With a new generation already on the radar, the 1964 Impala didn’t change much from the previous model year. It retained almost everything from the 1963 sibling, with few subtle changes for the taillights.
The engine lineup was the same, too, including a mix of six-cylinder units aimed at people who wanted to use the Impala for shopping and V8s for those who were interested in a small rocket on wheels. The top-of-the-range configuration for this model year was the 409 big-block option, which was available in 1964 in three versions.
The 340- and 400-horsepower flavors were fitted with a single four-barrel carburetor, while the 425-horsepower sibling came with a twin four-barrel setup. It was the best choice for a Super Sport, no doubt about it.
The 1964 4-door sedan posted on eBay by seller BackyardClassicsTRF rolled off the assembly lines with a mysterious V8 under the hood, but it now hides nothing but fresh air in the engine bay. The car doesn’t want to let anyone look under the hood, with the seller explaining they couldn’t open it, so the pictures were taken through the grille.
The car looks like it’s been abandoned for a while, and the owner claims it hasn’t seen the pavement in many decades. It certainly looks so, as it flexes a rough shape, with rust on the floors and in the trunk pan.
The engine and the transmission probably made their way to another Impala project, as this sedan has likely served as a donor. It’s also why many other parts are missing, such as the front door panels. The seats look wrecked, and the dash has already been cut, so saving this Impala will be an incredibly challenging job, even for a professional restorer.
It doesn’t mean the car has become a rust bucket. It still has many strong selling points, including the body, though I’m not sure this Chevrolet Impala flexes 100 percent original metal. You must inspect it in person for such details, but based on the provided photos, it’s not as bad as you’d expect it to be on a vehicle sitting on the side of the road for decades.
The car is priced accordingly, as the owner doesn’t expect to get more than $1,450 for the Impala. The lack of an engine and transmission is a deal-breaker for many diehard Impala fans, but it also leaves the door open to other projects, including restomods. The sedan left the factory with a V8 and given no specifics were shared, it was probably the famous 283 (one of the most common choices and the base V8 on the ’64 Impala). As a result, a 409 big block would fit the car like a glove, though its rough shape could pose more challenges than the lack of an engine