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Could You Fix It? 1964 Chevrolet Impala SS

Chevrolet would have a big year in 1964 with the launch of the new mid-size Chevelle.  Ironically, the Chevelle had similar dimensions to the full-size 1957 Bel Air. Quieter news was that the Impala Super Sport (SS) would become a series of its own with special trim to set it apart from the rest of the big Chevies. This ’64 SS has been laid up for years in the same location and needs a full restoration. Not for the faint of heart, this project car is in Linden, New Jersey and available here on eBay where the most recent bid is $3,652.

Already popular, the SS sold extremely well when it was promoted. The 1964 Impala SS accounted for more than one third of Impala production, with about 155,000 being 2-door hardtops and maybe another 30,000 as convertibles. The hardtop was priced at just under $3,000 new and could be recognized by different side moldings, SS wheels covers and the SS emblem on the rear quarter panels. Super Sport models also came with an all-vinyl interior that had bucket seats and a center console for the 4-speed manual or Powerglide automatic transmissions. These cars had a squarer appearance compared to the ’63 models, although on the same basic platform since 1961.

Several engine choices were available for the Impala SS and the seller says the powerplant in this car is original but doesn’t say which one. Safe money would bet on this motor being a 327 with 2 or 4-barrel carburetion, but the 283 and 409 were available in the car in 1964. We’re told this is a two-owner automobile, but we don’t how long the second owner has let the car sit. The mileage is said to be 82,000 but use of the car has likely had less affect than time and Mother Nature have.

There is rust most everywhere you look, especially in the quarter panels and doors. While we’re told the frame is good but there are parts of the car we don’t see, so it wouldn’t be surprising to find more lurking about. The floor pans will require relacing at a minimum. The buyer’s body man is going to be able to send his kid to college after working on this one. The interior is loaded with parts and other debris that may or may not be related to this car and could be dirtier than worn. A thorough cleaning will be needed to ascertain how good or bad the red interior really is. The driver’s side bucket is askew suggesting it has been taken out and just set back in.

When this Chevy was new, the window sticker included quite a few items, including air conditioning which added $364 to the purchase price. If you got A/C, then you probably also ordered tinted glass ($36) and maybe the Impala convenience group (whatever that was) for $31.  A top-notch 1964 Impala SS is said to be worth in the mid-$30,000s according to Hagerty. Maybe more with a big block V8. Fair condition is about $12,000. This car will require a lot of time and money to reach either condition again. Is it worth fixing?

Comments

  1. Avatar Steve Clinton

    “Could You Fix It?”
    No.

    Like 19
  2. Avatar AMCFAN

    I am sure this is saveable but at what cost? Yeah there is a 1-800 build a car catalog but the reality is this. I don’t have a a cash bucket and crew of people that could knock this out in months. That leaves me with a two to three year project. No way. A former cancer patient let me tell you anything can happen and quick especially in the current economy and political climate. Once restored I would rarely drive it and enjoy. Wouldn’t ruin my handywork. Pass

    Like 12
  3. Avatar Mark

    Me thinks this one has been sitting for a long time on terra that ain’t so firma.

    Like 23
  4. Avatar Patrick Holdiness

    Can I see more pictures? The frame and the floor pans? Will bid more if there in good shape

    Like 1
  5. Avatar Rbig

    NJ car then it sat outside for years. Probably a rotten frame. Someone will buy it for parts and the cowl tag. Can buy buy a mint 409 for half the cost to restore this.

    Like 7
  6. Avatar Mutt

    As a divorce attorney, I approve of this purchase.

    Like 33
    • Avatar Stephen H Byrd

      As a fellow attorney, I approve this purchase for the opposing party AFTER settlement. Lol

      Like 2
  7. Avatar local_sheriff

    Yes it’s fixable simply because most parts you’ll need are already available as repops. Once it’s done you will have become a favorite customer amongst the Impala parts vendors.

    While it has rust in all the typical Impala areas it’s also interesting that the RH side of the body seems to be much, much worse. The RH side also has the typical crack where the bottom of the C-pillar meets the quarter panel (which of course is a minor defect considering what else is shot!). You’ll also be out on a search for a set of front buckets, those are not ’64 Impala SS seats. Fender badge indicates a 327, it’s also optioned with the padded dash and the somewhat unusual rear window defogger.

    As a fellow ’64 Impala SS owner I can only say BEST WISHES to the next owner – you’re gonna need it (+ a heap of $)

    Like 10
  8. Avatar JEFFREY HELMS

    That’s a 409 radiator !! That and the early 327 block are worth more than the rest of the car.

    Like 3
  9. Avatar Arthur

    Russ Dixon wrote: “Could You Fix It?”

    Only if I had access to a big bank account and access to a professional shop that has metal fabrication capabilities. Also, I wouldn’t merely fix it … I would give it the pro-touring treatment with a custom chassis and an LS9 from the Corvette ZR-1.

    Like 2
    • Avatar Dave

      There’s a saying in engineering that applies to anything old:

      If you haven’t solved the problem, you haven’t thrown enough money at it.

      Like 2
  10. bobhess bobhess Member

    Is this car worth fixing? Have been “fixing” cars like this my whole life but I wouldn’t lay a wrench on this one. Parts car through and through.

    Like 8
  11. Avatar DANNY V JOHNSON

    Here in California, most of the mid-sixties Impala and Caprice were, at one time, the most stolen cars in the state. Most of them turned into LOWRIDERS.

    Like 3
    • Avatar Rick

      The most famous is Cheech and Chong’s MUF DVR.

      Like 3
    • Avatar CaCarDude

      Danny V: You are totally correct on that. My father had two ’64 SS Impala’s stolen in less than two years and after the second he gave up buying them. The ’64 was his favorite car back in the 70’s & 80’s.
      They were stolen and found stripped a few days or weeks later.
      This listed car would only be good for a parts car from what I see.

      Like 0
  12. Avatar Dale S

    That light blue 1967 Cadillac convertible in the second picture looks more interesting than the Chevy does.

    Like 3
    • Avatar Dale S

      Correction: It’s a 1968 Cadillac convertible!

      Like 1
  13. Avatar Frank Matijevich

    This would be a serious rebuild, maybe Ian Roussel could do the fabrication but it just looks like the car is garbage, sad my favorite car growing up.

    Like 2
  14. Avatar Johnny C.

    Can you say “Roached!”? What a cryin’ shame to see a once great car just left to rot… The one I had was an awesome road car that I cruised from coast to coast just to have the pleasure of doing it… so I have a soft spot for a ’64 Impala SS. Alas, this one looks like it’s been too far gone for a while. I’ll bet the “X” frame looks just like the quarter panels.

    Like 2
  15. Avatar ACZ

    Best advice for this one is “save your money”.

    Like 0
  16. Avatar BigDoc987

    What a shame to see a 64 Chevy Impala SS in this condition

    Like 2
  17. Avatar DuesenbergDino

    44 bids up to $4100 right now. It’s a 64 SS Impala for goodness sake and under $5,000. Rough? You bet it is but someone, or a few someone’s, see potential in this car. Under the right conditions I would be thrilled to volunteer my experience to bring this back to life.

    Like 0
  18. Avatar Kenn

    I wish I knew why, when cars are left to deteriorate as this one has, the air cleaner is always removed. I seldom see one on the cars featured here that are badly rusted/ignored/ left outside to rot. Seems if the air cleaner was left on, less chance for rain, dirt, rodents getting into the engine.

    Like 4
  19. Avatar Joe Treer

    He Gone!!!!

    Like 0
  20. Avatar YourSoundMan

    Would love to attempt driving it with that drivers bucket just
    as it is 😂

    By the way, someone substituted next year’s seats in for
    the cream puff ’64 originals

    Like 0
  21. Avatar Richard Isenberg

    Listen. A bottle of new finish and clean the windows and I want to surprise my mother in law with a gift. She would look great rolling downtown in this Chevy. WHAT? No brakes mom? I’m sorry they said they worked. Lol

    Like 1
  22. Avatar Jrich10

    First car was a 64ss. Bought if from the estate of an old preacher in 72. Absolutely perfect with 14000 on the clock. Dark red with silver int. and only $1000. This was my dream car but mom made me park it until I could pay grandma back 300. I made about 25 a week so I showed mom and sold it. Bought a 66ss with what I had left but not near the car. Yeah I showed her!

    Like 0
  23. Avatar Burt

    Tell me, can you really restore cars like this and not have rust bubble up a year later?

    Like 1
    • Avatar DuesenbergDino

      The trick is you have to acid dip the entire body. Then dip it into the sealer so it soaks into every crevice. Very expensive and takes about a week of dipping and rinsing, dipping again, etc. then when you make repairs you only disturb small areas at a time, use weld thru primer, etc to keep metal from oxidizing. High end restoration shops don’t sandblast and leave the entire body “raw” while working on it. You absolutely have to keep on top of bare metal and you’ll be fine. There is an art to at that is never shown on the car build shows.

      Like 2
  24. Avatar Glenn C. Schwass Member

    It’s up over $4k. Are the parts and drive train worth that? If you’re a body guy and do it yourself? I can’t weld, so not me. Would be a great car 30+ years ago maybe…

    Like 0
  25. Avatar Harvey Robinson

    I am 72 yrs old and I stopped to ask about a 64 SS that was not running 50 yrs ago. The man said he was going to fix it. Guess what, it’s still sitting there.

    Like 3
  26. Avatar bone

    “2 owner car” the original buyer , and then the junkyard where its been sitting since the Bicentennial . This is an East Coast ruster; I’ve picked up enough of these to guarantee the frame is shot , and that bucket seat ? its likely someone sat on it and the seat rails went through the floor . Seeing the older junkers in the background and the now common car hauler ramp in front of the Impala leads me to believe a flipper pulled a few relics out of an old junkyard.

    Like 4
  27. Avatar leonard chamberlain

    every body panel is available , i restored a 64 ss still have it. changing panels is easer than fixing rust. cracks on top quarter at window is body mounts. hint a rotisary , cant spell, is the trick.do all rear body at once not so bad. vintage air, it is a air car it is easy. turned down 38 000 for mine from a dealer to resale. he is short for what a realy nice ss brings.
    cant spell but 64 ss is a nice car. trophy every time out.

    Like 0

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