1964 Impala ss409

[bill409mac]

Hello all

I am looking at a 64 Impala ss 409 340hp. I just hired an inspector to go look at it(its out of state). The car is quote unquote matching numbers and fully restored(body off). What would be a fair price?????


Is there any way to tell if the 409 is original equipment?? I know the vin only calls out the v8. The cowl matches the car.





Thanks in advance for your input!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ronnie Russell]

Bill, Sorry, that is a loaded question. $25-$40,000 to do body-off restoration. A 64 Impala SS , true 409 car that needs restoration $10,000 to $20,000 depending on condition. So, you can do the math. Much research you can do on our home page information, but it is practically impossible to know if a car is correct or a clone. Your money, your call. Look at the car, make an offer, then live with it. It is a personal preferance thing. What is too much to one person is a good buy to the next guy. Good luck and let us know how it works out.

[DaveFoster]

Been there done that, my suggestion would be ask the seller, any answer other than I have proof, here's the build sheet or here's the dealer invoice, probably means it's a clone. I asked and was told that he didn't know, and he was a 409 expert, I assumed it was a clone, but it had what I wanted a 425 horse 409, 4 speed, and it was a Super Sport with recently rebuilt everything mechanical. The price was right and I brought a trailer, end of story. Didn't care then, and it did turn out to be a clone, first clue was it doesn't have holes drilled in the firewall where the ignition ballast should be, the 409 emblems are too high above the crossed flags on the fenders, the upper third link on the rearend isn't factory reinforced, no return line to the gas tank, and the dash tach wasn't there, most everything else is correct. Always wanted a 409 and I knew what I was buying, and I'm not sorry, this cars a blast and it's worth much more than I have invested clone or no clone. I refer to it as part of my widow's benefit program, there's a tool collection that goes with it, and a oval track setup, car, trailer, etc, etc. Buyer beware, but clones get the job done also.

[our1962]

I agree 100% with both comments 35K-55K is a good dollar figure IF and if is a BIG WORD the 64 is as clean as the seller has stated.

I have a 1962 Impala 409/409, 4 Speed 411 rear end and she is fine:cool: The car was built in July 1962 and the 409 was built in May 1962 yes it's a CLONE. But when I start the car and hear that 409/409 go through the gears she's priceless!

Also you mentioned your hiring an inspector, if it's a know company, they should also provide you with a dollar figure. The best statement is what is the car worth too you? If you can come too an agreement with the seller too that dollar figure buy it an ENJOY!!!!

Ted

[Old School]

Where is the car? If it is close to one of our members, we have volunteered to check out cars for members and save a trip.
There are plenty of experts here...
Mick



Hello all

I am looking at a 64 Impala ss 409 340hp. I just hired an inspector to go look at it(its out of state). The car is quote unquote matching numbers and fully restored(body off). What would be a fair price?????


Is there any way to tell if the 409 is original equipment?? I know the vin only calls out the v8. The cowl matches the car.





Thanks in advance for your input!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[64impala]

Hi.
Here's some facts I have on my 64 resto. It originally had 134,000 on it with matching numbers 283 powerglide, PS. AC etc. Did a complete frame off, rotiss, custom color original Daytona blue paint job. Everything you can imagine restoring on the car inside and out. It got to $32,000. in receipts by the time I enjoyed driving it only on Sundays and to car shows. Now I want a 409 transplant. Even though it won't be a matching number to the car the engine and tranny work will cost an additional $10,000. So there you have it. A $42,000. Impala. But man.. I'll tell you, when I drive it even now, every time, people young and old like me give me the thumbs ups when they see it. It's like no other car I've driven. Drives better smoother and quieter than my Ford Expedition.

[bobs409]

Hello all
Is there any way to tell if the 409 is original equipment??


Bill,

Since you said it's "numbers matching", make sure of that. Most (not all) 409's would have the cars VIN stamped on the block stamping pad. If not, the very least the engine would have to have correct date codes. These codes would have to pre-date the cars build date on the cowl tag in order to be correct. That doesn't mean they couldn't have been added/changed but if you have an engine build date (or parts) that are later than the cars build date, that automatically tells the engine is NOT original.

Other than the numbers, here are a few things to look for:


1964: (409 cars)

*All 409 cars had ballast resistor on firewall
*all 409's had a fuel return line
*No AC on high performance 409's. (63-65 for sure, not certain on 62?)
*larger radiator
*dual exhaust
*3/8" fuel line (see note 1 below)
*fuel line routed under A arm away from exhaust manifold
*4 speed mandatory with 400hp & 425hp 409's. (no 3 speed available)
*All 4 speed 409 cars had mandatory tach. (even 340hp)
*340hp 409/powerglide cars had optional tach, not mandatory


I compiled this info from our members a while back for a page I was "supposed" to put together. Never got around to it but will hopefully soon. :bang


Hope this helps,


Bob

[64impala]

That's good info Bob.
From a 64 Impala shop manual optional 409 engines were; L-33, 340 hp. 10:1 compr. L-31, 400 hp. 11:1 compr. and RPO L-80, 425 hp. 11:1 compr. These also optioned with the same Powerglide Transmission as the small blocks did, also fitting up to the big block 396 and 427 in later years. I think the lower hp 348's and 409's below 10:1 compression engines were mostly used in trucks, only from what I've read from various sources. Does anyone know if a 348 could be built-up to 409 specs?:coffee:

[impalamike.com]

Post a picture of the car!

[tripower]

Does anyone know if a 348 could be built-up to 409 specs?:coffee:

If you were to use a 409 crank you would have to bore the 348 out .188 to get the 409 ci...:eek: I don't think that is possible but if you bore the 348 out .040 and use a BBC 3.76 crankshaft you come up with 409 ci...:D

[bill409mac]

Hello All

Thanks for the great info!!!!! Here are some pics of my new 1964 ss409 Impala. Inspector said original matching numbers car w/ air!!!! Can't wait to get it, should be on truck headed my way today!!!!!!!!!

I'll post more pics when I get it!!

Thanks again!!!!!!

Bill

[Old School]

Nice find! :cheers
Appears correct in the photos with exception of the painted firewall. I always liked the body color painted firewall anyway..

It should be a great car to drive...

[Skip FIx]

Did all 409s even 64 340 HP have return lines?? I sure don't remember mesing with them on fuel pump swaps on my 64 but that was a LONG time ago.

[1958 delivery]

Nice find! :cheers
Appears correct in the photos with exception of the painted firewall. I always liked the body color painted firewall anyway..

It should be a great car to drive...



Chevys were body color painted firewall, inner fenders and core support black prior to this. Did they change in 64?

[bobs409]

For U.S. built cars, firewalls went all black for 1963-up Canadian cars as far as I know stayed body color.


Bob

[yellow wagon]

nice lookin car there! Black firewall here on my low-mileage 64 Biscayne.

[skipxt4]

:clap :clap Nice car Bill.:clap I mean, that's a real nice car Bill. I mean, that's a real, real nice car, Bill.:clap :clap GOD! I love RED.:brow :clap Skip:)

[Impalaguru]

Should have a semi-gloss firewall. The plants switched early into the 1963 model year. I have seen unrestored 63s built in november 1962 that still had body colored firewalls. I think the Atlanta cars were kinda kit and miss throughout the 1963 model year.

All 63-65 409 cars should have a fuel return line, regardless of hp rating.

The 340 hp cars with factory AC had a slightly shorter, tapered snorkel on the air cleaner. The one pictured is a 64 GTO 4-barrel lid. The AC lids fit the same base so it would be an easy swap.

Looks like a keeper to me!!:clap

Ross

[Bobaloo]

My 63 was built the 3rd week of November of 62 in L.A. and had a body colored firewall.

[Brian64SS]

Did all 409s even 64 340 HP have return lines?? I sure don't remember mesing with them on fuel pump swaps on my 64 but that was a LONG time ago.

You might not notice the return line on a fuel pump swap since it goes from the fuel filter near the carb, along the valve cover and down the firewall (correctly shown in chrome on the pic).

340 hp '64's had the return line and all '64's had a black fire wall.

[bill409mac]

Should have a semi-gloss firewall. The plants switched early into the 1963 model year. I have seen unrestored 63s built in november 1962 that still had body colored firewalls. I think the Atlanta cars were kinda kit and miss throughout the 1963 model year.

All 63-65 409 cars should have a fuel return line, regardless of hp rating.

The 340 hp cars with factory AC had a slightly shorter, tapered snorkel on the air cleaner. The one pictured is a 64 GTO 4-barrel lid. The AC lids fit the same base so it would be an easy swap.

Looks like a keeper to me!!:clap

Ross

Hi Ross

Can you post a pic of the "correct" air cleaner. I would like to verify that is the "incorrect" one on the car.

I will post more pics when I get the car

Thanks again for the great info!!!!!!

Bill

[bill409mac]

Hi Ross

Can you post a pic of the "correct" air cleaner. I would like to verify that is the "incorrect" one on the car.

I will post more pics when I get the car

Thanks again for the great info!!!!!!

Bill

Thats ok- I found out what the correct one is............ thanks!!!!!!!!!!



Bill

[Skip FIx]

That extra line probably got dropped when I added the dual quads:)

[Phil Reed]

My 63 has a black firewall...................................





























Course, it's a black car!!!!!:rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl