If you wanted a Chevrolet Impala SS in 1964, the best engine you could choose was the almighty 409 V8. Returning as a big-block option for this model year, the 409 was available in three power configurations.
The base version developed 340 horsepower, whereas the mid-range sibling sported 400 horsepower. Both came with a single four-barrel carburetor.
The icing on the Impala SS cake was the 425-horsepower version, which benefitted from an upgrade to twin four-barrel carburetors. The same engine was available for other full-size models in Chevy’s lineup, including the Bel Air and the Biscayne – non-SS Impala buyers could also order the top 409, but few of them ended up doing this.
Someone on Craigslist has not one, not two, but three different Impala SS models born in 1964 and now sporting a rather depressing shape. The shared images speak for themselves and suggest the Impala SS trio has been sleeping under the clear sky for several years.
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to determine what this means. A car spending years on the side of the road in the same spot eventually has to deal with the rust invasion. As a result, I expect all three Impalas to exhibit massive rust problems, so look for the typical suspects, including the floors and the trunks.
The body doesn’t look good on the three once-gorgeous Impalas – the white one seems the most affected by rust and rot. One of the two red Impalas flexes a more solid body, so maybe you can combine the trio to assemble one more solid body for restoration. On the good side, you still get clear VIN tags on all three models.
The interior comes with good and bad news. I can spot at least one set of rear seats in decent condition, a steering wheel, some door panels, and an uncut dash. These Impalas undoubtedly come with missing parts, so you’d better inspect them thoroughly in person to see if you still have the required components to begin a restoration.
The engine chapter is unlikely to include any good news. From these pics, it’s hard to tell if at least one of the three Impalas still has an engine under the hood, but I don’t believe it makes a huge difference. Considering their shape, the engine is probably locked up, so going for a period-correct unit (please use the 425-horsepower version of the 409) is the better option.