52,000 original miles, beautiful color combination, smooth 283, excellent driver

Description

Chevrolet may have inadvertently created a whole category of cars with the introduction of the Super Sport in the early ‘60s. Since then, the famous “SS” moniker has been attached to a lot of cars, but the one that wore it first and most proudly was the Impala. The big Imp was Chevy’s top-of-the-line luxury car, but for younger buyers who would have moved up to a Pontiac to get some full-sized sportiness, the SS was a crafty move. Since then, thousands of hobbyists have spent their lives in pursuit of SS models, prizing them above garden-variety machines, and as a result, anything with those fabled letters on its flanks can be sure to find a receptive and enthusiastic audience.

This 1964 Chevrolet Impala SS is one of those great finds that’s somewhere between original and restored, a solid, low-mileage car that’s been properly maintained all its life and freshened whenever circumstances demanded it. Sure, there are dusty, dirty, rusty “barn finds” out there that folks seem to believe are some kind of miracle, but if you like to use your car as a car, then something like this is a much smarter choice. It shows just over 52,000 original miles and drives like a new vehicle. And in a sea of red and black and white Impalas, this beautiful Bahama Green hardtop really stands out. It wears an older repaint that matches the original enamel almost exactly, and we were able to bring out a brilliant shine that gives it a very OEM feel. If you look really closely you can determine that it has been repainted, but for most folks, this simply looks like a spectacular original survivor that’s been tucked away for decades. The doors fit beautifully and close with a precise-sounding KER-CHUNK, those massive quarter panels are arrow-straight, and there are no signs of accident damage or rust repairs in its history. It also wears all its original trim, from the shiny chrome bumpers to the Impala SS’s unique side trim, which uses lovely engine-turned inserts to give it a unique look. Since 1958, Impalas had three taillights per side, and this one is no different and adds another engine-turned panel surrounding the rear end. Correct SS emblems are still in place and it carries stylish dealer-installed dual deck-mounted antennas, which are another traditional Impala look.

The beautiful saddle interior is mostly original and in spectacular condition. It makes for a wonderful contrast to the dark green paint, making this Impala feel every bit as upscale as you’d expect for Chevy’s top-of-the-line model. The carpets have surely been replaced at some point because they’re just too nice to be original, but the rest appears to be 1964-issue. Bucket seats and a console were only available as part of the SS package, giving the car some legitimate claim to the “Sport” part of its name. The lovely two-tone steering wheel is in excellent condition, the sweeping instrument panel features more engine-turning, and someone has thoughtfully added a tachometer down low and out of sight. The original AM radio still works properly along with an FM converter installed decades ago and discreetly tucked underneath the glove box. You’ll find that sitting behind the wheel of this car feels instantly familiar, such is the appeal and widespread popularity of the Impala, and compared to today’s cars, it feels bright and airy inside. The back seat looks completely unused and there are color-coordinated Impala-logo floor mats that fit the overall look quite well. The trunk is covered in its original spatter paint and carries original-style mats and a spare tire perched up on its own shelf.

Although you could technically get a six-cylinder SS in 1964, in something called Super Sport, a V8 was what you wanted. This one carries its original, numbers-matching 283 cubic inch V8, which was the standard engine on code 14 V8 Impala SS models. It had a bit more compression than the standard Impala 283, thanks to cylinder heads from a 327, and with a Rochester 2-barrel carburetor, it makes a pretty entertaining 195 horsepower. It’s also remarkably civilized, starting easily, idling well even when it’s cold, and making enough torque that this hardtop feels snappy around town. The engine bay is mostly original, of course, but there are signs of conscientious maintenance, including a rebuilt carburetor, a recent alternator, and recently painted valve covers. The bright Chevy Orange engine looks good in the satin black engine bay and still wears its original heavy-duty air cleaner so you know it hasn’t been hot-rodded or abused. Turn the key and it starts, there’s a nice bark from the custom dual exhaust system, and it simply works the way you want a car to work, which is the whole point of owning a well-maintained, low-mileage car.

Underneath, it’s clean but not detailed for show, but there are exactly zero signs of rot or damage. It’s not shiny and perfect, but the floors and supports are excellent, the X-frame is straight, and there’s a rather lengthy list of new parts, including shocks, springs, mufflers, bushings, and ball joints, so it really does run and drive superbly. The 2-speed PowerGlide automatic transmission was a mainstay of Chevrolet production for many years, and before you dismiss it, come have a drive, because this car drives so well you shouldn’t change a thing. Out back, the seat-of-the-pants gauge says there are 3.08, maybe 3.23 gears, because it’s comfortable on the highway and the small block just happily burbles away at 65 MPH. Power steering makes it easy to maneuver (yes, it’s a pretty big car) and the brakes have been recently serviced, so they’re in first-rate shape as well. Original steel wheels with unique SS hubcaps are fitted with recent 205/75/14 whitewall radials for a traditional Impala look.

It’s no surprise why the Impala SS remains so popular with enthusiasts, combining great looks, plenty of comfort, and good performance in a very affordable package. We’ve seen a lot of these cars, but few combine this one’s rock-solid foundation, elegant good looks, and strong pedigree. Call today!