1963 Chevrolet Impala 1963 Chevrolet Impala 1963 Chevrolet Impala 1963 Chevrolet Impala
1963 Chevrolet Impala 1963 Chevrolet Impala 1963 Chevrolet Impala 1963 Chevrolet Impala
1963 Chevrolet Impala 1963 Chevrolet Impala 1963 Chevrolet Impala 1963 Chevrolet Impala
1963 Chevrolet Impala 1963 Chevrolet Impala 1963 Chevrolet Impala 1963 Chevrolet Impala
1963 Chevrolet Impala 1963 Chevrolet Impala
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There were 153,271 1963 Impala SS models produced in 1963. There were 16,902 Chevrolets that had the optional 409 engine.
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Convertible
 
This car is completely original with a 327 CID, V8 engine, automatic power-glide transmission, power steering, power brakes, original seat belts and radio. It is an AACA first place junior and senior show car with medallion on fire wall. The professional restoration took two and a half years.

The Impala was first introduced in 1958. Manufacturer retail price new in 1963 was $3,725.75.
The 1950's Impala was big, very big. It actually began its life as a top option level of the Bel Air. Due to sales being so well for this body style, Chevrolet decided to create the Impala as its own model. Its styling has been termed 'bat-winged' due to the rear-styling of the vehicle. A variety of engines were available ranging from an inline-6 cylinder up to a triple carburetor, 348 cubic-inches V8 capable of producing 315 horsepower. A fuel injected V8 became available in 1959.
From the front of the car, the design was fairly normal for the 1950's era. Extensive amounts of chrome littered the front end. Two headlights, located side-by-side, were placed on each sides of the vehicle. A front grill was used to help keep the engine cool. View the car from the side and it becomes immediately clear that this is a big vehicle. The length of the vehicle could be extended an additional 11 inches by adding the Continental spare tire cover to the rear of the car. Viewing the car from the rear, the car quickly ends up in a league of its own, with only a few other vehicles such as the Cadillac Series 62 / DeVille having such a radical rear-end. The vehicle featured rear-fins that resembled cats-eyes. To top it all off, this car was not-only long, it was also very wide.

Drum brakes were used and due to the weight of the vehicle, tended to wear out rather quickly. The Impala came in three different body styles including a four-door sedan, two-door coupe, and a convertible coupe. Even though the vehicle weighed 3650 lbs, it could achieve a zero-to-sixy run in about 9 seconds. Top speed was in the neighborhood of 130 miles-per-hour.
Considered to be ‘the best selling full-size car in the U.S.,' in 1960 the Chevy Impala was designed and built by the Chevrolet division of General Motors.

Originating as a sports coupe, the Impala began as a dreamcar for the 1956 General Motors Motorama.
The name Impala originated from a southern African antelope known for its speed and prowess. Introduced in 1958, the Impala was developed by chief engineer automotive executive for General Motors, Edward Cole.
Michigan born, Cole was the son of a dairy farmer whose lifelong aspiration was to become an automotive engineer. Beginning as a lab assistant for the General Motors Institute, Cole worked in engineering before gaining recognition and becoming promoted to chief engineer in 1952. Cole eventually became president of Chevrolet in 1967.

Introduced with a trim package, the new sporty model was unique with its six taillights. Eventually becoming the ‘best selling car in the Chevrolet product line', in 1959 it became a separate model in both two and four-door versions. Within the second year of production, production reached 473,000 units.

Continuing for a decade as the best-selling automobile in the U.S. Impala broke the record for sales with over 13 million units sold. The Impala held this record until 1977 setting an ‘all-time industry annual sales record of more than 1 million units.'

Introducing the largest impala, the 1971 redesign set the standard that has yet to be topped remaining Chevrolet's top-selling model until the late 1970's.

The design of the Impala SS (Super Sport) became the model often credited for the beginning of the muscle car era.

During the 1973 energy crisis that rocketed the nation, the impact of high rising gas prices put a damper on the industry. Impala sales plummeted and the redesign of the Impala to meet changing demands. Minimized in length, becoming more narrow and taller in stature, the new Impala showcased ‘the new image of the full-size American car – smaller, lighter, more efficient.'

Over the decades, the Impala has continued to remain an American trademark, enhanced by its ability to evolve with the times.

Introduced during the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2005, the 2006 Impala came complete with a base engine, a 3.5 L V6 that produced 211 hp. A completely revised interior, the 06 Impala was selected by Fleet car of the Year by both Automotive Fleet and Business magazines.

Jessica Vaughan

Photos grouped by event

Hilton Head Concours d'Elegance

2006 Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Car Show

2006 Carlisle All-GM Nationals

2006 Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction

2005 Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance

2005 World Of Wheels - Pittsburgh, PA
   

1963 Chevrolet Impala

Year1963
MakeChevrolet
ModelImpala
Body StyleSedan
Engine LocationFront
Drive TypeRear Wheel
Body / ChassisSteel unibody
Production Years for Series1958 - 1972
Price$2,660.00
Weight3305 lbs | 1499.1 kg
Combined MPG0.00

Engine   [Optional Engines]
Engine ConfigurationI
Cylinders6
Hydraulic valve lifters
Aspiration/InductionNormal
Displacement230.00 CU IN. | 3769.7 cc. | 3.8 L.
ValvetrainOHV
Horsepower140.00 BHP (103 KW) @ 4400.00 RPM
HP to Weight Ratio23.6 LB / HP (Vehicles with similar ratio)
HP / Liter36.8 BHP / Liter
Compression Ratio9.25:1
Main Bearings7
Fuel TypeGasoline - Petrol
Fuel FeedCarburetor
Rochester 1-barrel Model 7023003
BlockCast-iron
Vehicles with similar horsepower and weight

Standard Transmission
TransmissionManual

Optional Transmission
TransmissionAutomatic
Powerglide


 
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Vehicle Ratings
StylingVehicle Styling Rating: 96%
PerformanceVehicle Performance Rating: 92%
InteriorVehicle Interior Rating: 92%
QualityVehicle Quality Rating: 100%
OverallVehicle Overall Rating: 96%
No. of Votes: 5
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Articles and Event Coverage
Hilton Head Concours d'Elegance
2006 Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Car Show
2006 Carlisle All-GM Nationals
2006 Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction
2005 Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance
2005 World Of Wheels - Pittsburgh, PA
2003 Carlisle Collector Car Swap

Additional Resources and Links
Pittsburgh World of Wheels Official Website
Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance Official Website
Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction Official Website
Carlisle All-GM Nationals Official Website
Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Car Show Official Website

1963 Chevrolet models
Corvair
Corvette
Corvette Grand Sport Lightweight
Corvette Z06
II Nova Series 400
Impala NASCAR
Impala Z11 NASCAR
1963 Chevrolet Concepts
Chevrolet Corvair Monza GT Concept
Chevrolet Corvair Monza SS Concept
Chevrolet Corvair PF Concept Car
Chevrolet Corvette Rondine Pininfarina

Other Model Years
2008 Impala
2007 Impala
2007 Impala SS Car of Tomorrow
2006 Impala
2005 Impala
2004 Impala SS
2004 Impala
2003 Impala
2002 Impala
1999 Impala LS
1996 Impala
1995 Impala
1994 Impala
1972 Impala
1968 Impala
1967 Impala
1966 Impala
1965 Impala
1964 Impala
1963 Impala Z11 NASCAR
1963 Impala NASCAR
1962 Impala
1961 Impala
1960 Impala
1959 Impala
1958 Bel Air Impala
1956 Impala Show Car
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