The 1964 Impala didn’t undergo much change from the 1963 model year because a new generation was already in the works. With the exception of a few minor alterations to the taillights, it essentially kept everything from its 1963 sibling.
The Impala’s engine lineup remained the same as well, consisting of a mix of six-cylinder units for those who wanted to use the car for shopping and V8s for those who wanted a tiny rocket on wheels. The 409 big-block design, which was offered in three versions in 1964, was the top-of-the-line setup for this model year.
The 340- and 400-horsepower flavors were fitted with a single four-barrel carburetor, while the 425-horsepower sibling came with a twin four-barrel setup. It was the best choice for a Super Sport, no doubt about it.
The 1964 4-door sedan listed on BackyardClassicsTRF formerly had a mystery V8 under the hood, but today the engine room only houses fresh air. The vendor explains that because they were unable to open the hood, the images had to be taken via the grille because the car doesn’t want people to see under it.
The owner maintains that the car hasn’t touched ground in many decades, despite the fact that it appears to have been abandoned for some time. With rust on the floorboards and in the trunk pan, and a rough appearance, it surely appears to be the case.
The engine and the transmission probably made their way to another Impala project, as this sedan has likely served as a donor. It’s also why many other parts are missing, such as the front door panels. The seats look wrecked, and the dash has already been cut, so saving this Impala will be an incredibly challenging job, even for a professional restorer.
It doesn’t mean the car has become a rust bucket. It still has many strong selling points, including the body, though I’m not sure this Chevrolet Impala flexes 100 percent original metal. You must inspect it in person for such details, but based on the provided photos, it’s not as bad as you’d expect it to be on a vehicle sitting on the side of the road for decades.
For many devoted Impala enthusiasts, the lack of an engine and transmission is a deal-breaker, but it also opens the door to other projects, such as restomods. Given that no specs were provided, the sedan was equipped with a V8, which was probably the infamous 283 (one of the most popular options and the base V8 on the 1964 Impala). A 409 big block would therefore suit the automobile perfectly, albeit its rough shape would present more difficulties than the absence of an engine.