Throughout the 1960s, Chevrolet’s Impala was one of the industry’s best-selling automobiles. That included nearly 400,000 copies of the Impala Sport Coupe in 1963. The seller’s example has spent almost its entire life in a museum, so it only has 6,000 miles on the odometer. And still wears the tires it had on its wheels when it left the factory back in the day. Condition and mileage always drive pricing on vintage cars, and this Impala won’t come cheaply for its third owner.
How this classic Chevy found its way to a museum is unknown, but we’re told it has spent most of its 61 years there. The seller identifies it as the “Ames Museum” which if that’s the Ames History Museum, it was Ames, Iowa. But online, the museum is said to be “temporarily closed” so perhaps they are liquidating inventory, though the listing reads as though a dealer may be involved.
Chances are this Impala is one of the lowest-mileage survivors left on Planet Earth. Other than the battery, everything is original to the Chevy, down to the bias-ply tires. You could probably drive around the block on them, but a set of period-correct aftermarket replacements would be a great idea. The body and white paint look perfect, and the blue/green interior looks like it’s hardly been sat in (it hasn’t!).
According to the seller, this survivor has never seen inclement weather and everything about it shouts, “time capsule.” It even has power seats, a somewhat rare Impala option in ’63. Under the hood lies a 283 cubic inch V8 and the transmission must be a 2-speed Powerglide automatic. Located now in Auburn, Massachusetts, this beauty is available here on Facebook Marketplace. But you’ll have to really, really want the Impala as the asking price is $79,900. BTW, thanks to Dennis House for uncovering this great tip for us!
Wow what a time capsule. Amazing.
Lambrecht car? One that was inside. Some pricey, yet amazing cars came out of that auction. I say this was one of them.
No, the Lambrecht car is red with a white roof and red interior. It is a 327 with powerglide, and had 11.4 miles on the odometer. It sold at that auction for $97,500 in 2013.
This car may have a few more miles and a less interesting back-story than the Lambrecht car, but this one is certainly a prettier color combo, IMO.
I don’t know if this is a Lambrecht car or not, but there was a 63 Impala from Lambrecht at the Iola car show in Wisconsin 7 or 8 years ago. It was gold and had 10.7 miles on the clock. I talked to one of the owners and got him to start it up for me. Car sounded great and overall was in pretty decent shape. He brought the same car back the next year with an odometer reading of 11.1 miles.
Cmon 80 k for a 283 car really!
Car is undoubtedly in top shape. Its not a 409 4speed car. Or anything thing close to one. Just my opinion.
80k?…….. Barrett Jackson asking price! Nope!
That’s exactly where this car should go!
NO! Unless I am missing something the price is ridiculous
Low rider
Excellent but you never could drive it really.
that 63 is awesome.a lot of money,but if it goes to a big auction where people pay 3 to 4 times more for cars they will do well with this car
I don’t know whether to be sad it will never be enjoyed on the open road, or happy it’s preserved in its condition.
HMMMM, repaint it blue, drop in a 400 small block with a turbo 350, and add factory bucket seats. Jack it up a couple inches in the back, just like I had in high school. Now you’re talking.
Keep up with your medication.
I dislike white cars. I have a white 63 two door post now, thinking of painting it 69 Camaro glacier blue.
Makes me miss the one I had all the more.
Same here, I had a white ’63 convertible with a 283 and a red interior.
In order to store a car for this period of time, the entire drive train has to go through special preservation changes – all of which makes the care unfit to drive, and all of that has to be reversed to make the car road worthy again. And such things as the radiator would have to be completely drained and evacuated of all moisture and then the intake and output sealed off and filled with nitrogen to preserve it from corrosion. All the hoses would be dry-rotted by now, and the wiring would be suspect as it too deteriorates with age – mostly the plastic insulation dry rots and so any movement could lead to shorts and malfunctions which are very difficult to trace and fix. If its just going to be transported on a flatbed to another museum – or someone’s garage for another 60 years, then its good to go, but otherwise don’t forget the cost of making this classic into an actual car again as cars are made to be driven – museum displays are not. Given that, if you want an actual car – not a museum display – the asking price is way too steep.
Neat car. Only use is in a collection of trailer queens. Oh ya, ugliest dashboard ever put in an American car.
Ames Automotive Foundation in Marlborough, NH, not Ames Iowa.
https://www.amesautomotivefoundation.org/gallery has a photo, matches the floor on the facebook marketplace pics.
They have a really nice collection, and they are all clean and well displayed.
Altenator ? thought they were still running with a generator…..
63’ is my favorite but the 65’ is right up there. Am I the only one who sees dirty seats?
As nice as the Lambrecht car for sure, but the two tone red Lambrecht had a much nicer color than this one.