The Bel Air got a new front-end treatment for the 1963 model and continued to be the mid-range offering in the Chevrolet line-up, with a host of engine options including three varieties of the 409. This 1963 Bel Air here on Craigslist is said to have been born with the most potent variety of the three available big boys, producing a whopping 425 HP out the door as you sped away from your Chevy dealer. That block is no longer present, but performance here is no problem, as this one’s got a fine replacement powerplant under the hood. The Chevy is located in Torrington, Connecticut, and comes with an asking price of $57,000. Tony Primo, thanks for the great tip here!
There’s a lot to dive into regarding what makes this Bel Air move, but fortunately, this one’s a whole lot more than just a high-performer. The seller says he’s only the second owner since 1971, and that the car has been stored inside since 1980. If I understand correctly, the Chevy has only strayed a few miles from its storage area two times during the past five decades, and the body is still wearing the factory Palomar Red paint. A few minor dings and imperfections are noted, but the exterior presents exceptionally well to have never even gotten a respray.
The mileage of 19k on the odometer is stated as actual, and while it’s not specified why the factory engine was yanked, the bay now holds a no-mile dealer block pushing more than 425 horsepower. A laundry list of components includes a pair of 4-barrel carbs, 690 heads, and a fresh HEI ignition system. A Super T-10 manual transmission sends power to the positraction rear-end, which holds 4.56 gears, so this one’s set-up for fast launches. However, another rear with a 5.14 ratio will also be included, should the next owner feel inclined to go with an even higher number.
We only get a couple of shots from the interior, and although the seller states that it’s not original he does say it looks it. A couple of aftermarket additions include a Hurst super shifter plus some aftermarket gauges, with things inside appearing in more than satisfactory condition overall. There’s really not much here not to like, but I am curious how our readers are feeling about the price- is $57k a reasonable amount for what we are seeing here?
To much to me, for a non numbers matching car. I wouldn’t pay that much for it.
He will probably find someone with deep pockets to buy it. For me, without the original motor, it’s just not worth it.
It is a nice looking car, just not 57k worth of nice.
Agree with Johhny. Besides the non-original drivetrain, this 63 needs a lot of details to be dialed in. As it sits, a nice driver, but realistically at probably close to half the asking price – low thirties, tops.
57k at least put a good set of tires on it, geez Louise!
I was in a car club in the early 60’s, Bob Little bought a new 63 Impala 425 409. When the car had 13k miles the clutch was gone, the back tires were bald and the trans needed syncro’s. When the car had about 40k miles it had a broken valve spring, when he drove the car about 4 miles to a gas station, it sucked the valve, screwed up the head and cracked the block. He bought a new fitted block and a head.
Im confused, is it a 4sp ? That shifter is so low .. i see the 3 pedals.
I was thinking the same thing looks like a automatic shifter
It’s a 4spd shifter. The ad tells you which shifter it is, the picture is matches his claim. The shifter is exactly what he says it is.
Steve R
It’s looks to be a vertical gate shifter
had a 67 GTO- blew the 400 and went thru 2 M21’s and an m22- dropped in a 427/435 from a 69 vette( blew that also and had it completely rebuilt as an awesome street race engine ) and a brand new super T-10 with 264 1st. gear- the hurst shifter I had was a competition shifter- same as what is pictured and the throw wasa couple of inches when bangin thru the gears – lightning quick shifts
Great set up, but $57k is way too steep for this car IMO.
I also see a column shifter nub.
went back to see and you may be right about the column shift nub but a 409 3 on tree never saw one maybe a 327 or 283 3 on tree
I noticed the column shifter nub. In the craigslist add it does have a manual transmission. The floor shifter is low. Not sure but maybe it was a three speed column shifted car in it’s early years with a small block v8, or straight 6.
It’s a inline 4 speed..push down and forward for first… Straight back for second.. straight forward for third (shifter pops up at neutral) straight back for Fourth. Reverse is neutral and the knob on the side
I’ll bet the original engine was yanked because it was finally blown sky high. One 1/4 mile at a time.
Good looking big Chevy. Could probably make a fun car out of it.
I would not give 5700 much less 57,000. The breather looks like it was made out of a deep fryer..too many nice ones out there to buy this
I would not pay 5700 much less paying 57,000. The breather looks like it was dollies out of deep fryer.
If the motor runs it’s worth $5700.00 by itself. But the whole Shooteree ain’t worth $57K.
As a general fact, I am usually pretty jazzed up by 62, 3, or 4 big block Biscaynes and Belair’s, but there is something about this one that just doesn’t feel right. Little things like under dash gauges with two missing, that strange Hurst shifter, the way the motor is presented, etc. Whatever it is, it is definitely not worth $57,000. To be quite frank, I probably wouldn’t go over about 10 or 12 thousand, and even then, I wouldn’t be thrilled.
The looks like it was raced for a significant length of time, then parked. Many of the modifications are consistent that sort of history, shifter included. It looks like someone that wasn’t familiar with racing got their hands on it and started making changes either to get it on the road or based on $$$$ they were willing to spend. I hope some of the older performance parts in in the pile of stuff in the last couple of pictures. I wouldn’t take the entirety of the sellers claims at face value, but some have a ring of truth. It’s a cool car, it’s greatest interest would be to return it as closely as possible to its racing days. As for its value, it’s overpriced, but many of the low ball opinions expressed are just as ridiculous.
Steve R
I think it started out a 6 ,v8 would have six taillights, wouldn’t it?
IIRC only the Impala had six taillights. The Biscayne and Bel Air had four. And, this applied regardless of which engine was ordered with a particular car.
No…it’s not an Impala
Shouldn’t the 409 emblem be behind the front wheels on a ’63?
Tim 961, if this was an Impala, you’d be correct. The engine badges on the Impala were placed behind the front wheel opening because there were two horizontal chrome trim strips ahead of the wheel opening. The Bel Air engine badges are correctly placed ahead of the wheel opening.
wow how did I miss that you are right that 409 sign is where the 1962 signs where in 1963 they where behind the wheel wells and I owned 2 1963 impalas and I missed that you are good 👍
No on the front of fender
No if it were a lmpalla ss then ya I could see 57000 price but it appears to be a belair and looks to be a automatic. Trans
It’s a inline 4 speed..push down and forward for first… Straight back for second.. straight forward for third (shifter pops up at neutral) straight back for Fourth. Reverse is neutral and the knob on the side
I have never seen a 409/425 without the factory tach on the dash and if removed there would be a hole, I had a 63 Biscayne 327/300 4 speed w/ a factory tach I believe it was part of the package on my car. A long time ago and I could be mistaken.
no you are right all 327 with 300 HP and more and all 409 s had factory tack on dash
I think you’re a little bit high for something that’s not got the original motor and it’s not really factory on the inside. Looks like it’s been on the column. No I think it’s a little bit too high but it’s a good looking car, but it’s too high for what you’re asking.