Chevrolet ditched the tailfins on their full-size cars in 1961. That made for a cleaner look that may have reached its pinnacle in 1962 (my favorite of the 1961-64 generation). The Impala Sport Couple had a more formal roofline in 1962, while the Bel Air got the “bubbletop” look for one more year. Offered by a dealer in Hudson, Florida, this ’62 Impala is thought to be completely original, having only traveled 45,000 miles. With silver paint and poverty hub caps, this Chevy is available here on craigslist for $39,995. T.J. may have outdone himself with this great tip from the 1960s!
New for 1962 was the 327 cubic inch V8. The seller’s website in one place says this car has that engine, but elsewhere (including craigslist) credits it with a 283. Whatever the case, it’s paired with a 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission and should drive as well as it looks. There is no indication that the Chevy needs anything more than a new owner to preserve it as well as its last.
We’re told the silver paint and plaid (ish) interior are likely to be from the factory, though there is no confirmation of that. This may have been a show car of late and scored 97.2% in the Unrestored Original Condition Class at the 39th National Impala Meet in St Charles, Illinois. The Impala has dual exhaust, which may have been added after-the-fact but can’t do anything but make it purr stronger.
If the ’62 Impala is the best that Chevy had to offer in those days, would you give $40k to take this one home? The only thing that would sweeten the deal is if the car were also a Super Sport with bucket seats, but alas that is not the case. If you need assistance, the seller can help with financing and shipping. Are you ready to “See the USA in Your Chevrolet?”
What, no 4 speed, dual quad, positraction 409? Quick, the smelling salts. FINALLY! This is what adorned suburban Americas driveways, not fire breathing 409 monsters. Not a family car, more like the older brothers car working for dad. I read, the Sport Coupe was only about $150 more ( $2781) than a base Impala, but a pile of options could be had. I love the twin antennas, but really, bro’ didn’t get a lot. I suspect the old mans influence,perhaps. Besides, those “409s” that were so popular in song,,,never saw them. Beautiful car, here.
The line across the roof just forward of the rear window has always looked like a hoop for a convertable top, stretching steel.
I think it makes a sharp finish to the roofline, and is delightfully anachronistic. Car buffs will notice it.
Without it the line would be much plainer.
That’s as nice as they get. What Howard said…
A Sport Coupe IS a ‘base Impala’.
Very, very nice car. My hunch is that the car didn’t originally come with dog-dish caps (I know, they were standard equipment but not often seen on an Impala Sport Coupe), but there seems to be a fascination out there with dog-dishes. I missed the memo I guess.
A single V on the front fender call out is a 283 CI, if it had been a 327 CI it would have been crossed flags over the V.
Too much money for asking price, it’s not a SS, guys understand, that in these early 60 Chevrolet,yes they are a ICONIC RIDES, however take into consideration, if it’s not a SS, YOU can’t ask for the building and employee’s, I’m 67 years old, grew up in Elpaso Texas, these rides back then, we could sell for 500 bucks, and we made a good deal, but not anymore, is it worth the asking price?NO! ,is it a better deal, from a money standpoint of view, absolutely, but again, not for that money
My parents had a ‘62, a light yellow with a 327. I somehow got it into neutral and it rolled onto a 4-lane highway when I was about 12 years old. Scared the crap out of my mom.