The original owner of this 1963 Chevrolet Impala ticked many desirable boxes on the Order Form when they ordered this classic. The result is that this car comes nicely equipped, with the highlight being the fantastic 409ci V8 engine. It presents superbly, which is hardly surprising since the owner has spent $85,000 on restoration work. With the project complete, the time has come for this Impala to find a new home. Located in Boynton Beach, Florida, you will find the Impala listed for sale here on eBay. Solid bidding has pushed the price past the reserve to $45,100. That new home now seems mere days away.
The Impala wears Monaco Blue paint with an Ermine White top. The owner indicates that it received a repaint in this original combination in 2007, and it still presents superbly today. At a touch over 17-feet in overall length, the Impala was not the longest car to roll off an American production line in 1963. However, the two-tone paint combination creates the illusion that the vehicle is longer and lower than the tape measure suggests. The paint shines beautifully, with no flaws or problems visible in the supplied photos. There are no bruises or blemishes and no evidence of any existing rust or previous rust repairs. The chrome is immaculate and provides a striking contrast to that deep blue paint. The remaining trim is spotless, while the tinted glass is flawless. I will be astounded if this classic doesn’t turn heads wherever it goes.
The drivetrain combination for this Impala includes a 409ci V8 that produces 340hp, a two-speed Powerglide transmission, power steering, and power brakes. Once all of that power is applied to the road, this classic will scorch through the ¼ mile in 15.7 seconds before hitting 127mph. While that number doesn’t sound particularly impressive, it’s worth noticing that it’s being performed by a car that tips the scales at well over 3,800lbs. When it comes to the question of potential ultimate value, a classic that is numbers-matching will always have an advantage over a vehicle with non-original components. That’s where this Impala comes into its own. It features its original drivetrain, which is in excellent condition. The owner indicates that the vehicle runs and drives well, and he would drive it anywhere on the planet. He recently upgraded the ignition system to electronic but has retained the original components for anyone focusing on ensuring that the car remains as the maker intended. For potential buyers, it sounds like they won’t be spending another dime after they’ve handed the seller their money.
The theme of spotless presentation continues when we open the doors and survey this Chevy’s interior. The seats are upholstered in a combination of blue cloth and vinyl and show no evidence of wear or other issues. The remaining upholstered surfaces are perfect, as are the carpet and dash. The bright trim pieces shine impressively, with no physical damage or corrosion evident. The wheel has not succumbed to cracking that is common for cars of this age from a warmer climate, the gauge markings are crisp, and the lenses are clear. The owner has added aftermarket air conditioning, which he believes is essential in Florida. I can’t argue with him on that point, but he does indicate that the buyer could remove this if it isn’t to their taste. Otherwise, the only option fitted is the factory AM radio. It might not be a lot, but it should be enough to relieve boredom on longer journeys.
There’s nothing quite like having a bit of documentation to go with your classic car, and this Impala delivers on that front. As well as the Owner’s Manual, there’s the original Registration, Window Sticker, other miscellaneous receipts, and even a vinyl copy of the original Beach Boys song “409” that they released in 1962. Unlike the car and engine on which it was based, this song was a short-lived hit. It remained in the Billboard Top 100 for a single week.
With that booming big-block under the hood and spotless presentation, there’s a lot to like about this 1963 Impala. I’m not alone in that thought because it has already attracted a respectable twenty-nine bids. I suspect that we haven’t seen the end of the action, and if it reaches $55,000, I wouldn’t be surprised. If two or more people are determined, I also wouldn’t rule out $60,000 before the hammer falls. That doesn’t make it a cheap investment, but the next owner will be the envy of many when they slip behind the wheel of their new classic.
Nice car. Man, $85k is a lot of coin. I’m getting old.
Would still rather have the 61 that was posted a few days ago.
GLWTS.
85K and he ends up with dog dish and blackwalls…?
Beautiful car, but no way in hell has that car put down 127MPH in a quarter mile, especially with that slow 15.7 E.T.
Another Impala low rider.
Didn’t all 409s come with the tach on the steering column?
A tachometer was an factory option and was integrated into the dashboard over the steering column.
She’s real fine my 409, giddy up giddy up giddy up 409!!
Lots of scam bidders. Beautiful, but it looks bland , Like Arby said, blackwalls and dog dish caps, needs a set of whitewalls, or Torqthrust!!! Too bad its not a 4speed. That leaves it out of the song. . Anyhoo, good luck and happy motoring!
Cheers
GPC
Okay, always enjoy Adams posts, and 1/4 mile specs are his thing, however, a little optimistic this time, if I read it right. 1st, I’ve said before, 409’s were pretty rare, fact is, in all my auto shenanigans, I don’t ever recall seeing one. EVERYTHING was small block. I think the 409 still was a truck motor to many, the small block,,,well, everybody could agree on that. The only reason this car escaped the ravages of teen drivers, was it was probably “dads” 409,,no touchy. 1/4 mile times for this car with a 3 speed manual, are 14.9@94 mph. The “slushglide” slows it down a bit. Ironically, the 425 hp, 409 with 2-4 barrels( I think) didn’t do all that much better, 14.4@ 101mph. Proof positive, the 409 was a slug, but that all changed in ’65 when the 396 came out. Didn’t care much for 60’s Chevy’s, but this sure is a nice one.
NOW, in case some of you have lofty dreams of restoring that rusty hulk into something like this, which I don’t consider anything special, really, it’s just an unusually clean ’63 Impala, t’was nothing important in my day, 409 or not, and if this person did spend $85g’s, and I don’t doubt it one bit, and selling for half that, I’m sorry, that’s a $40,000 hit, which I would consider unacceptable. I know, I know, enjoyment of the build, blah, blah, it’s just not right.
Oh, one more thing( Columbo), that song, “409” was popular for more than a week. It became one of the Beach Boys signature songs, for like 20 years, fact is, I’d love to hear it again,,best music EVER!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKKP_cZuk54
although I whole heartly agree with the music, my truck radio very seldom strays from “60s gold”, I must respectfully disagree about the 409 being a slug…the timeslips you mention are what the performance cars of that era produced….406 ford, 413 chrysler, 421 pontiac….the ets were a result of the tires you an I and everyone else in the 60s to 70s had….skinny bias ply tires weren’t what you call traction enhancers…If you take the trap speeds from the times you gave a 7mph gain from single 4brl to duals was pretty indicative of the power gain…..I’d take a 101mph trap speed for a street car in the 60’s all day long
well said i agree.
The eBay ad leaves me confused. The car certainly looks too good not to have been restored but the seller maintains it’s all original except for a repaint, aftermarket AC, and electronic ignition. The seller claims a Vintage Air installation but I see no A/C hardware under the hood or vents under the dash.
What exactly does “A real gem barrett jackson feature car over $85000 invested” mean? Did the seller purchase the car from a BJ auction?
And finally what is porcelainization? I think I see it on the invoice but can find no mention of it as a RPO in any documentation. The seller says it’s for rust protection. How much rust protection could one get for $7.50? A set of full sized wheel covers (RPO P01) listed for $18?
Any interest is outweighed by too many questions.
For all of you who are too young to remember, “Porcelainized” was a paint treatment applied when new by many dealerships. A small sticker was applied to the pass. vent window showing this treatment. It was NOT a rust prevention treatment, but a premium paint protection. I know little else about it, but LOTS of cars in the 50s and 60s must’ve rec’d this treatment cuz there were lots of cars w/that sticker. A dealer add-on.
When I was in high school I worked for a farmer that had a car like with the 409 but it was a 4 speed manual, convertible and this was his field car. It was always dirty inside and out. I knew the car was really worth some money and asked him about it one day all he said that he had heard something about that. Never another word said and it continues to be his field car.
First, very nice car. This motor was the low end 409/340HP, but still would cruise nicly down the hi-way with a 3.08 rear. If you take it to the drags, you won’t need slicks as these crawled off the line wih the 2-speed auto. I would never take it to the drags except to show it off. A very nice one indeed…
@ A.G.,….that factory tach, though it was a sweet factory option, only came STOCK w/the L74, L33, L31, & L80 when the 4-speed was ordered. Another miscue here is that L31 air cleaner on this L33 409.
How about spelling out those engines instead of the GM codes. Was the tach available from the factory with a 327 in ’63 ?