Gold Gazelle: 1964 Chevy Impala Golden Anniverary
Commemorative editions are not uncommon with car manufacturers. Sometimes it’s a simple sign with a photoshoot to document a number milestone, sometimes it’s to honor the final example of a model as production ends, and sometimes it’s to celebrate the age of the company. That’s the case with our car here, a special golden Impala to pay tribute to Chevrolet’s golden anniversary. It’s up for sale here on eBay in Flushing, Michigan, with a bid of $4,000 at the time of writing.
In 1962, Chevy decided to produce a limited number (most sources say between 300 and 350) of Impalas with special paint, interior and accessories. The Impala was redesigned for that year and growing in popularity, so it seemed a fitting car for a special edition. The paint was a unique Anniversary Gold color (paint code 927) and that was not the first time GM used gold as special paint. They’d also used it for the 50-millionth GM vehicle (a 1955 Chevy Bel Air), the 50th anniversary of GM, and even some two-tone white and gold Suburbans in 1968 to celebrate 50 years of truck production.
Unfortunately, this golden Impala has a lot of rust. The seller says it’s restorable, but quite a bit of time and money will have to be spent unless the future owner can do the work themselves. Thankfully, most of the trim is still installed on the body, and the seller says there is even more in the trunk. The glass looks undamaged as well. This is really an attractive car, and would look great once restored.
The interior will need a lot of work as well. Even in this limited image, we can tell the dash pad is damaged, the carpet is missing, and the seats are torn. I’ll assume the gauges don’t work well either. Here is what it could look like when complete.
The engine is missing, as is the transmission, although we know that it was originally equipped with an automatic from the column shifter inside. Based on a quick online search, it appears that there is no clear info about the powertrains – it seems that some were SS editions, some were not, and these Golden Impalas were offered with a variety of engines. It looks like the 327 was a very popular one, however, and that makes sense for a car like this. But, that just means the next owner has a blank slate to work with. What would you do? Full restoration, resto-mod, or something else?
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Comments
Not enough left of this taxidermy special to resuscitate.
What’s the matter with you people? That’s a ’62 not a ’64.
This seems to happen a lot.
Which is better looking than a 64!
yes its a1962 big difference from a 1964 even has a different dash can tell difference a mile away
Pretty sure this is a ’62 (instead of ’64) (Looks like Terrry hit the send button before I did)
First thing I thought when I saw the pics, ’62
I snoozed BarnFinds for 30 days in hopes they would hire someone that is at least somewhat knowledgeable about American cars. ( seems the current contributors know their UK stuff pretty well)
And these ultra low mile claims. (not this car) 99.9% have been pure BS. C’mon BF, you have the opportunity to provide some quality stuff, yet you consistently just blow smoke up our butts.
Can’t help but notice that there’s not a “Member” tag next to your name. That means that, like me, you do not pay for BarnFinds content. I don’t always succeed, but I try to remember that before I post a comment. Perhaps you should try, as well.
An understandable response. I’ve co-written 2 Automotive books on 1950’s US automobiles (I was the Tech writer and helped with the manuscripts as well), yet when I applied to write for Barn Finds I got shot down hard and FAST.
I’ll never say I’m the best or finest automotive writer, but I know a 1962 Impala from a 1964.
According to the attached ad, the engine and transmission are still with the car.
https://www.autoevolution.com/news/1962-chevrolet-impala-ss-golden-anniversary-begs-to-be-saved-original-v8-still-there-175741.html#
The ebay ad says no motor or transmission. This car is going to need alot, including a frame. Drivers side appears to be rusted in half
LS it, Clear Coat The PITINA, Put some GO PULL IT SEATS in It, Don’t forget the Airbags / Hydraulics that all the old CHEBIES get and CALL IT A DAY..
I thought 1963 was the anniversary year for the special color.
I stand corrected. I was thinking of 1963 with fifty millionth Chevy. They had a special paint color that year to celebrate.
The SS-K on the trim tag tells me the OE engine was one of the 409s. Without the drivetrain I don’t see any value in this car beyond the VIN and trim tags. It’s the real deal but it’s too far gone.
could not have been a 409 there wasnt a automatic offered in 62 for 409s only started in 63 for the 340 hp 409 62. 409s where 380 and 409 hp
Yeah it’s a 62 all day long
This is NOT a 1964 model – it’s a 1962! You can tell from the vent windows, tail lights, grille, and instrument cluster!
I can tell it is a 1962 by the picture.
Ebay ad says 1962
The bidding is up to $4050 with 1day left in the auction. With all that rust and rot through, no engine, missing trim pieces, ripped up interior – these bidders are off their rocker. Should be $800 tops. Can you imagine the thousands of dollars it’s going to take to restore this thing?? Well into 5 figure territory.
As much as I love these 60 model Chevrolets, people find these cars in a pitiful state & expect big money. What’s left of this old ride to me, is a parts car. And that price, seriously !!! try maybe 500-800 for that rust bucket. Don’t get pissed at me for voicing my opinion, remember, everyone has one
I bought one of these, fawn brown , cars in 1968 with less than 20,000 miles for $500 bucks. Guy at work mentioned his mother in law passed and they wanted to move the car. As a starving college kid, I still had to get a 300 loan to get it done… standard 283 with power glide, it served me faithfully until 1970. Back then, I didn’t know what I had and possessed neither the temperament or funds to properly take care of it…
That is a 1962 chev 63 and 64 were alike total revamp in 1965 Thanks David R
62,63,64 are all different , back when GM changed the design every single year………
Located in Flushing. That is what you’ll be doing with your money, trying to restore this thing.
anybody that would buy this car for $4K is a silly person.
all these car need a basic $10,000,00 for body work as well as $10,000.00 for mechanical work,,so unless your able to pay this,, dream on,
I’ll bet that Ryan over at iowaclassiccars
would be all over this one. Every time I see
him, he’s pulling out a forgotten old Chevy
and breathing life back into it. I love his
videos and he is fun to watch
The link posted above says the current owner bought it to restore but now has decided that he has too many other projects so wants to sell it. It also says it comes with it’s original 327 engine and power glide transmission. The 62 Chevy’s are great looking cars and that special gold color would really make it stand out, but I don’t think this one would be worth the cost and effort it would take to make it look good.
In 1984 I had a chance to buy a beautiful garage kept plain jane ’62 Impala Convertible w/283 Auto. A rust- free CA car that my father had recently purchased from an elderly neighbor. I was offered the car for what he paid $1800, sadly I passed on it since I had just bought a brand new ’84 GMC pick up. Now I wish I had bought the Impala and just put it away in a garage. Prices people ask for this rusty beater junk today just amazes me.
While there were apparently a few ‘special’ Anniversary Gold Impalas when this color was added mid-year 62, it became an RPO color, and it could be ordered on ‘regular’ Impalas as well as SSs. It was also available on 4 dr hts (I owned one) as well as coupes and converts. Whether there were Anniversary Gold sedans, I cannot say, but I’ve never seen one. Just because a car wears Anniversary Gold paint, does not make it a ‘special’ model any more than if it were any other color. The 63 Anniversary Impalas WERE very special with only a few made very late in the model year.
Golden Anniversary edition should have engine turned trim also