When it was shiny and new, this 1964 Chevrolet Impala must have been a pretty impressive car. It is now a shadow of its former self, and this is reflected in the price. The Impala has been listed for sale with a BIN price of $1,500 and is being sold with a Bill of Sale. Located in New Egypt, New Jersey, you will find the Impala listed for sale here on eBay.
It’s hard to know where to start with when looking at the Impala. There really is rust as far as the eye can see. The owner does say that the frame will need to be replaced, and I can certainly see that the rear frame rail on the passenger side is extremely rusty. The floors are all in the same boat, as are the majority of the lower extremities of the body itself. Having said that, there are quite a number of parts here that could be either used or restored, so the Impala’s ultimate fate might be as a parts car.
Combine what used to be a yellow exterior with the black interior, and this would have been a pretty special car. The owner says that it used to be a bench seat car, and once again, we can see some pieces that could be restored and used in another vehicle. One of my favorite items is the factory tachometer mounted above the steering column. That’s just a cool piece of kit, and it does look like it could be saved.
This is the time when you really have to swallow hard with this Impala. The owner is very quick to point out that this is not an SS, but it did roll off the production line fitted with the 340hp 409ci V8 and 4-speed transmission. The owner had apparently been trying to buy the Impala for some time, complete with the knowledge that while the engine was not in the car, that it was still in the same workshop. He then purchased the car from the original owner’s estate, only to find that the family had already sold the engine. He has tried to track it down but has had no luck.
The owner of the Impala is a realist. He says that this could be a project, and if it was, then it would be a big one. However, he also says that it would be a good parts car, and if you start to add up all of the items like trim, glass, the factory tach, and a few other smaller items, then it makes some sense from that perspective. So, if you have a ’64 Impala project on the go, maybe this is a car that you should take a look at.
Sadly … remove the remaining good parts and send it to the crusher …
This thing is beyond restoration, unless you’ve got a TV show and money to burn.
,,,unless you’ve got really deep pockets and a seriously burning desire. Not this kid. Looks like a hurricane Sandy rescue
Sorry, but this one is too far gone IMHO. When you’re talking a frame AND floors that are toast, that’s a MAJOR expense right there if restoring. The fact that it’s a 409 means little, really. Had this been a `61 “SS” or a `62, SURE. but by `64 the 427 was the holy grail. And besides; `64 Impala “SS” hardtops aren’t exactly scarce. If you’re bent on getting a `64, keep shopping and buy the very best one you can afford. You are much better off in the long run.
I beg to differ with you about the 427. I recall an ad in Popular Science that showed a 64 Impala convertible with an empty engine bay and all of the available engines were in front of it. The hot choice was a dual quad 409. The 396 would debut in 65. Someone who knows for sure will post.
The 427 didn’t debut until 1966.
Will; 64s only big block alternative for common shoppers was still the 409. ‘Mystery engine’ 427 was for race teams only. Agree 64 SS cars have an extreme survival rate and 185.325 were built. This one isn’t an SS either making it even more common.
Bumpers, some trim parts and the pedal setup seem usable on this 64, rest is ;sad to say; junk
I’m looking for the rulebook. IIRC on pages 1, 2, 3, 5, 13, 19 & 43 it clearly states “never, ever, ever sell your original 1964 Chevy 409 motor when you are still in possession of the original 1964 Impala”. We’re gonna need some enforcement on this!
On the other hand, I’m a little cynical about the “story”. Assuming that said 409 was indeed not in the car and the family knew that they had a rust bucket Impala that would need to go as well I’m pretty sure that they would have insisted that the engine buyer take the Impala carcass along as a two-fer. Just to get it hauled away at someone else’s expense and effort!
And why would the now-seller trade hard earned cash for the car and not be aware that the 409 was already re-homed? Uh, what’s that smell? I’m pretty sure that the 409 would be the attraction. So I’m going to go with the thought that the current seller bought both, together or separately, and now wants to unload the shell on some poor innocent. It might be worth the $1500 BIN if that trailer that it’s loaded on is part of deal. Then again, maybe not.
Honey, I swore I bought the groceries! I put them right in the trunk and don’t know what happened to them!
I owned a 66 Fury in college, and accused my roommate of stealing tools until I saw a wrench sticking out from behind the left rear wheel!
This car has the biggest trunk hole I’ve ever seen LOL! But my grandparents had a ’69 Coronet 500 that was close. The wheelwells and trunk floor got so rusted by 1975 or so that grandma couldn’t even put the groceries in there in the rain or snow or they’d get soaking wet.
Just maybe the engine buyer thought he might get a deal on the body. It’s a Lot like mine with tach and 4sp – just dropped a 396 in it since it was missing the 409.
Truly, any value here would have to include the 409, and with it long gone… have the funeral, and say good bye.
I have told this story on Barn Finds before, and I apologize if I bore anyone. When my next older brother, came home from the service in 72, we went looking for a transportation type beater. I spotted a 64 Biscayne wagon, down the street, with for sale signs in the windows. It had some nice big tires on it, and I was convinced it probably was a 283 with a glide, which would fit as a get around type car. So, we went to take a look, knocked on the door, and asked to look at the car. I peeked inside the interior, and there was a Muncie shifter. My eyes popped out. The seller raised the hood…. I about fell over. Yep, you guessed it, a 409. So a Biscayne, entry level car, with a factory 409 and a 4 speed
Factory tach, heater… and I think it had an AM radio. No power steering or power brakes. It had a trailer hitch on the back, and we presumed, that was it’s purpose in life. Was an incredible sleeper, and belongs at the top of the “I shoulda never sold my…” list
I think the red line on the tach was 5100 rpm. They didn’t whine to high, but had incredible torque. Such fun cars in those days, and at a dime a dozen too. Well hindsight is 20-20 they say.
Knot so Fine 409 !
The earth wants it back. Let her have it.
I think it’s a little odd that the owner didn’t ask if the engine/trans. were in the shop if he thought that they were. Then make an offer on them first and then the body.
Such a waste, stick a fork in it as it’s done. Salvage what you can and call the crusher.
Hi Ho Hi Ho it’s off to the scrap yard we go.
Being a parts rat, I see some parts and and a VIN> You gentlemen all make good points, sad to see a 409 4 speed car look like this. Before the big block came out the 348 and 409 dominated the drag strips–gobs of torque, possibly because the”W” Block was a truck engine. Up to you to decide if its worth 1500 clams. Good luck to the new owner.
“well I saved my pennies and I saved my dimes-
Giddyup giddyup 409-
So I could buy a brand new 409!”
Great days indeed….
Cheers
GPC
When I take her to the drag she really shines! Sadly, with the original engine gone and the rust issues, this is better off as a parts car. Too bad, Brian Wilson would cry over this car!
A lot of money to pay for a tach and a clutch pedal.
Just tonight I was watching a show on the Beach Boys on AXSTV.
In it, Carl Wilson drives his right hand drive Bentley Convertible ( might have been a Rolls) I didnt pay attention, because he pulls into a lot somewhere near Hawthorne that sold muscle cars………I;m assuming this film clip was shot in the early to mid eighties by his appearance.
The lot was crazy with every single car you can imagine or ever wanted.
Anyway in an obvious play on words of their song, the car salesman is showing him a red ’64 SS 409 with a 4 speed. LSD etc. Carl climbs in gets out and says….”Nah not for me”. Lol
Then he gets in a ’55 Nomad…and says “this is more like it”…. WTH!
I was dying looking at the cars on that lot. I think the lot’s name was StickMan or something
Anyway……………ithat 409 was in a lot better shape than this sorry mangy dog.
I bet this car would of been fun driving with that 409 under the hood with the 4 speed manual transmission
If this vehicle is still available I have a buyer