Parked In 1975! 1962 Chevrolet Impala SS Convertible

It seems that the previous owner of this 1962 Chevrolet Impala SS Convertible is an enthusiast. He parked the Convertible in this barn in 1975, and as you can see in this shot, it has shared the space with various Mustangs and other classics since then. The Impala has finally been dragged out of hiding, and the time has come for someone to return the car to its former glory. It will be a significant undertaking, but it should be worth the time and effort. If you feel up to the challenge, you will find the Impala located in Manahawkin, New Jersey, and listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set the BIN at $24,500, and eighty-seven people are eagerly watching the listing.

It’s always hard looking at a classic like this Impala when its appearance has deteriorated to this point. The owner admits that the Convertible has previously received a repaint in its original Silver Blue Metallic, but this almost certainly occurred before 1975. Apart from the tired paint and the visible rust in both lower front fenders, the body appears surprisingly good. The panels are straight, and the gaps look pretty consistent. The lower extremities, like the rockers, seem clean, as do the rear quarter panels. The grille and some of the exterior chrome is missing, but what remains looks fit for restoration. The soft-top is long gone, and while the car doesn’t feature its original wheels, the hubcaps are in the trunk. The old-school Mickey Thompson alloys that the Impala rolls on suit the car’s character, but I would inspect them carefully to ensure that they haven’t deteriorated before hitting the highway. You might think that I’ve been avoiding the subject, but we have to turn our attention to the inevitable question of rust. The underside shots reveal that the floors are pretty bad, although the trunk pan and drop-offs seem to have little beyond surface corrosion. The frame is in a similar state, which suggests that this classic is structurally sound. How the buyer tackles the floors will be a matter of choice. All of the parts are readily available, but restorers can find a one-piece floor with the correct braces for under $850. This would offer buyers a total solution to the rust issues and would have to look pretty tempting. With the floors whipped into shape, that would be the worst of the body problems consigned to the history pages.

Chevrolet offered the ’62 Impala with a vast choice of engines and transmissions, with our feature car equipped with the 327ci small-block and a 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission. The original owner ordered the car with power steering in keeping with its image as a relaxed cruiser. With 250hp on tap, this Impala would never be mistaken for a muscle car. However, it would’ve been capable of devouring the miles effortlessly when it was in its prime. It seems that the vehicle hasn’t fired a shot since 1975, so it might take some tinkering to coax that small-block back to life. The owner indicates that it turns freely, which gives the buyer a promising base from which to work.

When it was new, the interior of this Impala would’ve been a pleasant place to spend some time. Today, it is a shadow of its former self. More than four decades of inactivity with no top to offer protection has seen the upholstered surfaces, and dash pad take a pounding. Someone has removed the carpet, and the whole interior will require a retrim if the buyer wishes to return it to its former glory. Like so many American classics, trim kits are easy to find and would have this interior presenting at its best once again. However, they also aren’t cheap. The buyer would need to budget at least $2,000 if they seek perfection, but it could be worth the effort and expense when they step back to survey the finished product.

At $24,500, this 1962 Impala SS Convertible is a long way from being the most affordable project car that you will find in today’s market. However, it seems to have nothing to hide from potential buyers. Its rust problems are blindingly obvious, and addressing them should be reasonably straightforward. If the buyer performs a faithful restoration, it won’t be the most potent car they could park in their driveway. However, it should make an effortless and classy long-distance cruiser. When you look at what is on offer, is this a classic that you would be tempted to investigate further?