The seller of this 1963 Chevrolet Chevy II believes his car is in near-perfect shape for a restoration, and also thinks it’s a great candidate for a muscle car project. I’d have to agree that there’s plenty of potential here, but the asking price of $11,000 may be a bit on the steep end, although the owner mentions that reasonable offers will be considered. However, there’s no button included to make an offer, so that could make the negotiations difficult. This one’s in Deming, New Mexico, a town located in the Chihuahuan Desert, so it’s been sitting in a dry environment. This second-year Chevy II can be found here on eBay, and we’d like to thank reader Mitchell G. for finding it and sending in the tip!
Whatever deal can be worked out on the price, this car appears to have mostly solid bones, with the only body corrosion mentioned being a few rust spots between the inside of the trunk and the rear valance. The back bumper has been tapped and will need replacing, but the body seems fairly straight overall, and what few imperfections exist could probably be massaged into shape fairly easily. The future owner will have to ponder whether to stick with the blue or respray it with something different instead, and I’m thinking this one would look good in black or another darker color.
It wasn’t until 1964 that a V8 first became available in the Chevy II, with this one still having its original inline-6 under the hood. Whether or not it runs is never mentioned, or even if it will still turn over. While keeping a factory engine intact is rarely a bad idea, replacing it with a V8 is also an option worth considering here, perhaps of the 283 or 327 variety. Whatever is decided, the bay appears to be in stable condition and still in good order.
This is the only interior photo provided, but from this viewpoint, it looks like everything that should be there is present, except for the passenger’s kick panel. An aftermarket Stereo and some under-dash gauges have been installed, and adding a pair of buckets might be more fun than recovering the bench seat up front. This 1963 Chevy II has several possibilities, and fortunately, they all seem to be good. Which direction would you go in with this one?
Does anyone else see daylight between the passenger kick panel and the floor in that last photo? Seems the body may not have the structural integrity it appears to have at first glance.
I’m not sure that us daylight. GM sometimes used white tape wrap on wire harnesses. The only reason you seeing us because the kick panel is missing.
Looks like originally a column stick, and then converted to a floor shift. With a large hole in the floor.
Zoom in. It’s sunlight from above, not from below.
It’s hard to see a coupe pulling the asking price if $11,000 in this condition, even the more desired hardtop would struggle. Being located in the middle of nowhere New Mexico won’t help either.
Steve R
That six was the biggest engine offered in the Chevy II that year. The base engine was a 151 cu. inch 4-banger. The 4-hole engine is quite rare. This car is just a bit rough for the asking price, and it’s been to Tijuana to have that front seat installed. Lots of work to do inside, and we don’t even know it it runs. The seller is open to any “reasonable” offer though.
11K,Thats half of what i paid for my fully restored 66′ Mustang last year .289/4 barrel,auto and factory air.
$11k is $6k to high but I say get it running and driving safe and drive it a few years before a total upgrade
Agree with you Troy!
I have a huge soft spot for Chevy II’s as one of my first street fighters was a ’64 Nova 400 w/ a factory 283 4 speed, but this thing is WAY overpriced. The sellers ask is so far out of line that I don’t believe that I would even make an offer. I think that some folks spend too much time looking at rust bucket Mopars for 30K.
My late Aunt replaced her rusted out ’51 Chevy with a ’63, 4 cylinder, my sister inherited it and drove it for years. Not a lot of guts but cheap to fix. Killed by rust when drivetrain was still OK.
there’s a ton of work ahead. Change spindles to 5 lug, a small block could be used but you have to reverse the oil pan. If you are handy with wrenches you could put this together right for about 15 to 20k plus paint and body work. I am the voice of experience.
Lucky these can still be found for about $10,000 less – even with a factory V/8 !
the v8 was only available from 1964 and later years.
If anybody knows somebody who is looking for a SWEET & complete set of OEM window visors for one of these, holler at your boy here. I’ve been sitting on a set for over 20 years that in good conscience I couldn’t watch go to the crusher. 4 nice stainless pieces and I believe I still have the original screws.
Cheap.