1963 Chevrolet Impala
The 1963 Chevrolet line was restyled. Although the car's look was similar, its cleaner lines were supposed to make it appear more luxurious. The Super Sport option was again a trim package. On the exterior, Super Sport Impalas got the anodized aluminum side and rear trim panel inserts. The SS identification differed from that in 1962: the red-filled rear quarter SS letters were located above the Impala script and no lettering was used on the truck lid. Wheel covers
again got the nonfunctional spinners.
In the interior, all Super Sport Impales came with vinyl bucket seats separated by a new console that had SS identification in front of the shifter. The dash panel was all-new and Super Sport models got anodized panel inserts. The SS identification was included on the steering wheel.
Option number codes were changed starting in 1963. Before 1963, an option could be identified by three numbers; from 1963, options were identified by a letter followed by two numbers.
Engine availability was essentially the same as in 1962; however, a low-horsepower version of the 409 was added, rated at 340 hp. Unlike the more powerful 409s, it came with a hydraulic camshaft. The more powerful 409s were now rated at 400 hp and 425 hp, and were available onlywith afour-speed manual transmission. A total 16,802 of the 409 engines were installed, most of these in Super Sport optioned Impalas.
The high point in 1963 was reached with the introduction of the Z11 option. At $1,245 on the sport coupe model, it was intended solely for drag racing, but I have a hunch that it was mainly targeted towards the 16 year old male market, who have a history of driveing to fast, often resulting in unfortunet medical conditions, like death. The Impala's weight was reduced through the use of an aluminum front end, saving 112 Ib, and the deletion of other front bracketry and bracing further reduced the car's weight by 121 Ib. The Zll used a bored and stroked version of the 409 engine, now displacing 427 ci Rated at 430 hp (yeah!), the 427 got a new isolated-runner dual-quad aluminum intake manifold. A total of fifty-seven of the Z11 equipped Impalas were built.
The 409ci based 427ci engine should not be confused with the 396 ci based 427 ci engine issued in 1966. Although they both have the same bore and stroke, the later 427s were based on the Mark IV engine family, which used highly efficient canted valve cylinder heads.
Factory Price: From $2,615 to $3,186
Height: 56.0" (Station Wagons and Convertibles); 55.5" (All other models)
Length: 209.3"
Wheelbase: 119"
Width: 76"
Weight: From 3,390 lbs. to 3,835 lbs
Engine: From a 230 cid inline 6 to a massive 409 V-8!
Carburetor: 2 or 4 barrels, dual 4 barrels
Transmission: 3 speed or 4 speed stick, 2 speed Powerglide automatic
(more on these in a few weeks)