“It’s a Michigan car” can only mean one thing, and that thing is rust. If you know what you’re getting into, however, a case of ventilated floorboards is not too big an obstacle to overcome. In this case, at least, the Impala’s popularity ensures that sheet metal will be available for any intrepid restorer.
The seller’s pictures indicate that the Impala has been sitting for a while, and he mentions clearly that the car will need new floorpans. In this picture, the rocker panels and lower fenders don’t look too bad, but at least a potential owner knows what to expect.
There’s also some rust around the roof, which is certainly a more involved repair than a floorpan.
The interior will clearly need a lot of work, but there’s some trim and a wheel cover in this picture. If the rest of the pictures are any indication, this car is a complete start to an ambitious project. This Impala is Powerglide-equipped, but the seller doesn’t tell us what’s under the hood.
But they do include a picture. Based on the Rochester two-barrel carburetor, I’d say this is a 283 car, which would have been rated at 195 horsepower in 1963. The engine turns by hand but is not running, although the seller claims that the original owner “had it fired up,” so there’s hope that a few hours of cleaning points and plugs might reward the buyer with a solid engine.
The back seat of the Impala doesn’t look too bad, although the rusty metal and Duralast parts boxes may be a little ominous. No word in the text on whether or not the hard hats are included in the sale.
It takes a motivated buyer to take on a project where significant metalwork is imminent, but a ’63 Impala is probably worth it. If you have time, a welder, and some money to spend, this Impala is currently on Facebook Marketplace in Michigan for $7,500.
Only thing ambitious is the price. 409 would be a different story…
Last about this time, at a salvage yard outside of Toledo, Ohio there was a ’63 SS Impala with 409 emblems sitting nose high (no engine). It was rough, it also had Michigan plates on it.
I would buy this in a heart beat if I didn’t have a project already
I see a EGR valve. Don’t think that engine is original.
Heads are late ’60’s too.
I noticed the sensor on the t-stat housing. They started around the mid 1970’s I agree the engine is not original but it is still a good project car
Plus efi and ported switch on water outlet
Another example of too little for too much.
EGR came in 1973. That small two barrel may mean a 307. Only the numbers will tell the truth. Being a Michigan car, count on replacing the complete frame. That X frame was very weak in the two front sections under the best of conditions. Still, a 63 Impala is one of the most beautiful.
Don’t buy a car from the monkey gas man his junk is a lot worse than this
Sitting in all that vegetation all those years, I guarantee that frame is rotted
when I got out of service in 1966 I bought a 1963 Impala 2 door hard top like this was a 2 barrell 283 with 3 on the tree light green white top great car paid $1400 for it traded it in 1967 for a new Corvette paid $4200 for the Vette