Guys I have a chance to buy this '62 impala 2 dr HT. The car is a one owner car that has been in dry storage for 22 years. It's apparent that the car will need a complete restoration but everything appears to be original except for a repaint of the original color.

The gentleman who owns the car is stricken with alzheimers and is in no condition to tell me anything about the car. His wife says they bought the car in 1962. She can't say for sure if the engine is original, but can't remember her husband ever changing the engine. The floorpans are solid and the trunk looks like new. Most of the rust is around the back glass. I know this sounds funny, but the rust that is there is not pitted. It looks as though the paint popped off in those areas and it looks rusted, but the metal feels smooth.

The car has a 327 engine with the decals still on the valve covers and breather. Does anyone know where the numbers are located on the engine block? I'm definitely interested in the car if I can verify that it's the original engine. It has a powerglide tranny and I have no idea where the numbers are located on it either. Also, does anyone know what a fair price would be for the car?

Here's a couple of pics but they aren't very good because the garage was so crowded I  couldn't get a good shot.

http://www.C3VR.com/member_pages/8301_8400/8356/62 impala 2.jpg 

http://www.C3VR.com/member_pages/8301_8400/8356/62 impala.jpg 

That would be a GREAT cruisin' car!  Even if it didn't have the original engine.  If the car is all there and seems to be pretty solid I'd say go for it.  Finds like that don't happen very often.

For a price check take a look at CollectorCarTraderOnline.com to get a read on it.  I'm not saying that is gospel - just a good check and see for some of what is out on the market.

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Jim Olson 

"The Toys"...!!!  Save the Wave!

Where I've been in a Corvette...!!!

I just had a bright idea. Could the spots around the back glass that look like rust but are smooth, possibly be spots that were repaired with "Lead" and the paint popped off?

Duuuude!! I used to have a drag car like that!!! Solid 10sec 1/4 miler!!

To find the "numbers", they are in the same place as any other Cheby. LQQK HERE!

I'm not sure if a 62 would have the vin # stamped on the block or not, but I think it will.
The car has been painted at least once, or has had some werk done on the pass. side front.

And fender skirts too!!
Price will depend on condition, of course. Interior pieces can be impossible to find. What do the int. look like?
'62 was the first year for the 'luminuminum case PG tranz, so, this car could have a that or a cast iron case. Either way, getting the tranz out for any type of repairs is a major job! The car has a massive, "X" type frame, much like the solid-axle Vettes. It should have a two piece driveshaft, with a carrier bearing in the center. It might be a one piece shaft, being a 2 door car, but....my memory ain't whut it used to be.

The "rust" you see around the rear glass is most likely the result of not having any paint there to protect the steel. Washing/drying older cars has a tendency to rub thru the paint after a while, especially around corners/edges.(44yrs!- 22 at least!) It could also be an indication that the car used to have a vinyl top, and the top was removed. I've seen cars like this that rust would show thru the paint, where the holes for the top trim was.

If the car is in decent shape, I would expect a price around $5000, maybe more, maybe less. Condition, and options will have the most bearing on the price.

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Norsky, Thanks for the site. From what I see, I think the car is well worth the $2000 (firm) asking price.

Joel, the interior is complete but will need to be redone. The stainless on the interior and exterior is "like new" condition. The lady told me that her husband did repaint the car. It's obvious from the overspray on the front wheelwell. She also told me that someone backed into the passenger side door and it appears that there might be some bondo in that lower door panel. Other than that, there is absolutely no dents or dings on the car.

If I remember correctly, those cars came with either a 283 or a 327. Until I can check the numbers, we'll assume it's a 327 since the valve covers and breather have the 327 emblems. I do remember for a fact that the 327 that year came with either 250 or 300hp engines. Can you tell by looking at the heads which that would be.  It appears to be the small (1 hump) heads.

All I can tell you is that This old boy would love to have that car sitting in my garage,...

If you told us what the asking price was I could have
offered my opinion on if you should JUMP on it or THINK about it OR PASS...

Off hand under a $1,000 and I would not even blink an eye ..the checkbook would be out in a milli second... for 5,000 I would have to think... LOL

Bob G.

I have a low mileage 62 sport coupe in my garage. All parts for the interior are avalable from impala parts suppliers like impala bobs and year one etc that price is a no brainer and if you decide to pass i am 100% in i would  buy it for that price without a second thought no matter what the status of the motor is so in my opinion go for it you will not be sorry if you pass let me know

Nice find and at 2000 bones I'd Love to have her in my garage. Wait it may be too long...LOL

Good Luck, and Enjoy the ride......

 

JB

 

OMG!!  I would pay $2000 for that puppy right away!  Awesome!!  I love those!  I saw one at Wal*Mart just yesterday with a convertible white top.   Sounds like a really good deal!!  Man, your lucky.what a "find."     Looks like it needs 4 cans of "Fix A Flat."   

May we call you "Jay Leno, Jr.?"  

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MICK - C3VR Lifetime Member #113

  Micki, Four cans of fix-a-flat wouldn't do it. All 4 tires look like they blew out and the car was still driven for 10 miles. We know the car has been there 22 years, maybe longer since the last inspection sticker is 1978.

Now I have to find some used 14 inches tires before I can get the car. Believe it or not, but 14's are hard to find since I just want something that will hold air for the time being.

I haven't been able to get up with the owner today. I want to get them the money before someone else comes along. Hope I haven't waited too long.

[QUOTE=rearn2go72]  Micki, Four cans of fix-a-flat wouldn't do it. All 4 tires look like they blew out and the car was still driven for 10 miles. We know the car has been there 22 years, maybe longer since the last inspection sticker is 1978.

Now I have to find some used 14 inches tires before I can get the car. Believe it or not, but 14's are hard to find since I just want something that will hold air for the time being.

I haven't been able to get up with the owner today. I want to get them the money before someone else comes along. Hope I haven't waited too long. [/QUOTE]

I know those tires are way beyond the Fix-A-Flat......I was just being silly......sorry!  1978??  Wow!  If you get that car, save that '78 inspection sticker!

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MICK - C3VR Lifetime Member #113

that is definately a keeper- even if the rust is around that back window. a competent sheet metal guy can fix that. that car brings back some memories- my dad had a 63 impala the same color i think.l stevep31638965.5391898148

Jim,
If you need any help picking it up just give me a call and I will drive up. If you decide to pass on it let me know.
Scott

Well I just got home and i'm now the proud owner of a '62 impala. I put the car up on jack stands and brought the wheels home with me. Now I have to find some tires and hope to pick it up tomorrow evening. Carried a friend with me that has good eyes and he verified that it does have the original engine. I was surprised at the frame, it's appears to be perfect, absolutely no rust.

Micki, I don't think I can salvage the inspection sticker. It looks almost as bad as the tires.

Scott, thanks for the offer to help but a friend is going to pick it up with a rollback. The lady requested that I not pick it up until she can get her husband away from the house. They plan on going to church tomorrow night, so that should work out fine since her son will be at home.

 

You could put on 4 15" doughnut tires for the time being to roll her around. Who knows ya might get her sold as a low rider before ya get her home.

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Tuxblacray: She's Back In Black! Check out my pics @ My Link


(Click on image to see a bigger version)

Congrats, Jim!
We're waiting on the pics!

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

HOT DOG BABY, CHICKEN & GRAVY, HERE COMES MOMMA WITH A BALD HEADED BABY!  HEEE.......HAAAW!!  PARTY TIME, EXCELLENT........!!  

YOU GO JIM!  CONGRATS!   

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MICK - C3VR Lifetime Member #113

[QUOTE=Tuxblacray] You could put on 4 15" doughnut tires for the time being to roll her around. Who knows ya might get her sold as a low rider before ya get her home. [/QUOTE]

  You're right Tux. I'm definitely looking for doughnuts just to get her rolling. As for selling it, i've had 2 offers on the car from guys who haven't even seen it. One was for $3500, the other 4000. If I get a offer of $5000, she's gone...they can clean it up and get it runnning.

I think Micki is more excited than I am about the car. I was pretty excited until I started researching the price of parts to restore it.

Joel, I'll try to get some pics when I get it cleaned up. Of course that could take a couple of years.

[QUOTE=greypoupon69]

HOT DOG BABY, CHICKEN & GRAVY, HERE COMES MOMMA WITH A BALD HEADED BABY!  HEEE.......HAAAW!!  PARTY TIME, EXCELLENT........!!  

YOU GO JIM!  CONGRATS!   

[/QUOTE]

Micki's been double-dippin on her meds again!!


Jim...don't clean it first!!! Take pics FIRST!!
I would love to see it "as is"! Don't be afraid, we're all family here.
This way, you'll have pics to go along with your "Barn Find" stories!!

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

congrats Jim, you can start restoring...

seen over here one '63 for sale in very good condition , they ask 6000 euro = 7.200 $

just for info. greetz Norbert