Vehicle Description
1962 Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupe
Remember the good old days when cars came straight from the factory
with actual style? You know, back when the highways of America were
lined with sweeping rooflines and oh so much chrome? Not like today
where almost every automobile just looks like a glorified bar of
soap. There really was something special about car design in the
1950s and '60s that we just don't see today. Take, for instance, a
1961 Chevy Impala-a Bubbletop as it's affectionately known. From a
side view. it is just perfect: a thin, sweeping A-pillar followed
by no B-pillar whatsoever, then an equally lean C-pillar that
blends in with that iconic rounded rear glass. And that's just
describing the roofline; we'll leave the rest to your
imagination.
For consignment, a transformation by a previous owner from an
Impala 2 door sport coupe to a Chevrolet Bel Air that is a bubble
top. It sports a 409ci V8, is fed by dual 4-carburetors Edelbrock
carbs, and a 4 speed manual Muncie transmission. Add on a snappy
paint job using burgundy, some Cragar wheels, updated dash and
super clean interior and highway 101 here I come! Wayfarers on
kids...
Exterior
In 1962 the "bubble top", (referring to the thin "B" pillar and
large rear rounded glass, along with the curved front glass), which
gives the appearance of the futuristic all glass tops which one
would see on prototype cars in the futuristic vision of 1962. There
was a bubble top available only on the Bel Air in 1962, but not the
Impala. So this one now has it and is badged Bel Air! The car
retains its original Impala exterior look and styling. Rust free
panels with well minded gaps are bathed in nicely applied burgundy,
and it's looking sharp and shiny. A few scratches remain
throughout, but are mostly unremarkable. With its styling of the
dual tail lights which reside on the rear panel that sports a lazy
V shaped trunk line edge that forms almost a spoiler-esque rear on
either side rear quarter that takes advantage of stainless trim.
This dives downward toward the wheel well and then makes its way
forward on a stainless inserted trim spear. A mini version of
shades of the '57 Bel Air and their rear quarter trimmings, but a
lot smaller. Window surrounds are very nicely preserved and upfront
an egg crate grille with dual flanking headlights and central
Chevrolet cloisonne badge frame from the front edge of the hood
downward. Cragar provides the wheels which are wrapped in
225/70R15's in front, and larger 275/60R15's on back all from the
20th week of 2014.
Interior
A swing of the doors reveals light tan stitched uppers for the door
panels, and a darker light brown leather for the lowers delineated
by a thin chrome strip. Here the actuator, armrest and window
cranks reside. A front split back bench seat welcomes me and it
sports lighter brown bolsters with some wide tuck and roll tan
inserts. The back rear bench presents the same only in full bench
form. For the dash, it retains its original horizontal speedo but
some extras have been added on top of a panel just below this
speedo. These include oil pressure, fuel gauge and water temp. Also
a column mounted tachometer is to the driver's left. This dash also
has plenty of mid century modern styled knobs, pulls, and some
snappy temp sliders next to the ignition. Futuristic styling is a
large overhang for the dash top over the Am radio, and a nifty 60's
badge on the glovebox. Some AC has been added as well and it is
sporting a rally steering wheel fronting the dash. Nice tan
carpeting floods the floors, and above a tight tan headliner lines
the inside of the now bubbletop.
Drivetrain
Under the hood is a GM orange/red painted block in 409ci
configuration. It has snazzy aluminum ribbed valve coverings and
the entire center intake area is covered with dual 4 barrel
carburetors courtesy Edelbrock. MSD ignition fires the mill, and on
the back is a Muncie M20 4 speed manual transmission. This couples
with a 3.70 positraction rear axle with an FH stamping code.
Headers and stock exhaust are there for the exhale. All clean and
shiny under this hood right down to the aluminum radiator.
Undercarriage
Nicely preserved rust free stamped steel and suspension abounds
underneath. This car has an X frame and there is nary any presence
of surface rust or anything rust to be seen, all black painted
steel. Overall the flooring remains solid but we do note a puncture
near the heel-toe board. Independent coil spring suspension are in
front, and a 4 link with coil springs is seen for the rear. Power
disc braking now replaces the manual drums all around.
Drive-Ability
To use the term "Turn Key" is very appropriate, as it fired right
up and ran like a deer on the test track. Great handling, bias free
braking to bring you back from warp speed, and a smooth as silk
ride. The wipers and horn were non-functional, and the signals were
working intermittently, most likely due to a wonky signal
stalk.
We get various waves of types of cars in through our doors at
various times. When this one drove in it has some WOW factor with
that bubble top, nice paint and large amount of cubes. A runner and
a cruiser, all looking snazzy right out of 1962.
21847S311839
2-1962
18-Impala V8
47-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
S-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
311839-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
7D-4th Week July
STYLE 62 1847-1962 Impala 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
BODY S6?3255-St. Louis Body #
TRIM 891-Gold Vinyl Buckets
PAINT 927-Anniversary Gold
12H-Possibly 4 Speed Manual
EZ1-Tinted Glass
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.