Customs '62 Impala vs. SS Impala

I've been busy shopping on-line (I'm not actually buying anything yet, just looking for stuff that I'll need next spring) for the Impala. I know the car isn't an original SS, and it doesn't really matter since it's got the 454 instead of it's original 283/glide, but I do want to make it look like an SS to a casual observer.
Note that if I sold it I wouldn't try to p*** it off as an original SS car, so I'm not going to try to defraud anyone.
From the exterior the most noticeable difference I know is the machine finish inserts on the side trim and trunk cove trim. I found vinyl film with a machine finish that's pretty inexpensive in 4 foot width, I thought that would work for the trunk panel. Buying a big piece would give me lots of extra to learn with, although I have an acquaintance who has a sign shop and could probably do it for me, but I'd kinda like to tackle it.
Likewise the side trim could get an insert over the original beige paint that it wears now.
The drivers seat has a split at the seams at the insert at both sides, so front seat upholstery is on the list, as is guts for the turn signal switch. We took the car for a drive the other day and it started to rain, which lead to the discovery that wipers don't work. I spent some time checking them out, and found the + feed is unhooked. Powering the motor up reveals it's got a dead short internally. Dang. They're available rebuilt but I can get a Newport Engineering motor for a little more than half the cost, so that's what I'm going to do.
It's also missing the drivers door mirror, there aren't any mounting holes for one. Odd.
The guy I got it from had swapped the complete interior from an SS parts car he bought 30 years ago, so from the inside it looks proper, aside from the ratchet shifter. I initially didn't like it, but I'm getting used to it, so that may stay (mostly because he had to cut the carpet for the little console), and I'll take the column shift handle off and fill the hole in the jacket.
The steering wheel is an ugly generic aftermarket wheel, that's gotta go as well.
I proudly showed it to a buddy of mine who's had a bunch of these cars, and complained about the 4.11 gears. He said he has several with the 3.36 ratio, although they're all open, no posi. I have to decide how badly I want the posi, when I could just swap the pumpkin in a couple hours. A free center section and a couple hours work would certainly be more affordable.
My wife wants red line tires for it, which would look good although they're not era appropriate. Well, maybe, if I leave the paint alone and just let it look like a used '62 would have in the late 60's.
It's nice to have a car I can use and enjoy from the get go, and that has every missing or worn part readily available. I'm used to starting with junk, and oddball junk at that, so this "1-800-Lets-Go-Shopping" thing is a welcome change.
It's going to be a fun car.

 

why would you expect it to have an optional door mirror?

 

LOL, I figured the guy had filled the holes wanting it to look "smooth"! Optional. Huh. I'm old enough I should have known that...

 

There is Absolutely NOTHING wrong with that car, the way it is. Just drive and enjoy!!! ( When I say nothing, That goes for the 4.11 gear, too!!!)

 

20 year old tires, no side mirror, ugly (sticky too) steering wheel, no wipers, and a rear gear that I really can't live with. Other than that, everything could stay "As-Is". I want to be able to drive across the country if I want to, like I did the other '62 I had, not just from light to light.

 

In 1962, my dad bought a new Impala Sport Coupe, blue with a white top. The first thing he did was go to the local auto parts and buy a left hand outside mirror and had a friend install it.

 

Does it have the grab bar on the p***enger side of the dash?

 

Ah, my mis-spent youth in a friend's black '62 Super Sport with the 300hp 327" and 3-speed straight shift. The red interior with all the chrome accents was cool. Never saw another equipped exactly like that one.

jack vines

 

Yup.

 

Clean. But not suitable for use in traffic.

 

If it HAD a 283 (with 327 fender badges) you would have a cast iron Powerglide if original stock.
I don’t know what trans you have but I would add the stock front bucket seats if the ones I see aren’t and console; leave the column shift because the 62 SS “automatics” did not have a floor shift and do the outside changes. Add a 454 above the 327 flags like the 409 did.

 

@flynbrian48 the 4:11 posi center section is quite desirable nowadays. Your 62 looks fantastic the way it is, beautiful color combination too. Have fun with it

 

My dad sported a '62 SS in 1964

 

I’d advise no fake badges. Treat it like a kid who just wants to make it safer, faster and more comfy. Pretty girls look more attractive in a figure hugging dress instead of **** jobs.
My first car I drove was a 62 Chevy.

 

Great looking car and I like your plan. If you want red line tires, I'd go for it. I think they came out in 64 or 65 on the GTO's and Mustangs so it would not be unheard of for a guy to update a couple year old Impala back then.

 

I wouldn’t change a thing except maybe wheel colour. Looks fab as is, even the colour which I don’t think anyone would pick from a colour chart looks perfect.

Are you sure there’s an internal short in the wipers and it’s not the switch/wiring? Chevy wiper wiring drives me nuts with the way it’s earthed.

 

In that body series, from 61 to 64, the 62 out-shined the others.
Pride and Joy.

 

To me a ratchet shifter really detracts from the vibe in a car like that. I have my TH350 hooked up to the original column shift in my 62. Works great, looks original, and I can manually shift gears still.

I wanted to put red line tires on mine but the extra price means I probably won't.

 

It has a TH400. The seats are indeed '62 SS buckets, as is the entire interior. He'd bought a very rusty '62 SS coupe as a parts car and used the complete interior, including the little console. I'm on the fence about what to do with the shifter, if it weren't for the hole in the (new) carpet, I'd pull it and just get linkage for the column shift. And the 454 emblems are on my list of things to get.

It's already had the **** job, all the emblems are from the SS parts car he bought for the interior. Why he didn't swap the trunk cove trim I don't know. Probably liked it the way it is, which I totally understand.

They're a bit more, but I'm in the car right so a couple hundred extra bucks won't be an issue.

 

Well, with the harness unplugged, with the unit powered up, as soon as I ground either one of the ground leads with the little jumper I made per the '62 Service Manual, it dead shorts. So, I'm inclined to think it's knackered... And that color is growing on me.

 

I WOULD, but I'm old and have arthritis in my spine, my head doesn't turn as far as it used to!

 

Take your time installing the door mirror, to make sure it's in a good place.

The color of the car is just fine, you won't have to paint it, saving you a lot of time and aggravation.

Glad you like the wheels....I don't....but I don't get to drive the car, so my opinion about that doesn't really matter.

 

I guess it depends on sizes. For the sizes I want to go with, it would be twice the price for the same size and brand of tire just with red lines. They would look great on my Honduras Maroon car but it's not worth it for me.

 

I agree with Jim, install a mirror and get some Impala hub caps, even the non SS would look better than the cop/poverty ones on it

 

Not to confuse anyone but The 454 emblems I’m talking about are I believe aftermarket that are like the “409” used above the 327 flags 62 thru 65 and not the big flags.

 

if it gets engine size emblems, they need to say "327" or maybe "427". Have fun!

 

454 (I might as well brag about what's under the hood) emblems, side mirror, shift linkage, cup holder inserts (to make a little console to cover the hole in the carpet) ordered. Shopping is easy.

 

SS hubcaps with narrow whites or even gold lines if you can find them.