What’s the price difference between a 1960s two-door coupe and the four-door version of that same car? The 1964 Chevrolet Impala seen here on eBay and available in Arab, Alabama, is a good test case for the question. In the old days, it would have been a third the price of the coupe. So if the latter were $20K, the four-door would be about $7500. Going the other way, we should triple the four-door price to get to the two-door number. The question is, thus, whether this car is worth the $15,000 ask, when that multiplies to a similar coupe’s being worth $45K? Or is it the case that the seller will end up taking less, even much less? The tale will be told within the month. And note that the seller does challenge prospective parties to come drive the car and “make me an offer. You will want it; that much I can assure you.” Let’s think that through.
On the positive side, this appears to be the pristine original that the ad claims it to be. Is the paint factory-applied? I don’t see any claim that this is the case, but the word “survivor” would suggest that it’s wearing its original top coat. The images look like it’s simply a faded version of its original self. Could the color be brought back to life? Possibly. I’d be more likely to leave it as it is. Ah, patina. As for the rest of the condition, the seller has a lot of positive things to say, including that the 49,000 mileage number which appears on the odometer is the actual mileage. He also tempts lookers to come by and have a drive, claiming that they’ll be hooked, as was said above. So the question becomes, at the right price, could you love a four-door?
Maybe this is a generational question. What say you, Gen-Yers and Gen-Zers? Never having seen these cars when they were new, is the addition of two doors a liability? Or do you see it on the positive side—this is a car that people don’t have to strain to get into the back of. There’s lots of space for a crew, sitting up high on those awesome bench seats. In the good old days, you’d pass on a car like this in favor if the coupe, but those are fewer and farther between than they used to be.
Is it a muscle car? Heck no. It’s got a V8, for sure, but displacing only 283 cubic inches. Thus it will get up and go, but this is no tire-fryer. Still, I’ll bet it has a tantalizing old-car smell and a personality that would be easy to fall in love with. Add that to a stack of original paperwork, and you’ve got a classic on your hands for sure. The only downside in an “everything works” car is some slightly worn in upholstery, the paint as mentioned, and some holes in the rear footwells. That’s odd and unexplained in a car that’s supposedly always been inside, is not a convertible, and doesn’t have t-tops. But the rest is undisturbed sheetmetal, and there’s a huge horde of photos to back it up. So what if it’s “over-doored”? I’ll bet you’d do just what the seller suggests and fall into this Impala’s spell. I know I have. I mean would!
My parents first new car was a two door Biscayne ( spelling) in this color and same seats with the 283 automatic,
They drove it until 1969 as being the military family we sold it and went the Philippines Clark Air Base.
I prefer two doors personally but one could pretend your riding with Travolta (Vinnie) in their 64 Impala sport (even though a hardtop with peeling paint) in NY going to the Disco’s ( Saturday night Fever) …
He’s dreaming, especially with nowhere near enough pictures to justify that price. God forbid he open the hood. I see ads for many interesting cars, but if it lacks info or pictures, I won’t send them to Barnfinds. It is a frustrating waste of everyone’s time.
A classic car dealer in Iowa a few weeks ago had this almost exact car (gold, gold cloth seats, 4-door sedan, 283, powerglide) except it was the Bel-Air model. They had it listed for $14k and it sold in 1 day.
Sure looks good to me. As much as you get to see anyway. So many of these around when I was a kid. Nice find today.
Four doors is ALWAYS 2, too many on any car or truck. The most hideous vehicles on the road have 4 doors. I had a ’61 Biscayne, a ’63 Impala SS, and a ’64 Biscayne. All coupes. If you didn’t want to climb into my back seat, walk. Still feel that way today and I’m almost 75.
I bet you’re a joy at car shows.
Ever notice that the vast majority of cars at car shows are 2 doors? Ever notice that the cars that bring the most money at auction are 2 doors? Wise up.
https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2F1970-mopar-ad-when-4000-could-buy-you-a-brand-new-car-v0-cdt7ryxm4nj81.jpg%3Fwidth%3D640%26crop%3Dsmart%26auto%3Dwebp%26s%3D2af52f427e062f20399c60f590df6c591b0c5248
Cool old ad, Joe. Kinda tells you the value of a dollar then. Those cars were pretty basic other than what you see listed. But like anything, sex sells. Sexy clothes, sexy car, and 2-doors was sexier than four. However, it’s fair to say that the lowly 4-door sedan often outsold its 2-door counterpart every model year. Yes, there were exceptions like Cutlass Supreme and I believe the ’73 Impala Custom. By the next decade 2-door coupes were being dropped from model lineups altogether. Today it’s difficult to find a 2-door car or truck because the take rate is so small. Lastly, as others have said, the view over the hood looks the same either way. I’m sure many of our parents knew that.
I don’t mind the quad cab versions. You know, all the people that crane their necks to look at a coupe in traffic will be the same ones trying to get a better look at this one. And the coupe owners can sweat it out in aggressive traffic. The four door guys. . . not so much. And the ad does say “or best offer”. So if you want it at a lower price, make your offer.
My neighbors oldest son had a ’64 4 door Biscayne as his second car, back in the early 70’s. It was a severely oxidized gold color. 6 banger, 3 on the tree, and a heater. We neighborhood kids nicknamed it Poop.
looks like a solid original survivor with papers. more pics would be nice but if this could be scored for 10k or less it would be a good deal. just cruise it.
The picture is a model I built last year of my mom’s 64 Impala SS. It had a 283, Powerglide trans and one of the first vinyl tops applied to the coupe version. $2350 is what my father paid… out the door!! The coupes were good looking. The 4 doors?…… not!!
That’s a really nice car for the price of course an intelligent individual would want to personally inspect this car being that it is from where it is but it looks really good and that’s the difference between paying the amount of money for the seller’s asking price and paying thousands of dollars for the junk that is being put out there now because that is what it is these Automotive manufacturing companies forgot where they came from and they are producing nothing but garbage I have a 2001 Honda I don’t have a computer on it but you know what it runs pretty well so realistically speaking take it to consideration what you’re getting into
My father had one just like this.