1964 Chevrolet Impala

Description

You say you love the early '60s Impala but don't want to be like everyone else? Looking for a great '60s cruiser that can still devour hundreds of miles of interstate at a single stretch? Need an affordable car that's finished and ready to go instead of a fixer-upper? Look no further, your 1964 Impala SS has arrived!

We know, we know, bright chrome yellow wasn't on the color charts in 1964 (rare Goldenwood Yellow was a bit lighter), but after seeing it on this car, it probably should have been. Where the Impala was supposed to be Chevy's top-of-the-line machine that blended luxury and muscle in equal doses, it's not exactly high-visibility. That all changes here, and the results are compelling. We can't find any traces of the original paint, so it was a full disassembly job to get it this bright. Nice, straight bodywork probably made it easier, but you can see that they took their time and got the little stuff right. Aside from the color, they left everything else as it was from the factory, and as a real code 14 car, there's no doubt that it has earned the right to wear those SS badges and the engine-turned side trim. Dual deck lid antennas make it look even sleeker and all the chrome was polished up so that it shines vividly against the yellow paint. As I said, it's not subtle but the look is undeniably appealing.

The tan interior is also a little outside the original color codes, but the sophisticated look pays big dividends in the SS. The bucket seats are wrapped in factory-style seat covers that look brand new, and matching finishes were applied to the dash, steering wheel, and center console so it has a very unified look. Matching door panels are highlighted by proper SS emblems and you'll note that this car has factory power windows, a rather rare and appealing option. Factory A/C is another valuable upgrade, as is the AM/FM radio with an iPod interface built in, mostly because we know you'll love driving this car. The center console was an SS-only feature and wears more engine-turned aluminum trim and a monogrammed arm rest. However, looking closely at the shifter you'll find that it now offers detents for four gears, not two, complements of the 700R4 4-speed automatic overdrive that was installed during the build. The big trunk was correctly finished and carries a reproduction mat set and a full-sized spare tire.

There's no way to document whether the 283 cubic inch V8 is original to the car, but it certainly looks correct. Chevy Orange paint has a few miles on it and it isn't detailed for show, but the major components are unaltered from stock, giving it a very authentic look and feel. An alternator makes the electricity, ram's horn cast iron exhaust manifolds dump into a throaty dual exhaust system with glasspack-style mufflers, and the A/C was rebuilt just last year and converted to R134a refrigerant. As I mentioned, there's an overdrive transmission so this Imp just loafs along on the highway with the A/C cranking and there are new shocks at the corners so it rides beautifully. Standard steel wheels with SS wheel covers look right and sit inside 215/70/14 Firestone whitewall radials.

If you like the color, you're going to love this car. No, it's not for everyone, but if the purity of the Impala design appeals to you but you need a little more zing, look no further. Call today!