I found a 1962 impala convert today in and old lumber yard.It's pretty much rotton it needs innner rockers complete floors and everthing else you can think of.But my buddy copied the VIN number and took it home with him and decoded it is a 62 impala convert with a 409 4 speed.He is a ford guy so he doesn't want to bother with it.Is this thing worth grabbing and trying to restore.The motor and tranny are sitting in what looks to be an old dog house(not seized)but there is no intake on it........Whats you thoughts?What are the body panles like to get for these?I know the motor is worth some good coin, but it's an all numbers matching car.
i'd get it for cheap, then look for a hardtop thats in more restorable shape and use the convert stuff to build a decent ride.
Sounds like a big,long,expensive project. If you have always wanted a 409 4 speed convertable, and you have the skills,resources,and determination to see it through;maybe. Otherwise,don't bother.
It's a convertible, so it's worth saving. If you got a rust-free parts car, you could fix the rust relatively easy, I'd think.
Definitely worth saving with a pedigree like that. Even if you can't afford to restore it for sure someone else out there with the funds to do it will. Get it and fix it, or pass it on.
If you don't want to tackle it, there are alot of people that will. A 409 convert? Go for 50k easy restored. Pull it out, and advertise it in the right circles. Other wise- floors aren't that hard to fix. Almost all body panels are available and lots of small parts also, thanks to the Rap music and lowrider lust for those year Imps.
With the aftermarket support for impala's you could build that thing from brand new parts no problem. It will however be more expensive than finding another body. A friend of mine had a '63 that needed floors, quarters, all the trim replaced, and new interior that was ordered from year one. Came GM stamped and was a pleasure installing since we were used to replacing/making fit china made parts on comuter cars! Don't tell anyone you discovered its a factory 409 and give them $100.
The 409 and 4-speed are sitting in a dog house? I'd get it just for that! You could put it on eGay and some purist would want it just for his collection. Go for it if it is'nt to pricey and when you pull it out of there it does'nt break into. A car in two halfs is REALLY hard to sell! Good luck man!
that car is roughly the equivilant of a 32 3 window. buy it. if that is the original motor and tranny, not just some truck stuff that got tossed next to it, its the find of the century for you. if you can afford it.
Get it cheap as you can. Get it on the road with as little dough as possible. A DRIVER (no matter how ugly) with that kinda bloodline would give you a huge return (percentage wise) on your initial investment if resale is on your mind.
To me it would really depend on what they want for it. If the car is what you discribed and the engine is the correct one for the car as well as the trans, it would be a very valuable car. Butt.....the car will cost alot of money to restore. Depending how much work you are capable yourself the car could easly cost upwards of $20.000.00 to restore, as well your labor. Not to mention years of your life. So unless it really is the car of your dreams, getting it cheep and seling it someone that really wants to do a car like that migh make more sence. Then take your profits and build that Hotrod of YOUR dreams.
I just got back from checking the convert out,, I got a book from the library on impala part numbers.It is the correct 409 motor and the tranny is also correct for the car.The car has power breaks, posi rear.Where's the best place to get body panels from?I talked to the owner.He has had the car for over 25 years sitting in the same spot.It can be bought for less than $2000 cnd dollars.I took my wife with me and she really likes the style of car.It will pobably be her project.I have found a rust free 4 door that will probably give it's life for the convert.
jesusjumptupchrist. good find, man. sounds like it's about in the same ballpark as my 64 (no 409 though!) as far as condition goes. i love those things, so that'd be the car that derails my current project, disrupts my saving for my masters degree, pisses off my parents, and causes me to not pay my taxes because it is so bad ass, and i wouldn't care probably fortunate for me that it wasn't me that found it! try hubbard's impala parts, sinclair's impala parts, impala bob's (www.impalas.com i think- they-re kinda pricey, and i have heard they are kinda pricks, and i've dealt with them only a little bit, but they are pretty thorough in their parts offerings). search for these guys online, you ought to be able to get free catalogs and whatnot. they sell all the metal needed to MAKE your own body, more or less.
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