Everything went like a charm for Chevrolet in the early ‘60s, and it all seemed like only the sky was the limit for the GM brand. The Impala was already a money-making machine, so the 1962 model year not only brought significant refinements to the full-size lineup but also witnessed the debut of the Chevy II.
Chevrolet’s 1962 statistics are impressive. It sold over 2.1 million cars, and the full-size lineup accounted for more than 1.4 million units.
The Impala was still the king of the castle with 704K units, and the Super Sport, which debuted during the previous year as a $53.80 package, was now more popular. Approximately 100K customers ordered the SS option in 1962.
The 1962 Impala in these photos started the difficult search for a new home, likely after spending years in storage. eBay seller wmarion93dog doesn’t share many specifics, but the photos posted on the auction site show the car dusty, dirty, and rusty, and I can only assume that this is a project waiting for restoration for a long time.
The rusty part is the most concerning on this Impala, and the owner acknowledges that the trunk is bad. However, I don’t expect the floors to be better, but you’ll have to inspect that yourselves if you believe the car is worth a chance.
The interior looks complete and in good shape, and I admit I didn’t expect the cabin to be in such a solid condition, considering the body. However, give this Impala a good cleaning, and you might be impressed, as everything seems to be in place, with no rips and tears. The car did not serve as a donor for another project, although it’s unclear how much of it is still original.
The engine under the hood is the most mysterious part. The owner says this Impala is fitted with a “400 small block and a 350 transmission.” The engine runs great, they claim.
The base V8 on the 1962 Impala was the 283 with 170 horsepower, and the optional units included the 327 small-block and the Turbo-Fire 409 with up to 409 horsepower. A 400 was not available in the lineup, so make sure you ask more questions if you want to buy this car for a restoration to factory specifications.
The owner posted the Impala on eBay with a reserve, and this could be a major roadblock for the car to return to the road. The bidding starts at $3,500, and the reserve’s value is unknown, but nobody entered the race for this Impala yet. The car is parked in Augusta, Georgia, and if you decide to take it home, you should be able to drive it on its wheels if you don’t live far away.