Imagine the scene will you? The husband comes home and says I’ve bought a nice, big family car. It’s a Chevrolet with Jet-Smooth ride. He smiles as he turns the key and there is the unmistakable sound of a 409 cubic inch V8 producing 340 horsepower.
Well, that’s what this 1963 Chevrolet Impala SS Convertible is equipped with. That’s the great thing about these full-size cars. They could just have a six cylinder engine in them or a huge big block like this.
1963 saw the widest range of Chevrolet’s so far in their history and the Impala was the most luxurious family car they had one offer.
However, being a top-of-the-line Impala with a 409 makes this one very desirable car to own. A lot of fun too. With its Ermine White paint (code 936) it’s sure to drawn a lot of attention!
Pointed from and rear fender lines characterized 1963 big-car styling. Impalas had front fender side decorations, wider feature-line molding with and insert and leaping Impala in chrome circle emblem on the rear fenders. The only thing to give away this Impala was fitted with the largest engine Chevrolet had on offer that year was the 409 badges on the front fenders.
Inside, the Impala enjoyed leather grained vinyl and the richest fabrics in Chevrolet’s line and featured bright aluminum end panels on the seats.
Power comes from the biggest engine Chevrolet had on offer for 1963 – the 409 cubic inch Turbo-Fire V8 with four-barrel carburetor.
The base Impala came with a 6 cylinder 230 cubic inch engine. To upgrade to the Turbo-Fire 409/340 engine would have cost the original buyer $350. The heavy-duty 4-speed manual transmission would have added an extra $237. The Super Sport equipment package was an additional $161.
Considering the base Impala Convertible cost was $2,917 that was a chunk of extra change to throw down for the car. Production figures are a little vague for Chevrolet’s of this era. We do know that they produced 82,659 Impala convertibles. We also know that 16,920 Chevy cars had a 409 cubic inch V8 installed (most of which were SS). What we don’t know is the exact amount with this combination.
This ’63 Chevy Impala SS 409 is currently for sale on eBay. (follow the link for more photos)
That’s funny. I did that with my 63 SS Impala 327/300 4speed.
Won a lot of street races! ?
I had a ’63 SS Impala 327/300 4speed convertible. Artesian red (Honduras Maroon) with fawn beige interior. I wish I still had it I’m my garage but who would have thought back then that they would be among the most classic of cars ever produced. I’d love to find a reasonably priced ’63 convertible.