Vintage A/C! 1962 Chevrolet Impala SS
The Super Sport was born in 1961 as a performance edition of the Chevy Impala with bigger engines and limited production. For 1962 and beyond, the SS became more mainstream and an appearance package with any engine choice. The buying public responded favorably to the changes and SS assemblies ballooned to more than 99,000 units. This ’62 Impala is the real deal with some under-hood tweaking over the years. Located in Rockwood, Tennessee, it’s available here on eBay where the bidding is up to $32,500.
In 1961, the SS could be found on the Impala “bubbletop” coupe but shifted to a more formal roofline and convertible in 1962 (the Bubbletop was relegated to the Bel Air line and dropped after that). The SS package cost just $53.80 extra in ‘62 and came with bucket seats and trim that identified the car as an SS. It also had special spinner-style wheel covers. You can verify a real Super Sport from the trim tag that has the code SS which is the only way you got bucket seats. The seller’s car was built in California and eventually found its way to Tennessee.
The seller acquired the car from its prior owner after he began experiencing some health issues, so the number of owners since new seems to be small. We’re told it runs well and is a car that you could jump in and drive anywhere. The only thing motivating the seller to let this one go is he would like something with more power and doesn’t want to modify this car to get there. It has a 327 engine, which we assume it came with from the factory, and it has a few upgrades for better performance, but nothing internal to the motor. The Impala does have a newer 4-speed 700R4 automatic transmission that was installed about 15 years back.
Changes or improvements to the car include ceramic coated headers with a stainless-steel exhaust, HEI distributor with a 600 cfm Edlebrock carburetor, radiator, vintage air conditioning (replacing the factory unit that was a bit rare in the early 1960s), rear axle bearings seals, front coil springs, power front disc brakes, and 15” Corvette Rally wheels instead of the factory steel wheels (no mention is made of the whereabouts of the spinners).
The body, chrome, trim, and glass all look good. We’re told it had one repaint in Ivory White (though the trim tag indicates Ermine White). It’s not perfect today, but better than driver quality in the seller’s words. There is no rust, but a small crease is present in the lower right rear quarter panel that would take $650 to repair – or you could leave it just as it is. All the weatherstripping was replaced a few years ago. The Chevy’s mileage is an indicated 45,000 with no mention of any verification for accuracy.
All-in-all, this appears to be a solid, survivor-quality automobile that has a lot of years and miles left in it. The factory AM radio is still present, but the seller wanted better sound, so a stereo was added underneath the dash as to not cut anything to make it fit. Another small way to keep it close to original and yet make it a little more modern, too.
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Comments
This stunning ’62 “SS” brings back both and good and bad memories. I befriended the guy (Tommy) who was the fiancé of the girl across the street. We both loved old cars and could and did sit and talk for hours. I was driving a ’66 GTO at the time. One day he pulled up in a Candy Apple Red ’62 “SS” with white button tuck leather interior. I can still see that car in my mind today. The car was truly amazing, so straight and solid and had the original 327 engine and PG transmission. Tommy had added his own personal touch of a killer sound system. We talked about his car and I went on my way. Tommy did not drink or mess with drugs, but he loved his music and constantly fiddled with the radio dials. I learned a week later that while driving his ’62 in the rural community where he lived, he had been killed in a rollover accident when his car ran off the shoulder of a road where there was a steep embankment, but no guardrail. The girl across the street lost her fiancé and I lost a great friend. I always wondered if Tommy had been messing with the radio at the time which I guess by today’s definition would have been considered distracted driving that we were all guilty of then.
So sorry for your loss. Peace to you and Tommy.
@Bluetec320: Thank you, that means a lot.
Can charge a/c with Freon still ?
I believe 63 was the first year for the 327.
We are going to have to check with Mona Lisa Vito to be sure.
Great Answer …. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZ-UHY6HXdU
No the 327 was first available in 1962….had a four-speed, 327 ’62…
No 1962 was the first year for the 327.
I know 62 was the first year of 327 250 and 300 HP
1962 first year for 327
Pretty close,1962 was the 1st year for the 327 and 69 the last,a great engine for sure.
Interesting, Kevin. I got married in 1971. My wife had a 1966 Impala with a 327. I had a 1965 GTO with a 389. Prior to my Goat, I had a 1964 Impala with a 283 2bbl. A no goer but a beautiful car.
Votech classmate has a white 62 SS. IIRC it had a 283 powerglide in it. Not the fastest car around but you could comfortably get 5 in the cabin and another 3 in the trunk if going to $3 drive-in night.
Not fast at all IMO but a definite cruiser that wouldn’t break the bank at the gas station.
The 327 was first available in 1962. I had a 327-four speed in 1962.
Over the nearly Sixty years of this cars existence I’m surprised it still has a 327 at all and not a 350 at the very least or 383 stroker, 355, 406 sbc, all the usual suspects. It does have an upgraded transmission so it can now be driven at speed without screaming at the driver. Sharp car in white!
I had a 62 convertible with the 327 300 hp engine and 4 speed. Gas mileage was not to bad as long as I kept my foot off the loud pedal. I have dreams every now and then that I still have it. Wish I did.
Always wanted a 62 Impala. It was the year that I graduated from high school. Couldn’t afford one then and can’t afford one now. They are beautiful and this one especially. Some one is going to be happy.
I have owned close to 50 cars since 1972. I had a turquoise 64 Impala two door hardtop and a white 65. Both used as daily drivers in the early 80s. Stone cold reliable, yeah a little hard on gas with a Powerglide, but no stupid check engine lights, no stupid power assist crap to break and easy to fix. Today, I work at a Chrysler Jeep dealer. All we do is fix computer and electrical problems, blown camshafts, broken exhaust manifold bolts, which never happened when cars were made properly with cast iron engine parts. My newest car is 18 years old and my oldest is 49 years young. Both run perfectly. Great car here, but plenty of money.
I truly love the 62 Impala. I missed the chance to buy a 62 ragtop by a short 2 days some years ago. This was before collector cars came to include almost anything running or not. The car was in the front yard of a house in rural VA. I got back two days later and it was sold, paid for and gone. Oh what could have been.
SOLD for $34,600.
I really like this car,too much for the ol budget though…