1964 wasn’t necessarily the biggest year in Impala’s history, and it makes sense, considering Chevrolet was already preparing for a new generation.
If you’re a diehard Chevy fan, you probably know what happened next for the Impala was fantastic. The new-generation Impala, which debuted in 1965, became the first car in the States to surpass the 1 million sold units in just a single year. It was the first time this happened after World War II, so the GM brand had every reason to take its time to prepare for the 1965 model year.
The 1964 refresh sported only minor refinements, and I think the most notable was the reintroduction of the 409 big-block unit.
Impala needed a potent big-block V8, and the 409 returned specifically to provide customers with a good reason to get a Super Sport. However, you could order the Impala with any engine in the lineup, including the lazier options typically fitted on the standard model.
The SS model in the pictures rolled off the assembly lines with a mysterious engine under the hood. The car made its way to eBay earlier this week specifically to ask for help, as the owner pulled it from what looks to be a shed, hoping someone would see it and begin a complete restoration.
The car is rough, but the lack of information could make it an even harder sell. The Impala SS no longer has an engine, but seller brent_9 claims it comes with lots of trim and parts. It also includes the seats, and you’ll have to check out the cabin to figure out all the extras you’re getting with this 2-door hardtop.
The Impala already flexes the typical problem, and I believe the car has been abandoned for many years, possibly decades. If you’ve been in the restoration business for over a day, you probably know what it means. The rust has already invaded the undersides, and the trunk pan should be wrecked, though I expect similar damage on the body too, especially considering the many years of sitting.
The easiest way to figure out how much of this Impala can still be saved is to check it out in person, and you can do this in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The bidding started earlier this week, but the owner enabled a reserve. It’s still in place at the time of writing, and its value is unknown, so the top $1,300 offer can’t unlock it. The auction will expire in approximately four days, so it won’t take long before we find out if this Impala gets a second chance to return to the road one day or if it stays where it is until someone decides to take it home.
