409/425 dual quad engine with solid lifters. 4-speed manual transmission. Older repaint in Tuxedo Black with recent correct interior. Factory tach. Long-term ownership and known history dating back decades. Chevy’s nastiest early ‘60s muscle car, ready to rock!

There’s a reason early ‘60s Impala Sport Coupes are so popular—just look at it! It’s gorgeous! The proportions are exactly right, and even though Chevrolet was GM’s entry-level brand, there’s nothing about the Impala that suggests cost-cutting. This was a car you bought no matter who you were, just because you wanted it. And the guy who spec’d this 1963 Chevrolet Impala checked the single most important box: the dual quad 409 cubic inch V8 with 425 horsepower on tap. We believe this to be a legit 409/425 because the second owner, who bought it in 1970, says that the car was stolen a few months after he bought it. It was discovered shortly thereafter bereft of its engine and transmission, but otherwise intact. He made an insurance claim and to its credit, the insurance company sourced a correct X-code 1965 409 block with a JA suffix code and put it back together properly. A few years later, it was completely repainted, taking it from its original code 936 Ermine White to its current Tuxedo Black, which everyone will agree is a worthy improvement. While there are a few minor signs of age, the car looks spectacular and the laser-straight bodywork shows extremely well with no evidence of patching or substandard work anywhere on the car. Rap your knuckles on any of the panels and they ring true, just like a clean car should. A few micro-blisters on the roof and rear deck below the rear window might be able to be buffed out, but we’re not so sure we’d chase perfection—we like the look on this one just the way it sits. There’s a red pinstripe to add a little interest, but as a non-SS model, it’s got unadorned flanks that seem to enhance the Q-ship vibe of this nasty black Imp.

The black cloth and vinyl interior was more recently replaced and is quite correct throughout. The seats are firm and comfortable, the way a luxury car should be, and we love the juxtaposition of the 4-speed Hurst shifter and a bench seat. The color here was also changed from blue to black, so that means everything you see in black is new or restored, including the door panels, dash pad, carpets, and even the steering wheel. The center console from an SS was sourced just because it looks awesome, and there’s a functional factory tachometer perched right above the steering column. In fact, all the gauges work, including the idiot lights showing when the engine is cold—a handy piece of information with that thumping 409 up front. A set of auxiliary gauges was installed under the center of the dash and there is no radio—if your first instinct upon entering a car like this is to reach for the radio, you’re doing it wrong. The upholstery and carpets are virtually unmarked, and there’s a fresh white headliner overhead that keeps it from getting too dark inside. In back, there’s a massive trunk with a full-sized spare tire and jack assembly perched up on its own shelf in the back.

As I mentioned, the 409 in the car isn’t original, but we do believe this is a real-deal 409/425 car. First, there’s the second owner who stated that it was an untouched car when he acquired it in 1970 and that it was put back to that condition after the engine was stolen. Secondly, it still has its original 3/8-inch fuel feed line and a return line to the tank, something only used on the dual-quad cars. Either way, the engine is legit, with an X cast into the front of the block, two 4-barrel carbs up top, and that musical solid lifter valvetrain inside. For a high-performance engine, this one is beautifully tuned. It starts easily, idles nicely, and doesn’t seem to get fussy no matter what you’re doing. The chrome air cleaner is correct, and it's outfitted with period Edelbrock finned valve covers along with the requisite Chevy Orange engine enamel. Chevy switched to alternators earlier than most, so that’s correct, and along the way, it was retrofitted with a dual master cylinder for safety. It does have power steering, which makes it quite easy to handle, and ride quality is obviously excellent. The 4-speed snaps through the gears with authority and feeds a set of reasonable 3.55 gears out back, making this a very usable cruiser. The body has never been off the frame, but you can see just how clean it is underneath, with original floors to match the outstanding bodywork. A recent Flowmaster exhaust system sounds just about right, and it’s fitted with an electric fuel pump that’s a little noisy, but that’s easy to remedy. The brakes and rear suspension has been recently rebuilt, and there are fresh shocks all around. It really drives nicely. Traditional Cragar mags are a great choice and carry fat 235/75/15 blackwall radials that add to the brutal look.

You can probably tell that we really like this car. Our experience with similar cars has been that they can be temperamental, but this one just works like it should. Turn the key, go have fun. It comes by its ‘409’ emblems honestly and the fact that it has never been totally blown apart means it feels solid going down the road. Beautifully finished and just right for cruising and casual shows, this is a car that has a lot of swagger but doesn’t ask the driver to pay for it. That’s just plain cool. Call today!

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