Every old car has a story, I suppose, and the one around this 1964 Chevrolet Impala is it’s on and off again storage situation – more on that to follow. The real story, however, is its claim of 25K original miles. Genuine? Let’s take a closer look and see what we can determine. Bronx, New York, is where you’ll find this standard-bearer of the 1960’s Chevrolet lineup, and it’s listed here on Facebook Marketplace for $24,000. Gratitude is due to Zen for this tip!
So, this 1964 Chevrolet Impala two-door hardtop is really nothing special. It’s one of 690K (!) Impalas assembled so many years ago, and one of 442K two-door hardtops. Other body styles included convertibles and four-door hardtops, sedans, and station wagons. Yes, Chevy had the tiger by the tail in those days! The seller tells us, “Was taken off the road in 1983 by the original owner, who had worked at a dealership. It was put in a barn.” In 1991, it was retrieved and made operational, but then it was barn-banished again until it got paroled three years ago. The seller states that when this Impala was retrieved from purgatory three years ago, the barn roof had fallen in. That may explain the topside surface rust evident on horizontal surfaces. The exterior images are limited and not detailed, but the body seems to still be sound. It’s straight, at least, and no damage appears to have befallen this Chevy as a result of the gravity-bound barn roof.
Powered by a 195 gross HP 283 CI V8 engine and making forward progression via a Powerglide automatic transmission, this Impala does run and drive. The seller adds, “Still has the original exhaust and brake shoes and drums. I have the original radiator (still usable), alternator, water pump, hoses, wires, distributor if you want to keep everything original. days. Everything else in the brake system was replaced. I drove her to Myrtle Beach, SC for the 4th of July weekend. I drove her out to Ohio.” He also mentions, “new freeze plugs and front transmission seal…”
Inside is a typical cloth-and-vinyl upholstered environment that is in remarkably nice shape – again, there’s only the one interior image (and another of the odometer). The carpet is looking shaky, but then again it may just be a floor mat. The one image that includes the odometer reveals a clear, and not clouded horizontal speedometer. Gauges, other than a fuel gauge, are non-existent in this Impala. And no, A/C is not included.
At the beginning of the listing, the seller claims, “25,000 miles documented.” Well, maybe there’s some documentation somewhere, but it’s not included with the listing. As for the $24,000 ask, I’m not feelin’ that; how about you?
Old doesn’t always equal valuable. This is a perfect example. Probably double what they should be asking due to the condition.
It’s priced exactly where it should be. I have 2 both SS’s one Convertible. Both are insured for 50k. Worth 42 & 49.
This one, unlike your two is just a run of the mill 64 Impala. They are not selling for near the value of your two examples. It will only sell for what someone is willing to pay for it.
Good Lord, is it manual steering? Would be definite drawback. I’d surely treat that trunk rust Asap. Check the floors/frame, etc. price? Kind of dubious..highly likeable overall.
Had the barn been damp maybe ? What with the surface rust in the boot ?
Love the first picture, looks a nice quiet back street.
That looks like what is referred to as “sunburn”.its common in cars that have sat outside for long periods (years) of time exposed to the sun. It’s common in areas like the Southwest. It often just surface “rust” which can be completely removed with a couple of passes with some 120 grit sandpaper.
Steve R
Or towels set up on top to cover it – an old person thing old people do….
I try so hard to get past the prices, and why, after that “beer tanker Rat Rod” baloney, that I wanted no part in THAT discussion, that had everything I feel is wrong with our society, it bummed me out so much, I had to take a break from this madness. HOWEVER, I’ve decided, I enjoy the writers and contributors ( for the most part) , I suppose I have to look beyond that, somehow.
Same old ‘ting, 25K my touchas, no way, even if it had the window sticker. It’s as if, these people haven’t a clue what to ask, oh well, 25K miles,,,$24 grand. Simple, huh.My 1st REAL gf, had a car very similar, only gold, oh, mid-70s, it was here fathers car, who naturally “traded up” to a Buick. It was the style at the time. She was just a peanut of a gal, and sat on 2 pillows to drive it. She ended up trading it for a hardly used(72?) Datsun 1200 fastback, what an extreme.
If you can hold out, these cars will be a mere fraction of what the seller wants, it’s just too late for me, but history repeats itself, unfortunately, and just like the 70s, in 20 years, you will be able to have your pick, if any interest, that is.
Driver quality ..which this is..is looking at 14K tops.Maybe he’s hoping Cheech and Chong need a new lowrider :|
Can’t number the low riders Ive seen that started out with this same year, make and model. The dollars and time spent just on the paint jobs alone! Paint that looks a foot deep!
Or Eazy-E is coming back. “Cruisin’ down the street in my six-four”
I agree with you needs alot of work and no ac and it’s not an ss 14gs is top dollar plus it’s up east cancer country for these old cars but I’m a big fan of the impalas.
Dad had a brown SS 64 in 66 or so in Homestead, Fla when I was 10. Remember it well. If only I knew it was still around & not chopped up. Memories. That car made me a gearhead.
Find another ’64 2 door impala with 25K original miles for less then I’ll listen to your “it’s worth half that at most” comments. You may not like original, unrestored cars but many do and are glad to pay restored prices to get one in this condition. BTW, $25k ain’t what it once was.
Read what your thinking…..seller should have at least put on piece of document in there – after all – he said he waited on it forever to come for sale.
My dad’s old Chevy, down to a tee! Except his had the antenna in the rear.
I live in Impala crazy So Cal and these cars are always a hot item. Look at those seats, about as perfect as you could want. Just needs a refresher. Money might be a little high but it’s not a tough rehab
Only 25K miles and you have to carry a quart of oil in the trunk? I call Bravo Sierra on that!!
There is a term for this; wishful thinking. I’m almost 80 years old, have had many of these old Chevys back in the day but holy moly! This can’t be worth half of the asking, hoping price and even at that in my opinion is still too much.
I have to agree with Howard, the old car hobby is in trouble.
With all due respect Russ (I’ll be 70 Sunday), we all love us some Howard but that doesn’t mean we let him know.🙉🤣
Ha!
The 64 Impala has a place in my heart! It was my mothers first new car bought by my dad. It was a SS with a vinyl top ( one of the first) 283, power glide trans mounted on the floor and a rear speaker with Reverb!!! (That was huge for its day!). $2300 MSRP!! Yikes!!! I really would not pay $24K for this one. It’s too basic and does not show very well. The rusty trunk is a thumbs-down!!
I thought I had uncovered my 64 Impala, an identical to this, that I inherited from my grandma in 1981. She lived in Tampa, Fla, since 1950, bought her turquoise 64 two door hardtop NEW from Ferman Chevrolet. Drove it 87,000 miles and died in 1981. It had old lady scrapes, etc, but no rust, she kept it garaged and it escaped the salt air, for the most part. Dad flew dad from PA, and drove it home. I put new carpet in it, replaced the original radiator, and put new exhaust on it. Also got a mint set of SS wheelcovers at Carlisle in 1982, for I think $50, took em apart, polished them and installed them. Sold the car in 1983, to a guy who tracked me down through my PA classic plate. Think I got $1,800 for it.
Indeed a variety of models and equipment back then. My folks bought a new ‘64 this color, it’s a flashback! Their’s was a basic family commuter Biscayne 4 door sedan, straight 6, three on the tree…with diamond plate pattern clear plastic seat covers and no AC! Handed down to my brother for college commute, met its demise losing a retread snow tire and meeting a lamppost.
My parents had the convertible SS version, and they gave it away in 1969, rather than sell it to me (more than a bit of family-hostility, but that’s another story). Nice car. I would prefer a hardtop to a convertible anyway. Theirs also was a 283 with Powerglide — reliably bulletproof, plenty of power, and easy on gas: at least theirs had air conditioning. But this one needs a complete repaint, as well as total restoration in the trunk; NO WAY on this price! It runs and drives — fine — looking like something you dragged out of the woods. Take that 24K, subtract the price of having the body completely restored, then you might have something, what with the low mileage and nice interior. But, even fully restored to near-show condition, this is a 25k-30k car only. It is your basic Impala and no more. Better than a Bel Air or Biscayne, but not by that much. And are you really going to spend above 20k and then drive it around looking like THIS?