Automotive perfection means different things to different enthusiasts. Some believe the First Generation Mustang is the greatest car ever produced, while others will opt for the Pontiac GTO. I am unsure whether this 1963 Impala Sport Coupe qualifies, but its overall condition and potent mechanical package make it a classic worth respecting. Lifting its presentation from excellent to stunning would be easy, and I’m sure the new owner will follow that path. The Impala is listed here on Craigslist in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Tony P for spotting a 1960s icon that could be yours for $34,999.
The Impala name joined Chevrolet’s model range in 1958, remaining a constant until 1985. It has returned several times, but it appears that the company permanently drew the curtain in 2020. Our feature car is a Third Generation Sport Coupe that rolled off the line in 1963. The seller states it is very original, although they admit the front end received a repaint in its factory shade of Ivy Green Metallic in 1982. It has held up remarkably well since, with no significant flaws or marks. The odometer reading of 51,000 original miles confirms it doesn’t see as much active service as you might expect, contributing to its preservation. The panels are as straight as an arrow, and dry climate living has left the car with only minor penetrating rust in both rear wheel arches. A close inspection reveals a couple of minor trim blemishes, but the tinted glass is spotless. This Impala is a genuine sleeper because only the subtle fender badges suggest there is more to this classic than meets the eye.
The 1963 Impala is a large car that can comfortably seat five adults, but this one has a second string to its bow. The first owner ticked some of the most desirable boxes on the Order Form. The result was a vehicle that could not only transport five people but could deliver them to their destination pretty rapidly. This is courtesy of the Dual-Quad 409ci V8, an engine that joined the Impala range in 1962. This brute of a motor sends 425hp and 425 ft/lbs of torque to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission, with the first owner adding power steering for a lighter driver load. In entry-level form, the Sport Coupe is a mild-mannered vehicle. This combination allows it to storm the ¼-mile in 14.5 seconds and nudge 141mph, which is anything but mild-mannered! The seller confirms that the previous owner replaced the V8 in 1988, but there is no explanation as to why. It is disappointing that we receive no information on the vehicle’s mechanical health, but the seller’s impressions are positive.
Some readers may have braced for the worst when we focused on the Impala’s interior because the Arizona sun can exact a high toll on trim and vinyl. However, the news is mainly positive. The front seat has a visible seam separation between the vinyl and cloth, and the headliner is discolored. I’ve also spotted carpet wear near the driver’s right foot and heavy scuffing on the kick panels. Otherwise, the interior looks pretty good. The pad, particularly the speaker grille region, hasn’t succumbed to UV rays, while the door trims and remaining upholstered surfaces look clean. There are no dash issues, no aftermarket additions, and the wheel is crack-free. It isn’t loaded with luxury appointments, but the driver will welcome the factory tachometer, and the AM radio should relieve boredom on long journeys.
Regardless of brand allegiance, plenty of readers will find this 1963 Impala Sport Coupe extremely attractive. Its mechanical combination promises mind-bending performance from a car with a genuine physical presence. However, the lack of stripes, badges, and other ornamentation means it hides its light under a bushel. The few panel and interior defects could be addressed easily and inexpensively, although some purists may be disappointed by the loss of its original V8. It isn’t pristine, but strangely, that might also make it perfect. Hitting the road behind the wheel of this classic should be a relaxed experience because minor chips and marks won’t cause the same angst as they would on a spotless car. Classic ownership is supposed to be about enjoyment, which this Impala promises. That is why I believe it won’t take long for it to find a new home.
What a nice color….I’ll let the experts chime in….would like to see some documentation….
Definitely not 51k miles, a lot more, as evident by the interior wear and replacement engine. Also, the car has some rust issues. Regardless, someone will probably pay the asking price even if numbers don’t match.
151,000 miles at least!!!!
No Docs means it’s a “made” 409…if it was real price would be double !!
Yeah, those steel dashes didn’t crack. My mother hated that the radio speaker was placed directly in front of “her” as the front seat passenger. This would be great to have as a runner. Drive it until something else comes along.
The seller makes no claim that this car was originally equipped with the dual-quad 409, only that it currently has a replacement 409. This suggests that the seller has no documentation to support the presence of any 409, let alone the dual-quad version. This makes the loss of the original engine doubly unfortunate, because the partial VIN stamped on the block would authenticate it to the car.
Does the style and placement of the 409 fender badge appear correct?
yes they are correct and in the rt place but they can be easily changed it does have a factory tack which means it was born with at least a 300 HP 327
In 63 there would be no partial vin on the block for the full size chevy. If it is a 409 car, they would have equipped the car with a 3/8 fuel line and welded an additional brace on the third link on the rear axle. I’m certain that if it was originally a 409 car, the current owner would state that. Instead, he tries to give that impression with plausible deniability.
Far cry from what I bought my 63 ss for in 1972 300 horse 327 4 speed drove home after paying $300
Original miles. Not hardly.
One would have to assume this was not an original 409, let alone a dual quad set-up. Anybody doing an engine swap in 1988 would dang sure know to hold onto some evidence it was originally an ’09 car. By 88 these with 09’s were already classics and valuable.
My Hyperbole Meter just maxed out. Early Mustang and GTO vying for “Best Car Ever Made”? ‘63 Impala a contender…?
Yeah-No. Mustang and GTO are notable, even historic cars, but a rebodied Falcon, and a Tempest with a big engine, are not in the same automotive ZIP Code as the best car- regardless of criteria. The ‘63 Impala was arguably the least attractive of the decade. The dual quad truck motor made it an overly aggressive elephant on roller skates. The 4 1/2” wide bias ply tires couldn’t get the power to the ground, and any radical maneuvers like turning, or stopping, required serious advance consideration. My Brother in Law bought a new ‘64 Impala SS – His description, and I quote; “It was a pig”. He got bested in a rainy day Stop Light Competition by a stock VW Beetle. He bought a Beetle, then traveled to Stuttgart in Summer’65 and bought a new Porsche.
Least attractive of the decade goes to the 1964 dull and muted styling, had an uncle that was 64 crazy, never could understand that.
As far as a 409 being a ‘truck motor’, that was ONLY true in ’65,which was also the swan song year for the 409. W/only 252hp, dual quads were never in the picture, (https://oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/GM%20Trucks%20and%20Vans/1965_Trucks_And_Vans/1965%20Chevrolet%20Medium%20and%20HD%20Truck%20Brochure/b_1965%20Chevrolet%20Medium%20and%20HD-12.jpg)
I was at the drag strip in the mid-60’s and the chevys were fast and impressive, but as I remember the Mopar max wedge cars bested them almost every time In earlier days I think it was Dave Strickler ghat was successful in a 409, but soon after these came out Chevy already had the Mark 2 big block 427 that bested these special 409 ‘s Never the less these were a pretty potent street machine until the 427 fairlaines, the gto, 442, then of course the race hemi cars in 1964 just blew everything in weeds, this begat Ford to develop the SOHC 427, but thats another story. Any way a cool street car how original? Who knows, but for the price thats a lot of nostalgia fun!
in 1968 had a friend with a 1965 GTO 389 325 HP 4 speed I had a new 1968 Torino gt fast back 390 335 HP 4 speed use I
beat the GTO every time plus many ss396 Chevelle gtos where nice but 390 Torino’s better
The article stated that 409s were turning 14s at 141 mph . LOL I think that should be 114 mph at the most .
But they are now for those old throw away truck blocks.
The unknown status of the original motor in this one is a red flag; I’ll take that blue 327-powered one mentioned elsewhere if price were no object.
The ‘63 Impala is my favorite year Impala. Green is not my favorite color for a car but it looks nice on this one. I would add bucket seats and a console if it were mine.
She’s real fine my 409, nuff said! Good price buy!
Had a red ’63 back in the day. Sport Coupe,just a 283 power glide,but a cool cruiser.
Got rid of it when the rust started pokin’ through all over.
They were bad about that.☹️
A relative through my brothers marriage had a real one like this only silver blue. It had sat long enough to where it didn’t run but all it needed was the fuel system cleaned but I was to young to know much about it then. He wanted to trade my 68 Impala for it and I turned him down. As we all say, if I only knew then….