I have sat staring at the photos of this 1964 Chevrolet Impala SS, trying to determine its strongest attribute. I’m unsure whether that honor falls to the flawless panels and paint, the spotless interior, or the 409ci Dual-Quad monster lurking under the hood. To say it ticks all the right boxes is probably an understatement, and the only thing it now needs is a new owner who will appreciate all it offers. If you believe that could be you, the SS is listed here on Craigslist in Fountain Valley, California. The price of admission to a car of this caliber will never be cheap, and someone needs to hand the seller $89,500 to take home this classic. I must thank Barn Finder Pat L. for spotting a car that I can only describe as simply stunning.
The seller indicates they recently completed a frame-off restoration on this SS. The work quality shows in its overall presentation. The Tuxedo Black paint possesses a depth of color and shine that you could walk into. There are no visible defects, and it cloaks laser straight panels. Black is not my favorite shade, but it is excellent at revealing imperfections in the steel it covers. There are no such problems with this classic, while the faultless trim and chrome offer a striking contrast to the acres of black. There is no mention of rust in the listing, and I wouldn’t expect any in a classic so recently restored. The glass is flawless, while the spinner hubcaps and whitewall tires add the perfect finishing touch to the exterior.
Buyers in 1964 had a wide choice of engines to power their new Impala SS, but the original owner of this classic went straight to the top of the class. They selected the 409ci V8, and by specifying the Dual-Quad carburetor setup, they found they had 425hp under their right foot. They decided to tackle shifting duties themselves, with the power fed to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. It should be no surprise that this combination made the Impala a seriously fast car. It could storm the ¼ mile in 14.5 seconds before running out of breath at 140mph. The seller indicates the vehicle is numbers-matching, and its drivetrain received similar levels of attention as the panels and paint. Everything is freshly rebuilt, including the engine, transmission, and suspension. They provide no information on how the SS runs and drives. Still, if the engine bay presentation is an accurate indication, the buyer should have no issues to tackle when they take delivery of this classic.
The spotless presentation continues when we open the door and examine this Impala’s interior. The seats and door trims wear White vinyl that is in as-new condition. The remaining trim and carpet look stunning in Red, offering a welcome contrast to the White. A couple of gauges are mounted under the dash, and the retro-style air conditioning would be a welcome addition when this classic takes to the Californian roads. There are not many luxury appointments, although the ultra-cool factory tachometer and a sports tilt wheel are nice touches to round out this interior.
It is often said that we get what we pay for, and that sentiment is undoubtedly true in the classic car market. The asking price for this 1964 Impala SS hardly qualifies as pocket change, but that begs the question of whether it is worth the money. The photos and listing suggest that the buyer won’t need to spend a dime beyond the purchase price because the seller has been meticulous in the restoration process. A production total of 185,325 cars means the 1964 Impala SS is not a rare vehicle. However, the fact that only 8,684 buyers elected to order their new SS with a 409 under the hood enormously increases this car’s desirability. When you combine these factors, the asking price looks highly competitive. The number of potential buyers with access to that sort of cash may prove limited, but I feel it will probably find a new home quickly.
While I’ll admit, I don’t like black cars,but this car has enough chrome and such to accent it. You know, I watch the tv auctions, and every car simply has to be over the top, like here, when, it just wasn’t so. We didn’t have chrome alternators OR vintage a/c. Back then, most beat the snot out of these cars, it was the hottest stick Chevy had, and was getting old. Even with the 2, 4s, it lagged behind Ford and Chrysler. It should be noted, I never saw a “409” engine callout badge, and we made it our business, as kids, to check for that. There were, I read, in ’64 like 70,000, 6 cylinder Impalas, and like 650,000 small block Impalas, so 409s were rare, dual quad, even more so. I read, it was almost a $500 option then, a hefty price. Also, some say it was “over rated”, and claimed 425hp to compete with Ford and the hemi,( that were actually almost 500 hp) but was more like just over 400. 1965 changed all that with the 396 and 427 a year later, aside from a few ’65s, this was the end of the line for, I feel, one of the most famous motors of all time.
I’ve long enjoyed your thoughtful and candid comments, Howard. The best reader comments like yours are a big part of why I visit this site almost everyday.
Howard makes a great point on the 409 option price. How often do we look at older cars(and options) and think how cheap they were. “Only $500” for a 409?! That $500 is equivalent to almost $5000 in todays money. A new ’64 Impala, with 409 cost around $3,200, and a new house to park it in front of was about $19,000.
Absolutly stunning.Worth every penny.Next caretaker will be proud.
4 speed dual quad positraction 409! Sure is a stunner, For that kind of coin would rather see a 62 or 63 W block. Good luck and looker over good. (0 grand stunner on craigslist?? Hmmmm
Cheers
GPC
Is a 62 or 63 409 block better than a 64 block? I thought they were all the same. Please enlighten me.
I agree. A car like this with the money invested I would think craigslist Is not the best markating tool. I will say that I have sold a few cars that I was not sure of the value. I did advertise with craigslist and helped figured my price. I had a 70 cuda 440/727 triple black 8 out of 10 condition I asked 55k. I had lots of calls,2 came to look and made offers of 42k and 50k-they where dealers. In the end I consigned it with a classic car dealer and he sold it for 65k in a week. It went to florida.Cars like my cuda and this impala are highend cars that if you want top price
My dad had this exact setup except it was a 1963 in Saddle Tan. He souped it up more (he was a mechanic) with a cam and 4.11 posi differential. I remember it hauled a**. My mother used to drive it, I was always egging her on to race a fast-looking car at the light, but she never would.
The back story is he had ordered a 1963 Corvette fastback in Saddle Tan with a FI 327. Central Chevrolet in Fremont, CA called and told him it was in. When he went to get it, there sat a Sebring Silver convertible. He refused to buy it and found the 409 Impala at Stockton Chevrolet and bought it.
Pretty car, but for performance, the 327 was a better choice. The 409 ran rough, an old truck motor originally. 327 ran smoother and handled better. A 283 was fine too, were those standard at this point? I don’t recall. Then, as today, the 409 gave you bragging rights, and maybe that was/is part of the selling point.
Looking at this beautiful 409 Impala makes me think about all the cars today that produce fake engine noise and pipe it into the cabin through the audio system. No need for any of that nonsense to hear the delicious induction noise of a dual quad and exhaust noise from a large jug V8. I don’t care if gas is $20 a gallon. The loud pedal is worth the price of admission! It’s not only about velocity. It’s what delights the senses. This car gets a 10. Modern performance cars can’t touch this for the experience.
90 Grand? For that kinda moola I could gets mez a purty Porsche. Porsche, there is no substitute. Thats what Joel said, he was right.
If you are referring to Joel in Texas, he don’t know nuttin!!!
Be still my beating heart….. Stunning is an understatement.
Beautiful! I want to find the barn it came out of. The 409 was just too heavy to be a top performer, but so what? It is a great car!
Is this not the same unit that Hemmings Classic Car highlighted last year? It’s virtually identical, but that one had a price tag of almost $200k. Did it not sell? I was sure it had. But this seller says he restored it, as did the owner of the one from HCC.
That’s what I thought, it sure looks like the same car. I believe the Hemmings car sold for around $140,000 but not positive.
Very nice looking car brings back memories I had a 63 and a 64 impala in my younger days of the many cars I have had I sure liked them up to 64 then the looks changed in 65 and I went t mopar
I actually like the 65 Impala with a 427/450. But that is joy of this group, you learn a lot from nice, polite car guys. I sure respect your choice, and no doubt there are a lot of very nice Mopars. I have had GM vehicles my whole live, with a couple of jeeps, and a 5.0/225 Mustang.
It is wearing the most t beautiful wheel covers aka hubcaps ever designed.