There was a time when you couldn’t have pitched a horseshoe without hitting a ’63 full-size Chevy – Impala or not. Heck, we even had one in our family for a few years. I was young at the time but I don’t recall my father ever kibbitzing about it. And there was a time in the late ’60s when one would encounter plenty of ’62, ’63, and ’64 Impalas that had been set up as street racing hot rods. In spite of their size/weight, they were plentiful, cheap, scored nice looks, and could be built to the hilt with a small block or a 409 W-Series engine – even newer rat motors sometimes made an appearance. Today’s find is clearly rough around the edges, but it is a convertible – that usually generates extra points even if the hi-po set generally eschewed that body style. Let’s give this drop-top the once-over, it’s located in Greensboro, North Carolina and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $5,900 with the reserve not yet met.
Chevrolet occupied the number one production position in ’63 – and in a big way with 2.2M units compared to number two Ford’s standing of 1.5 M. The Impala accounted for 833K copies while the convertible managed about ten percent of the Impala total or 82K cars – it was a good year, indeed!
Horsepower in ’63 ran the gamut, from 140 all the way to 425. This one is an exception as it has zero – no engine or transmission. The fender badge on the passenger side indicates that a 283 CI V8 motor resided in the engine room at one time, while the driver’s side fender disagrees and ups the ante to a 327. The interior image reveals a clutch pedal so a manual gearbox was the order of the day.
The body speaks for itself as the disappearing driver’s side quarter panel, in particular, has a large chunk that has returned to its native ore state. The passenger side is working on a catchup, it’s just not there yet. The driver’s side is worse than the mismatched passenger side but neither is fairing well and both are going to need a lot of metal work. The seller states that the frame is OK but from what I could spy in the one included underside image, I wouldn’t count on it – it should be subject to a visual inspection. Further added is, “Will need full restoration and floors but they make everything it needs“.
Hands down, this is the worst interior that I have encountered. That’s what happens when you leave a convertible outside with the top down. Oh yeah, there is no top, just the frame – that explains it. The entire environment is a shambles and needs to be gutted, then new floors installed, and then a laborious rebuild including absolutely everything plus wiring.
I’m shocked that there are sixteen bids for this hulk, and at $5,900, it still hasn’t made its reserve. I’ll just shake my head and suggest GLWTA. Comments anyone?
Lots of work. I do know where a new 409 is located, but this car is just a cruiser, not a race car. Blank canvas for the new owner
That seems like big money for such a blank canvas. There is not much to work with, and the reserve is not met.
My first experience with 60’s Impalas was when I was a teenager in the early 1990’s. Gangster rappers were singing about them and putting them in movies, making them blow up in popularity.
I like a challenge, but time to take what parts are left and crush the rest. I love seeing old cars saved, but.
Put it in cryogenic storage till 2063, it should be worth the reserve by then? Ya think 🤔
I had a ’63 Impala, red 2 door hardtop in 1972. It was very clean but the Northern Ohio salt/rust started in on it. Went looking for a replacement car one afternoon and turned a corner, then the gas tank fell out on the road. Got out threw it in the trunk and headed toward home. Ran out of gas several times on the way home but made it by rerouting the fuel line to the windshield washer tank. Kept refilling the windshield washer tank from what gas remained in the gas tank in the trunk. Made it home to the farm but had to push start it the last time due to a dead battery from all the restarts. Gas mileage was poor on it since it had a 348 4bbl. Sold the car but lots of other good memories with it.
If yours had a 348 it was a transplant, that motor was discontinued in mid-’61.
JO
Wow that’s a rough car, a parts car best
Judging by the lack of comments on this, it looks like even the die-hard GM fans are agreeing to leave one on the battlefield.
I started with about the same condition ’72 Mercury Cougar xr7 droptop. No interior. Took 6 years and lots of parts sourcing, but is now the pride of my garage.
In 1962I had finished college and my first job was that of a traveling auditor. I was based in Detroit but traveled to Pa and Ohio and West Virginia. I had purchased a 1962 Impala with the 327/300 HP engine. At 12000 miles I went back to the dealer asking for something with better mileage. On the showroom floor was a 1963 hardtop with a 6 cyl engine. One hour later I was on my first trip and now getting 20 instead of 8 MPG. In 13 months I had 73000 miles on this car. I then traded it for my first Buick, 1964. I was promoted and now not traveling quite so much.
Sorry sport’s fan’s, this one’s a pile.
I am a die hard here! The car needs restored or preserved just for the sake of the fact very few left in existence that have not been picked up already! Yes yes I already hear it from the cheap seats of nay Sayers who continously want anything that is not in perfect condition to be trashed! As a above mentioned opinion stated it is a clean start/ slate for a new beginning with a drop top to boot! Americana all the way!
That’s a alot of money for something that needs loads of work
👵where’s the roof?👵
You would have to pay me to take it.
Rare? You can find ’63 , V-8 , convert’s all day, running and better, for $25- 40+ All day long. This is parts car.
V12MECH: All day long where? I haven’t seen a running 63 rag for under 30 in a couple of years; please post where to find one.
Currently 7K and reserve not met.
Seriously? For what?
My dad sold my ‘63 Impala SS convertible while Zi was in the Peace Corps in ‘83-‘84. I had repainted it from a crazed burgundy to white and a new top, swapping out the the three in the tree four four on the floor. 327, 4 barrel, dual exhaust.. A teacher at the small town high school I got to drive the homecoming royalty around the track. Good memories. I was living on my sailboat then and I couldn’t leave it parked in the marina. Dad didn’t really appreciate housing the car while I was gone. When I got back I took the money and bought a better car- 1966 Datsun roadster – but not valued like the 63’s are today. I do miss it though every time one like this comes up on BF.
This was a parts car. Ain’t nothing left.
In Detroit we had one giant chevy dealer, Dalson-Taylor Chev. They had a city block full of Chevys and would sell below all other dealers. I got my 1963 Impala for $3200.00
Aside from the “to me” ridiculous prices for rough copies. The chassis is likely fine. At one time late 50s convertibles were the rage in Europe and hundreds of cars in this condition rolled into containers and whatever other ways they could be shipped. My first car was a tired old 64 convertible. a northeast 300.00 rust fest in 1978. The car took me through high school and on into life until an idiot ran a red light and took out the left side. The insurance company at the time”other guys” gave me what I thought was a very decent payout for the car. By 1985 a fully optioned 64 Impala had some decent salvage items on it as few rolled off the line with ac, cruise and all the other unusual items offered that year. I debated junkies it but knew if I did I would never find another. I knew nothing of repairing it then so I cleaned everything off boxed. cataloged and stored it. Right now the shell is in my shop coming back to life. My car is no better than this one to me but unlike in 1985 when everything had to be sourced from salvage, the internet did not exist, reproduction items were in their infancy. Today these cars are like Mustangs, EVERYTHING is available except for some of the tough stainless items. This car is an easy fix for even a novice in today’s world. The only killer is the high price for which should be a 1,500.00 to 2k project “to me” but I’m older from a different time and I get that. This will make a great car whether it gets the hip hop LS or the 327/ 409 route. From the bids others see it as I do. I enjoy building junk into cars. Some of my best were castaways and I’m not in it for the money ” I have a job and portfolio for that”. Whoever gets this I hope it and my 64 pass on a road somewhere in the not so distant future.
Joe Bru
In California are at any given time 1963 Chevys available at 20K to 50 K at swap meets and on Craigs. All areas of California from Sacramento to the border you will find rust free good cars with some restoration. This is also a great area for 1955’s, 1956’s and 1957’s
I would love to save it come down on price no matter what condition it’s in I want it I’ll bring it back to life my family deals with old cars and I always wanted one I used to dream about them if nobody gets it my E-mail is richardbwilliams1987@gmail.com please contact me I have deep passion for those cars I see $1500.00 at the most but it’s more than a donner car thanks for sharing it
If you’re interested you’ll need to contact the seller directly, via eBay.
JO
I understand that prices have gone crazy but are they insane?. It would take more money than God has to restore this car and it won’t even be a numbers matching car. This car isn’t even good enough for the crusher
If you got the time the money a nice shop,giver. But to most it really isnt worth 50 bucks in metal! I like cars that need things fixed a quarter panel perhaps an engine rebuild but that’s just crazy but some have money to burn. Have fun.
Ended at $7,600, Reserve Not Met. LMAO! Now that is funny!