Vehicle Description
In 1962, one of the hottest cars on the road was Chevy's Impala,
whose clean lines, hardtop styling, and wide variety of powertrain
options made it incredibly popular. This gorgeous white over red
Impala brings the ideal color combination to the table, plus a
fresh small block crate motor, creating one spectacular piece of
early-60s muscle.
The paint job was done about five years ago, but you'd never know
it by looking at it, even up close. You know that white is pretty
forgiving on old cars, but the guys who did this car took the time
to get it right and it still looks deep and shiny with almost no
evidence of either time or wear counting against it. Underneath
that white paint you'll also find some ultra-straight sheetmetal, a
mandatory part of the formula on an old car with quarter panels
that big, and it appears that all the steel is factory-issue. It's
also nice to see a genuine Impala hardtop that hasn't been dressed
up like an SS clone or stuffed with a truck-based 409, but instead
presents itself as an honest, clean cruiser with a ton of charisma.
The chrome and stainless looks great, with a soft shine befitting
its age and status, and that bright red insert on the side trim
ties it all together perfectly.
Bright red is always the right choice with black bodywork, a
dynamic combination that will never go out of style. It appears
that much of the interior is new, including the bucket seats,
carpets, and door panels, all of which look straight out of 1962.
The dash features a bright engine-turned trim strip that echoes the
exterior trim, and the auto industry's infatuation with aviation
continues with the control levers for the ventilation system and a
very stylish steering wheel with lots of chrome. The column shifter
now manages a TH350 3-speed automatic in place of the original
Powerglide, and an upgraded radio lives in the center of the dash
so you can drive it anywhere without feeling like it's a hardship.
And while you're marveling at the size of the trunk, please also
take a moment to note that it is solid and entirely rust-free, just
like the rest of the car and comes complete with a proper mat set
and full-sized spare tire assembly up on its own shelf.
The engine is a fresh 350 cubic inch crate V8 that looks right at
home in the '62's engine bay. There are about 2500 miles on the
build, so it's quite clean, and they dressed it up without going
overboard. Aluminum valve covers, a chrome air cleaner, and a
minimum of frills give it a simplicity that's sorely lacking in
today's cars. Even better, it looks right and runs great, with
plenty of power in the relatively lightweight Imp. Upgrades include
a power dual master cylinder for safety, an alternator (Chevy was
still using generators in 1962), and an awesome-sounding Flowmaster
dual exhaust system. Power steering and brakes are a good idea in a
vehicle the size of the Impala, and the stock suspension still
rides like a luxury car despite the 3-inch lowering springs that
give it a wicked stance. 15-inch Torque Thrust wheels wear fat
blackwall radials that emphasize the awesome bodywork.
Look around, but I doubt you'll find a better looking, better
running Impala hardtop than this for less money. Call today!