1962 Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupe 

Remember the good old days when cars came straight from the factory with actual style?  You know, back when the highways of America were lined with sweeping rooflines and oh so much chrome?  Not like today where almost every automobile just looks like a glorified bar of soap.  There really was something special about car design in the 1950s and '60s that we just don't see today.  Take, for instance, a 1961 Chevy Impala—a Bubbletop as it's affectionately known.  From a side view. it is just perfect: a thin, sweeping A-pillar followed by no B-pillar whatsoever, then an equally lean C-pillar that blends in with that iconic rounded rear glass.  And that's just describing the roofline; we'll leave the rest to your imagination.  

For consignment, a transformation by a previous owner from an Impala 2 door sport coupe  to a Chevrolet Bel Air that is a bubble top.  It sports a 409ci V8,  is fed by dual 4-carburetors Edelbrock carbs, and a 4 speed manual Muncie transmission.  Add on a snappy paint job using burgundy, some Cragar wheels, updated dash and super clean interior and highway 101 here I come!  Wayfarers on kids…

Exterior
In 1962 the “bubble top”, (referring to the thin “B” pillar and large rear rounded glass, along with the curved front glass), which gives the appearance of the futuristic all glass tops which one would see on prototype cars in the futuristic vision of 1962.   There was a bubble top available only on the Bel Air in 1962, but not the Impala.  So this one now has it and is badged Bel Air!  The car retains its original Impala exterior look and styling.  Rust free panels with well minded gaps are bathed in nicely applied burgundy, and it's looking sharp and shiny.  A few scratches remain throughout, but are mostly unremarkable.  With its styling of the dual tail lights which reside on the rear panel that sports a lazy V shaped trunk line edge that forms almost a spoiler-esque rear on either side rear quarter that takes advantage of stainless trim.  This dives downward toward the wheel well and then makes its way forward on a stainless inserted trim spear.  A mini version of shades of the '57 Bel Air and their rear quarter trimmings, but a lot smaller.  Window surrounds are very nicely preserved and upfront an egg crate grille with dual flanking headlights and central Chevrolet cloisonné badge frame from the front edge of the hood downward.  Cragar provides the wheels which are wrapped in 225/70R15's in front, and larger 275/60R15's on back all from the 20th week of 2014.

Interior
A swing of the doors reveals light tan stitched uppers for the door panels, and a darker light brown leather for the lowers delineated by a thin chrome strip.  Here the actuator, armrest and window cranks reside.  A front split back bench seat welcomes me and it sports lighter brown bolsters with some wide tuck and roll tan inserts.  The back rear bench presents the same only in full bench form.  For the dash, it retains its original horizontal speedo but some extras have been added on top of a panel just below this speedo.  These include oil pressure, fuel gauge and water temp.  Also a column mounted tachometer is to the driver's left.  This dash also has plenty of mid century modern styled knobs, pulls, and some snappy temp sliders next to the ignition.  Futuristic styling is a large overhang for the dash top over the Am radio, and a nifty 60's badge on the glovebox.  Some AC has been added as well and it is sporting a rally steering wheel fronting the dash.  Nice tan carpeting floods the floors, and above a tight tan headliner lines the inside of the now bubbletop.

Drivetrain
Under the hood is a GM orange/red painted block in 409ci configuration.  It has snazzy aluminum ribbed valve coverings and the entire center intake area is covered with dual 4 barrel carburetors courtesy Edelbrock.  MSD ignition fires the mill, and on the back is a Muncie M20 4 speed manual transmission.  This couples with a 3.70 positraction rear axle with an FH stamping code.  Headers and stock exhaust are there for the exhale.  All clean and shiny under this hood right down to the aluminum radiator.

Undercarriage
Nicely preserved rust free stamped steel and suspension abounds underneath.  This car has an X frame and there is nary any presence of surface rust or anything rust to be seen, all black painted steel. Overall the flooring remains solid but we do note a puncture near the heel-toe board. Independent coil spring suspension are in front, and a 4 link with coil springs is seen for the rear.  Power disc braking now replaces the manual drums all around.

Drive-Ability
To use the term “Turn Key” is very appropriate, as it fired right up and ran like a deer on the test track.  Great handling, bias free braking to bring you back from warp speed, and a smooth as silk ride. The wipers and horn were non-functional, and the signals were working intermittently, most likely due to a wonky signal stalk.

We get various waves of types of cars in through our doors at various times.  When this one drove in it has some WOW factor with that bubble top, nice paint and large amount of cubes.  A runner and a cruiser, all looking snazzy right out of 1962.

21847S311839

2-1962
18-Impala V8
47-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
S-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
311839-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG

7D-4th Week July
STYLE 62 1847-1962 Impala 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
BODY S6?3255-St. Louis Body #
TRIM 891-Gold Vinyl Buckets
PAINT 927-Anniversary Gold
12H-Possibly 4 Speed Manual
EZ1-Tinted Glass

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.