Update 3/1/20 – After getting bid up to almost $14k, this Impala has been relisted here on eBay. This time it has a reserve so hopefully, the first time wasn’t just a test run.
From 2/4/20 – This 1963 Chevrolet Impala SS looks pretty sad at first glance, sitting on jackstands like a wheel theft victim would in a dark alley. However, it’s far from bad news as this Impala looks quite solid underneath and offers the delightful combination of a monstrous 409 paired to an automatic transmission. The Impala does show plenty of battle scars, including from damage caused by a falling tree. Regardless, this is still a very desirable muscle car and one that is not at all past the point of saving. Find it here on eBay with bidding at $7,500 and no reserve.
The 409 was a seriously powerful engine, with a few different configurations that made a big difference in real-world performance. Even in its most basic form, the 409 spit out an impressive 340 b.h.p., with the upper range featuring a dual four-barrel intake capable of generating 425 b.hp. and 425 lb.-ft. of torque. Listen to any recordings of the 409’s exhaust under hard throttle – it’s equal parts brutal and beautiful. The seller notes the engine still spins freely and that it is an all-matching numbers example; despite this, it’s clear the one owner hasn’t spent much time under the hood in recent years.
While the seller doesn’t directly address the condition of the chassis, I’m not seeing any frightening rust in most locations. The Impala is located in Texas, so perhaps that indicates rust won’t be much of an issue. As far as the wheels being removed, the seller says that was just for photos and to show off how solid the SS is underneath and up in the wheel wells. Some floor rust is noted but the seller doesn’t specify where, just referencing that it’s mostly solid overall. There’s obviously some rust in the driver’s fender, and it looks like the passenger side, too.
The tree damage appears to be limited to the roof, but while it’s hard to see in pictures, the damage possibly warrants replacing the entire roof skin. I’m sure an expert body repair technician could better determine whether the original roof could be saved, but it’s not an easy job either way. Still, I wouldn’t sweat it considering what you’re starting with, which is a numbers matching, original paint car sporting one of the baddest engines of the 1960s. Most intriguing? The VIN number, which actually ends in 409. Would you restore it or just fix the roof and use as-is?
No, no… “Honey, I’ll put it up on these stands and I guarantee it won’t get stolen! Let’s go out to eat.”
( comes home hours later, car and stands are gone. Gets out of truck, scratches head, and says…)
“Don’t that just beat all?!”
Do not laugh. Exact thing happened to my trailer at the lake
(comes home hours later, car is there, stands are gone, cement blocks in their place. Gets out of truck, throws hat to ground and yells…)
“Dag’ nabbit!”
Okay original engine..check
More Frame Shots while on stand? Hello???
I see a seat belt hanging thru floor.
Expanding shots thru side windows indicate slightly chrome side of bucket with possible guage of console 🤨
Interior? Trunk? Pictures sell cars.. window expansions show also…
No back seat?
The front shows engine but No Radiator or misc cooling .
Nice crease on roof and easier to cut
and swap
So i guess the jack stands save gas mileage 😜
This comes down to how much do you want it?
If one puts sweat equity (you work on it) One can easily if not exceed 30-40k with floors, roof, engine build, trans build, wheels, rebuild, brakes, lines, interior and paint. (Pray block not cracked etc.)
Or option B. save time and
For $57 all original 409 turnkey in hreat shape .
I pick B …
https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/chevrolet/impala/2360952.html
I agree and its a 4 speed ta boot with a upgrade of front disc brakes, only downside is the vin # doesn’t end in 409.
Moosie the add says it’s an automatic transmission not a 4 speed manual transmission. It would be better if it had the 4 speed manual transmission instead of the automatic transmission.
Steve S, yep, I know its an automatic, I was referring to the one that Classic Steel posted about for sale on Hemmings.
https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/chevrolet/impala/2360952.html
7
Oh I didn’t see that one
If anyone was going to boost the rims, they wouldn’t bother with jack stands. Cinder blocks or logs would be soup du jour.
This car is worse than it looks. Located in Prosper, Texas, near Fort Worth. Prosper Texas has had flooding nearly every year. I checked back as far as 2015. Unfortunately this potentially lovely car looks like it spent some damp time. I don’t see any shots of the interior. In person inspection is advised. Could be a great car with a lot of work. I don’t think they will have trouble selling it
“In person inspection is “SERIOUSLY “advised”!! I’ll give you $100.00 for it, tops. Way too much work, for this old guy.
She’s not real fine, but she could be.
Do the jack stands come with the car ? If not : that could be deal breaker for me
I’m with Paolo- looker over good, the guy had a chance to take some honest pics Iike the guys said, and he blew it. Good luck, has potential if you want to subject yourself to the work. Would be nice to bring it back with a 4 speed!!
Cheers
GPC
“Hey, Cheech, man, where’d your wheels go, man?”
“What the – Oh, maaan!! And I just paid off those recaps last week, man!”
“Never mind, we don’t have any gas money anyway. Here, toke on this, man.”
In the 60’s I was fortunate to own or drive most of the better Muscle cars… the ’63 409 Impala (a fiends convt) was the most awesome in first and 2nd gear….
Wheels would be nice here.
28 Bids close to 14 grand now.
Bottom does not look all that bad.
Are their interior kits available for these ?
Looks like its going to a new home
These are nice looking cars. Hopefully the car was away from the ocean. Back in 72 I put a customer owned beautiful white version of this car on a center post lift for a state inspection. The lift pads crunched thru 3 of the 4 contact points. I wrote a rejection notice for the car. The customer went ballistic, yelling about how beautiful the freaking paint was, but the car was a death trap and needed a new X frame. I doubt he had it fixed, as every other X frame car in salvage yards for a 400 mile radius was also rotted to sawdust in New England almost 50 years ago.
Ahhh, the rare “invisible wheel package” I believe that was Option Code P49
P for Patina.
My second wife’s name
Gone!!!
Back!
Still lacking more photos. A few interior shot would help.
Spark plug wires, belts, and what’s up with all the corrosion on the air cleaner and valve covers? Pretty sad state of affairs, and once completed we need that tri power 406 Galaxie from the other day up and running…heads up drag race. I’ll put my money on the old galaxie.
Couple bucks anyways….
Weren’t the 348 a tractor engine to begin with? That makes the 409 a good field hand….yeah, I’m stickin’ it to the chevy guys a little, in fun.
My dad had a ‘64 409/450 hp. It came with special headers in the trunk. He used to scare people in Omaha with the intake noise from the 2 4 bbl’s. On the negative side, he said it got 4 mpg, at least how he drove it. He could get solid rubber in the first three gears, and a chirp in fourth. Sure, the 348, which the 409 came out of, was a truck motor, but it sounded like fun to me…
@ Skorenzy, Sounds like he had a top runner, factory wise. No joke, all those early super stock machines could really scream. Highly competitive, even now if any are still used. Heard of a guy who still races a Biscayne, maybe it’s an Impala, uses a 348 short block and a 454 crank to achieve big cubes… don’t know the exact number, very very fast quarter mile. This one here is okay but nothing to sing about. Galaxie by a full fender. Ha!
348 was installed in cars 4 months before trucks.
all I can think of is early BB:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frtVqCZub-0
You?
What’s a matter Willis, don’t you know, the jackstands help keep it out of the water!
Greetings All,
Not seeing that price for what is there.
Nope. It will not sell again 8 grand way to much.
Wonder who bid 14 the last time ?
Mr. Shill Again ?
Yep….at $14 grand that would be some kinda profit…..
decent car but 340/ 409/ PG combo is no barn burner still worthy of restoration
Had a friend buy a new one in 63. He was tough on the car. Within three years he had replaced almost the entire body, the top was the only thing that had not been replaced.