Our featured automobile is a good looking 1963 Chevrolet Impala SS Convertible. The Chevrolet Impala is a full-size automobile produced by Chevrolet for model years 1958 to 1985, 1994 to 1996, and 2000 to the present.
The Chevy Impala was first introduced in 1958. The Impala was the most luxurious Chevy of its time, with a base price just over $2500.The Impala Convertible was priced at about $2,900.
The Impala was designed as a higher-end model for its Bel Air line of hardtops and convertibles. The final design of the Impala was much longer, wider and lower than the concept sketches, which created a distinctive look and offered a roomier cabin and trunk area.
The first Impala was so successful that it helped Chevrolet regain its spot at number one for production and all this happened even though the economy in 1958 was experiencing a recession.
In the 1960s the Impala was America’s best selling car, the Impala could be a family car, a people carrier, and a big-block V8 super performance car. The Impala was Chevrolet’s most expensive passenger model through the 1965 model year.
1963 Chevy Impala Design
The third generation was produced from 1961 to 1964. Both the third and fourth generation Chevy Impalas saw major design changes that created a more modest profile for the model.
These third and fourth generation models in general became shorter and trimmer, and the edges were blocked off, creating a boxy yet simple profile. Per GM the 1963 Chevrolet Impala presented a fresh “Jet Smooth” design.
Some elements of the first Impala design became well known features of the model, such as the three tail lights on each side of the fender.
The 1963 line of Impalas featured all new sheet metal, with more obvious updates to the front end and rear tail light area. The 1963 model had pointed front and rear edges, an aluminum striped rear, and a sunken instrument panel. The new instrument panel came with a few warning lights in place of a few gauges.
An important note is that the 1963 Chevrolet Impala SS bundle could be ordered with any Impala engine chosen, as well as the six-cylinder. All Super Sport Impalas had a locking console and a floor shifter.
1963 Chevrolet Impala SS Convertible Specifications
Just as with the previous model year, the 1963 Chevy Impala models could be ordered with a wide choice of engines to choose from ranging from the 230 cubic inch Turbo-Thrift inline-six to the legendary 409, which made as much as 425 horsepower. In between were two 327 cubic-inch engines, both using a four-barrel carburetor with 250 and 300 HP output. Whether you were looking for economy or top performance you could find it in a 1963 Impala.
The base engines were the 140 horsepower 230 cubic inch six cylinder, or the 195 horsepower Turbo-Fire 283 cubic-inch V8.
During the 1963 model year, the now-legendary 409 V-8 was available in three different horsepower configurations. Horsepowers for these three 409’s included 340, 400 and 425.
Transmissions were a three and four speed manual and a two and three speed automatic. Offered as standard equipment with each of the three 409 engines was the floor-mounted synchromesh three-speed manual transmission.
Brakes were four wheel hydraulic drums.
Front suspension was independent coil springs with a live axle and coil spring rear.
Dimensions included a 119.0 inch wheelbase..outside length of 210.4 inches and a width of 79.4 inches.
Chevrolet Impala production for the 1963 model year was about 832,600 vehicles. Of those numbers well over 700,000 were eight cylinder models and 82,600 were convertibles. Total Chevrolet production numbers for 1963 was a bit over 2.2 million units.
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Reference material for this article included…Chevrolet: The Complete History by the editors of Consumer Guide…100 Years of Chevrolet by Ralph Kramer and Jerry Burton…The Complete History of the Chevrolet Impala by Tony Markovich…General Motors Archives.
1963 Chevy Impala Convertible Collector Popularity and Values
The Chevrolet Impala started out as top of the line Bel Air. The Impala had such success as a luxurious family sedan that Chevrolet management had to make it it’s own distinct model. The end result was that the Impala became the number one selling full size automobile in America.
The Chevy Impala’s popularity in the beginning has carried over to collectors, especially those models produced from 1958 through the decade of the 1960’s. The 1963 Chevrolet Impala Convertible like the one featured here is one of the most popular.
Current collector values for the 1963 Chevy Impala Convertible in excellent condition and with high originality can range from $60,000-$78,000 and upwards. Hardtop and Sedans can be in a range from the $20,000 area to $40,000+ with SS models receiving the higher prices. General condition, degree of restoration, mileage and originality will determine value.
(Article and photos copyright Auto Museum Online)