The Super Sport began as an option on the 1961 Impala and took off like wildfire after that. It would extend to the Chevelle and Nova as the ‘60s wore on and would even become a series of its own, like the Chevelle SS 396. This 1962 Impala SS convertible is said to have been sitting in a barn since 1975 and needs a total restoration. The project won’t be easy as there is a significant amount of rust involved. But imagine how sharp it would look when completed! Located in Manahawkin, New Jersey, the Chevy is available here on eBay where the opening bid is $29,000 (no takers yet), but the Buy It Now price is $34,000 if you’re in a hurry.
When the Super Sport debuted in 1961, the number of takers was few as just 435 impalas were built with that option, which was largely for appearance purposes. The notion of a sporty bigger car caught on as 99,311 of the 704,900 Impala’s built the following year came with the SS package. Besides SS badging, they can be recognized by their bucket seats and spinner wheel covers, at least for the 1962 models. Archives don’t seem to break down how many SS convertibles were built in ‘62, but you can do the math. About 77,000 Impala drop-tops were built or 14% of the total, so that might work out to some 13-14,000 topless automobiles. Not rare, but when was the last time you saw one?
It’s our understanding that this car has been sitting for 46 years, which may or may not have included indoor storage given how burnt things look. The cowl tag identifies the color of the car as Silver Blue Metallic and we’re told it’s had at least one repaint. While the body looks passable, there are rust issues underneath. Some of the floorboards are of the Fred Flintstone variety, i.e., you can see through to the ground. Some of the photos provided attest to the crusty nature of the undercarriage.
We’re told that if you put a battery in the Impala, the 327 cubic inch V8 will crank. But since the carburetor, fuel system, and ignition were not tinkered with, we don’t know if it will run on its own. The transmission is an automatic, which likely makes it Chevy’s 2-speed Powerglide. You going to have to strip the interior down and start over with new material, including the dash pad and – of course – the convertible top. We hope the hardware for it is still in operable condition.
The Chevrolet comes with a bunch of parts in the trunk, including those cool wheel covers. The seller has been kind enough to remove them so you can see the condition of the trunk floor, but it’s nothing like the floorboards. Hagerty estimates a ’62 Impala coupe is worth $33,000 in top shape. The SS package adds 20% on top of that and the drop-top should also be a premium. The seller’s expectation on price leaves little room to perform a complete restoration. Do you think it will change hands anytime soon?
Good grief, that’s pie in the sky pricing. Good luck with that.
With about fifty grand worth of parts and paint and my time and labor, I could certainly turn this Chevy into a “woke” $85,000 SuperSport. But why? You’d have to just love the car to do something like that. The best way to see cars in this condition return to the $3,000 or so junk/parts car price they should be selling for is to stop buying them at any price above that.
That way when someone like me who is interested in restoring a car like this comes along, he’s not double upside down on the value of the car after he’s finished.
Wow. No. Not if that’s the x frame underneath.
this is a joke right?
No Joke !
It hasn’t ‘idled’ since 1975 !
Bwahahahahaha
A column-mounted shifter and no console say it’s not an SS regardless of the trunk lid.
Not entirely sure but this car has the grab bar on the dash which think is an SS only option plus the side trim has the turned look to it while the regular impala was shiny all along the whole distance of it
SS came with no console and column shift as a option. This engine does not have 327 valve covers probably has optional 283 being it has power glide. Should have cross flags in V on front if it’s a 327 car . In 62 SS was a trim level not a performance symbol .
I don’t think buckets and console were standard on SS in 1962, so this could be a true SS. But in its current condition it’s worth no where near the asking price. I’d pass on this one.
Guess im missing something here–hagerty hi book 33 large and they want 34 for this roach??? Certainly doable but to me its a 1500 car. Good luck and happy bidding.
Cheers
GPC
The opening bid is $29,000 (no takers yet), but the Buy It Now price is $34,000 if you’re in a hurry.
AHAHAHAHHA! Sorry, I can’t help myself. AHAHAHAHA!
The op is smoking some good s@#t! I’m Mopar to my core but I love 62 Chevys, this is a 5k car at most. Share the wacky op, share the wacky.
That floor pan may need replacing, I’d cut it out just leaving enough around the edges to weld in a new one. Works with VWs.
I’m 100% with John D. on this one. Its a basket case and as such is worth about double what it’d bring at the scrap yard….yes, we, the consumer, can stop this reach for the sky stuff that dreamers are asking for. It’s simple, just don’t do it. Noo waaaay.
anyone that leaves cars like these should be in a mental exam situation. you people should not allow cars like this to be allowed to be listed. shame on the whole bunch. such people probably went to school at one point—where did they go wrong???
what happened to my comment?? couldn’t handle the truth?? what a shame
It just hurts I tell ya. Had to click on this because I had one of these I bought in the late 70’s for $550.00. Real SS too! Needed a new top. The original 283 was shot but the seller threw in a 327 which I preferred at the time. Had too many projects and had to pass it on. Hind sight is a real kicker sometimes.
Wish I had $34,000 so I could buy a restored one and drive over to see this one.
Pretty crispy for $34k, extra crispy recipe. Seems a fella could better spend 30 large elsewhere and enjoy their convertible this summer.
In California if it is restored and perhaps even bagged it will sell for around 100,000 the price has dropped some in the last few years. I just sold a running and driving 4 door 62 for 6500 anniversary gold. It still needed some work. But the buyer was tickled to get it. 2 doors bring more than 4 doors obviously, a Convertible will bring more than hardtops even bubble tops. I’d say this was a 10K car as is. Throw 60K at it and sell it for a profit. At 30K you might break even.
Still no bids. People afraid of offending the seller?