1962 Chevy Impala Wagon

1962 Chevrolet Impala Wagon | eBay

Another outrageously overpriced Gateway Classic.

What happened to the original engine?

 

What happened to the original engine ?

Boat anchor. Lubricants and technology have come a long way in 60 years.

 

Only a trained eye would be able to notice a difference between the original engine and what's in there now.
If this vehicle was destined for museum storage, there would then be cause for concern.
What's important is that it hasn't been altered beyond the point of no return, except for cutting the dashboard to fit the modern radio.
Halogen headlamps, radial tires, dual-circuit braking and modern automatic transmission are definitely legitimate upgrades.
The only nuissances to be seen are shortcomings in electrical work and lack of trimming fasteners which are too long for the job they were intended to do. These will more than likely get overlooked, though.
Other than that, if the brought-with magnet detects no hidden Bondo, he shouldn't have any problem getting rid of it, of course if the price remains within reason. This is my favorite year for that '59 to '64 series which was probably the best early Sixties styling year

 

$68,000 is a hefty price. This was probably a 283 car at birth. Don’t see any numbers above the flag. Not 100% sure when Chevrolet started putting displacement numbers above the flags but no numbers usually meant the small or standard engine. As the 350 didn’t come out until ‘68? for Impala? I would rather have had a 327 or even a 409. Plus paint correction and other mentioned changes this would take a bit to bring it back the way it left the factory. I guess if you wanted a higher power driver this would be a great car. Lots of new developments in 60 years, but I kinda like driving something with an AM radio once in a while. lol

 

Looks like someone purchased it already. I wonder if the seller got the price he wanted.

 

Solder and shrink tube. These splices when done right are perfectly fine. But there are plenty of shadetrees out there who can't crimp them correctly or they're used in areas where they get wet and corrode\separate over time.

 

That's because you're looking at the wrong side of the flag, in the case of optional engines. No numbers placed below the V adorned with flags hinted that the original engine was only the standard-issue V-8 of which, of course, was the 283, beginning in '58 (although the 283 was also the standard engine in the 57's, the remaining 265 stock was exhausted in production of vehicles equipped with manual transmissions only)

 

Good point. I should have said in proximity to, or around the flag. lol. I knew this Impala bore only flags sons numbers. I liked them at the fender fronts. In ‘63-‘64 they moved them inward. I liked the ‘65 and ‘66 fender placements, much like the ‘62.

 

Fords always had their displacement sum placed above the flag. Even standard V-8s got identified. Same with AMC. I can see the point of doing that way for the 64 1/2 Mustangs, because of them getting the brand new 289, dropping the 260 wunce and for all

 

283 and 327 cars only got the cross flags in 1962. No numbers below the flags. This car was probably a 283/PG originally. Whatever it was, it was probably easier/faster/cheaper to put a 350 in there and it most likely makes more power and with the overdrive trans can be driven at today's highway speeds. This isn't some ultra rare engine option car. I think the engine/transmission add to the value of this car.

This is a nice appearing factory A/C car. Is it worth $68k? I doubt it, and I also doubt they sell any of their cars for what they list them for, but they are a dealer so they are legally obliged to ask ridiculous prices for everything.

 

A 350 is probably the best choice. The earlier the casting, the more its horsepower. Some would say a 400 would have been best. If I were to bid on something like this, a siamese-cylindered Smallblock like the 400s were would be a turn-off.
He did a good job of keeping the engine swap looking as if the factory did it.
As far as the museum price goes, it'll be interesting to see if he comes down with it and how much if so

 

that was a good one Kevin.

 

If you attend a Porsche dealer, they'll sell you an espresso coffee for a hundred bucks