[@krabman22]

We have a 94 SS. My dad is the second owner, my aunt bought it brand new, so it has been in the family since new. It's a badass ride 👍

[@flyingrock2682]

My parents bought a 1995 impala ss brand new in 1995. It was the cherry color. Stayed in our family tell 2018 and the motor blew at 223k miles. Never had any major problems with it.

[@mattsadv3ntures]

I love that Christopher has become such a fan favorite that Ed puts his name in the title

[@JDelta87]

He’s back! Hopefully Christopher finds one. I have similar memories and views on the ‘96 SS and would love to own one as well.

[@juliogonzo2718]

I have wanted one of those since I saw that same ad in a magazine when I was about 13

[@jameslovitt994]

'94-'96 LT1 B-body cars weren't amazingly fast, but they were fun.

[@bwofficial1776]

For the time, they were pretty quick and the engine was easy to tune. There's something great about a big boat that can cruise comfortably but also has power. Given enough road these can hit 155. Because of GM's rule that nothing could touch the Corvette, most LT1s were underrated.

[@jameslovitt994]

@bwofficial1776 my 1996 Roadmaster, net HP was laughable at 260ish, but 345 pound feet of torque, with G80 limited slip, it'd blow the rear tires off without a problem. It was essentially a fancier Impala SS.

[@markscott4159]

Christopher is one of my favorites to watch he is good at telling stories

[@aaronburratwood.6957]

That old skool style Outcast shirt is crazy cool too.

[@Wll_Vybe]

Like I have said many times I love VINwiki in the morning

[@Benson_aka_devils_advocate_88]

Just saw the MORR episode yhat you were in! You sire so end up with some wild stories and I'll bet that day will be memorable! The Porsche was interesting to watch trying to clb the samd chute??

[@Suhspencce]

Chris is one of my favorite people ever, Im excited to visit with him next month!

[@christophermichaels]

Hey man! You are one of my favorite people too and the only man whose merch I wear :) I’m looking forward to hanging out again.

[@chrisgrimes7178]

Awesome! Love his storytelling. Saw the Hot-Wheels car competition show with him in it, that was cool!

[@molskimauler]

Everyone should have a friend like Christopher.

[@tkong35]

This made me just love my 94 more I was on the fence to sell it but I wanted that year since it came out n there was only 6035 95 and 95s cars are faster than me but they are timeless rides !! Great story brother

[@rickfig9128]

I owned a 96 impala for 12 years and regretted getting rid of it. But I bought a 2012 Caprice and didn't miss the Impala so much. 😊

[@jakebrowne6150]

I've driven past a trespassers will be shot sign to leave a note for an old Toyota pickup when the guy pulled in the driveway as I was leaving the note he just got out of his car and said "nope it's not for sale" as I was driving an identical Toyota pickup

[@77zrod46]

My aunt brought one new thing, thinking it was the car. Being new it was a daily. She soon began to hate it because of all the issues she had with it.

[@thesaint1800s]

Had the privilege of driving a 96 cross country in five days in 96 from Daytona to Seattle with a college (retired Airforce,could have been my dad, both working for Boeing at the time). Best trip ever!! Sadly the car burned down a few years later due to the dreaded fuel line issue. Miss my colleague, the nineties and that car ❤

[@cyrusmcmullen429]

My grandpas last car was a 98 Chevy Caprice and I been trying to find one ever since I know your struggle

[@adnanhalim382]

That 96 impala is still 1 of my dream cars. I don't even care about the color. They normally came in black "purplish" or teal. I test drove so many of them for my 1st back in around 2003 but all of them were ragged out. Mostly for the infamous transmission going out. I ended up buying a 01 camaro v6 with 45k miles instead(which I still own now) for the around the same price

[@Long-nd8bq]

I also love big coupes and sedans. I currently have a black Thunderbird SC 5-speed and a big black Mercedes S550 tinted out.

[@cmikesmith664]

I agree

[@CarswithNash]

Beaters are always more faithful for me, whenever I try to buy the nice version of a car it ends up being unreliable.🤷‍♂️

[@michaelfriend3990]

What a story! Amazing

[@imuruncledaddy8753]

I did this in a new 2014 SS. My buddy was the sales person.

[@moneyjones2323]

Haven't watched vinkwiki in a few months and first vide I click today is my boy🔥🔥🔥 hell yea

[@ochocinco2891]

Best looking 90s car. I love the wagons too. That's why my daily is a 95 caprice wagon

[@jeffreyszyarto]

Oh I needed a Christopher story today thanks Ed!

[@wellandsfinest4766]

They definitely need to do animated versions of most of these videos . I wouldn't expect them to do full paid actor reenactments but atleast animated . These stories are gold and would be a nice addition to the channel.

[@waberterhorst1116]

Man can Christopher tell a story. I did have a 95 in black cherry for one summer. Kindred spirits.

[@johnmilligan2964]

Anytime I see a Christopher story on VinWiki I have to watch it immediately!

[@KMopar07]

Love the 94-96 Impala SS ive own 3 of those myself. 2 95 & 1 96. loved them all but selling them is not easy it doesn't attract the client you want to deal w/. my 96 was a rust bucket beater but i had plenty of fun w/ it. it had 4.10 rear end gear ratio front brake line lock and a sweet exhaust. it loved 3rd gear burnout! 🤣 the stance and the 255 all around made it look so mean!

[@Jenuin]

No happy ending 😅 LoL great story 😂❤

[@josephpetruccio7306]

Love my 96 as well. Such a great car

[@dudestpriest504]

My mom and stepdad had a black 96 for a while............we were living in Mississippi at the time and went to Florida to get it

[@galeng73]

There's a nice looking Impalla SS going up for auction at the Dallas Mecum auction in September. T129 is the lot number. It goes across the block on a Thursday, so it should sell for relatively cheap.

[@silentkarma]

Chris stories is one of the only reasons I look forward to the notifications on this channel.

[@hotrodthug]

My Cannonball car is an '89 Caprice with a 95 SS drive train. Great cars. Would love to add a 96 SS to the fleet.

[@morkovija]

Love Christoper's stories. that man will be everyone's favorite old man one day

[@kohersh]

96BBB was my first car. Wish I had kept it stock and still had it.

[@aaronbone4572]

I was 15 in 96 when my Aunt bought a brand new Black Impala SS (in the metro ATL area oddly enough) not knowing what she had. She bought it because it had the largest trunk available. I had convinced my dumb teenage brain that in a couple years she would not want it and would obviously give it to me for next to nothing..... I day dreamed about it constantly about how amazing it was going to be! I was correct, after about 2 years she was sick of putting gas in it.......... And traded it in for a damn minivan......

[@kylem2010GT]

"Christopher's Top 10 Car Stories" needs to be updated! Good story as always!

[@juanburrito5119]

Hilarious story! My uncle down in florida owns that generation impala ss in black. I haven’t seen it in a couple of years but I know he takes really great care of it, and it’s garage kept. Wish I knew the mileage, yet I’m sure he would ask a pretty penny for it 😅.

[@conrad463]

My absolute dream car ever since I was around 12 years old. You can have your Lamborghini, Ferrari, or McLaren. Just give me that 1996 with column shift to swap out with a manual transmission. It's always good to dream....

[@Vampirebear13]

Chris Michaels is just THEE BEST !!!

[@tekenator]

My boy Christopher! Hell yeah!

[@DL-lz6pj]

Christopher’s stories always seem a little exaggerated, but I think that’s what makes them so great.

[@bwofficial1776]

He's from the South and that's just how people talk. Is it exaggerated? Probably, but that's part of the fun. Sit back and enjoy the ride.

[@ajwainscott7573]

Love this guys stories

[@R.J.1]

Finally got one (96) in 2001. These cars, same as Caprice with Lt-1 have the rear end sitting a good half inch too forward. Gotta get the correct trailing arms to get it symmetric. Once you see it, you can't un-see it. Good way to know if a Caprice has a LT-1 tho.

[@EDMmemories]

I see Christopher, I drop what I'm doing and click.

[@iamgriff]

“no way I’m buying this thing now, after what we have done to it” 😂