Real-deal SS hardtop in black-on-black color combination. Believed to be original 409/340 V8 with 4-speed, both recently rebuilt. Beautiful original interior. Two owners from new. A bargain-priced way to put an SS409 4-speed in your garage!

As far as we can tell, this car appears to be the real deal. It’s a confirmed SS, thanks to the SS-only code 812 black bucket seat interior (which is original, by the way). It’s also carrying a correct 409 cubic inch 340 horsepower V8 with a QC suffix code (1963 Impala 340 horsepower with manual transmission) and an assembly date (March 27) a few weeks before the car was built (first week of June). They weren’t doing matching numbers in the strictest sense with the 1963 Impalas, but the clues are there. We acquired this brutal-looking SS from its second owner, who informs us that he bought it from the original owner in 2020, so there’s a very long-term original owner who eventually embarked on a restoration. Sadly, due to his advancing age, he rebuilt the engine and transmission but was unable to finish the bodywork—hence the primer paintjob. He stripped some of the paint but realizing that he wasn’t going to get to it any time soon, he gave it a quickie primer job to protect the sheetmetal. And we have to say, we dig the street brawler look. If you’re a shiny paint guy who wants to write angry E-mails because you don’t get it, well, go ahead and save us both the aggravation and don’t bother. But if you are into the no-worries junkyard dog look the way we are, this car totally nails it. The sheetmetal is quite straight and there’s no evidence of accidents or rust repair, and the long engine-turned SS-only side trim is in excellent shape. Panels line up nicely and the doors close with authority. There’s no doubt this is a good, straight, clean SS, and you either get it or you don’t.

As far as we can tell, that’s the original code 812 black bucket seat interior in the car, and if you’re familiar with the Impala, you know that buckets were only available in the SS models. That’s proof enough that the car is legit. Looking deeper, however, you’ll see that it’s also beautifully preserved and in excellent condition. No splits or tears in the upholstery, the door panels are excellent, and even the headliner is decent. The carpets have probably been replaced just because they’re just too nice, but the whole passenger compartment has a clean all-of-a-piece look that works quite well. We wouldn’t change a thing. You’ll also note this car has the requisite console and 4-speed shifter, which is now a Hurst T-handle unit so you’ll never miss a shift. The stereo has been upgraded to an AM/FM/cassette unit out of the early ‘80s and there’s an aftermarket oil pressure gauge under the dash monitoring the expensive 409 up front. The engine-turned dash and center console are in beautiful shape and that big steering wheel makes this Imp easy to handle. The back seat remains in outstanding condition and there’s a giant trunk with correct mats plus a spare tire with jack assembly up on its own shelf.

Chevy’s 409 cubic inch V8 is easy to spot with its unique valve covers, with this one being the L33 340 horsepower version wearing a single 4-barrel carburetor. Much more street friendly, it brings the big torque without the fussy dual quads and mechanical lifters. It was recently rebuilt and is nicely detailed with chrome valve covers and air cleaner plus Chevy Orange paint on the block itself. The carburetor is a fresh Edelbrock AVS2 4-barrel and in 1963, Chevy was putting alternators on their cars, ahead of most of the industry. It starts easily and idles nicely, but offers up a bit hit of torque at almost any speed—one of the virtues of the 340 horse version. Power steering makes it a car anyone can handle. The 4-speed snaps off crisp shifts with reasonable clutch action and we believe there are 3.55 gears in back, which are a reasonable compromise between acceleration and easy cruising. The body has never been off the frame, but the floors are clean, the rockers aren’t rotten, and the X-frame is solid, all suggesting that this car has always been someone’s fair weather toy. The dual exhaust system uses glasspack-style mufflers for a mellow soundtrack and it sits on brand new Cragar SS wheels with 195/75/14 Goodyear radials all around.

Look, we understand this car isn’t for everyone. We also know these cars are difficult to document. But the clues are all there and if you’re into the look, this car brings a lot to the table. It’s got a nasty look that attracts a ton of attention at shows, it runs superbly, and every time you open the hood you’ll attract a crowd. And at this price, there’s still room for you to come out OK if you really need that shiny paint job. Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.