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409-Powered 1964 Chevy Impala Hits Public sale Block After 55 Years With Similar Owner

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Here is the recipe for an eye-watering automotive public sale outcome: Take an iconic basic automotive and choose its superb spec, give it a backstory positive to enchantment to anybody with a nostalgic bone of their physique, after which topic it to the kind of restoration that is completely appropriate but a lot nicer than something that might have rolled out off a manufacturing line on the time. Correctly carried out, you find yourself with this 1964 Chevy Impala, a convertible unicorn rocking a big-block V-Eight and a floor-shifted guide. It is prone to fetch a legendary sum.

409-Powered 1964 Chevy Impala

Let’s begin with the engine, as that’s the place the legend begins. The numbers-matching, 409-cubic-inch V-Eight sports activities dual-quad Carter AFB carburetors—good for a rated 425 horsepower and 425 lb-ft of torque. In fact, since this Impala presents as higher than new, the engine makes greater than that in line with the vendor. A current dyno run in Might confirmed 433 horses and 434 lb-ft, spectacular numbers by any measure. And the 409’s cultural and racing historical past provides it enchantment past the specs. In any case, that is an engine that impressed songs and powered Impalas to victory on ovals and highway programs.
Then there’s the backstory. It is not a one-owner automotive, however the second proprietor held onto it from 1965 till 2020—55 years! It is an American Graffiti form of story, too, whereby a excessive schooler in Joliet, Illinois, sees an Impala with the magical “409” fender badges. He asks the proprietor if it is actual. She’s pregnant and itching to promote the automotive as a result of her husband’s about to deploy to Vietnam. A deal is struck, and this inconceivable teen will get one of many hottest vehicles within the Midwest to drive to highschool. And, much more improbably, that child holds onto it for greater than 5 many years, ultimately restoring it to unimaginable situation.

Loads of issues needed to occur for this automotive to finish up the place it’s at present. Most of them have been raced arduous and put away moist, wrapped round poles, or altered past the purpose of no return. This Impala’s teenaged proprietor was both a extremely good driver or confirmed exceptional restraint behind the wheel to maintain this automotive straight, authentic, and certain saved underneath cowl regardless of all of the curveballs that life can throw at you in five-plus many years.

This automotive is listed for public sale over at Hemmings, and whereas we do not have an estimated worth to share, savvy collectors can do the mathematics—this basic Chevy is in the end destined to carry a pile.

  • 409-Powered 1964 Chevy Impala

  • 409-Powered 1964 Chevy Impala

  • 409-Powered 1964 Chevy Impala

  • 409-Powered 1964 Chevy Impala

  • 409-Powered 1964 Chevy Impala

  • 409-Powered 1964 Chevy Impala

  • 409-Powered 1964 Chevy Impala