1963 Chevrolet Impala 409 425HP Convertible - Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 327
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ย. 2024
- 1963 Chevrolet Impala 409 425HP Convertible - Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 327
In 1963, Chevrolet was hitting home runs with cars like this awesome 425 HP 409 Impala. The trouble was, GM had over 50 percent of the market, and the government was threatening to break the company into pieces for violating antitrust laws. So Chevrolet was tasked with selling LESS cars to stay in good legal standing. How did they do it? Well, they canceled factory backed racing programs, for one.
1963 Chevrolet NASCAR race cars had already been built for the ‘63 season, so they still ran, but the support from GM was going away. But that didn’t make the ‘63 Impala any less of a cool car. “Clean cut as a jewel, smooth-riding as a jet”. Those are the words Chevrolet used to describe the new 1963 Impala, and they were right on the money. Impala has long been the flagship Chevrolet, being offered with all kinds of luxury options to make the cars stand out. This one, however, goes the other way… a minimalist version with maximum power and performance.
So even though Chevrolet was officially out of motorsports, they kept making cars like this clean 1963 Chevrolet Impala. It was built at the Doraville, Georgia plant and fitted with the high-compression, dual quad 425 HP 409. Yeah, that’s Impala SS stuff, but this one, although super and sporty, is not a Super Sport!
In 1963, the Super Sport package could have been added to any Impala, as it was mostly an appearance package. Super Sports had special badging, trim, wheel covers, and bucket seats, and any engine from the straight six up to the 409. And the opposite is also true, meaning you could get the highest output 409 in a non SS car, like the one we have here.
This one features the basic bench seat, no fancy options, and minimal exterior jewelry, but the 409 and 4-speed stick on the floor make you forget all about that other stuff.
Gauges are minimal, with a wide sweeping speedometer and a series of indicator lights for vitals, but we love the in-your-face 7000 RPM tachometer on the column. The shifter sneaks around the bench seat, and there is no fancy console like the SS cars.
Hub-capped 14 inch wheels hide hydraulic drum brakes at all four corners, without power assist. Coil spring suspension is comfy, but does not install a feeling of confidence in the turns. But the 425 HP 409 was capable of pushing these big sleds to low 14-second quarter mile times on day one, provided you could get the tires to hook up.
Pulling out of racing didn’t hinder Impala sales, as they climbed every year into the mid ‘60s. And while the exact production numbers of non-SS 425 HP 4-speed ‘63 convertibles isn’t known, it’s safe to say you probably won’t see another one parked on your local used car lot.
At first glance, this unassuming Impala could have been powered by a wheezy 6-cylinder. But that wouldn’t be much fun. We’re glad the Brothers Collection found this undercover Super Sport and added it to the fold, and we hope you like it as well. Thanks for watching and subscribing, we’ve got another sweet ride next time on Muscle Car Of The Week!
#1963Impala #musclecaroftheweek #409
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1963 Chevrolet Impala 409 425HP Convertible - Muscle Car Of The Week Video Episode 327
Had one ! Mine was a 327’ 300hp
One of my favorite cars 👍🏻🇺🇸
I purchased a 2 door 63 Impala S.S. 327, 4 speed in 1965 that had 23,000 miles on it for $425. Nicest car I ever had! Sure do miss it. Miss those kind of prices too!
I had a chance to buy a 63 409-425 horse Impala as for $250.00 when I was 16 in 1972. Belonged to the original owner 72000 miles till my Dad talked to his friend who was a state trooper he told my Dad I’d wrap that thing around a tree my Dad nixed the deal. The huge chrome air cleaner two four barrels and a 4-speed it really bummed me out that car was all I could think about for a while but I probably would have wrapped it around a tree.
In 1963 the Impala Super Sport was a series not an optional package. In 61 it was an optional package available on the 2 door hardtop and convertible only. This 63 409 Impala convertible was decently equipped for the time period. It had white walls full wheel covers radio and power steering with the 409 V8 and 4 speed transmission. It probably had an original MSRP with those options approaching $4000 mainly because it was a convertible with the pricey 409 CID V8.
Walking around the father day car show in Minnesota, Back to the 50s, when I grab my daughter and run over to the pipe contest why, 62 Chevy 409 revving up, she asked me how I knew, nothing sounds like a well tuned 409 ,I still remember my neighbors 409 winding up just had to see his mill I was maybe 8 years old and I still get chills when I hear one all these years later. And yes I can tell the difference in a few more engines. I'm not going to name them . I'm 67 and haven't heard them in years now, 2021
Black w red interior. My favorite combo👍
What a stunningly beautiful car! And they let you drive it, Kevin. Awesome!
My old man had a rag top'63 Impala with a 283 and a 3 on the tree. It was a cool car as well.
My favorite of the early 60's cars. My father had one in Autumn Gold, 4 speed with full SS trim. He had just about everything except Air Conditioning. It pulled like a train. He rented a garage about a block and a half from the house so he didn't have to park it on the street. Good thing because in SW Philly I don't think it would have lasted long. He had an SS in the garage and still took the bus to work so the pollution from the oil refinery would ruin the paint.
She’s so fine,my 409
She's real mean. My 413!
Giddy up giddy up, 409!
My 4-speed, dual quad, positraction 409!
My 64 Impala ss 4 speed convertible was brought from heaven she sports the 327
I bought my first car in 1971. It was triple white 1963 Impala Super Sport Convertible with a 327 Rochester four-barrel and a Powerglide on the column. It had power windows and top with an under-dash A/C system. It was really a great cruising car.
The Super Sport had bucket seats and console...Why was the transmission on the column and not the floor console?
I bought my first car Back-In-The-Day in 1969, 2nd hand. It was white with red interior (interior looked just like the one in this video, except I had Bucket Seats with a Center Console), 1963 Impala SS Hardtop, with a 327 cu. Rochester 4-barrel with a 4-Speed Muncie and a Hurst Shifter, with a 373 geared rear-end. Had it 2-weeks and the motor blew! Nothing I did to it, it had already apparently been run to death before I bought it. Dropped a 350 cu (350 HP stock, I later found out) V-8 out of a 1969 Nova SS. Said it was a 300 HP on the Air Breather, but it was apparently Special Ordered just for this particular Nova SS that I pulled it out of that looked like it's been hit by a train that cut the car in two right behind the front seats. Everything from that point to the very front of the car hardly had a scratch on it? All that was sitting in the junkyard was the front end of the car, as the backend was gone! Both frame rails looked like they'd been stretched towards the passenger side like one would pull apart a piece taffy. Wasn't a 396 that could touch it. The Dodge 440's, 340's, 426's couldn't touch it either. 428 & 429 Fords couldn't touch it. None of the Pontiacs of the day could touch it. Even the one guy in High School that had an orange, 1970' Superbird couldn't touch it in a quarter mile. After some tweaking to the engine after High School while I was in College, needing the numbers off of the engine block to make sure I got the right parts - that's when I discovered it was a 350 cu 350 HP. And after that tweaking there was nothing in my immediate area that could touch it. Not even the City Police or the Sheriff's Cars could catch it. The ONLY thing I had no chance against (flat out) were the Highway Patrol Cars. Ask me how I know, lol. But I know it'd run at least 145 mph, because I had a friend with a Vette that had a speedometer with 160 on it, and he clocked me going that fast (him behind me) before I chicken out and backed off. Now I'm the old guy that putters around and runs the speed limit, for the most part, lol. It's a wonder I made it past 21 yrs old! Best car I ever owned by far!
@Michael Armenta Sr. - Wife and I had separated for a short period, and her way of getting me back was to sell my beloved car ... which she did. I tried to track it down but to no avail. Don't know what became of my ole 63'? The ONLY thing I still have of it is the original, Muncie 4-speed transmission, as I'd taken it out to replace the brass rings in it and hadn't reinstalled it. And it's still sitting in the very back of one of my sheds to this very day. Thought about selling it a couple of times, but it being the only thing I still have left of my ole 63', it's hard to let it go. But if the $$$$ was right ... I might.
Larry Hawkins Powerglide is an automatic.
Hi Kevin
You look so cool in that Impala, another gorgeous muscle car.
All American Car doesn't get better than that.
Louis from Australia
that is a beautiful car....i had a 61 bubble top in the early 80s a 348 4bbl powerglide....i see this 63 has a.alternator on it not a generator..updated for reliability no dought.....by the way nice to see you driving....great work kevin...
Art Jones 1962 was the last year of the generator for GM.
Man that’s a beautiful looking impala !😎
I like the fact it's not a SS. Pretty cool car. It must have been awesome driving it on the open road with the top down. Predates the GTO and with the right gear would have given early GTO and like cars a fit on the interstates across America.
In 63 there was little exterior difference between the regular Impala and the Impala Super Sport. The SS had standard full wheel covers, bucket seats and console.
My money says a 63 Impala 409-425 with a 4 speed would probably outrun a 64 GTO. But it all depends on some other factors like transmission type, rear axle ratio, driver error, and even weather conditions. Id take this car over a 64 GTO
Love them ole 409 engines change out the factory lifters and you got something.!!!
A guy in my town had a 62 teal color 409. I saw that car as a kid 35 years ago, still can remember that summer morning. He was getting gas on his way to a car show, he was nice guy gave me a quick tour only thing was he wouldn't lay rubber lol. Still great memory. Great car thanks for sharing.
Elegance combined with exterior chrome and a leather interior colour that stands out anytime. I could just imagine cruising on a summers afternoon down any American highway or freeway in the muscled Impala. Terrific presentation as always!!!
The interior was vinyl. Its an Impala not a Chrysler 300 or an Oldsmobile Starfire. Still it is a Damon good looking car that rivals those cars in its physical appearance.
Excellent choice for the muscle car of the week. Thanks Kevin.
My Dad took a 63 409 Impala to Daytona it was running good and the front end broke. That's when he set out to redesigning his race cars. He did have a hand in building six winners at Daytona.
20 years ago I dragged a 63 Impala 2D HT (non-SS) out of the bush. The drivers floorpan, rear quarters and body mounts in the trunk were rusted out, but otherwise it was surprisingly straight. I was so excited to wash off the moss and tree sap. Tore it apart, then gave up and sold it. Never even got to drive it under its own power. I suck.
I fixed a turn signal switch on a 66 Impala this morning, it only had a 283 with a powerglide, but it was a nice car nonetheless. I haven't seen any of them on used car lots either! I doubt I'll ever get to see a 63 409/425hp in person.
My grandfather had 66' sport roof, with same power train, long ass car I drove it to school a few times back in the day.
I always Loved the 66 conv. 65 & 66 were the end of beautiful Impala convertibles 😔
My dad's 1st new car was a '63 Belair with a 327 4bbl & a 2spd auto power glide. We lived in a very rural area & he would make that peg leg rear scream. Afterwards, I as a kid learned to drive quicker than my mom. I wouldn't skid it out, but, on long deserted roads I would gun it, regardless of speed that power glide would always down shift & in no time I was gone. No license, under age driver ,I knew the roads to run from them deputies in no time. But, they would end up in my house afterwards, but,,NO BODY was home.
Afterwards, my dad switched to Buick Riviera GS every 2/3years. By then I had a Junior license. Now I was legit as long as it was daytime. It all began with Chevy Belair. I hate to think if dad had a beautiful 409 like this 1. White exterior w/red plaid cloth/vinyl seats. Now, It cost crazy $$$$to have fun in a big Chevy.
My friends dad had owned a 63 Impala when he was younger. He told the story of racing it. Called street racing today, where we are from it's not on the streets so much but more like rual highways. Anyhow he broke u-joints and tweaked the driveshaft 2 different times. Said he could win if it didn't spin too bad or break the drive-line. But he always raved that he never drove another car that would run like the old 409.
wow Kevin ... flashback to the fall of '62 when all the new models came out. Was 15 then and drooling over them especially the hot ones like this beauty and dreaming of the day I could afford one.
Great job as usual Kevin. thanks to you and The Brothers for sharing with us
Just. Bad Ass.
There is a 348 triple 2bbl intake somewhere in the woods behind my dads house. I picked it up when I was 16 not realizing it was for a W block, it was about $25 back in the 80's and it's iron. When I bought it I was only 14 or 15 and really knew very little about cars. An older buddy of mine took one look at told me what it was and that was that.
It was in the trunk of my grand fathers 66' Impala Sport roof, non SS with a gutless 283. After he passed away the car was retired, it was eaten up with rust. At some point my father chose to have it towed away and while they were pulling it loose the trunk pan gave way depositing gas take and intake on the ground, not sure why but the tank and intake were just left there. I stumble across it walking back in the woods buried under the leaves that last time I was back there.
Side note: the tachometer, bumper guards and the tinted windshield were also optional. The clock was standard on Impala and optional on Biscayne and Bel Air.
Kevin, that car is you!
Wow that's awesome ❤
..... CLASSIC
'63 is my favorite year probably because my dad had one. I'd buy this car!
OMG ...my dad would have gone "ga ga" over this legendary road worrier. He loved old Chevys.
So in the end, General Motors broke themselves into little pieces.
They didn't have the money to sustain/support all the brands (Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick, Cadillac and GMC, and they added Saturn and Hummer in the '80s &'90s).
Of the big 3 GM lost the most market-share to imports by far.
@@darkoneforce2 Would those be imports like the Pontiacs and Chevys coming in from Korea and Mexico?
@@rightlanehog3151 Well technically GM's loss correlates with the foreign companies opening factories in US. And its quality reaching rock bottom.
Ford kept its market share until the mid-late '90s cost cutting/de-contenting.
@@darkoneforce2 I drive a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. does that signify anything to you?
it would have been nice to see it with the top up and doors open = wow what a nice restoration thank you !
Beautiful car there I guess this is the car the beach boys sang about my 409.
You could get that 425hp 409 in a Biscayne or any full sized Chevy.... it was not a SS only engine to trans by any means. I have a 59 Bel Air 4 door sedan with a 250hp 348. Is that 63 a unrestored car, or a older restoration.... it's super nice. A friend had a 63 SS, it had a inline six with a Powerglide. He swapped it out with a 350 I sold him, as the six was super slow, and had a minor knock.
WOW, that car is knockout gorgeous!
All the '63 Impalas are awesome. Love the simple chrome on this one and the 409/425 dual quad, with power steering. Power brakes might have been difficult with the low idle vacuum engine, sort of like the Tripower Pontiacs.
Not a big fan of the body but holy shit!!! Can’t go wrong with that power train!!! And a grt song to go along with it lol.
Those poor little f78 14 tires LOL
I could Never do that in my 283 glide lol
@@63impfx45 I know, I have a 67 Impala 283 Powerglide and it can't spin those little white walls
@@robertelee2797 after I replace the glide with a 2004r 4spd auto I hope I can then! Lol their both the same length
In my opinion the full size performance cars like the 409 Chevy's, 406/427 Ford Galaxie's, and 389/421 Pontiac's are just as cool as the intermediates and pony cars. Awesome ride
I know of one that reached Antigonish Motors Chevrolet Oldsmobile in Eastern Nova Scotia, Canada. The owner tried to sell this car to my husband's dad, but the wife was a kill joy. In 1965 he would have been willing to sell the 2-year-old car for the price of an upscale 65 Chevy II. Peter calls this a sad family story for his dad who passed away in 1980. His mom grew up in the depression and could not get out of depression era thinking.
This is A Beautiful Vehicle. I owned a 1968 Midnight Blue Impala. They Handled Like the Queen Mary Though.
Who was the group that made a song about the 409 back then? This would've fit the little ol' lady from Pasadena perfectly.😁
The Beach Boys did that one and the little old lady drove a Super Stock Dodge. Those were the days.
Chalres Kirkland I think 💭 Dan and Jean covered both songs but don’t take it as gospel 👍🏻.
Both really good tunes. I'd love to have a 62 Dodge or Plymouth 413 Max Wedge or a 409 Chevy
Awesome 1963 Impala 409/425 hp.
I like it....my favorite car 1963 impala....👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍😎😉
I got a 63 4 door SS hard top just like this model here no luxury bench seats with leather ...
Beautiful.
Kevin, Another first-rate review here. Very interesting, beautiful car. Geez, 425 hp - must have flown down the hway.
P.s.: You are the Best of the Best.
My cousin had the high horse 409 back in the day in South Philly.
Now that’s a damn nice car!
The other way they reduced the number of Chevrolets sold was by selling the Vauxhall at some Canadian dealerships. These cars looked like mini-Chevys but without the quality. They rusted like mad and just made people hungry for a better car.
on a good day maybe they were advertise as one horse power per cubic inch and there were problems with that where were some simple fixes for one was to replace the pistons and rings i helped rework a few of these motors my self i know that there were some that were not happy with the Land feilers of the pistons fun video thumbs up thank you for showing the car
Movin up in the brothers world aye Kevin? Now you're gettin to drive em
One of the best cars ever built. I owned a two door hardtop.
Love the locking Differential,,, ( posi traction).
I had no idea. The 409 would put out 425 horsepower. I'm truly amazed
Incredibly beautiful Impala. Almost All 409's for sale look like Biscaynes.
I actually like the bare bones cars better like the Biscayne and Bel Air. They were cheaper and lighter than an Impala, Impala SS, or Caprice. I'm a Mopar guy but id love to have a bubble top 62 Bel Air 409/409 or a 66 Biscayne 427/425. The big body cars were always my favorite Chevy's because the biggest RPO engine option you could get in a Camaro, Chevelle, or Nova before 1970 was the 396/375 unless you went the COPO route but only a handful of dealers even knew about that loophole. To get the 427 you had to buy a Corvette or a full size car and the Vette was out of the price range of most people. But in 1966 and 68-69 you could buy 427/425 Biscayne or Bel Air with no options for relatively cheap if you wanted to go drag racing. And I think all the different 409's were available in the Biscayne/Bel Air from 1962 through the first half of 1965. But halfway through 65 the 409/400 was replaced by the new L78 396/425 as the top option but only for that one year. Then the 427 came out in 66
I bought a 64 409 engine from a guy who's car was rear ended by a gravel truck .Had to remove myself if I wanted it. It was in 1975 .The engine had 1200 miles on it. I still have it ,I turn it every 2 weeks, I was going to use it but never did.Maybe I will sell it someday,but have no idea what worth.
Sweet cousin of my 63 Belair 4dr, 6cyl, 3-on-the-tree granny-mobile, . :-)
That really burns me up hearing about our government bullshit meddling in the private sector,it seriously turns my stomach! Our landlord back in the 70s had either a 63 or 64 red SS Impala hard top. I was only a wee shaver so I don't know the year,but I do know he garaged that beauty every second of its life and maybe drove it once a week, if that. I wish I knew what happened with that immaculate loved gleaming piece of our automotive history ,because a car cherished as much as it was, would be a score for any body's collection! Thanks again guys! ▪☆☆☆▪
Money well spent on that engine & 4-speed!
Cool car & well told story 🚗
The rear trunk of the 63-64 is so big and flat---you could use it for a picnic table! Spread you out a sheet and put some chairs around and have a whale of a time!😅
That dealership, Grey Chreolet, is still around and not far from where I live.
425 Hp in a car with manual drum brakes. It's amazing any of them are left.
this is my favorite car 1963 Chevrolet impala SS 4 speed 327 engine with 300 horse I'was 15 back in 1973 the car was 10 my oldest brother and my pops gos in to a used car dealer they but it for $.390' dollars today the car goes for almost ( $ 55'000 )
That Impala is Automotive Nirvana beautiful car
B E A utiful!!!
I have a soft spot for the big cruisers. Great on the open highway.
Hold on, years beore the 426/425hp Hemi, Chevy had them beat with a 409/425hp motor? Just WOW.
I'd love that motor in a 59 El Camino
The 413's and 426 wedges were certainly up to the challenge. Also remember the canted valves were borrowed from the MOPAR polyspherical headed small blocks, the poor mans Hemi. To achieve the greater HP Chevy employed massive valves which came at cost to low end power and torque. Not knocking the Chevy BB's, the Mark IV is perhaps the most bullet proof BB made and it's was just a refinement of the Mark I W blocks short comings.
In this video you can hear the engine shudder at low revs while Kevin is driving it. That's likely why he pointed out it might not be so great around town. All the the solid lifter BBC suffer from that in stock form. I assume it might happen with the Z16 L37 as well but I've never noticed and you rarely ever see one. I believe there are several in the collection though.
Look up the 63 Z-11 package!!
is much rare now found one impala in this condition without somebody not transformade this pearl in one lowrider, tunning, dub, any bad personalization
Was cool seeing u drive around. Had a great idea. How bout an on site square 1/4 or 1/2 mike area to just drive around ? ??????? No speed runs but just some Chris crossed roads to drive around on. Im sure itd b cheaper than one extra new car. Just sayin
Gray is still in the poconos (tannersville)
Well normally Denver only has the real President, Vice President and his Vice Presidential first lady and Lyla in it..... Eric and Ty's house
We have a 410 Chevrolet Nova. I have no idea what year it is. We have almost finished building it.
Awesome car to
Even though I love the 409, Episode 327 should have featured a 327. Don’t you think?
WOW Kevin is a BIG BOY NOW... HE DRIVE'S ONE............................
Awesome. I was constantly hearing high 14's 1/4 mile time quoted for the pervious year, and low 14s from day one this year. Sounds like '63 was maybe the best year for the 409s and it went downhill for '64 as GM no longer backed racing stuff and I've read more stories about 409 powered '64 Impalas losing more 1/4 races to Fords and what not (and just not standing a chance against anything) and pretty likely over that as well as less holding off on putting power steering and other power robbing accessories the Chevys. Every once in a while I've gotten reminded that the 409 was it in '63 and not just '62. In another one of this guy's videos the '66 Impala w/ L-72, 427 rated at 425 HP was quoted at mid 14's right off. So it just proves that MANY full size Chevy of the '60s with 425 HP did at least do respectable against countless other muscle cars and even beat at least most of them whether it had the 396/427 motor or a pre-'65 with a 409. And so it could go either way with the '62-3 409s w/ 2X4bbl and the '66s w/ L-72, after all.
2 Guns brought me here.
Wow!
I have a 63 impala owned since 1988 got it from the original owner-sold new in Wichita Kansas. One thing i never understood is why GM made this X frame. My impala is the worst handling car i have owned lol I guess they designed the X frame with comfort in mind because it seemed to give the car deeper floor pans for my leg room i suppose. However, I am going to be ordering a roadster shop chassis for it! because it needs it! lol
Devils den!
So nice..
"The PROBLEM was GM had over 50% market share" lol I'm sure that's a 'problem' they'd love to have today.
What a legend cross town in a minute again good straight info on point .
Kevin I’m looking for one1963convertible
Fist one lets go
0:20 what's the name of that song
neato
Convertible race car , really ? 409 a BEAUTIFUL motor but dropping it in that lead sled is a joke ! 396 / 375 Nova would walk away from it no problem.
THEY PULLED OUT OF RACING SO THEY WOULDN'T LOOK BAD. BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T COMPETE AGAINST FORD AND CHRYSLER.
Just Curious... Could you get a Big Block on a Impala or Super Sport that was Automatic Transmission, Cranking Out Over 300hp, Instead of a Stick?
I'm not an authority but I'm 99% sure that you could get the Powerglide with the lower-horsepower 409s. I think they were 340hp or something like that
@@DoudD
I have a Friend who Just Bought a Low End 64 Biscayne 4 Door, he's Planning to Restore it, to the Original, Keep the White Color, the Blue Interior, & Swap Out the Low Power Engine for a 409, or 427, the Same Type of Engine on the 64 Super Sport, but he's going to Keep it Original to its Low Keyed Look, but put in the Best Power Plant Engine, as an Automatic Transmission & Make it Look Like an Unmarked Cop Car.
They were king of the road ask ford car guys 409 ford killer
@3:54.....those are wheel covers, not hub caps. If you are going to be "Mr. Information", then know of what you speak.
That’s ridiculous that you sell too much then get harassed, like Apple with iPod, sued by European Union because they had unfair advantage of being too good! “It’s not fair your product works so well and sells so many”...
Under cover ss,,thats the word....
A friend of mine had one of these back then, I had a 65 GT Mustang Fastback. We lined em up for a race, I take off and he sits there. I come back and he had dropped the driveshaft on the ground. Oops.
IMHO Shiverlays have always been overrated, stigma applied, just like Apple. Not any better, but make you think they are better.
In the day, way bad.