The Chevrolet Super Sport was one of the automotive success stories of the 1960s. SS badging began with the full-size Chevies in 1961 and was then added to the compact Nova and mid-size Chevelle. From just a few hundred assemblies in ‘61, the Impala SS sales peaked in 1965 with more than 243,000 produced. This 1963 edition of the SS is a roller but is said to be the “real deal” that once had a 327 cubic inch V8, but it’s long gone along with the transmission. This roller can be found in Everest, Kansas, and is available here on eBay. The reserve is unmet at the current bid of $2,247.22 with BIN set at $8,150.
Chevrolet initially conceived the Super Sport as a performance vehicle with either a 348 or 409 cubic inch V8 rated between 305 and 360 horsepower. Just 453 copies were built in 1961, making them the rarest of Impala Super Sports. Chevrolet changed their strategy in 1962, making it more of an image machine available with any Chevy engine. Sales ballooned to 99,000 copies in ’62, then to 153,000 in ’63. The car’s popularity resulted in it being promoted to series status in 1964, netting 185,000 copies. After a record year in ’65, SS output split it half in 1966, thanks in part to the new Caprice stealing some thunder and a corporate move to mid-size muscle cars.
According to the seller, this 1963 Impala is a legit SS, but the cowl tag information would be needed to confirm. It left the factory with a small-block V8 and automatic transmission. The car has the requisite SS trim and bucket seats and was built with factory air conditioning and power steering, but all that hardware is missing. The seller must be a dealer since they offer to ship the car to your doorstep.
This Chevy is not rust-free but what’s there doesn’t look terminal. It has gold paint, but is that the original color as white seems to dominate the trunk floor. The interior is original and beyond saving, so it will have to be restored along with the rest of the Impala. The seller thinks someone installed a roof rack at some point as four small holes are there where the appendage would have once been. To many folks, the ’63s are the best looking of the 1961-64 generation of big Chevies. Do you agree?
Buy it now came down a little to $7,750, but I’m still not feeling it. Not real rusty but is that a hole in the trunk floor? Looks like it has been sitting out in the weather for a long time. It’s going to need everything.
The seller has 3 other early-60’s full size Chevys for sale, all in similar condition.
This seller ran this car through an eBay auction just before Christmas, it’s high bid was $4,401, which is more realistic that even his new, lowered BIN price.
Steve R
I still remember the first time I saw a ’63 SS. It was a convertible with three high school girls in it blasting “Be My Baby”. I was 11 and smitten…..This will be a labor of love for someone with the right skills at the right price. If you bought it, restored it (as frugally and sympathetically as possible without sacrificing quality), and held for at least a decade, you might see a modest profit. Somebody needs to save her!
Could be a neat car, but you’d have to redo just about everything. Looks like its was automatic, power steering, standard brakes and factory air. Kind of an odd combination. Would probably take 25-30K in parts to make it nice. Tempting, but I’ve got too many half done projects and no more spare money.
Where’s the factory tach ???
A factory tach with a Powerglide would be something of a unicorn, could exist but I’ve never seen one. I am absolutely enamored with Super Sport Impalas (at one time or another I have had a ’62 327, a ’63 409, and a ’65 396) and someone could put together a pretty neat car with this one but the seller needs to get realistic with the price.
I agree with the last comment, I sold my 67 SS without engine transmission for 1,500, everything else was there had hail damage but otherwise a complete car project
Padded dash, factory air. I’ve seen a whole lot less for a whole lot more. All the pieces are available. Floorplan and trunk pan replacement is a piece of cake. It’s worth a look. They’re not making them anymore.
Not many left in salvageable condition. If I had room, I would consider paying his price. However, I always preferred the ’65.