1963 Chevrolet Impala SS 409

Description

Those of you wishing for the ultimate '60s Impala need look no farther than this slick 1963 Chevrolet Impala SS 409 hardtop, and yes, it's a real SS. A stout, numbers-matching 409 V8 provides the power and the extremely desirable black-over-red color combination is the exact way we'd want it 10 times out of 10. Yeah, this is definitely the one you've been waiting for.

Tuxedo Black is arguably the best color on these cars, perfectly capturing the dual-sided nature of the beast and giving it an elegant yet ruthless look. Black also emphasizes the impressive length of the early Imp, making it imposing and substantial, while at the same time showing off bodywork that will be the envy of the guys parked around you at any show. The clean lines of the Impala are highlighted by dramatic light and dark areas as the light plays across the body, leaving no secret as to why these cars were legendary in their own time. It's an older paint job, but it was done right when the car was frame-off restored, and the result is a car that's held up incredibly well and will continue to do so for decades to come if properly cared for. Not a show car, as you will find some light imperfections and signs of use here and there, but if you're looking for an impressive, top driver-quality sled with the pedigree to back it all up, then you're looking at it. Oh, and it's well under six figures? This will be one of those legendary classic cars we'll look back on in 5 years and scratch our heads when we ponder how cheap they use to be. That fantastic front grille and original engine-turned trim on the tailpanel are in great shape, with the help of the large bumpers fore and aft acting as a perfect endcap to all that straight, black sheetmetal. The rest of the brightwork on the hood, front fenders, around the glass, and slashing down the profiles looks amazing against the glossy black paint, and although it too isn't perfect, I defy anyone to say they don't love every square inch of this car. If you want to get noticed, few cars can do it better than a big black coupe, slung low to the ground and ready to attack.

We know this one is a real-deal SS because of the cowl tag, which shows a red bucket seat interior, which, as experts will tell you, was only available on SS models. The supple, long-grain red vinyl looks a lot more upscale than you might expect from the man-made material, and that's largely attributable to the quality of the work. Note the detailed patterns that defined Chevy's top-of-the-line machines, particularly the button-tufted seatbacks and matching door panels. This car had extensive interior work completed during the thorough restoration, including the plush red carpets on the floor (protected with matching vinyl floor mats), the taut white headliner above, and that deliciously ornate center console that splits the front buckets and houses the white cue ball shifter for the Powerglide transmission below. Some of you might've thought it was a 4-speed at first glance, and it certainly has that high-performance look, but I'll take the immediate power delivery of a 2-speed Powerglide over a manual every day. Engine-turned appliques on the otherwise bright red dash and center console tie it together with the exterior, and the original, dual ring steering wheel is the perfect anchor for the cockpit. Ahead of the driver are the factory gauges, including the column-mounted tachometer, and the list of factory options is pretty expansive for an early SS Imp – power windows, factory A/C (which looks to need a service to operate optimally), and an original AM stereo. The matching rear seat looks virtually untouched, while the cavernous trunk out back was beautifully finished with gray spatter paint, black mats, a space saver, and an upgraded JL Audio sound system.

Chevy's 409 was the top dog in 1963, potent enough to have songs written about its performance. That's indeed the original, numbers-matching unit under the hood of this Impala and it's presented as stock, including the snorkeled air cleaner and uniquely shaped valve covers, all of which are covered in a bright layer of chrome. Chevy Orange on the block and heads continues the OEM look, as does the matching intake, and the 4-barrel carburetor up top is from Edelbrock. We don't have a lot of information on the engine build, but it runs superbly, doesn't smoke or make scary noises (except the good kind!), and despite its impressive performance, it's happy to trundle along in traffic without getting cranky. Underneath, the front end was augmented with tubular A-arms, power steering, power front disc brakes, along with adjustable coilovers all-around, and the floor pans were beautifully finished with red oxide primer. A fresh dual exhaust system with throaty mufflers provides a basso-profundo soundtrack, while the lowered stance atop steel wheel adorned with SS hubcaps and 225/70/14 BFGoodrich redlines is the perfect ending to this gorgeous piece of American motoring history.

The right car, the right color, the right engine. What are you waiting for, Impala SS fans? This is it, so call today!