1962 Chevrolet Impala SS Convertible (mild custom)

1962 Chevrolet Impala Description

This car has had an extensive "Frame Off" restoration, and there is no rust anywhere on this car. It hasit's original327 V8 motor, Automatic Transmission (cast iron 2 speed Powerglide) and Power Steering.
The trim number on the trim tag is 821. This decodes to (Impala SS Convertible), so the car is an authentic factory SS. However, I restored this car for myself,choosing some minor cosmetic changes. This is why I call it a mild custom. While at a car show some time ago, side by side there was a 62 Impala SSconvertible, and a 62 Belair 2 door. The Belair had somedifferences I liked. For Instance, the Belair did not have that large aluminum panel that goes behind the tail lights, so this car is without that large aluminum tail panel. Also, the aluminum trim that runs along the sides of the car now has red inserts, rather than the SS silver inserts. I also thought the dashboard lookedbetter in the Belair, with its gauges just sitting in the paint, so this car is without the trim piece that goes behind the gauges. (I did add the Belair thin dash trim that goes under the gauges.) Basically, if Chevrolet had made a BelAir SSconvertible in 1962, it may have looked a lot like this car. Also, in 1962, the Impala had the Hot/Cold temperature lights instead of a gauge, but I installed an actual temperature gauge that came stock in the 1961 Impala. Since these photos were taken, I have replaced the clock with a volt meter. The original clock is in the glove compartment.
After I purchased the car, (in 2008)the car wasdisassembled completely. Metal supports were welded across the door openingsto maintain thestructural integrity. Then thebody was removed from the frame. The frame and suspension parts were blasted and painted black. All newsuspension bushings and ball joints were installed, and new rear springs were installed to restore proper ride height. The entire body and all body panels, (fenders, hood, trunk lid, doors, and many small parts) were all media blasted. The body and all body parts were sprayed with a self etching primer, and then it went to the welding shop for all the metal repair, including new inner and outer rockers, floor pans, floor braces, trunk pans, trunk drop down extensions, lower quarters, etc. From there it went to the paint shop, where finish body work was completed and then painted. The car has been painted with urethane base coat / clear coat, (the best), and the color is 2010 Hyundai Cotton White. The best I candescribe the color would be it's a creamyoff white with a tintof vanilla.It's not a bright white, and it goes very well with the red. I must have driven to 5 new car dealershipsto look atcolors before I decided on this color. I hope you find it as classy as I do.You could check outthe color at a Hyundai Dealership. The dash, and all the red metal parts have been painted 2010 Ford Bright Red (code E-4). Finally it came back to me for re-assembly.
When I ordered the complete new interior, I told them not to put in that silver piping that normally comes on the SS seat covers and door panels, red piping is there instead. The car has new tuxedo carpet and nice red seat belts, front and rear. The window cranks are from a 1960 Impala, they have a nicer vintage look. The original radio works, with both front and rear speakers. The car has all new weather-stripping anda new red parade boot as well. I have installed a nice set of vintage 14 inch Crager SS Mags, I like these much better that the 1962 wheel covers. Dual antennas have been installed. The results are what you see in the photos.
The motor isit's originalre-built (pistons .030 over) 327. The transmission is a re-built cast iron powerglide,and an external transmission cooler has been installed.The rear end is a rebuilt open carrier, 3:08 ratio, great for cruising.It has all new single exhaust.It's rebuilt Rochester 2 barrell carburetor gives the car great drivability and fuel economy. It goes down the road very smooth and quiet, no hesitation, and when you stop at a red light you would not think there is a motor in the car. This carhas been set up to be smooth, quiet and reliable.I installed a new self regulating alternator, but a nice generator and new voltage regulator come with the car, soyou canbring the charging system back to original if you like.I installed valve covers from a 1960 Impala, (I like the "Chevrolet Script") on them. New gas tank. All new braking components, lines, hoses, wheel cylinders, shoes, drums turned and a dual line master cylinder has been added for extra safety. The power steering control valve and slave cylinder have been rebuilt, and the power steering works excellent.
The top is new, with new hydraulic lift cylinders.It works great, but the top has some wrinkles in it.I'm sure a good top shop could eliminate the wrinkles. The bumpers are of very good driver quality and there are a couple of very minor dings in the paint and on a couple of trim pieces, but the car looks stunning, runs excellent, and everything works.I have been at this hobby for quite some time, and this car is one of thenicest ones I have ever done.This car needs nothing to drive and enjoy right now, and that's what this car is for, to drive and enjoy.It's currently registered, andI do drive it from time to time. I encourage anyone who is interested to come and see it.
I have added some photos of the car at the paint shop, with all the metal work done.
There are a lot of extra parts that come with the car. Most, if not all, of the original SS trim is included in these extra parts, but some would need to be restored or replaced.(see photos) If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at413-539-9769 (before 8:00 PM EST) and ask for Dave.