1963 Chevrolet Impala

Sedan

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

Gasoline

Trusted Power Seller with 100% Feedback! Its been said that cars like this don’t exist anymore. Its been said that cars like this are only Urban Legend or Fictitious Myth, but you are about to be stunned. This genuine, 78k original mileage Impala was a 1 owner for 43 years! Not a misprint. Does it get better than that? Well in this case it does. This car was kept indoors for all 43 of those years when not in use and because of the extra cost Underseal option that was applied when the car was delivered new it is as rust free as your going to find. This is an all original sheet metal car with no cancer whatsoever. (The pic of the bottom of the front passenger fender is the worst rust the car has) It is a beautiful example of what long term love and devotion to your car can result in. Speaking of the beloved. According to record, we know that the adored Ms. Ruth Drake drove into Fleet Chevrolet in Seattle, Washington on July, 30th 1963 in her 1956 Mercury and tenaciously negotiated a $297.00 trade in value towards this beautiful Impala, thereby beginning her 40+ year relationship with it. The original sales invoice, owners manual and original keys which are included with the sale of this car are the holy grail to the pre Build Sheet era Chevrolets. Since we’re talking about rare documentation, lets take a look at the options listed on the original invoice which totaled $3,035.20. 283 V-8 engine (195 HP 2bl) Powerglide Transmission Power Steering Underseal Padded Dash Heater & Defroster Two Speed Windshield Wipers Not seen on the window sticker is the optional trunk and glove box light. Additionally, Ms. Drake had the dealer install clear plastic on both the front and rear cloth seats upon delivery, thereby preserving them to near perfection. The bad news is, the 2nd owner made the mistake of removing them. I know! I know! I feel the same way. Beheading would be appropriate, but lets remain on task here. Since we’re talking about the interior, take a look at those beautiful cloth seats. There are only a few minor imperfections in them. Still above average however, for a 47 year old car. The headliner is flawless and very detailed with little star imprints throughout it. The stylist attention to detail here is marvelous. The optional padded dash has zero imperfections. The speedometer cluster is clear and resilient, not milky and faded like most. The subtle two tone steering wheel is flawless, as is the chrome horn ring that is neatly nestled within it. The chrome shift handle and chrome turn signal arm are show quality. The carpet is not torn or stained anywhere, however it does have some slight fading from the sunlight. This is true patina my Chevrolet Brethren. The aluminum trim throughout the dash is truly beautiful. Due to the car was never ordered with a radio Ms. Drake installed a Sears pushbutton AM radio approximately two years after purchasing the car. Yes, the original brochure for the radio is also included with the paperwork, and yes the radio works (including the typical RFI buzz that accompanies it) The dash is is not hacked. A stock radio may be installed if you wish. With the exception of the very bottom of the driver’s front door panel, all of the door panels are mint! If you’ve ever owned a 60-64 Impala (or 62/65 Nova) you know many of the bottom window channels rot out. No worries here. These are perfect in every way. All of the windows roll up and down flawlessly, as new. In fact all of the glass in the car is the original date coded glass. Yes, even the windshield and it does not have one imperfection in it! In fact, none of the glass does. No milky separation glazing/bubbles etc. The glass is like new. The exterior trim on the car is well above average. A few of the mid level aluminum trim pieces have your typical door dings/dents & scrapes, but overall they are well above the norm, as noted. They are very bright and resilient from front to back and from top to bottom. The grill is insane. It is perfect. Not one rung is tweeked or bent. It is truly incredible that a grill this large, made of aluminum on the front of a car has never been damaged all these years. The chrome on the front bumper is also beautiful. No milky stains and unsightly heavy scratches. There is one golf ball size dent in it however, but it does not detract from the overall beauty of it. The rear three piece bumper is just as nice, however the L/H extension piece has some flaking and stains. The center piece still has the old school Allstate insurance sticker that was likely placed there over 30 years ago. There’s even an older Allstate faded water decal in the windshield. Remember the 2nd owner who removed the original plastic from the seats? Aren’t you glad you didn’t behead him? Well he totally redeemed himself when he elected to have the car painted. Thankfully he chose to repaint it in its original Beige hue. It is an exact color match and it gets plenty of compliments no matter where I go. He also had the original steel wheels repainted to match the body and for such a mundane color it is truly stunning. If I were to rate the quality of the paint work on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being as good as any factory 1963 paint job I would rate it conservatively at a 7. The original U.S. Royal polyglass spare tire and accompanying jack are still mounted in the cancer free trunk. I have put several hundred miles on this car since taking ownership and I cant stop smiling when driving it. The 283 is quiet and smooth throughout the power range. No stumbling, hesitations, flat spots etc. No smoking, no pinging, no knocks, no surprises. Everything under the hood is completely stock, including the small metal preheat tube off of the manifold, the articulated Powerglide transmission kick down linkage, wire looms, glass solvent bottle, canister oil filter etc. This is just the way The General intended it to be. It is very difficult to find a car of this vintage that has not been modified in some way. (Keen observers will note the fuel line has been cut (ahem, by 2nd owner again) for a larger fuel filter. This motor/tranny combo is impeccable. That’s why they used it for so many years in millions of cars. No 4 speed, dual quad, positraction, 409 needed here. The single exhaust equipped 283 is quite pleasurable thank you very much. Also pleasurable is how quiet the inside of the car is at freeway speeds due to the window and door weatherstripping is still soft and pliable as it was when new. Whether you call them Survivors, 1 owners, Unmolested Originals and now of course, “Barn Finds” you will not be disappointed if ALL STOCK is what you've been looking for. Your wait is over my friend. This extraordinary, rust free, garage kept car is roadworthy to drive anywhere across the U.S. right here, right now. Just turn the key and go. No disappointments. Clear title in hand. Everything works, lights, horn, brake/turn signals, radio, heater etc. This car is priced in the Blue Collar range, so if you’re a high stakes, white collar classic car buyer, who simply writes checks to your car builder, please save this one for the guys who work for a living. Also, I do not respond to inquires on the reserve price. You know what your price range is. Bid within it, although this car is worth going out of your price range. (Just don’t tell Momma) Thank you and Good Luck. $500 deposit due within 48hrs. I have hundreds of photos of this car. If you want something specific, please ask and I'll get it to you right away upon receipt of your e-mail address. If you plan to ship this car I recommend DAS (Dependable Auto Shippers) which is e-bays preferred shipping company. I have used them on many occasions and have never had a complaint. Many other companies subcontract or broker third parties to do your transport and that is bad for you as a buyer because you never really know who is transporting your car. This is strictly a recommendation. Contact DAS directly @ (866) 298-4221 or www.dasautoshippers.com for a shipping quote.