The Chevrolet Impala got a significant redesign to start its third generation of production in 1961, including a new body style and a switch to the popular General Motors B-Body platform. While it’s always nice to run across vintage sedans in the marketplace loaded with options and the peppiest engine available for the model, minimalism has a fun factor as well, with this 1962 Chevrolet Impala here on Facebook Marketplace falling into the latter category in regards to the drivetrain. It’s also close to survivor status, and though not quite perfect, I’m sure this one turns plenty of heads with envy every time it’s seen going down the road. This Chevy is located in Yucaipa, California, near San Bernadino, with a price tag of $16,000.
Barn Finds reader Dylan spotted this one, and we’d like to thank him for sending in the tip! 1962 was the final year in the U.S. for the tried and true Chevy Stovebolt inline-6 engine, which was replaced in ‘63 with a new motor called the Turbo-Thrift, a fresh powerplant that incorporated seven main bearings instead of the four used in the Stovebolt. Rated from the factory at 135 HP, the seller tells us this engine got some new seals and gaskets about two years ago, along with new motor mounts. I think it’s kind of cool to see an I-6 under the hood at auto events, and although the bay isn’t quite up to show quality, it presents well and appears to be in fine working order.
Still wearing most of its original paint, the body seems to remain in well-preserved condition overall, with one imperfection mentioned on the area behind the passenger side rear door. A repair was made here at some point and the paint is cracking, but this seems to be a minor issue, and not very noticeable. This car was built in Los Angeles, and with the lack of rust, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Impala has lived most or all of its life in California. The exterior is claimed to have some wear and a few light surface blemishes, but unless you’re going for a trailer queen, I’d probably call it good enough and leave the outside alone.
The seller rates the interior as a nine on a ten scale, and even though we only get this one photo from inside, I’m not seeing anything leading me to believe otherwise. Some more good news is that this one’s equipped with a manual transmission, with the three-on-the-tree column shifter also a good attention-getter at car gatherings, and the clutch is only around two years old. There may be too many doors here for some enthusiasts, but for a sedan, I’m finding very little not to dig about this 1962 Chevrolet Impala. How about you?
Per the factory brochure, it was the 283 V-8 that was rated at 170HP. The Six was 135HP.
https://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Chevrolet/1962_Chevrolet/1962_Chevrolet_Full_Size_Brochure/1962%20Chevrolet%20Full%20Size-14-15.html
Hi Evan,
Thanks for the info and correction! That’s a cool website, looks like a great source of knowledge for fans of just about any model. Thanks for sharing!
Hopefully no one drops a big block in it.
Why not???
I’m all for leaving the drivetrain as it is. How many of 3 on the trees do you see anymore, not to mention a simple 6 popper? Easy to work on and an attention getter at a show, too.
Not all of us want to turn every car into a resto-mod with 600hp under the hood.
The original owner sprung for probably the full front & rear floor mats & push button radio & full wheel covers so not entirely a skin flint! Power steering & brakes would be nice, though.
Just the fact that it’s an Impala and not a Belair or Biscayne with the pedestrian drive train is what adds to the wow factor for me. Note to the new owner: please don’t molest this car!!
The 1963 230 six produced 145 hp
I like four doors, so, that is fine with me. But, NO RADIO??? This is equipped like a Biscayne, and I could not care less about what car-show people “wow” about, quite frankly. What I would go for, is the Super Sport version of this (for the trim), in some colour OTHER THAN either black or white, powered by a 283 with an automatic transmission, with air-conditioning, a clock and their best radio — I like creature-comforts, and I hate “muscle” cars. For me, a car is to drive pleasantly, within speed-limits, and not to show-off. I’m perfectly fine with a standard transmission — in something from 1941! But in a ’62, I want an automatic, please. But I do love the 1962 Chevrolet — vast improvement over the looks of the ’61!
There’s a push button radio in the dash.
It has a radio ! The blank panel is the ashtray cover, the radio is to the right of it
I’ve seen 2nd gen trans ams with vinyl roof, column shift, & no factory radio.
Back then – whatever u wanted or didnt want.
It’s nice to see clean old untouched cars getting their recognition instead of some of the tetanus shot gone beyond help and hope eye sore clunkers.
To Azzurra: Oh! — so there IS!!! I mistook that rectangle to the left for a plate where a radio would be. MY fault!!! I also prefer the 1962 hardtop, with that nice roof-line. The lesser ’62s just don’t “do” it for me. And I don’t want a stove-bolt six in any Chevrolet newer than 1954; thank you! I never quite understood these early 1960s econo-equipped Impalas and Galaxies, quite frankly: might as well have the “plain jane” externals also.
I don’t know guys. I have 63 425hp 409 motor that needs a home. That engine bay looks mighty tempting. The price is right and the car is close to me. Sleeper material. Hmmm. But then again, I do like the originality of the six. Quite the quandary.
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Drive it until it needs it.
To pdc427: Hmmm… decisions-decisions.
To pdc427: Hmmm… decisions-decisions.
To pdc427: Hmmm… decisions-decisions.
To pdc427: Hmmm… decisions-decisions.
Leave it the way it is. 1962 Chev with a 1963 grill??? Why?