She’s So Fine 409: 1963 Chevrolet Impala SS
Chevrolet had several success stories in the 1960s – and the Super Sport was one of them. With what started as a limited-production muscle car in 1961, sales were up to more than 153,000 copies by 1963. That includes this Sport Coupe which was born with a 4-speed manual transmission, but the cool 409 cubic inch V8 was added a decade later. Located in Greenwood, Arkansas, the engine has been rebuilt and it runs great, complete with a fair share of patina on the original paint. This powerful Chevy is available here on eBay where the current bid is $16,200.
The success of the Impala Super Sport can be attributed to a shift in focus from muscle to style, so the 1962 Impala SS could be ordered with any engine (even an inline-6) but the car wore bucket seats and special trim to set it apart from other Impalas. How did it work out? Sales went from 453 units in 1961 to 99,311 in 1962 and another 50% in 1963 – and the peak was far from being reached. We’re told this Impala SS left the factory with a 327 V8 but the 409 you see was added in 1972. That engine came out of a ’62 Chevy and the original 4-speed was swapped for a Muncie T10.
We’re told the car drives great, thanks in part to a “refresh” of the engine, including rings and bearings, rebuilt cylinder heads, and a stronger intake manifold/ carburetor combination. Plus the aluminum radiator is new, and the fuel system was serviced. This was a factory air-conditioned car, but all the hardware has been removed (a new compressor is in a box). The brakes have been redone, too, so it stops as well as it goes.
The seller says the interior has been worked over, but the photos reflect an older passenger compartment with Walmart-style seat covers. The white finish is said to be original and there is a little bit of rust here and there, but nothing worrisome – yet. You should be able to enjoy the car and its patina for a while before restoring the exterior of this Chevrolet. If you’re looking for a badass driver, this car should attract some attention to Cars & Coffee just the way it is.
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Comments
As is for me!
409 was added in 1961 btw
That’s a fairly fair price. It needs probably 10k worth of body work and new paint and the interior done nicely. But after that it should be exceptional.
Freshened up 409 and a 4spd is a nice start. 👌 🏁
Back in the day, my brother owned 283 version of this car. White, with a black top and interior. I recall stress cracks where the roof met the quarters by the rear windows.
A T10 is a Borg-Warner. A Muncie is a Muncie. A T10 was original in these cars and pretty good behind small blocks but often got destroyed behind 409’s.
Thank you. I’m glad someone else caught that.
10000 for paint and bodywork? My 73 rust free everything ready to paint . The price of just prepping and paint 10000 to 25000 and that was 2 yrs ago. Now on to the interior . Just finishing up my 68 gts dart interior and at last count there’s another 6000 and I gotta say the aftermarket parts are the worst!!! I call the new parts new broken . Then let’s wait 3 months and pay outrageous shipping for them. It’s way to expensive to rebuild these cars. As far as your time and labor it’s free. Just saying. Peace.
A fair price for a 63 Impala SS with a fresh engine, trans and brakes. A 4 speed manual is a real bonus. If it’s a factory AC car that should be put back to working order again. Body/ Paint and interior looks like all that left to do, but to do right won’t be cheap.
2 glaring corrections, if I may, 1st, it was “she’s REAL fine, my 409”, and 2nd, the car The Beach Boys sang about was a ’62, but love the reference none the less. Truth be known, the 409, and the lesser known 348, were basically truck motors, and had a brief moment in the sun, until Ford and Chrysler took the reins. The 409 was suddenly horribly underpowered compared to the 406/427, or the hemi. They soldiered on until ’65, when the 396/427 changed that scenario. Still, any car immortalized in song, will always be wanted, it, to me is a shame, they spent a wad on the motor, and the rest of the car looks terrible. The ’63 Impala was such a nice car, I’d have done the body/interior first. I wonder if future generations will even know what “409” refers to.
409 could run with any FE ford! Couldn,t say that though when the L-78 and L-72’s came out!
This one sold. Just an update on the 409’s, the 409/425 HP (’63) held their own with win loss records. Then the ’63 Z11 Impala came on the scene. That was Chevrolet’s answer to Dodge, Plymouth, Pontiac and Ford. If you could get one (only 57 produced) it out ran all in its class. Basically a 409, stroked to 427 with special heads, intake manifold, exhaust manifolds and 13.5:1 compression. They were called lightweight Impala’s with many factory aluminium parts. These were handed out to the top drag racers of the time, and a lucky few who ordered one.
No such trans as a muncie t-10 trans. It’s either a Borg Warner t-10 or a GM Muncie trans.