4-Speed Conversion: 1962 Chevrolet Impala SS
In 1961, Chevrolet introduced the Super Sport as a pure muscle car option on the full-size Impala. Only a few hundred were built before Chevy had the bright idea to make the car more about style than power. So, in 1962 an Impala SS could come with any Chevy engine (large or small) but had bucket seats and other youthful touches. The result was that more than 99,000 copies sold in that second outing. The seller’s ’62 SS looks quite nice, but it’s not original (the paint color and transmission have been swapped out).
The Super Sport concept would become quite successful. It migrated to the Chevy II/Nova in 1963 and then to the Chevelle in 1964. It would continue on the Impala through 1969, though revived years later in 1994-96, and finally 2000-2020. The early 1960’s Impala SS sold so well that it became a series of its own in 1964. Interest would decline as more emphasis was placed on mid-size muscle machines.
While this ’62 Impala SS presents well, current, or previous owners decided to make some changes. The original 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission was replaced in favor of a Borg Warner 4-speed with a Hurst shifter. The factory automatic was retained and will go with the sale. Yet nothing was done to beef up the engine as a 283 cubic inch V8 with a 2-barrel still resides under the hood. The odometer has rolled over, so we wonder how stout the mechanics of the car is today.
The silver paint on this Chevy has been covered over with a white finish instead and it looks good. No mention is made of rust and given the car’s surroundings; we assume it’s been spending a lot of time indoors as of late. So much so that the gas tank had to be replaced. This Impala has factory air conditioning, which wasn’t commonplace at that time compared to today (do any new cars today come without it?). If you don’t mind the lack of originality, this Impala might be a sweet ride. From Whitestone, New York, it’s available here on craigslist for $33,000. Our continued thanks to Mitchell G. for great tips!
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Comments
Got to be a low rider.
Besides the color change and the 4 speed for Powerglide swap, either the engine itself or the fender emblems have been changed too. 283’s came with just a simple “V” emblem with a red white & blue rectangle above the “V”. Cars with a 327 came with a similar “V”: emblem but with a pair of crossed flags added above the “V”, just like the emblems on this car. Since the seller is saying he “believes” it’s the original 283, I’m guessing he might know it’s not?
Either way a factory AC 62 Super Sport is a nice find.
A vin should show the engine it came with
I believe. I also could be wrong on that.
Looks decent but over priced in my opinion as its not original any more. But a good find none the less. Ac is a bonus.
As is the upgrade to 4 speed. Good luck on both sides of the sale.
All the VIN will tell you on a 62 is if it was a 6 or V8. It wasn’t until 72 that Chevrolet started putting a code in the VIN to indicate the actual engine installed.
I had a ’62 Belair that I paid 50 bucks for back in the 70’s. It had a tired 283 and a Powerglide, 0-to-60 you had to time with a calendar. I don’t think I ever went 60 in it. This is what I really wanted and if you could find a nice one they were pretty cheap, maybe a couple hundred bucks. It seems like I blinked and now they are 25,000 or more. From what I’ve seen online the price on this one is in the ballpark and it looks nice. I would prefer the original silver, but from what I’ve been told over the years silver is a hard color to paint and some guys won’t do it. Years ago I had a friend with a body shop and he used to repaint silver cars dove gray. So maybe the white was the next best thing to the owner. With the 4speed, A.C., power steering and brakes this will be a fun car to drive. I just hope it goes up in value for next owner.
4sp swap always welcome.
Full disclosure: I am a huge fan of ’62 SS Impalas, (my very first car was a ’62 SS 327/250 horse powerglide) and I will admit that I haven’t been following prices for a low optioned car such as this, but to me, this thing is WAY overpriced.
Ok, this one converted to a 4-speed is right on. If you had a 283/195 hp P/G the trans was iron and heavy. The next up would be the 327/250 hp and you would have the aluminum P/G, a better choice. This is a nice one to put a 327 in, since all the badges and SS trim is there. In my opinion, and its only mine, all SS cars, should have come with only 4-speeds, and only 327 or 409’s engine. Chevrolet sold millions with the automatic’s, and there still out there, I have one, and one with a 4-speed. This is a good one………..
The lowest HP 327 in 1962 was 250 hp and it had a four barrel. Back in the day Gm would put a four speed in anything, a friends dad had a plain jane 1959 Biscayne wagon with a 348 and a four speed he used for as work truck, would street race it with tools sliding around in the back!
Love the dashboard of the 61-62’ especially the steering wheel in 61’
Dad’s 65’ SS was same color combo as this 62’ I still remember that new car smell especially when raining.