Real 62 Impala SS

[Seon]

Other than removing the grab bar to check if the holes are factory punched, what else can be checked or how can it be verified that it is a real SS?

[jim_ss409]

If the interior code says it had bucket seats it's an SS. Aparently bucket seats were only available as part of the SS option. Here's the 62 trim tag decoder. http://www.348-409.com/trim62.html

[fastcars]

Well, I am just about to walk out the door and buy an "all original" 62 SS Impala for 5k, but I need to know that it is an SS. The trim code is 812 and I cannot find where to decode it. I did look on this website but it didnt have that number listed. Is there somewhere else I can look to find what this trim number means? The ACC is --- 2 EZW SS --- Any help is appreciated, thanks. :help

[JimKwiatkowski]

I found trim code #812 in 1958 has the only 812 :dunno

The original color of your interior is: Green. Material type is: Cloth & Vinyl

[fastcars]

Thanks for the fast reply, How else can I find out if its a true SS?

[bobs409]

My books aren't showing an "812" for 1962. The numbers for 1958 won't help for your '62.

Here's an exerpt from our FAQ page on what to look for on an SS:

1962-Supersport option RPO 240 cost $156.05 and included; bucket seats, front seat console with flip top lid with drink holders for the rear passengers, front passenger assist bar, special wheel covers, side molding inserts, Supersport emblems and a special plate on the console when 4 speed was ordered.

Unlike 1961, any engine could be had in the Supersports of '62, The base engine was either the 170hp 283 or the 135hp Hi thrift six cylinder. From there you could move up to optional engine RPO 300 which was the 250hp 327 for $137.75 (used a WCFB), RPO 397 300hp 327 (used a carter 4bbl), the RPO 580 380hp 409 for $320.65 or RPO 587 409hp 409 for $321.21 (2.20 inch intake valves and larger ports)

All 4 speed 327's and both 409's came with a tachometer mandatory. You could however order the tach seperately for any car for $48.45 (RPO 331)

Check the interior trim codes to help confirm an SS car as the Supersports had their own unique codes due to the buckets and all vinyl interior. (see the interior trim code charts on this site)

[64ss409]

Could the number be 821?? I do that when my bifocals are still in my shirt pocket :)
Ron

[fastcars]

No, its not 821, if i knew how to post a pic here, i would.

[fastcars]

heres a pic of the tag

[64ss409]

My parts book shows an 812 in later years 67-68, but that doesn't help. :dunno

[bobs409]

Seeing is believing so it must just be a number we don't have. :?

Looking at Chevrolet by the numbers, they only list fawn or black interior available with that 948 Honduras Maroon paint for the 1700 & 1800 series. (not sure if you could special order something else or not)

This is interesting though...

[Mr.Jimmy]

Did you do the dumb dumb tail of the fuel line and such? Also for the exhaust brackets too? What did the floor pans look like for factory brackets welded to the pans????

[fastcars]

Thanks for the help guys. I was relyinig on your answers to buy the car. I'm going to go tomorrow instead since its raining here and kinda late. Thanks.

[Super(sport)Man]

Thanks for the help guys. I was relyinig on your answers to buy the car. I'm going to go tomorrow instead since its raining here and kinda late. Thanks.

News is calling for rain tomorrow too..... :doh

[jim_ss409]

Good luck! :cheers By the way I looked it up in the book I've got here too and came up with the same answer as Gearhead. :deal

[bobs409]

Well c'mon guys, lets have the name of those books! :D I'd like to add this number to our collection as long as it's legit.

So you guys say 812 is for black bucket seat interior then?

[gearhead409]

i've not seen it in print but i have two black interior ss 62s unrestored originals. one hard top built in st.louis the 5th week of june with code #812 and one conv. built in flint the 3rd week of march with code #815. that's good enough for me.

[jim_ss409]

I found it in Alan Covin's "By The Numbers 1960-64" :deal

[bjburnout]

Hey Bob

Colvin's books are great reference but expensive. :doh
Just buy one at a time and it isn't so bad.

I also us Cars&Parts Magazine...Catalog of American Car ID Numbers.
These books cover 1950 to 1979.......all makes and models.

Sometimes one book will miss a small item but the other will pick it up. :takethat
I couldn't find 812 in the Catalog book but as Jim said it's in Colvin's. :D

Also the Cars&Parts have a great Chevy engine casting numbers book.

bj :cheers

ps - hey gearhead.......are you signed up for Columbus yet......hoping to take the 61 (348 4 speed) if it's ready..........and maybe the 63 (409) next year :cool:

[bobs409]

I have 4 of Colvins books. 55-59, 60-64, 65-69 and 70-75 but I couldn't find the trim codes when I looked. Must be there somewhere...

I got a good deal when I got mine by buying all 4 at once. (ebay) Paid $80 plus shipping. I think they usually sell for about $30 each?

[gearhead409]

if you mean the good guys, i will be there sat. for one day. i'll keep an eye out for you.

[chevymusclecars]

If anyone has ever has ever received one of the GM restoration packages all the bucket seat trim codes are listed. The only one that you don't have in your reference is 812 which is a Black Bucket seat inteior for Impala but not convertible, the code for the convertible is 815. For some reason the code changes for each body style and color.

[bobs409]

Thanks, I'll have to go add those then. Better take another look at my books too! :D

Bob

[jim_ss409]

Bob, It's in the "By the Numbers" book but it's kind of hard to spot. Look at the chart in the upper right corner of page 31, Then look at the top right corner of the chart, you'll see the word "Black" the code #812 is right below it. You'll also see that it has an asterisk * beside it that shows 812 as being a bucket seat option.

[gearhead409]

i found it in colvin's book just as you said. i hadn't seen it in print before. also i noticed that black wasn't available in a 2dr. std. impala. i learn sonething new everyday about the 62s.

[bobs409]

I didn't catch it either. Even when I went back, it took a while to see them! (could they spare the ink?) :p

I just added 812 to the site. I was also able to add the car type to each of the descriptions for each number by using this book. I'll be going through all the years/codes to be sure there are no other stragglers I left out and to add the extra info to each. ( I did 1962 and 1963 so far but my eyes are going buggy now!) :eek:

I did find one oddity. MSA-1 book lists an 865 code for a 1963 Biscayne, fawn vinyl bench but that one is not listed in Chevrolet by the numbers. :?

Can anyone confirm or deny this one?

[64ss409]

The 865 code is listed in my parts book for 1963, bench seats, fawn imitation leather for models 1111-69 and 1211-69.
Ron

[chevymusclecars]

Everyone looks at Alan Colvins books a the gospel but have you ever looked at the update page for these books and seen all the errors and things left out.

http://www.alancolvin.com/updates.htm

[bobs409]

WOW, great link! I figured there were plenty of mistakes just as anything in print but now I can correct them anyway.


Bob

[bobs409]

Everyone looks at Alan Colvins books a the gospel but have you ever looked at the update page for these books and seen all the errors and things left out.

http://www.alancolvin.com/updates.htm

I must have had luck on my side when I got mine. I checked the corrections on that site and all 4 of my books have them. :clap


My books:
55-59 book - second printing
60-64 book - fourth printing
65-69 book - seventh printing
70-75 book - sixth printing

I guess it pays to buy late. :brow :p