1963 was a big year for Chevrolet Impala, especially from a production perspective. The GM brand reached a historic production milestone as the company built the 50 millionth vehicle.
Unsurprisingly, the model picked to celebrate this achievement was a Chevrolet Impala SS. A while model rolled off the assembly lines at the Tarrytown, New York assembly plant, and the man behind the wheel was none other than New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller. Impala SS was already a superstar, but this achievement was great marketing for Chevrolet’s performance-oriented model.
On the other hand, the rest of the lineup brought little changes in terms of engines. The base unit was a 230 six-cylinder engine with just 140 horsepower, and while buyers weren’t exactly interested in this lazy option, the straight-six served its purpose beautifully. It was an economical alternative to the more powerful V8s, allowing Impala owners to go to the supermarket without spending too much on gas.
Unsurprisingly, the six-cylinder isn’t everybody’s cup of tea, so an Impala fitted with a 230 isn’t the most compelling 1963 model. The Impala you can see in these photos comes with this lazy engine option, but it could be an affordable way to get it if you’re looking for a daily driver.
Unfortunately, the car comes with almost no information, so it’s as mysterious as possible. I’ll have to do the detection work this time, but I’m pretty sure an Impala connoisseur would also decrypt most of the stuff about it.
The Impala has already received some work, as the metal and the paint look good. I’m not sure it’s been fully restored, but the interior exhibits excellent condition too. I would expect everything to be in working condition, but potential buyers should still inspect the car in person for more mechanical specifics.
It’s hard to tell from the photos if the engine is working, but the photos shared by eBay seller fomsir_92 show the car in different places, so it’s safe to assume the six-cylinder still starts and runs. Furthermore, the rust is unlikely to be a concern this time, possibly as the car has been serving as an occasional driver for quite some time, likely sleeping in a garage.
As I said, a six-cylinder Impala isn’t the most compelling purchase for Chevrolet fans, and this means the car can’t sell for big bucks. However, the car’s condition means it can’t go for cheap either, so the bidding starts at $6,000. The owner has also enabled a reserve, so the selling price is likely much higher. You must go to Elkins Park, Pennsylvania to see the car in person. You likely won’t need a trailer, as the car can go to its new home on its wheels.