43k Mile Survivor: 1964 Chevrolet Impala SS

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Chevrolet hit pay dirt when they decided to emphasize style over performance with their Super Sport in 1962. Just shy of 100,000 copies were sold and the numbers grew higher in 1963, so Chevy promoted the hot car to series status in 1964. This two-owner SS convertible is almost 100% original – including its Azure Aqua paint – and is in Boise, Idaho. The sweet drop-top is available through a dealer here on eBay where $60,000 has yet to crack the reserve.

The SS made a brief appearance in 1961 when the 348 or the new 409 (“she so fine, my 409”) cubic inch V8 could be had. Only 453 copies were ordered. For 1962, the SS became the only way to get bucket seats and other items specific to the option, but you could have one with a six-cylinder engine if you were so inclined.  So popular was the SS with buyers that it spilled over to the compact Nova in 1963 and the new mid-size Chevelle in 1964. By the time the seller’s car was built, 185,000 Impala SS models were built in 1964, of which 18,000 are estimated to be convertibles like this one.

A collector car dealer managed to get hold of this ’64 SS for sale, an automobile that has changed hands only twice. The mileage is believed to be just 43,000, meaning that the car was likely driven only occasionally. The seller did a recent road trip of 100 highway miles and the Chevy did its job flawlessly on new radial tires. The 327 cubic inch V8 and 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission seem to be no worse for the passage of time.

Though there’s a little touch-up here and there and a ding in the trunk lid, the paint is original and presents well. But the rocker panels might have a tiny bit of rust starting to peek out. The interior is quite tidy, though it’s been treated to a new canvas top and carpeting. It even has factory seat belts though they weren’t mandated until 1968. This might not be a car for the Concours d’Elegance, but it should turn heads nicely going down the road or at Cars & Coffee.

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Comments

  1. Zen

    Beautiful!!! I love an all original car, original all the way down to it’s hubcaps, well preserved and enjoyed for what it is. Those seat covers seem aftermarket, but it’s understandable that the originals didn’t last. I’d look into getting new seat covers made to look original, that stuff is available now. Otherwise, I’d preserve it and enjoy it for what it is.

    Like 16
    • William Eberline

      Those seatcovers are the original pattern, and appear to me to be original- the only thing I see wrong is the wrinkling on the seatback side. This was a fairly common problem, and easily solved by upholstery shops steaming, stretching, and putting new hogrings in. They could maybe also use a good deep-cleaning.

      Like 11
      • Steve Householder

        Well I will say that they were beautiful cars, but back in those years most convertibles leaked when it rain and floor boards were an issue.

        Like 0
    • Willie

      I agree, don’t know if I’d do an off frame concours restoration on this one!

      Like 2
  2. David Michael Carroll

    I really like yhe ’64 Impalas but too much money and a Poerglide make yhis s NO for me.

    Like 10
  3. MGM

    This things a beauty. But the price ! Good grief! Of course it’s worth a small fortune, but not a kings ransom. And that’s what many of these sellers think. Profits the ticket, but the prices I’m seeing here lately are amazing. I guess if you can get it, go for it. But the big picture is the game is on and prices will continue to skyrocket.

    Like 15
    • Mountainwoodie

      At some point……………everything comes back to earth. With a thud. Meanwhile. what a beautiful ‘vert.

      Like 10
  4. Chris Cornetto

    In 1985 my first car was wrecked after a guy ran a red light. It was a fully optioned non SS 64 Impala convertible. After the insurance company settled out on my car, I looked at this exact color, optioned car. An SS convertible. It was a one owner from a local dealership but had about 60 or so thousand miles on it for 800.00. I passed and bought a two tone red and black 59 fully optioned Impala convertible for 600.00 with a somewhat tired 283 but like my critically injured 64 it had all the bells and whistles, from ac to power everything. A year or so later whoever bought that 64 SS had literally destroyed the thing and it was in a local junkyard engine less where I thought briefly of buying the door and quarter for mine but did not because of the trim differences. Definitely a dey ya vue moment looking at this car today. I love these cars. My original 64 is currently being brought back after nearly 40 years off the road.

    Like 12
  5. MLM

    Ungh. I can’t believe I USE to own three of these. Still love em though.

    Like 6
  6. Scott Swinamer

    800 and 600 dollars? Did you get the date right? If I could have found 1960s Impalas for under a grand in 1985 I would have hoarding them.

    Like 5
    • Chris Cornetto

      They were everywhere in my area and many were convertibles. I bought and still have ALL of my favorites today. Super nice ones could be had in the 12 hundred to 2 k range but they were low mileage originals. Junkyards were loaded with them. My daily summer beater currently is a 72 Impala convertible that I rolled off a car lot in 1989 for 500.00, a base 350 car with all the extra cost power accessories and the hard boot, so yeah there were tons of old decent junk around in the 80s for me.

      Like 6
      • Scott Swinamer

        I actually had 3 ’63s. One at a time. White SS 327-250 PG 2dr ht purchased in 2000 for $4000. White non-SS 283 PG 2dr ht low mile original purchased in 2007 for just under 10k and Saddle Tan/Adobe Beige non-SS 327-250 PG 2dr ht purchased in 2011 for 10k.

        They were all nice driver quality cars.

        Sold that last one in 2016… just BEFORE the prices did the extra high skyrocket. Now I will never reasonably be able to afford one again.

        I didn’t have to have perfect or numbers matching cars, but I insisted they be the CORRECT drivetrain… no “cheap and lazy” late-model 350 swaps or three-speed automatics.

        Like 0
    • Hank Terry

      I own an identical car except 327/300 4 speed. I’ve received offers well beyond $60k, NO interest. $60k is very fair for that glide car IMO.

      Like 6
  7. Terry

    Beautiful car and amazingly original. That is a lot of money for not unlocking the reserve tho. If it was a Big block 4 speed it would certainly be sky high but I guess inflation is everywhere. She is a beautiful original.

    Like 6
  8. Joe Haska

    I graduated from high school in 1961 by 1964 many of my friends had either gone to college or the military and many were married. I did the college thing so a new car was not an option. How ever many that had a little money and maybe just a little older were buying these like they were going out of style ,I was so jealous. I stayed in school went to Vietnam and didn’t get a new car until 1969 and it was a VW. I was married by then and thought I should be responsible ,luckily that didn’t last too long.

    Like 10
  9. Mad Dog 62

    Miss my 63 SS with the 300 horse 327 and slip and slide Powerglide as we used to say. Sold it for 800 buçks in the mid 80s for a down payment on a pickup truck. I have had seven Impalas 1958 to 2003, great cars every one. Hindsight is definitely 20/20, wish I had a few of them back.

    Like 6
  10. Mike

    I love ’60s Impalas as I have a ’65 SS, 327/300, 4 speed, positraction, matching numbers, white/white, but this one is WAY overpriced.

    Like 5
  11. KurtMember

    In East LA this would bring that kind of money no problemo. Beautiful car.

    Like 3
  12. Carnut

    This is a great example of “Demographic shifting”.. factoid..40% of new registered classic car owners are hispanic..California has made more Hispanic Millionaires then any other state (just based on real estate values)..many own multiple properties (apartments/ homes) and have a net worth well over 3Ml. They are buying cars, expensive cars impala’s and many other chevrolets are selling at premium prices and expect it to continue to grow. You don’t have to be a genius to see the shift.. even the big hot rod companies are slowly shifting.. look at Jeg’s..they sold out..can you blame them

    Like 3
  13. CarbobMember

    Listing now removed. I wonder what it sold for assuming that is why the listing ended. I’m not surprised that it’s gone. Lots of love out there for these Impalas. Including me.

    Like 3
  14. DrD

    My son and l have a ’64 SS triple blk conv. that my uncle bought new when he got out of the army. It was his daily driver for almost 25 years. He gave it a respray in the ’90s (and it shows, bad primer years), its 95 percent original with only a new top put on a few years ago. This winter it gets the body done and new paint. My son keeps in a garage and drives almost every weekend and keeps up with regular maintenance. Odo just under a 100k

    Like 4
  15. George Mattar

    Beautiful. I had a 64 two door hardtop this same color from 1981 to 1983. Carpet and seat covers were available from Pete Cidella in 1981. Color was dead on correct and for perfectly.

    Like 0
  16. Bob

    I bought a brand new ’64 Chevelle in Azure Aqua back then. Unfortunately all I could afford at 18 making a buck an hour was $2100.00. These were in the low $3000’s. Still beautiful today!!

    Like 0
  17. MikeMember

    How did Jeg’s sell out??

    Like 0
  18. ACZ

    Those look like 283 fender emblems. Nice car but he’s asking 409 money for it.

    Like 2
    • Bob

      Those are 327 flags. 283 had just the V minus the flags.

      Like 0
  19. Vic

    I bought my ‘64 Impala Non SS Sport Coupe from the original owner in 2007 with 29,608 miles on it. It’s all original, numbers matching to this day except for the steel belted white wall tires that l put on in 2008. It now has 33,434 miles on it. No rust and still has the chalk markings on the driver door hinge. I just wish l had the time to drive it more.

    Like 1
  20. Rickirick

    My Father had one of these while stationed at Homestead AFB back in 67 or 68. Beautiful SS, brown with tan interior 327 w/power glide hardtop. I was 10 or 11. And that car was what made me the car geek I am for the past 57 yrs. What an impression she left on me!

    Like 2
  21. Bob Monahan

    WOW ! The EXACT car my mom had when I was a kid…..what memories. Right down to the twin antennas.

    Like 1
  22. Steve Householder

    Well I will say that they were beautiful cars, but back in those years most convertibles leaked when it rain and floor boards were an issue.

    Like 0
  23. Impala SS Chris

    I have this same color 1964 SS Impala in a hard-top with all original 409 matching numbers engine, it’s a beast and mint condition. Also have a 1965 Impala SS Convertible that I bought for a very reasonable price, around half of what the non-convertible ’64 cost me. For those looking, your money honestly would be better spend on a 1965 Convertible they made a lot more of them and in my opinion it’s got the best looking rearend and tailights on any year made. Prices are going up but the 1965 still remains a great value, for now!

    Like 1
  24. Walt

    Well I ordered a 62 SS 409-409 4speed silver color and it got me in so much trouble I traded it in for a 65 Pontiac Catalina 2 Dr hdtp 389 2 brl so I didn’t lose my license, the 409 had 32K miles on it.

    Like 0
  25. Bill Maceri

    It’s beautiful. My dad had a 69 300, it was a 4 door hardtop, white with a dark blue vinyl top and interior to match. My family worked for the Chrysler Corporation for many years, so that’s what they drove. It’s no secret that Chrysler’s styling in the late 50s and early 60s wasn’t for everyone but I always liked them. The fuelsage styling introduced in 1969 I thought was great. They were large, smooth stylish. The 440 was a Mopar Monster. I loved the sound of the engine and exhaust, it was unique to the 440. And how can we talk about Chrysler sounds without mentioning the sound of the Chrysler starters of the 60s. It was an acquired taste kind of thing, but no matter where it was, you always new there was a Chrysler product starting up some places. I have a very strong attraction to the Chrysler Corporation. Chrysler introduced so many important automotive engineering designs that today are industry standards. Things like power steering, transistoized radios and Tourqueflight automatic transmissions, Tourque bar front suspension, just to name a few. This 1970 300 convertible is as beautiful as any car has ever been. The hidden headlights on the 300 gave the car looks all to its own. The doors were powered by a single electric motor placed in between the headlights just behind the grill. Every time the doors opened and closed, you could hear a ringing sound, like a small bell. It was part of those Chrysler sounds of character. I’ve never owned a convertible but this one could change that.

    Like 0

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