1962 Chevrolet Impala Sedan

The 1962 Chevrolet Impala was part of the third generation of styling first introduced the previous year, in 1961.  Chevrolet introduced the Impala in 1958 as the top-of-the-line Bel Air 2-door hardtop and convertible.  The Impala became a separate series in 1959, adding additional body styles and sharing its body shells with lower-end Pontiacs, Buicks, and Oldsmobiles.  The 1961 Impala used the GM B platform with a 119-inch wheelbase and an overall length of 209.3 inches.  As the styling direction moved away from the 'tailfins' of the 1950's, the tailfins continued to become more subdued, and the overall design language was more 'boxy' than in previous years.  The top station wagon body style was no longer known by the 'Nomad' name, and 1961 was the first year of the 'Super Sport' option.  Prominent styling changes for the 1962 Impala included a new 'C' pillar design on all body styles except the four-door hardtop.  The previous 'overhang' roof style of the sedans was replaced by a wider 'C' pillar with a forward tiling, wraparound rear window.  1962 was the final year for the 235ci Stovebolt inline-6 and the small-block 283 engine with a two-barrel carburetor.  Two versions of the 327 cubic-inch V8 produced 250hp and 300hp.  The 348ci V8 of 1961 was not available in 1962, replaced by the 409ci V8 with either 380 or 409hp.  Both manual and automatic transmissions were offered.  The TurboGlide transmission was discontinued, with the PowerGlide now the only automatic transmission. 

Here in the corridors of the Classic Auto Mall we have all kinds of cars with all kinds of purposes.  Some classics to be shown, others to be driven, and others to do both.  Here we have a classic that exemplifies early 1960's suburbia, a 1 owner, same family retained and always garage kept sedan with a 6 cylinder and a 3 on the tree.  A very original car that embodies the early 60's in design, function and styling.  It is to be driven and can be shown as is, or take the body to the next level and win a few shows.  Read on!

Exterior
From its chromed bezel dual headlights with the inboard lights flanking an egg crate grille and lower wrap around bumper, to the aluminum machined pattern spear at its belt line the Jet Age styling was in full effect.  Out back, the dual sets of a trio of tail lights with chrome bezels, (an Impala moniker), a subtle veed polished aluminum and chrome insert above, and shiny chrome lower bumper, this car sports plenty of nice brite-work and chrome to feast your eyes on.  Wrap around chrome window surrounds, Impala badging in your grandmother's script and prancing antelope all shine brightly against the mostly original Autumn Gold paint.  Several areas on this car show paint fading and thin application, and all around wear one would expect from the original paint.  Otherwise, we see fairly straight steel, with gaps that are fair to average.  Standard issue 14-steel wheels with bowtie badged polished covers are mounted on all 4 corners with thin whitewall all around that should be replaced based on date codes.  We note the well done trunk area with its factory gray textured paint and tan plaid liner, all presenting with a wonderful patina.

Interior
Bleeding early 1960's styling, the door swing yields a mix of Fawn vinyl upper with square stitched patterns and dress up buttons.  The mid-section and lowers of said doors is horizontal ribbed Fawn vinyl with clean chrome actuators and a lightly soiled armrest.  Slipping inside we greet vertically ribbed broadcloth in Fawn with black stripes for the bench inserts, nice bolsters in vinyl and pleasant buttoned ivory uppers.  The condition of these seats is like new but present with some cushion compression noted on the driver's lower portion.  The rear bench stretches from door to door and mimics the front in color and material, all the while presenting like new as well.  Simple jet age styling for the dash with a large angled dash top to shade the gauges which reside in the dash front that is finished in Fawn with ribbed and polished inserts.  Further down the dash are chrome slides for the heater control along with a peppering of chrome knobs.  The original 2 spoke Fawn plastic wheel is fronting this dash.  Fawn peppered with black carpeting floods the floors and is protected by the factory installed tan rubber mats.  The headliner is more Fawn and is tight and fairly clean.

Drivetrain
The original inline 6 cylinder resides in the cavernous engine bay and specs out as a 135hp 235ci inline 6 cylinder.  Bolted to the top for air and fossil delivery is a 1-barrel carburetor and on the back of the mill is a column shifted 3-speed manual transmission and putting the power to the pavement is a 3.08 geared rear axle.

UndercarriageDrum brakes are installed on the independent coil sprung front end and more drums are handling the whoah factor for the 3 link and coil spring rear.  They sit within a patined undercarriage that shows a mix of factory undercoating, surface rust and black steel.  The rockers are solid as well as floor pans and toe kicks.  Single exhaust with stock style muffler is on for the big exhale and presents with surface rust.

Drive-Ability
I rose from my laurels and designer tea to get the chance to drive this family sedan and after sliding behind the wheel I was in early 60's heaven.  I could almost hear the pleas of "are we there yet?" from the back seat.  Luckily a twist of the key brought the 6 cylinder to life after some coaxing and drowned out my imagination and the technical blatherings of my cohort and partner in crime.  On the patented Classic Auto Mall test track this car handled everything I could throw at it.  Acceleration was adequate, handling was surprisingly firm for a smooth riding car, and braking was on par with cars of the era.  Just a pleasant and fully functional experience all around that could only be improved with a full on tune up.

Overall save for the paint issues, which in my humble opinion give the perfect unassuming look, and the need for a tune up this car presents very nicely and is the quintessential car of suburbia in the early 60's.  With a reliable drivetrain, nice interior, and well preserved undercarriage, you have arrived in the 1960's with style.  The exterior is but a minor distraction overall when looking at or driving this car.  A fine example of a grocery getter during the week and a show stopper on the weekend!

21769B194221

2-1962
17-Impala 6 Cylinder
69-4 Door Sedan
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
194221-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG

09D-4th Week September
STYLE 62 1869-1962 Impala 4 Door Sedan
BODY BA8123-Baltimore Body #
TRIM 866-Fawn With Black Stripe Broadcloth & Vinyl
PAINT 920-Autumn Gold
ACC E-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.