Chevrolet’s full-size automobiles were in the last of a four-year design cycle in 1964. The crisp styling of the ‘63s was replaced by a boxier, slab-sided look, but models like the Impala continued to sell well over similar products offered by Ford. The seller’s ’64 Impala Sport Coupe is largely a very tired survivor that is more than ready for a restoration. Located in West Chicago, Illinois, this running project is available here on eBay for a flat $15,000. Are you ready to roll up your sleeves and go to work?
At nearly 900,000 units (all body styles), the Impala set its own sales record in 1964. One that would be broken just a year later when the tally would exceed one million copies (which would never be bested). The Sport Coupe body remained an exclusive to the Impala (it was shared with the Bel Air until 1962). All ranges of engines were offered, including the popular 327 cubic inch V8, which can be found in the seller’s car at 72,000 miles.
We’re told this Chevy is complete and numbers-matching, including the automatic transmission (2-speed Powerglide?). It’s decently equipped with a 4-barrel carb, power steering, and power brakes. It’s a runner, but you should limit your treks to short hops due to a front suspension that needs attention. Also, the 327 has developed an affinity to consume oil.
While rust isn’t an issue due to the car’s roots being out west, it was whacked once on the driver’s side, and it needs clearing up. The original color of the Chevy was silver/blue, but Earl Schieb or someone switched it to white a few years ago. Unless your goal is to make a “hip hop” car out of this Impala (the ‘64s were popular for this in Cali at one time – shades of Cheech & Chong), this should have a nice set of bones to bring back to original specs.
“The Love Machine”, and stirring up some ( more) ghosts for me. Oh, it’s okay, all a rich tapestry. My 1st (real) gf, had a car just like this, only bronze. She was just a peanut, and had to sit on pillows with the seat all the way forward. It was her dads car, and moved up to a “Deuce and a Quarter”,,,( see how that worked?) and she got the “old” car. About as exciting as a chess match, it was a car you never even thought if you were going to make it, you always did. That was right around 1974, and she, like many others , went the ferrin’ route, and traded the Chevy for a almost new ,’72 Datsun 1200 fastback ( no hatch). Talk about one extreme to the other. You know, around that time, there were so many nice cars that were traded in a panic, this was one of them.
You all hear my frustration at these prices, does anyone else think this is way off kilter here? People seem to have no remorse whatsoever, listing a fantasy price, does anyone here think this is appropriate? 5 figures for this heap? And it’s a heap, it’s not a Mach 1, it’s a tired old Chevy, yet,,,there has to be a psychological issue, we’ll probably hear about in the future.
Yeah, you know the saying, a fool and his money soon go separate ways. I don’t think it’s one thing as to why and some have said you get what you pay for.
Hi Howard i agree with you. Even at five thousand this would be overpriced but that’s just me i am 65 and remember when you could bye a car like this for $500.00. But even in today’s crazy car prices this car would have to restored to like new for this price.
You’re not going to find a concours restored “Six-Fo” for 15k, but I agree, given this Impala’s current condition, it is priced on the high side. Regardless of price though, undercarriage pics and pics of rust prone areas would help the seller.
Yep Lakota, I bought one of these with a 283, PG, and factory a/c in about 1986, MUCH nicer condition though. $500. Ahh, the good old days!
Too many “ones” in the price. Originally Factory “air conditioning” car , as the ad says ? ? ? I don’t see any under hood A/C components. Undercarriage pictures would help the $15,000 ask price. or not .
Looks like it IS a factory air car Sparkster. Has tinted glass all around, the suitcase on the fire wall, compressor bracket on the engine (no compressor) and the dash vents. I think like others that it’s over priced, but not by a bunch. Sure, it needs just about everything, but really nice 62-65 impalas are going for stupid prices. Buy it for $10-12K, spend $25K fixing it up and you’d have a car worth north of $50K. I’ve got a soft spot for 64 Impalas, my Mom bought a new one and I got my driver’s license in it with less than 500 miles on the odometer. If I hadn’t just finished a 65 Mustang and am in the middle of a 74 Nova I’d be making an offer.
” Undercarriage pictures would help the $15,000 ask price. or not .”
I agree. In the mid 70s my father was driving a 1963 Chevy Biscayne 4 door in the Chicago area. The X frame became so rusted and rotted from snow and salt that he eventually took it to the junkyard, got a few buck and bought another beater.
That car had full exposure to Chicago winters and was used up after 10+ years. This car may not have suffered the same, but some good frame pics would help the buyer out.
I think it must be a typo there is definitely one to many zeros in the price. This car needs everything and it’s in the rust belt.
I’ve shared before how my Grandad was a line Super at the Atlanta Chevy plant. He could COPO anything he wanted. Hence his 64 Impala 2 door was very similar to this car. Yellow w/black interior – full SS prep but a bench seat (because Grandmama didn’t like bucket seats) and dog-dish hubcaps.
The fun part was he had ordered the Z11 option. Yeah…the 427… He had a bit of a street-racer in him and won more than one pink-slip. Story goes that my uncle ended up with a 62 Vette because of one of his races. That was one fun ride…
I think that the story of your Grandad’s car has been embellished, or at least misremembered over the years.
A ’64 Impala with “full SS prep” but without bucket seats, a console, or SS hubcaps would just be a Sport Coupe with SS badging and a little engine turned aluminum trim because that’s all the SS package consisted of.
The larger thing that is not correct about the car you describe is the engine. The Z-11 427 was never available as a COPO, and was not available at all in ’64. There were 57 Z-11’s (RPO Z-11) produced in ’63 as part of Chevrolets drag racing program, but were only made available to drag racers with a proven record and those that participated in the Chevvy drag racing program. Perhaps your Grandfathers car was a Sport Coupe with an L-80 409/425.
Regarding this particular car: it is a low optioned junker that is worth maybe $1500 in my opinion.
I have a 64 sport coupe. It has blisters
In the passenger door, a crack in the
Windshield, small issues with trunk pan.
And, it needs a new rear glass seal,
Missing one front fender spear trim.
But !!! The frt end is rebuilt,and new coils
(Cut one) one heck of a 350, my black
Interior is decent, with new carpet, and
An 1960’s A/C from Sears. Mild rear air
Shocks, for attitude.
Go try and find a complete car ! Anywhere !
I’m in the Fla. panhandle, and yes, $15k
Is stiff for that car, to start. But it is no
Longer a “barn” find, and it’s got the
Org. 327/4 b carb. It should easily bring
$12k if he’s patient !
Oh! Did I mention, I need a complete
Exhaust system,
All the 327s had 4bbl, either Carter (250hp) or Rochester (300hp)…I think. 283s had a 2bbl.
The 300 hp had a AFB Carter, the 250 hp had the 4GC Rochester, and the 283 still had a 4GC Rochester 4barrel available until 65
My grandparents bought a new 1964 Impala station wagon. It had the 327 , 4 bbl, dual exhaust, 2 speed auto, ps and pb. I got my learners permit in 1968 and drove the car frequently. It was fast, I loved it. I got my license in early 1970. My grandparents wanted to give me the car for free. My dad ( their son and only child vetoed the idea saying, “no 16 year old needs his own car.” There went my free car.
The only thing, here, that has any value is the parts of the A/C system. Tow the rest to recycle.
This is also the last year of the “X” frame and 2 piece driveshaft. Good bye center support and bearing! My first car that I “legally” drove on the highway was a ’63 2 door Chev Biscayne. I worked at a NAPA parts store in high-school and since all the exhaust parts were the same from 1958 to 1964 (except head pipes on 348/409 cars) I think I can still recite the “Soundmaster” part number for the complete single exhaust system. And that was 56? Years ago? I have a mind full of useless part numbers, like points, condencers, rotors and caps for the same cars. Now if I could just replace that knowledge with something useful or even make me money.
I’m in the camp that thinks this is a bit overpriced. In my opinion 7.5k maybe?
I like it just as it is. Though the one thing I would like is a 4spd … Get it running and road worthy and drive the wheels off it. Don’t need no ac, just open the windows! We’ve gotten so soft.
‘KISS’ principle, keep it simple stupid.
Why must you good folks insist that this was the last of a FOUR year body? The 1961-’62 was one body, and the 1963-’64 was another. Those shells were completely different. While the 1963 bore “family resemblance” cues to the ’62, it was an entirely new car, whereas the 1962 was a refresh of the 1961. Compare such things as the dashboards and the shape on the sides of the windshield: The 1961 and 1962 dashes were essentially the same, and both cars had that remaining vestige of the old wrap-around windshield — totally gone in the ’63 and ’64. The same is true of the other GM cars in these years. I much prefer the 1964 to the 1963, and the 1962 to the 1961. We had a 1964 Impala (not SS) convertible, automatic, with what might have been a 283 V-8 (I’m not sure — I was grown and gone by the time that my parents bought it).
’61 – ’62 were similar, ’63 – ’64 were similar, ’65 – ’66 were similar etc. Two year styling changes were the GM thing during the sixties, after ’58, ’59, ’60, and ’61 complete make overs got a little spendy.
Pretty sure that’s a Texas car from the land of Buddy Holly…..still a car like this is most likely woth that kind of money in that area of the states….it does look in good condition for it’s age….factory paint and seats .
Robt is right ! Most of us can’t afford a $50,000 SS
Fix the ball joints the tire rod ends and the bushings
6×9 speakers in the rear deck
Baby moons and trim rings on the steel rims
Fat tires and a pair of cherry bombs
And drive it like you stole it
You’ll have more fun and the car will be a rockstar everywhere you go
Looks like a good Chevy to restore. It’s a 327 with a 4 barrel carb, has power brakes and power steering. The dash looks to be in very good shape and the rest of the interior looks ok. The floors and truck look to be in very good shape. Price would be batter around 10k.