Project cars can become considerably more appealing when someone has already started collecting the pieces needed to put them back together. That’s part of the story with this 1963 Chevrolet Impala 2-Door Hardtop currently offered on eBay. It’s an unfinished project with rust to address, but the seller says the original 283 engine runs, the original parts are still with the car, and a substantial collection of new components is included.
The seller describes themselves as the Impala’s second owner and says it has a clean and clear title. The odometer shows 94,138 miles, although the listing doesn’t make a claim about whether that figure represents the car’s actual mileage. For enthusiasts who appreciate an aged finish, the seller describes the silver exterior as wearing original paint with plenty of patina. This isn’t presented as a restored car, and the seller is refreshingly specific about the work it needs.
Rust is part of that equation. The front passenger floorboard has been removed, and the seller says the inner rocker panel is rusted while the outer portion is in decent shape. There are also rust holes elsewhere in the body, some of which were patched with tin and rivets when the seller was considering turning the Impala into a rat rod. The driver’s rear body mount is rusted away as well. On the positive side, the seller describes the trunk as pretty solid and the frame as being in really good shape.
Many of the replacement pieces needed to tackle those areas are already included. The parts collection includes left and right floor pans, rocker panels, floor braces and brackets, along with parts for the rear body mount. There’s plenty of mechanical hardware in the package, too. The seller has a new gas tank, sending unit, pre-bent fuel lines, power-brake unit, front and rear disc brakes, and pre-bent brake lines. A passenger-side window regulator and a set of Outlaw II wheels are also included. What’s up with the Park Ranger stickers though?
Despite being partially disassembled, the seller says all of the original parts needed to get the car back together and driving are present. The headliner is gone, but its braces and chrome trim remain. The Impala also retains its original glass, headlights, and taillights. Most importantly, this project hasn’t lost its original engine along the way. According to the seller, the original 283 runs, with a video provided in the eBay listing. This 1963 Impala clearly needs someone willing to finish what has been started, but having a running original 283 and a sizable pile of new and original parts gives the next owner plenty to work with. The only important part of the story we don’t know is if it was really used by the city of St Louis as a Park Ranger vehicle. Any ideas?
Did some searching.St Louis Parks Service did use a fair number of 1963 Bel Air’s,but it says they were stripped down 4-doors.I guess we’ll need someone who was around then hanging out in the parks to let us know :P
The seller should know, he bought it from the original owner, who might have been the top Ranger, hence the two door and striping ?
a lot of rust and nothing really special. body mans nightmare.
Fake. It says “City of St. Louis Parks” in Arial font, which did not exist until long after that car would have been retired. “657” and “Park Ranger” looks like something generated by computer as well.
I wonder if they were existing decals that would be “authentic” to a later car or more likely pickup.
BRAVO! I was a professional typographer, sometime font designer, owned my own studio in the ’80s and ’90s, love cars almost as much as i love letters; this ride’s “livery” screamed at me. I could add specifics myself, but you knocked this unit well enough. Without assurance i can only guess about motivation (not impossible a respect or tribute is involved) but it’s baaaaad rendition.
Was a popular car year as I remember them everywhere. Like a VW beetle was a extremely popular car.
Like his riveted patch panels, I’m guessing the “Park Ranger” graphics were intended to be part of the seller’s misguided planned rat rod build, and not something original to the car.
Rat rods and created/preserved patina are current car crazes that if they went away today, I’d never miss them.
I had a 66 Chevy BelAir with a 283 motor when I was stationed at Hahn Air Base West Germany in 1971. I had never had any mechanical training, but that 2-door BelAir & 283 was my “Hands On Training Ground” for learning to work on GM, Dodge & Ford motors. Brought the 66 BelAir back stateside and drove it until January 78. I had bought it for $600 and sold it for $200.The training that “Ole Chevy” provided me was “PRICELESS” Mike M/USAF68-94
I like 63’s and this might make a nice project but the price is way to high.
I’d consider between $3500 and $4000 more like it.
You could install a 409 engine, that was an option!
Will be a fun car.