Black primer, oversized tires, and side-exit exhaust tips put a chip on this Chevy’s shoulder. The 1964 Chevrolet Impala SS backs up those visual cues with its dual-quad 409, a crowd-pleaser anytime you punch the throttle or pop the hood. This two-door Impala’s interior needs work, according to the seller. Most owners will quickly apply original Ember Red paint, while others may consider a paint job optional. The listing here on Craigslist tells little about the car, but the $38,500 asking price seems pretty stout for what looks like a solid 409-powered Impala with a one-line description and no documentation. Thanks to reader Rocco B. for spotting this straight-looking SS.
Distinctive scalloped valve covers announce the 348 or 409 W-series motor to Chevrolet fans everywhere. Chevy topped the 409 cid (6.7L) mill with optional twin four-barrel carburetors from 1962 to 1964 according to NHRA. This one shows a handful of modern upgrades including Mallory and MSD ignition, AN fuel fittings, and more. This extreme-closeup is the best engine shot in the listing, but the super-clean appearance suggests a recent build. The Beach Boys‘ 1962 hit “409” sang the praises of this mighty powerplant. How many engines claim songs written in their honor?
The triple tail light signature graced the backside of numerous ’60s Chevrolet models. The inverted U-shaped trim panel and bumper combine to frame the lights like jet thrusters on the space-age SS. Soon mid-sized muscle cars would take the glory, but through the early to mid-’60s, full-sized cars like this Impala got the biggest, baddest motor in the fleet. No one used the phrase “muscle car” when this beast hit the highway. The decoder at ClassicCollector pins this car’s “414…” VIN as a 1964 Impala SS V8, but more research would be required to ID which V8 originally powered the classic two-door. The seller makes no claim of originality on the 409.
The black and white interior always pops, and you can imagine how sharp it would be with the red-hot original body color. The SS console and engine-turned bezels bedazzle the handsome interior. General Motors’ styling was hard to beat in this era, as evident even in the entry-level Chevy brand. What looks like an era-correct dealer-installed air conditioning unit has likely gone unused for decades. Though jokingly called a Donkey or “Donk,” the graceful Impala depicted in the steering wheel center adorns Chevy’s sporty models, and this 409 should cause the big Chevy to leap forward on demand. When it comes to 1964 performance, would you take this full-sized 409 or Pontiac’s mid-sized GTO?
Very nice driver and a sleeper with the maybe 409.Chevy fans will answer all the questions.
Can’t be a sleeper unless he has quiet mufflers on it. Do you think that is the case?
No… sleeper…looks like an old persons car until you put your foot into it
Good looking unit.
A dual quad Low Rider needs some hydraulics and quality cholitas at the very least.
Come on, let the guy have his fun and/or dreams.
64’s do make a great low rider. Just ask Cheech or IceCube.
Taco, for the love of God, what fool would purchase this for 34.5 large, and ruin it. Yes, there are some vehicles that are nice lowriders, but not this one. It makes me ill just thinking about it, keep it like it came from the factory. It’s like aging movie stars and plastic surgery, you start messing with beautiful and end up looking like sh*t. Yes, I am a 59 year old white guy who spent 25 years in Tucson, you can’t destroy this car.
Vance, totally on point. Couldn’t be said better.
Couldn’t have said it better, Taco just wants to ruin classic American hardware. Very sad to see
Like it or not, 9 out of 10 of these wind up as lowriders.
first all 409s came with factory tack second in 1964 the only 409 you could get with a automatic was the 340 hp single 4 Barrell and hydraulic lifters plus all 409s came with chrome value covers
At least you know what you are talking about.. you are spot on
Plus, it’s an aftermarket intake /carb setup.
plus after closer look at engine pic I do not see a dip stick visual difference between 409 and 348. is dep stick 348 driver side 409 passenger side this could be a older 348 transplant
Everyone. What is Low Rider?
My country Swiss has none.
All 409’s came with silver valve covers – not chrome. All 348’s came with orange valve covers. What happens in the )0!years in between is anybody’s guess
1962 409’s came with silver painted valve covers, 63/64 09’s came with chrome cover’s and dual quad 409 solid lifter engine’s never came with an auto trans so this is a cobbled together something or other
Jules, a lowrider is a car that has been totally overdone in everyway possible. This includes the exterior paint, the interior, and hydraulic suspension, which has controls that make it hop and strut like an epileptic squirrel. The paint usually looks like the Bevis and Butthead episode where they took some hallucinating acid and were tripping on. The interior is usually done in velour, and is outrageous like a velvet Elvis painting.It usually has tires too big or too small. The roof many is many times chopped, and the car is lowered so it almost touches the ground. And 90% of them have a massive system that sounds and feels like your fillings in your teeth rattle.. There are other things that I am leaving out, but hopefully you get the gist of it. Now before all you lowrider enthusiast are pissed off, it takes A LOT of work, and hundred’s of hours to complete. It’s just not my gig, especially with this car. I lived in Tucson Arizona for 25 years, and if I never see a other one, It would be a blessing