Vehicle Description
1963 Chevrolet Impala
The impala is one of the most common and most graceful of all
Africa's antelopes. A slender, agile creature, it can clear
formidable obstacles and run at speeds faster than 60km/h. They are
fleet runners who can leap up to 30 feet in length and 10 feet in
height. They use their tremendous speed and agility to avoid
predation, and seemingly for pure enjoyment. The name 'Impala'
comes from the Zulu language meaning 'gazelle'. Aptly named, the
Chevrolet version introduced in 1958, continued to emulate its
animal namesake through years of design modifications, and power
options made available. In 1963, the jet age was in full swing, and
automobile designers were transitioning from nonfunctional visual
embellishments, to sleek, cleaner line designs for their cars.
Engineers also caught on that more power will attract more buyers,
and the "race" was on!
Here in the corridors of the Classic Auto Mall we have all kinds of
cars with all kinds of purposes. Some classics to be shown, others
to be driven, and others to do both. Here we have a classic that
exemplifies early muscle cars. It is to be driven and should be
shown. Agood paint job, new wheels, and you will be turning heads
by leaps and bounds!
Exterior
The beneficiary of a respray changing color in 2011 now draped in
Laguna Gray, and has been garage kept since. Some inclusions are
also noted within the paint, but again you have to look closely to
really catch them. From its chromed bezel dual headlight flanking
an egg crate grille, and lower wrap around bumper, beautiful belt
line trim spear that runs the length of the body and the dual sets
of three taillights within more aluminum trim, and a chrome
surround, and lower bumper, this car sports plenty of nice
brite-work and chrome to feast your eyes on. Wrap around chrome
window surrounds, "Impala SS" badging with the galloping impala in
a circle, and the crossed flags badge on both front quarter panels
shines brightly against its gray paint. All lines and gaps on this
car are laser straight, and it could have been just driven off the
showroom floor back in 1964 this restoration is that good! Deep
dish Chevy rally wheels with trim rings are wrapped with raised
white letter BF Goodrich tires.
Interior
A swing of the door and we see some slight custom touches with tuck
and roll broadcloth in blue vinyl with small white highlighting
sewn in the material on the doors, and just a bit of dark blue
vinyl on the lower third. As we move inside 2 nicely restored wide
buckets also in door panel matching cloth and vinyl framed in
chrome, flank a center console that is very thin and shoehorned
between the buckets, and reach no further than the seats backs. The
top of the console is covered with a houndstooth machined aluminum
pattern and houses the chrome arm automatic shifter. As the console
narrows when it gets under the dash, it ducks down for an
aftermarket AM/FM/Cassette player and Vintage Air vents mounted
below the dash. The rear seat takes its cues from this front bench
and has the rear speaker inserted in the middle. These benches
float in a sea of blue carpet in good condition, and black rubber
floor mats protect the floors. The dash is pure early 60's
Chevrolet, with a two-tiered setup speedo and gauges on top and a
stainless strip with embedded knobs all within easy reach of the
driver.
Drivetrain
Flipping their hood we are met with a rebuilt in 2011, and sporting
a mere 10,000 miles since, 350ci V8 in correct orange block painted
glory. An Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor sits under a chrome topped
air cleaner and sends the mix of air and fuel through an Edelbrock
intake manifold. A rebuilt in 2010, original to the car, 2-speed
Powerglide automatic transmission is bolted to the back of the mill
and sends the ponies to a 3.36 geared rear axle. A well done engine
bay with tons of chrome and aluminum with nary a spec of dust to be
seen.
Undercarriage
Power disc brakes are noted now in front and power drums for the
rear. This all sits within a structure of black steel. Rockers are
solid and laser straight with a heavy undercoating throughout and
we note some repairs on the body hangers. Floor pans and toe kicks
are all excellent. All sound independent coil springs are upfront
and a 4 link with coil springs is now on back. A clean rust-free
dual exhaust with glasspack style muffler snakes its way past the
framing and other mechanicals.
Drive-Ability
A pleasure to get in and turn the key and now hear some quiet but
throaty exhaust. This is a classy classic, that drives like a
dream, with no observed faults or non-working functions.
A true driver, great upgrades, a snazzy engine compartment, and
wonderful updated interior all in very nicely presenting condition,
is here for the taking at Classic Auto Mall. Come on in and take a
look at this classic, and you may soon be outrunning your
competition...by leaps and bounds.
31847B248399
3-1963
18-Impala V8
47-2 Door Hardtop
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
248399-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 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.