Some cars are created with a focus on performance, while others cocoon their occupants in luxury and comfort. However, a third group combines the best of both worlds. Such is the case with this 1963 Chevrolet Impala SS. It makes a striking first impression, but the further you dig, the more there is to like. It isn’t perfect, but this classic can’t help but command positive comments wherever it goes. Its next journey could be to a new home, with the seller listing the SS here on eBay in Boise, Idaho. Frantic bidding has pushed the price to $25,700, although it remains short of the reserve.
It is a rare treat to feature two similar classics as desirable as a 1963 Impala in quick succession, but this is the second we’ve seen in only the past day. The other car was a nice example, but this SS might be slightly better. The seller admits it underwent a repaint in its original Silver Blue many years ago, and the fact it has accumulated chips and imperfections confirms it isn’t a trailer queen. It has been driven and enjoyed as its creators intended, a fact that deserves no criticism. The car still presents well as a driver-quality vehicle, leaving the winning bidder to choose between restoration and preservation. The seller mentions bubbles without specifying their location, but the included underside and trunk shots show the frame and floors are rock-solid. There are no signs of significant panel defects, and the glass is crystal clear. The chrome shines as impressively as the rest of the exterior, with the spinner hubcaps providing the perfect finishing touch.
The seller admits the Impala’s interior has imperfections, the most notable being the significant crack in the pad. That is unsurprising because they are prone to UV damage. Hiding the fault below a cover for under $80 is possible, but a car of this caliber probably deserves a replacement pad. At nearly $600, it isn’t cheap. However, it represents a permanent solution. The Blue upholstered surfaces haven’t succumbed to wear, or abuse and aftermarket additions appear confined to a retro-style stereo and some under-dash gauges. The original owner sought to combine comfort with performance, equipping the interior with air conditioning, power windows, a factory tachometer, bucket seats, and a console.
Buyers could order a 1963 Impala SS with a broad selection of mechanical components, and this car will undoubtedly tick the right boxes for many readers. It features a 327ci V8, a four-speed manual transmission, a Posi rear end, and power assistance for the steering and brakes. The 327 produces 300hp and 360 ft/lbs of torque, and while there were more potent options, this package probably provided the best compromise between power and handling. It is hard to determine the best piece of news with this classic, but purists will undoubtedly embrace the fact that it retains its numbers-matching drivetrain. The engine and transmission were rebuilt a few years ago and remain in excellent health. The Impala has been thoroughly inspected, with the seller confirming it runs and drives perfectly.
Determining the desirability of some classics is challenging, but others remove all doubt. Such is the case with this 1963 Impala SS. Interest from potential buyers has been intense, resulting in forty-one bids submitted at the time of writing. The opportunity remains for that figure to climb significantly, and I believe it will. That poses the question of what the price might be when the hammer falls. Would you care to take a guess, or would you rather stay silent and join the bidding war?
Someone’s truly gonna have fun
These cars, especially the 300 horse 4sp models were quite quick for their time. And able to take the whole family, with luggage on a cross country vacation in comfort and style. It just goes to show you we have regressed in the desirability and specifically affordability for a sporty family car. These cars were less than 3000$ new with all of these desireable options. If you want a new family car today the closest thing to this is probabally a new Toyota Camry XSE V6, with a msrp north of 40K$. Have the working middle class really made any progress since 1963? The answer is definately not. Since 1981 the quality of life in regards to family car ownership and quality of life has been on the retreat! Can you site any reasons for the middle class going down hill since this time? I sure can, think about it you will come up with the cause.
Tom, something’s to consider, what cost a dollar in 1963 now costs $10.14. Take your $3000 and multiply by 10.14 and you get $35,720. Now let’s add some things today’s cars have that weren’t in use in 1963 models. Energy absorbing bumpers, electric fuel injection, catalytic converters, emission control devises,front and side airbags, airbag crash sensors,standard equipment air conditioning, standard equipment automatic transmissions, 15-20 microprocessors, tire pressure sensors, antilock brakes, radial tires that will go 60,000 miles,standard equipment power windows and locks, and key fobs to name a few things. I’d say $40,000 or so is a pretty good deal. Let’s not forget, at least two an half times better fuel economy and no tuneups for 100,000+ miles
Your a bit off on the price. Base price was around 3k. 327 was another 100 or so as was the for gear. Posi was 60.00. Tach was 45.00. 85.00 for power steering. 140.00 for power windows. 40.00 tinted glass. Day night mirror and outside rear view mirror was around 20.00. 490.00 for ac. 20.00 for the padded dash and so on. I have a fully loaded 64 convertible that I bought from the original owner in the late 70s and she spent over 5,500.00 on that car. Cars were cheap, they made money off the accessories which is why cars set up like this are seldom seen. As for today’s cars, so what. Ultra safe electronic boring junk for the most part.
Looks good, smells good, drives good, sells good. That’s how this looks to me. All your needs are handled. Ease out onto the pavement and run up thru the gears. Smile. Repeat.
Off by a year: If only it was the rounded, gentler 1964.
Sweet 63, a classic never dies,like a fine wine,better with age. SS TOO,NICE
The first car that I ever drove was a ’63 Chevy, about 60 years ago I snuck my Dad’s 4 door company car out for a spin…
I owed this car back in 1967 and loved it but sold it to go into the service. Wish I put it away back then. Would love to have another
Bidding is north of $30K. Right color, good drivetrain combo, well-optioned, perfectly understandable why the bidding is where it is, and with more than 3 days left I can see the bids nudging $40K. Really nothing to complain about except the price which is beyond what I would pay for a driver-quality car.
Maybe a little nicer than driver quality. Isn’t that what you want anyway?
My brother in law had a 63 impala convertible with the 327 automatic with a white top midnight blue body and Dual pipes. Loved the sound of that engine with the top down back in the 60,s good times.
This “formal” roofline, as it was referred to, is outright classic styling & design to this very day! ’62-’64 Impalas’ will forever be a sought-after model. I had 1ea.; ’62 & ’63. My rust-free Palomar Red ’63 was a $700-buy as my winter ride in ’67. Though a 283-2bl. w/a ‘glide, it was a dream to own & drive.
That trunk is what I’m looking at….nice car though.
I agree with Mopar Joe, the cost of these cars compared to today’s cars works out about right, but I think we’re forgetting one thing, who can work on today’s cars, the amount of relays and sensors is ridiculous, if you don’t own a shop or thousands in tools and chip readers off to Autozone you go for a chip read just to find the problem and than to the shop for the repairs. Now if that 63 has a problem then you bought cap, rotor, points, plugs and wires and 99% of the time you was back on the road. Check the price difference between a simple tire gauge vs. tpms sensor. And the computer boards cost how much. Maybe I’m just to old school.
That, ladies are gentlemen, is a neat car. 63 SS, 327/300 4 speed with a factory tach. It’s something that an old man like me remembers with great fondness.
The 63’ without any doubt whatsoever is the sharpest best looking Impala. If I have to explain to you why, you probably wouldn’t understand
Listing has ended March 27th.There’s an AM-FM radio of some make in the dash.
Decent looking car with a great color.