1964 Chevrolet Impala SS

Description

In the early '60s, if performance was your goal, the Impala was an excellent choice. Just the right size, beautifully styled without being over-wrought, and powered by a variety of engines, you could tailor it to just about any taste. That's just as true today as this 1964 Impala SS hardtop demonstrates: a potent small block, trick Air Ride suspension system, 4-wheel disc brakes, and plenty of class.

Bright red is what most folks imagine when they think of the '64 Impala, but when you paint it Tuxedo Black it definitely takes on a sinister edge. It doesn't take much to make the Impala look racy, and this one looks just right. Bodywork is quite well done and shows of the crisply folded steel that makes the Imp so distinctive, and you can see in the photos that they put in the time to get it right. Gaps are good all around, the finish is nicely rendered in two-stage urethane, and it shows only a few signs of use since the work was completed. All the trim is in good condition, including the distinctive Impala-only side trim, along with the matching engine-turned panel surrounding the triple taillights, which were an Impala trademark since Day One. The glass offers a slight tint, which gives the old car a sleek look.

As a real code 14 V8 SS, the interior is an upscale place to do business, combining nicely restored buckets and a center console and it all looks fantastic. The carpets, door panels, and headliner were all upgraded at the same time, and the thin-rimmed steering wheel is traditional style for the '60s. The instruments have been joined by a trio auxiliary gauges underneath the dash along with the controls for the Air Ride suspension that allows individual adjustment of each corner. This is a factory power window car and they all remain fully functional, and a Kenwood AM/FM/CD/iPod radio head unit has been fitted in the dash. And this car offers what might be the tidiest old car trunk we've seen lately, neatly fitted with black carpets and a full-sized spare.

The Impala was available with a variety of V8 engines, and the great thing about the Chevy small block is that they all look alike. As a result, the 350 cubic inch V8 looks right at home in the '64 engine bay. Chevy Orange paint certainly helps, and there are a few dress-up items such as the aluminum valve covers with matching air cleaner. It isn't radical, but it's been properly upgraded with an aluminum radiator, alternator, and dual reservoir master cylinder with power assist for the 4-wheel disc brakes. Ram's horn exhaust manifolds help the original look under the hood, along with a recent exhaust system and glasspack-style mufflers that sound awesome. The transmission is a TH350 3-speed automatic, not an antique PowerGlide and with highway-friendly gears, this is a fantastic cruiser, local or long distance. Simple Intro wheels carry staggered 225/40/18 front and massive 255/35/20 rear performance radials.

Clean and ready to enjoy, this Impala easily cost way more than the asking price to build, and there aren't many that are cleaner. Classic looks, room for five, and great performance make it one of the icons of the 1960s, and it still attracts a ton of attention today. Call now!