Restoring a classic Impala can be a very rewarding experience if you’re a diehard Chevrolet fan, but at the same time, it can also become an easy way to make money, given the strong interest in this particular nameplate.Of course, the easy part comes down to many factors, including the condition of the project car you plan to restore.
The 1963 Impala that you see here is one of the most solid projects I’ve seen in a long time. eBay seller i*find*u*flip, who previously came across some intriguing cars hidden in barns, offers this 2-hoor hardtop that still boasts really good metal.
The most common issue on a car this old is rust, and more often than not, the damage isn’t only painful to observe but also a nightmare (especially in terms of costs) to resolve. This Impala comes with no such problems, though it does have a rust spot in the lower fenders and in the quarters.
But on the other hand, it’s important to keep in mind this is a 1963 Impala that has never been restored, so the reduced amount of rust is impressive, to say the least. A previous owner apparently bought some patch panels, especially for the trunk, so you’re also getting the necessary metal to fix the existing issues.
The floors look great. Cars sitting for a very long time typically come with a great amount of rust on the undersides, but somehow this Impala managedtot survive the test of time with flying colors.
Selling with original owner information, dealership details, and the manual, this Impala has one big secret. It lacks a powertrain, so if you want to bring it back to factory specifications, that’ll be pretty difficult. Not impossible, though, but given the money you’d spend on a period-correct engine and transmission, it’s better to stick with whatever engine you have, especially if it’s a big block that fits a 1963 Chevy Impala.
The top unit on the 1963 Impala was the 409 (6.7-liter) V8 rated at 425 horsepower, and without a doubt, it’d fit this model like a glove, even without the SS tags. Sure enough, you can install any engine you want, but the addition of a big block would certainly get its resale price much higher (if you don’t want to keep the car, that is).