1963 409 Chevy Impala SS

How does a 425 Horse Power 1963 409 Impala SS with 4 speed and factory ordered 4.56 gears sound? This is what we have here from Fairfield Glade in Southeast Tennessee and it is in for a full body and paint restoration. This 409 car was ordered without Power Steering and Power Brakes and meant to go “straight and fast” while looking “mighty fine”.

Car has been in family since new, was restored many years ago and now needs a major refresh. The motor needs some real mechanical attention and a more daily driving rear gear will be installed. The car has been in storage for many years and is an ex-show car and Super Chevy Class winner. We will show the body work and mechanical restoration in pictures but this is one of those cars that will look the same in pictures when started and complete.

The 63 Impala SS was stripped down and a few flaws were found. There was too much body filler and incorrect repairs made in past. An NOS front fender was found. Rear quarter panels are also being replaced instead of the bondo approach. New sheet metal is the best way of saving these early, very classic muscle cars.

The 409 motor was found to be a disaster on the inside so a call to “Mr. 409” Lamar Walden of Walden’s Automotive in Doraville GA (outside of Atlanta) was placed and the old big block was delivered and will be professionally rebuilt.

This SS 409 Impala is now receiving new paint (the original Palomar Red) and soon the car will be ready to be driven and shown.

The Prehistoric Rat Motor is back from the engine builder and is extremely healthy now. While on the Dynometer, we witnessed this newly built 409 pulled 538 Horsepower at 535 FT LBS of torque at 5500 rpm. The original small CFM carburetors kept it from going up the horsepower graph. Lamar Waldon claimed that with larger Holley Carbs and some racing fuel this motor will pull 650 HP at 7500 RPM.

The body is painted and is laser straight. Now it is time to reassemble. It should be noted it takes longer to reassemble a car than take apart.

The Impala SS 409 is complete, beautiful and road worthy. The owner drove his car home after a fill up of high octane fuel. Oh, the Crager SS's? That is what were on this car in the mid sixties in high school. In a couple of years the car and original owner are heading back for the 50th class reunion.