Great Barn Find: 1963 Chevrolet Impala SS

Very rarely does a barn find come along that doesn’t seem like too much work for too much money. This 1963 Chevrolet Impala SS fits that criteria. With a current bid price of $5,000 and no reserve, you should keep an eye on this car if you are interested. It is located in Denver, Colorado and the VIN is listed. The car will have a bill of sale unless you want the seller to get a title for a fee. You can view more on eBay.

The numbers are matching on this SS and it has a 283 cubic inch V8 mated to the original floor-shifted automatic transmission. On the outside of the car, the chrome looks great and the paint, while worn, still covers the car in a healthy manner. The trunk has a few fade spots. This car must have been in a barn as described or it surely would be in worse shape in the elements of Colorado.

Inside the front seats have some wear and tear with the passenger seat having some stuffing showing. In the back are great looking seats for their age. The headliner still looks like it is clinging to the roof. Up in the center console, the shift knob is missing. Everything on the dashboard seems to look complete. There is some rust on the door jams. The trunk has holes in it but the outer body is in decent shape.

If you do want a title to the car, there seems to be quite a paperwork process involved. Probably nothing out of the ordinary, but it would depend on what state you want to title it for. Depending on your state you might have to pay taxes on the NADA value of the car, which might be far lower than what you purchase it for. Keep that in mind as you ponder your purchase.

Comments

  1. Avatar Dave Mika Member

    Actually, we have 300 days of sunshine here in 303, and we do not salt our roads. At our shop, we are overjoyed when we get to work on a Colorado-native car, and cry like babies when we get one from like, Scranton or similar…

    Like 7
  2. Avatar Joe Machado

    Found for sale in Quartzite,Arizona, a 64 Impala convert, 409, 4 speed. I am not interested. Extremely clean. No rust. Turquoise with white interior and white top. It is the Western end exit of town. South side of I-10. Google earth street view. Side road. Couple hundred cars

    Like 4
    • Avatar madbrit

      Joe, was there a price or phone number? Pics maybe?

      Like 0
      • Avatar Joe Machado

        I tried answering, but barn finds continues to have me join again and again. Will not let me X out. Back to using ipad. Anyway, that happened as I was driving thru Indiana in 1989 in my 61 Dodge Phoenix convertible. I had just sold my first Daytona a week before.
        I found a buyer later that restored it. QQ1 paint, Turquoise. Very rare color. I love finding super rareMopars. I travel around with an empty trailer looking. In 1991, I found a real 1960 Polara D500 Ram Induction convert. Son restored it. Been in many car magazines.

        Like 1
    • Avatar paul oberman

      found what appears to be the yard he is referring to. it is a lot of high dollar collector cars.

      http://desertgardenscars.com

      Like 0
  3. Avatar Del

    Can anyone tell from the data plates if this a real SS ?

    I see no SS insignia ?

    Like 4
    • Avatar local_sheriff

      You cannot decode VIN to verify it’s an SS, as the SS became a separate series for the first time in 64. Uptil then it was only an appearance option package.
      3=63 model year, 18=V8 Impala,47=2dht, A= Atlanta plant,183081=83081st produced.
      Cowl tag states trim 812=black vinyl interior , paint 948=Palomar Red.The acc means factory installed options but I have no reliable source for that.
      Given that this car came equipped with VINYL seats I’d claim it’s a real SS, as non-SS models came with a combination of VINYL/CLOTH(trim code 811). Vinyl was only available seat cover in SS.

      Like 6
  4. Avatar Mike

    Also where is the 3rd pedal?

    Like 3
  5. Avatar Fin Dude

    SS can be a 6 cylinder also. SS has nothing to do with the engine. Means bucket seats and trim package.

    Like 4
    • Avatar local_sheriff

      That’s right – but VIN would then start with 317 !:-)

      Like 3
  6. Avatar stillrunners

    With Del….the guy says SS Impala so many times in the ad – it makes me wonder why some SS trim is missing…….could it be an SS Impala wantabee ?

    Like 2
  7. Avatar Tempo Ray

    local_sheriff brought up some good points concerning identification. Another observation is the “machined swirl” pattern that the SS package carried onto their dash area, floor shifter, outside quarter trim and rear tail light panel. Even though these can be added on as after market pieces, based on the photos, they seem to have aged accordingly with the car. One other observation is that the Impala emblem on the quarter panel doesn’t display the correct SS version. Overall, a cool cruiser to seriously consider. As I mentioned in previous comments, I thoroughly enjoy my 1963 Impala SS convertible with the turbo-fire 327…

    Like 3
  8. Avatar Dave Mika Member

    Automatics do not require a “3rd” pedal – unless you consider the parking brake pedal…

    Like 2
  9. Avatar pwtiger

    Do I see an A/C condenser in front of the radiator and hoses under the right fender heading to the firewall?

    Like 1
    • Avatar Craig M Bryda

      And vents/diffusers on the dash board but no compressor on the engine.

      Like 0
  10. Avatar William Decker Member

    I would debate “GM’s most popular division” but otherwise, agreed.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Mike

      …along with ruling the world…

      Like 0
  11. Avatar David Mika Member

    Yes, it would appear that you do.

    Like 1
  12. Avatar Vince H

    Cove area around tail lights appears to be SS.

    Like 0
  13. Avatar John C Cargill

    I’m surprised some low rider hasn’t snapped it up.

    Like 1
  14. Avatar Miguel

    Is that the right automatic shifter for this car?

    It looks a little offset to the left.

    Like 0
  15. Avatar Tempo Ray

    Hey Miguel, that is the correct center console with machined swirl pattern and shifter. The SS badge is missing off of the console as well as the round shifter knob. The factory transmission would be a 2spd. powerglide…By the way, did you ever persue that 1950 4dr. Mercury?

    Like 0
    • Avatar Miguel

      Not yet Tempo. I haven’t been to see it and I don’t yet have a safe place to store it out of the elements.

      I will remedy that soon.

      Like 0
  16. Avatar Del

    After some internet diving….

    According to one forum having a 3Z on the cowl plate confirms this is a valid SS.

    You can see the 3Z on cowl plate photo.

    Thank god for sellers that give details like this !!!

    Like 1
    • Avatar local_sheriff

      Well, I’ve found sources that claim the 3Z code refers to metallic brake linings…

      Which forum did you find that info? I’d find it highly interesting (probably others too) to find out which accessory code GM applied for the SS option in 63, as all SS specific items would have been installed somehere along the assembly line.

      Like 0
  17. Avatar Del
    • Avatar local_sheriff

      Yup,the RPO Z03 would be the code for the SS – but does that translate into accessory code 3Z…?

      As owner of a 64 SS I’m not into all of the 63 specs , but I always strive to learn more about any x-frame cars!

      Like 0

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