Vehicle Description
Those of you wishing for the ultimate '60s Impala need look no
farther than this slick 1963 Chevrolet Impala SS 409 hardtop, and
yes, it's a real SS. A stout, numbers-matching 409 V8 provides the
power and the extremely desirable black-over-red color combination
is the exact way we'd want it 10 times out of 10. Yeah, this is
definitely the one you've been waiting for.
Tuxedo Black is arguably the best color on these cars, perfectly
capturing the dual-sided nature of the beast and giving it an
elegant yet ruthless look. Black also emphasizes the impressive
length of the early Imp, making it imposing and substantial, while
at the same time showing off bodywork that will be the envy of the
guys parked around you at any show. The clean lines of the Impala
are highlighted by dramatic light and dark areas as the light plays
across the body, leaving no secret as to why these cars were
legendary in their own time. It's an older paint job, but it was
done right when the car was frame-off restored, and the result is a
car that's held up incredibly well and will continue to do so for
decades to come if properly cared for. Not a show car, as you will
find some light imperfections and signs of use here and there, but
if you're looking for an impressive, top driver-quality sled with
the pedigree to back it all up, then you're looking at it. Oh, and
it's well under six figures? This will be one of those legendary
classic cars we'll look back on in 5 years and scratch our heads
when we ponder how cheap they use to be. That fantastic front
grille and original engine-turned trim on the tailpanel are in
great shape, with the help of the large bumpers fore and aft acting
as a perfect endcap to all that straight, black sheetmetal. The
rest of the brightwork on the hood, front fenders, around the
glass, and slashing down the profiles looks amazing against the
glossy black paint, and although it too isn't perfect, I defy
anyone to say they don't love every square inch of this car. If you
want to get noticed, few cars can do it better than a big black
coupe, slung low to the ground and ready to attack.
We know this one is a real-deal SS because of the cowl tag, which
shows a red bucket seat interior, which, as experts will tell you,
was only available on SS models. The supple, long-grain red vinyl
looks a lot more upscale than you might expect from the man-made
material, and that's largely attributable to the quality of the
work. Note the detailed patterns that defined Chevy's
top-of-the-line machines, particularly the button-tufted seatbacks
and matching door panels. This car had extensive interior work
completed during the thorough restoration, including the plush red
carpets on the floor (protected with matching vinyl floor mats),
the taut white headliner above, and that deliciously ornate center
console that splits the front buckets and houses the white cue ball
shifter for the Powerglide transmission below. Some of you might've
thought it was a 4-speed at first glance, and it certainly has that
high-performance look, but I'll take the immediate power delivery
of a 2-speed Powerglide over a manual every day. Engine-turned
appliques on the otherwise bright red dash and center console tie
it together with the exterior, and the original, dual ring steering
wheel is the perfect anchor for the cockpit. Ahead of the driver
are the factory gauges, including the column-mounted tachometer,
and the list of factory options is pretty expansive for an early SS
Imp - power windows, factory A/C (which looks to need a service to
operate optimally), and an original AM stereo. The matching rear
seat looks virtually untouched, while the cavernous trunk out back
was beautifully finished with gray spatter paint, black mats, a
space saver, and an upgraded JL Audio sound system.
Chevy's 409 was the top dog in 1963, potent enough to have songs
written about its performance. That's indeed the original,
numbers-matching unit under the hood of this Impala and it's
presented as stock, including the snorkeled air cleaner and
uniquely shaped valve covers, all of which are covered in a bright
layer of chrome. Chevy Orange on the block and heads continues the
OEM look, as does the matching intake, and the 4-barrel carburetor
up top is from Edelbrock. We don't have a lot of information on the
engine build, but it runs superbly, doesn't smoke or make scary
noises (except the good kind!), and despite its impressive
performance, it's happy to trundle along in traffic without getting
cranky. Underneath, the front end was augmented with tubular
A-arms, power steering, power front disc brakes, along with
adjustable coilovers all-around, and the floor pans were
beautifully finished with red oxide primer. A fresh dual exhaust
system with throaty mufflers provides a basso-profundo soundtrack,
while the lowered stance atop steel wheel adorned with SS hubcaps
and 225/70/14 BFGoodrich redlines is the perfect ending to this
gorgeous piece of American motoring history.
The right car, the right color, the right engine. What are you
waiting for, Impala SS fans? This is it, so call today!
