1963 Chevrolet Impala

Coupe

409/425 HP

Manual

Clear

Gasoline

Introduced in 1961, Chevy's 409-cu.in. engine was made available to the public in any full-size model; as so often happened in those days, it satisfied both competitors and the governing body rules of NASCAR and NHRA. Implanted into a factory-trimmed '62 Impala SS, the potency of the 409hp version was tested right off the showroom floor in a July 1962 Motor Trend report that resulted in a quarter-mile time of 14.9 seconds at 98 MPH. Don Nicholson tuned his to a 12.9-second stunner at just over 110 MPH. Showroom to strip was a reality for anyone daring enough. ENGINE During the 1963 model year, the now-legendary 409-cu.in. V-8 was available in three different horsepower configurations, each of which was optional over the base 283 V-8. In "low performance" form, the 409's 4.312 x 3.50-inch bore and stroke--and 10.0:1 compression--squeezed out a rated 340 horses at 5,000 RPM and 420-lbs.ft. of torque; this configuration was RPO L33. Fuel was fed into a single four-barrel carburetor bolted to a cast-iron intake, while the spent gases were expelled through a dual exhaust system. This particular specimen came equipped with the 409/425 HP street and track monster. A step up the 409 ladder from RPO L31 at 400hp (at 5,800 RPM), with 425-lbs.ft. of torque, GM maintained the same bore and stroke as on the 340hp version, except compression in this engine is bumped to 11.0:1. Further alterations include the use of a solid-lifter camshaft, larger 2.19-inch diameter intake valves and an aluminum intake. This 425 HP configuration variant, known as RPO L80 also uses an aluminum dual four-barrel intake, though the 425-lbs.ft. torque rating remained unchanged. TRANSMISSION Offered as standard equipment with each of the three 409 engines is the floor-mounted synchromesh three-speed manual transmission. In most cases, however, owners elected to upgrade to optional equipment when ordering their Impalas. For those who selected the 340hp 409 as means of motivation, a wide- or close-ratio four-on-the-floor was available, as was the aluminum-cased two-speed Powerglide automatic. The Powerglide gear lever would have been column-mounted unless the SS package was selected, in which case it was accessible via a center console. For those who opted for the high-performance versions of the 409, optional gearboxes included the wide- or close-ratio four-speed--but not the Powerglide. Non-SS-optioned Impalas meant that the choice of four-speed would result in a shifter poking through the floor without the augmentation of a console. Jim's non-SS Impala is equipped with the wide-ratio (2.54:1 first gear) aluminum-cased Borg-Warner T-10 four-speed. Plenty durable for today's normal driving conditions--and the extracurricular racing activity that four-speed owners love--each of these transmissions can be rebuilt with relative ease by specialists, should a failure occur. Rebuild kits are relatively inexpensive for those who wish to tackle the job at home. DIFFERENTIAL A standard configuration of semi-floating rear axles and hypoid gears delivers the HP to the pavement through a drive ratio of 4.11. FRAME & SUSPENSION The foundation of this Impala is a welded X-type steel frame with box sections, featuring a wheelbase measuring 119 inches. Bolted to the underside is a standard independent front suspension: ball joints, upper and lower control arms, coil springs, tubular shocks and an anti-roll bar. In fact, the anti-roll bar--solid, measuring 8-inch diameter. Additionally this 409-equipped Impala features heavy-duty springs rated for 370 pounds each, versus the standard 275-pound springs. At the opposite end of the vehicle, the rigid axle is held into place by a three-link trailing arm system with a lateral link and a pair of coil springs and tubular shock absorbers. Again, 409-powered Impalas utilize rear coil springs rated for 340 pounds each, as opposed to the lesser 230-pound springs. BRAKES Considering the amount of horsepower this 409/425 HP car is capable of generating, coupled with the car's overall (two-door hardtop and convertible average) weight of 3,600 pounds, it may surprise a few potential buyers to learn that this Impala is only with non-finned four-wheel hydraulic drums with power assist. Each drum measures 11 inches in diameter: 2.75 inches deep for the front pair, 2 inches deep for the rear pair. ORIGINAL DRIVETRAIN - 409/425 HP ORIGINAL MUSCLE MONSTER WITH 4 SPEED TRANSMISSION FRAME OFF RESTORED CAR - ORIGINAL SOUTHWEST RUST FREE CAR DESIREABLE WHITE WITH RED INTERIOR EVERYTHING WORKS COLLECTOR QUALITY AUTOMOBILE LESS THAN 70,000 MILES ON THIS FINE SPECIMEN On Jan-20-13 at 21:00:59 PST, seller added the following information: SAVE MONEYON SHIPPING! uShip is the first and largest auction stylemarketplace for shipping and transportationservices. Learn More SHIPPING PRICE ESTIMATOR Delivery ZIP Code: MORE RESOURCES: uShip Guides and Articles uShip Provider Directory Other Useful Tools & Links On Jan-21-13 at 14:01:31 PST, seller added the following information: Transmission rebuilt less than 50 miles agoClutch was replaced when transmission rebuiltVintage style Bias White Wall TiresBrakes RedoneBoth Carbs were rebuilt when the car was restored (less than 2000 miles since rebuild)Factory Tachometer was repairedRebuilt Alternator and installed new wiring harnessFactory Shifter comes with the car. I like the heavier shifter but the original is there...