Determining the most significant quality of some classics can be more challenging than for others. Take this 1962 Chevrolet Impala SS as an example. It presents superbly, with no rust or other problems. The mechanical configuration is the most potent and desirable offered by Chevrolet, guaranteeing that it has the performance to match its looks. However, the seller’s decision to offer this desirable classic with No Reserve could be the icing on the cake. The Impala is listed here on eBay in Cincinnati, Ohio. Bidding sits at $21,101, with time remaining for interested parties to make a play for this stunning beauty.

Chevrolet was on a roll in the late 1950s, releasing three generations of its Impala in quick succession. The first graced showroom floors in 1958. The following year brought a new model, with the Third Generation hitting showrooms in 1961. Our feature car rolled off the line in 1962, with the original owner splashing the cash on the sporting SS variant. The seller doesn’t expressly state it, but it may have received a professional restoration. If so, the Roman Red paint was applied over laser-straight panels. There are no bumps or ripples, and the gaps are among the tightest and most consistent I have seen on any Impala from this era. The seller states the car has always been garage-kept, making its rust-free status unsurprising. The trim and glass are immaculate, and the spinner hubcaps add the ideal finishing touch. This Impala is clean and relatively subtle, but the small badges on the front fenders confirm it is a genuine sleeper.

Certain vehicle makes or models have often inspired popular songs, with Prince’s “Little Red Corvette” and Bruce Springsteen’s “Pink Cadillac” being perfect examples. However, engines are less often the source of a writer’s obsession. That changed in 1962 when The Beach Boys released a song entitled “409.” They may have channeled this SS when devising the lyrics because the words “My four-speed dual-quad posi-traction 409” are a carbon copy of this classic’s mechanical specifications. The engine bay houses the numbers-matching Dual-Quad 409ci V8, which achieves the legendary goal of producing one horsepower per cubic inch. The 409hp and 420 ft/lbs of torque feed to a Posi rear end via a four-speed manual transmission, with the performance figures cementing this Impala’s muscle car credentials. The journey down the ¼-mile should take 14.9 seconds, with the big-block running out of breath at 140mph. The seller indicates the car has been pampered and meticulously maintained throughout its life. It runs and drives perfectly and is a turnkey proposition for the new owner waiting in the wings. Flying in and driving home is a realistic option.

The theme of spotless presentation continues inside this Impala. It has always remained a pet and smoke-free zone, meaning there are no odd smells or stains. The Red and White vinyl trim looks exceptional, as does the carpet, dash, and headliner. The bright trim is in as-new condition, and there is only minor wheel wear. An FM converter hangs below the dash and is the only aftermarket addition. It isn’t loaded with factory options apart from a radio, and I would probably never switch that on. After all, who needs music when you can listen to the beautiful bass produced by the big-block under the hood?

This 1962 Impala SS is a stunning car with no apparent needs. It is also a fantastic sleeper. Only the subtle badges reveal the potential lurking below the surface. The 1964 Pontiac GTO is acknowledged as the first genuine muscle car. However, the performance provided by this classic, which pre-dates the GTO by two years, could have made it a contender for that title. I am not aiming to rewrite history, but it is a point to ponder. The No Reserve factor means it will head to a new home in under a week. I hope the winning bidder continues to treat it respectfully but also drives it as its creators intended. Classics of this caliber deserve nothing less.