Frame Off Restored Impala SS 327 4 Speed

Fresh out of the restoration shop, this 1962 Chevrolet Impala SS sport coupe is a dazzling red cruiser that's ready to start collecting trophies this summer. Powered by a highly accurate 327 and backed by a 4-speed manual, it will be hard to resist putting this one on the road and cracking the throttle wide open. Stunning from top to bottom, it's accurate, beautifully crafted, and rapidly appreciating.

We have all the photos from the restoration, and it shows this car being torn down to the molecular level. Not a rust bucket rescued from some swamp, this was a clean sport coupe to begin with, and it was placed on a rotisserie so that every square inch could be refinished to better than new standards. Every panel is either OEM or NOS, with no reproductions or generic patches stitched in, and as is the case with such things, the result is vastly nicer than any Chevy coming off the assembly line in 1962. Gaps are excellent, especially the hood and trunk lid, which can be difficult to fit properly. That Roman Red paint is two-stage urethane, and there's simply nothing like fresh red paint with no modern metallics or pearls in it—it's like it absorbs the light. Thanks to hours of wet sanding and buffing, the finish is miles deep and as smooth as glass, looking like you could dive in and swim in it. With this car being so fresh, I also have good news and bad news. The good news is that there are no notable blemishes anywhere on this car. The bad news is that you, the new owner, will undoubtedly be the first to put a scratch on this stunning body, and it'll simply break your heart.

Chrome is, of course, show quality everywhere you look. The SS received special engine-turned aluminum inserts along the sides of the body, as well as a matching aluminum panel around the tail lights out back, all of which is exceptionally difficult to restore properly. Nevertheless, it's beautifully done on this car, with straight lines and good proportions on the engine turned surface. Correct Impala SS badges have been used on the quarter panels and trunk lid, and the red, white and blue Chevrolet badges front and rear are beautiful reproductions. This car also sports accessory fender skirts and a rear deck-mounted antenna.

The newly enlarged small block V8 was big news in 1962, and the new 327 now punched out 300 horses in SS trim. Bathed in a glistening coat of fresh Chevy Orange paint, the engine has only been operated long enough to properly tune the engine and sort out the mechanicals. There's absolutely no sign of heat cycling or road rash anywhere in the engine bay, including the beautifully finished exhaust manifolds. Highly correct from the air cleaner to the generator, to the heavy duty clutch fan and radiator shroud that keeps it all cool, this is a show-winning engine bay that should stand up to the strictest scrutiny. Correct finishes were used throughout, including naked cast iron on the steering gear, cadmium plating on the single master cylinder, and satin black paint on the inner fenders. Correct hoses, clamps, belts, and wiring have been installed, taking you back to 1962 every time you open the hood. It snaps to life quickly, and like all small block Chevys, has a racy idle thanks to the dual exhaust system that was standard on the SS.

In 1962, the transmission you wanted in your SS was a 4-speed, which is how this car is configured. The chassis is spectacularly detailed, and as the restoration photos show, meticulously assembled. Correct materials, parts, and finishes were used throughout. The satin black frame and suspension components show only slight dirt from initial tuning drives, and the bright orange engine and raw aluminum transmission case stand out against the satin black floors. A proper reproduction dual exhaust system has been fitted, hugging the contours of the Impala's X-frame. Four-wheel drum brakes were as good as it got in 1962, and they live inside original steel wheels wearing beautifully restored spinner hubcaps. The only parts that are not original specification are the modern 215/70/14 Firestone whitewall radials.

According to the trim tag, the code 875 bright red vinyl bucket seat interior is correct, and it is one of the only ways of identifying a real 1962 Impala SS: bucket seats were not available on standard Impalas. With gorgeous styling and rich details, the interior is the highlight of the entire car. The seats were taken down to bare springs and completely restored using fresh materials throughout. New seat covers front and rear are the correct pattern, with contrasting materials between the seating surface and the rest of the seat. Carpets are correct red and black loop, and reproduction floor mats keep it clean. An armrest lives between the seats, while the 4-speed shifter gets its own mini console, which is pure '60s styling excellence all by itself. The dash has been refinished with an engine-turned panel that's as brilliant as those on the body, and all the gauges are operational. A modern AM/FM stereo head unit has been tucked into the original opening, but the original AM radio is included with the car, just in case you prefer absolute authenticity. The trunk is properly fitted with simple mats and a matching full sized spare tire and jack assembly.

Documentation on a car that has been restored to this level is important, and this car doesn't disappoint. There's a massive album full of restoration photos, showing every step of the process and guaranteeing that no corners were cut. Finally, we have a stack of receipts for many of the components that went into the restoration.

This is a seriously nice car. While a few concessions were made in the interest of driving comfort, it is certainly capable of showing—and winning—at very high levels. The restoration is only a few weeks old, and it is fully documented from start to finish. We've seen a nice uptick in the values of early Impalas, and this might be the nicest one yet. Correct, beautiful, and fast, this is the kind of car that you can enjoy showing for a few years, collect your trophies, then drive it with confidence for decades. With rock-solid mechanicals and show-stopping good looks, this SS is the one to own. Call now!