Vehicle Description
1963 Chevrolet Impala SS Hardtop
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, a newengine, and you will be turning heads
by leaps and bounds in the Impala SS right out of 1963 showing
8,840 non verifiable miles on the odometer. The love affair with
the '63 Impala started for our consignor in late 1962 when he saw
one while working at a Volkswagen dealership. His dreams came to
fruition in 2020 when he spotted this car near his home. It needed
the restoration finished, and after some good old fashioned
dickering a deal was struck and 58 years later his dream became a
reality and the rest, as they say, is history.
Exterior
The beneficiary of a respray changing color, this bounding SS is
now draped in a medium blue, and has been garage kept since. Some
bubbles are also noted within the paint, but again you have to look
closely to really catch them. From its chromed bezel dual
headlights 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 tail lights within more aluminum
trim, and a chrome surround, and lower bumper, this car sports
plenty of nice britework 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 blue paint. All
lines and gaps on this car are laser straight, and it could have
been just driven off the showroom floor back in 1963, this
restoration is that good! Faux spinner wheel covers are on the
14-inch wheels and are wrapped with thin white stripe tires.
Interior
A swing of the door and we see some classic 60's touches with tuck
and roll stitched white vinyl, and just a bit of dark blue
carpeting on the lower third. As we move inside 2 nicely restored
wide buckets also in door panel matching white 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 Hurst shifter. As the console
narrows when it gets under the dash, it ducks down for a trio of
Sunpro gauges mounted below the dash. The rear seat takes its cues
from the front buckets and has the rear speaker inserted in the
middle. These seats float in a sea of blue carpet in lightly soiled
but good condition. The dash is pure early 60's Chevrolet, with a
padded topper two tiered setup speedo and gauges on top and a
stainless strip with embedded knobs all within easy reach of the
driver, again in a machine turned panel..
Drivetrain
Flipping their hood we are met with circa 1976350ci V8 in correct
orange block painted glory. A4-barrel carburetor sits under an open
element dua snorkel air cleaner and sends the mix of air and fuel
into the mill. A Muncie M20 4-speed manual 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 without tons of chrome and aluminum
with only a spec of patina and dirt to be seen.
Undercarriage
Drum brakes provide the stopping power on the front and rear ends
of the car and this all sits within a structure of black steel. The
rockers and a few of the body hangers have succumbed to the tin
worm, but the floor pans and toe kicks are all excellent, as is the
larger than life X-frame. All sound independent coil springs are
upfront and a 3 link with coil springs is now on back. A clean rust
free dual exhaust with FlowMaster 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 save for the radio
and clock not working. While Classic Auto Mall represents that
these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we
cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of
your purchase.
A true driver, nicely done with a snazzy engine, and wonderful
interior all in very nicely presenting condition just bleed the
1960's, 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.
31847T238787
3-1963
18-Impala V8
47-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
T-Tarrytown, NY Assy Plant
238787-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
04B-2nd Week April
STYLE 63 1847-1963 Impala SS 2 Door Sport Coupe
BODY TA34556-Tarrytown Body #
TRIM 858-Saddle Vinyl Buckets (SS Only)
PAINT 934-Cordovan Brown
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
