Customs 62 63 64 chevys pictures comments

Hello,

In 1961, when the newest 62 Chevys came out in the fall, of course we all went to see them, including the big 409 models. I did not own one, although the thought crossed my mind when one of our friends was in the market for his own, first car. We visited the top Chevy dealers in (3)Long Beach, and one in Lakewood. We wanted to see the cars on the lot, plus see which place would give the best deals.

Of all of the 1962 models we saw, the best deal, the fastest delivery and the coolest car for immediate drive away at the same cost, was a red 409 Biscayne 2 door sedan. The new 62 2 door Impala hardtops were the hit of the times and sold like hot cakes. So, someone at the dealership decided to create a different model with lots of power to quickly sell off of the showroom floor. It was sitting there waiting for a young kid with his saved money for his first car. Power? It had the same 409 power for any situations.

It is not the exact car, but it could have been with the Long Beach Douglas Aircraft Warehouse Buildings in the background.

We all immediately liked the Biscayne over the Bel Air 2 door hardtop. Plus, if our friend wanted a 409 powered 4 speed, 2 door Impala hardtop, the wait was going to be a long one. As dealer options go, the sales guy threw in some extras for the Biscayne at no additional charge. Plus, he had the detail shop give it a Classic Car Wax coating that just came in for sale at the dealership. Now, the red Biscayne was ready to roll out onto the local streets.

Jnaki

It was a first teenage car that was the envy of everyone, even for an owner of a black, pristine, 58 Chevy Impala. Another friend convinced his dad to buy a 63 two door Impala as soon as they came out, but the look of the red 62 Biscayne had already won our hearts over.

But, in 1963 after our friend’s dad bought that two door Impala with a small V8, wouldn’t you know it, but the king of all Chevy’s appeared to wow everyone. The 1963 Impala z-11 option showed up. The new 427/420 hp motor that made it the king of the S/S class and the street.

For us, it was the last Impala that everyone wished they had, but the wait list was very long and expensive. By 1963, we were all moving on with our new found, future lives. Not even 21 yet, but going with the flow of what society had told us in high school…choices for us: college, job, family, military, etc. So, that 63 z-11 427 would just have to wait…

 

I had a '61 Impala that I drove for a while and parted out around 1976. It was very rusty but ran great. Right now I'd like a '63 down the road. I like the '64 but the stance has to be right on, otherwise they look like Checker taxi cabs.

 

Interesting styling changes in the early '60s full sizes. A gradual squaring off of the curves and fins of the previous years, culminating in the '64 models, then a radical change to the angular '65s. Probably some history written about it, somewhere.

Me, I like 'em all, but the two door hardtops and bubbles are the bees knees styling wise.

 

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I guess I am a little biased since my first new car was a 63 Impala SS, 2nd on my list is the 62, never liked the looks of the 64!

 

I like them all....tough decision..
Here is my '63 Biscayne that I have had for ~eight years...Love it... By the way, the little teardrop trailer I built to carry my handicap scooter, as I can't walk to far.. ...

 

If I had to place them from favorite to least favorite bodies my picks would be. 62 1st, 64 2nd, and 63 last. Have had this drawing of a 62 for years.

 

Xhotrodder that picture is really bitchin

 

Here is my 62 409 4 speed at Union Grove Wisconsin. 11.72@116 before I retired it from racing. Bought it 18 years ago, when the prices were somewhat reasonable.

 

Not mine, but a friend had this mild Kustom in Prattville Alabama in the late '90s

 

1962 would be my favorite year, learned to drive in my brothers Impala.

 

My favorite is the 1962's. Recently sold a twin pair that I had. One with a 425hp 409, the other with a 327. Both were 4 speed cars. Still have a '64 Belair, 82k miles, 409" 425 horse, 4 speed. Original body. I am the second owner.
No plans to do anything to the '64 but drive it.

 

This is the only picture I have of my 63 Impala SS, 300 HP 327 with close ratio 4 speed that I stuck a Rochester FI unit off a 57 Chevy on it. It was a lot of fun, then I traded it in on a 68 Z28 Camaro, which was also a LOT of fun!

 

@xhotrodder ,
You will probably like this one. My friend Jesse Jaeger and I finished this one up in September of this year. This is the second car we have built for him.

 

Like the 62 A pillar the best, 63 spear side trim, 64 comes in last, as the SS trim doesn't fit the body lines. 62 wins it by a nose for me.

 

Some local guy has a survivor '62 that came out of PA. Factory 4-speed and a 409.

 

Just bought this 62. It's got a 261 and 3 spd. Gotta get the windshield and back window in and put some trim back on.

 

Bob, one of the '62s I had would have made a set of triplets with your two. Black/red non-SS 283/3 OTT. Really clean car from NC I bought off a W.Va. car lot for $1350, around '81 or so. I did eventually put a close-ratio Muncie in it and just drove it. As happens, someone decided they wanted it waaay more than me. Damn....
The '62 bubble, I had youth & stupididty both working against me...whoda thunk it. Double Damn...

 

I had one the same color, if I'm not mistaken that was the 50th anniversary gold edition for chevorlet.

 

The color is beige. The anniversary colors were much different and I have only seen that gold color on SS cars. Not that it means they didn't build any; just haven't seen one.

 

From the opposite end of the spectrum. This '62 was ordered by the current owner in '62 with the 235 6 cyl and a 3-sp OD. Paint is original. Just pulled it out from a 46 year nap. I opened the drivers door and was shocked. No dust, no dirt, no mouse turds, just the smell of a 1962 Impala. The owner had it undercoated at the dealer, and after sitting all that time, on dirt, there is very little rust, anywhere. The dash is pristeen, the glass is all good. The trim and chrome are all good. The only modification was a split manifold, done by the owner. I might add the the owner built a rear engined rail in the early 50's, with a Wayne 216 Chev for power.

 

thought yours was gold from the picture. Mine was the gold and not an SS, just an Impala.

 

409/409 4 speed. Radio and heater delete.

 

327/250 Powerglide. Original paint and interior.