1962 Impala with 409 vs without

[AK-Guy]

I'm curious as to whether there is a price difference between a 1962 Impala (non-SS) body and frame that originally came with a 409 vice one that came with a 327 or 283? The car currently does not have it's original engine or tranny. I have a 409 to drop into it should I purchase it. I know there is a huge price difference between a 62 SS vice a 62 regular impala, but was wondering about a non-SS impala that originally had a 409.

 

[Mr. Chev]

Which would you rather have and that should answer your question.

 

[Ishiftem]

There would be if you could prove the body was an original 409 car.

 

[pvs409]

Very little difference between a 1962 327/300 HP factory 4 speed car
and a 1962 409 - 380 HP or 409 HP factory 4 speed car.

without the original window sticker with the 409 motor on the window sticker matching the serial number on the car,
there is only one item or 2 items if they are left on the car body to confirm a 409 car.
Paul

 

[327]

 

[Carmine]

Very little difference between a 1962 327/300 HP factory 4 speed car
and a 1962 409 - 380 HP or 409 HP factory 4 speed car.

without the original window sticker with the 409 motor on the window sticker matching the serial number on the car,
there is only one item or 2 items if they are left on the car body to confirm a 409 car.
Paul

Good to know. I would have thought the 409 car would be much more expensive in comparison to the 327/300, Carmine.

 

[our1962]

Carmine he's referencing vehicle differences not values as the 62 only show's it was a V8 with the 1847 VIN, today the value of a 62 with a 327 vs 409 the 409 is 10K+ in value but there are 62 small block V8 cars that bring good money if clean and pristine condition.

 

[425/409ER]

I always thought the 409 cars came with the return fuel line on them. All the 61-64's I had that were non-409 cars never had that line on them.

 

[scott hall]

Return started in 63

 

[AK-Guy]

Very little difference between a 1962 327/300 HP factory 4 speed car
and a 1962 409 - 380 HP or 409 HP factory 4 speed car.

without the original window sticker with the 409 motor on the window sticker matching the serial number on the car,
there is only one item or 2 items if they are left on the car body to confirm a 409 car.
Paul

So what are the differences? 425/409ER mentioned the return fuel line as one way to tell it was a 409. I was told screw holes on the steering column as one, but I didn't put much faith in that comment as I would think a 327, 4-speed could be ordered with a tach. This car has original patina, and is a second owner car. The front fenders look original and have 409 emblems below the flags.

 

[AK-Guy]

Carmine he's referencing vehicle differences not values as the 62 only show's it was a V8 with the 1847 VIN, today the value of a 62 with a 327 vs 409 the 409 is 10K+ in value but there are 62 small block V8 cars that bring good money if clean and pristine condition.

Actually, what I am asking is a 409 body and frame worth any more than a standard Impala (body and frame) if I am purchasing the car with no motor? I have 3 409 motors that I could drop into the car after being restored: true it is not an original engine and numbers matching car. Or are the bodies worth about the same? I know rust (or lack of rust), options, and original condition drive the cost. But does the fact it originally came with a 409 factor into the price of the body/frame. I am looking for a nice, restorable car (relative term) to put a 409 into and have fun driving it.

 

[Jim Sullivan]

I'm going to say that a body is a body, unless actual documentation comes with it. If there is documentation that proves a 409 came in the car that the body is from, it might be worth the same or very little more since the rest of the car is not with the body.

 

[our1962]

Actually, what I am asking is a 409 body and frame worth any more than a standard Impala (body and frame) if I am purchasing the car with no motor? I have 3 409 motors that I could drop into the car after being restored: true it is not an original engine and numbers matching car. Or are the bodies worth about the same? I know rust (or lack of rust), options, and original condition drive the cost. But does the fact it originally came with a 409 factor into the price of the body/frame. I am looking for a nice, restorable car (relative term) to put a 409 into and have fun driving it.

The same as Jim quoted it's a Impala 1847 it's worth what you want to pay for the car.

It is going too be worth 10K+ once you add the 409 vs. a small block.

 

[pvs409]

So what are the differences? 425/409ER mentioned the return fuel line as one way to tell it was a 409. I was told screw holes on the steering column as one, but I didn't put much faith in that comment as I would think a 327, 4-speed could be ordered with a tach. This car has original patina, and is a second owner car. The front fenders look original and have 409 emblems below the flags.

No return line to the gas tank from the engine on 1962 factory 409 cars (return lines started on 1963 factory 409 cars

All 1962 409 cars where factory 4 speed cars with a black metal tunnel cover over the large rectangular factory cut hole in tunnel) -
factory 1962 4 speed 327 cars also came with this tunnel cover
409 car has to have factory 4 speed column -not a converted or non modified PG or 3 speed column

As you noted factory tach drilled holes (1961 & 1962) in the "factory 4 speed steering column" to mount the tach head and the drivers inner fender (for sending unit ) -on all 409 cars and also on 1962 327-300 HP cars with factory tach -(firewall hole for rubber grommet for factory tach wiring harness on factory tach cars in 1962)

Starter wiring harness is different on factory 409 cars (ballast resistor in harness) -if car has original starter harness still hanging on the car ??
Fenders with 409 emblems under flags -if mounted correctly close to flags ( I see cars with 409 emblems not mounted correctly as the factory did)

All 409 cars had 3/8 inch gas line around the passenger shock tower under the upper A frame (also factory 1962 327 -250 HP and 300 HP cars came with the 3/8 fuel line under the upper A frame) - (factory 283 & 6 cylinder cars had different gas line routing & size... along the frame.)

If you put a 409 motor in a original 409 car your best option is a 1962 - 8068 409 block and 690 big port heads (no 340 HP motors with small 409 heads in 1962 and no factory powerglide on 409 cars in 1962.

Does the car have the original radiator ? 1962 factory 409 cars had a separate designed Harrison radiator with special stamps in the top tank

Paul

 

[our1962]

If it has a back seat there could be a build sheet under the seats.

 

[Impalaguru]

No return line to the gas tank from the engine on 1962 factory 409 cars (return lines started on 1963 factory 409 cars

All 1962 409 cars where factory 4 speed cars with a black metal tunnel cover over the large rectangular factory cut hole in tunnel) -
factory 1962 4 speed 327 cars also came with this tunnel cover
409 car has to have factory 4 speed column -not a converted or non modified PG or 3 speed column

As you noted factory tach drilled holes (1961 & 1962) in the "factory 4 speed steering column" to mount the tach head and the drivers inner fender (for sending unit ) -on all 409 cars and also on 1962 327-300 HP cars with factory tach -(firewall hole for rubber grommet for factory tach wiring harness on factory tach cars in 1962)

Starter wiring harness is different on factory 409 cars (ballast resistor in harness) -if car has original starter harness still hanging on the car ??
Fenders with 409 emblems under flags -if mounted correctly close to flags ( I see cars with 409 emblems not mounted correctly as the factory did)

All 409 cars had 3/8 inch gas line around the passenger shock tower under the upper A frame (also factory 1962 327 -250 HP and 300 HP cars came with the 3/8 fuel line under the upper A frame) - (factory 283 & 6 cylinder cars had different gas line routing & size... along the frame.)

If you put a 409 motor in a original 409 car your best option is a 1962 - 8068 409 block and 690 big port heads (no 340 HP motors with small 409 heads in 1962 and no factory powerglide on 409 cars in 1962.

Does the car have the original radiator ? 1962 factory 409 cars had a separate designed Harrison radiator with special stamps in the top tank

Paul

A number of years ago, Jody Anderson showed me pictures of an unrestored, '62 SS convertible that was a factory 380hp 409 with a 3 speed.

 

[327]

With a 3 speed. ???

 

[Impalaguru]

No return line to the gas tank from the engine on 1962 factory 409 cars (return lines started on 1963 factory 409 cars

All 1962 409 cars where factory 4 speed cars with a black metal tunnel cover over the large rectangular factory cut hole in tunnel) -
factory 1962 4 speed 327 cars also came with this tunnel cover
409 car has to have factory 4 speed column -not a converted or non modified PG or 3 speed column

As you noted factory tach drilled holes (1961 & 1962) in the "factory 4 speed steering column" to mount the tach head and the drivers inner fender (for sending unit ) -on all 409 cars and also on 1962 327-300 HP cars with factory tach -(firewall hole for rubber grommet for factory tach wiring harness on factory tach cars in 1962)

Starter wiring harness is different on factory 409 cars (ballast resistor in harness) -if car has original starter harness still hanging on the car ??
Fenders with 409 emblems under flags -if mounted correctly close to flags ( I see cars with 409 emblems not mounted correctly as the factory did)

All 409 cars had 3/8 inch gas line around the passenger shock tower under the upper A frame (also factory 1962 327 -250 HP and 300 HP cars came with the 3/8 fuel line under the upper A frame) - (factory 283 & 6 cylinder cars had different gas line routing & size... along the frame.)

If you put a 409 motor in a original 409 car your best option is a 1962 - 8068 409 block and 690 big port heads (no 340 HP motors with small 409 heads in 1962 and no factory powerglide on 409 cars in 1962.

Does the car have the original radiator ? 1962 factory 409 cars had a separate designed Harrison radiator with special stamps in the top tank

Paul

A number of years ago, Jody Anderson showed me pictures of a '62 SS convertible that was a factory 380hp 409 with a 3 speed. There's also the 62 Impala 4dr sedan that Don Fezel had. It was a dual- quad 3-speed.

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/409-and-the-art-of-compromise-1962-chevrolet-impala

 

[327]

In 1962 the 409 came with a 4 speed . no other trans was used.

 

[Impalaguru]

Check out the Hemmings article above. A factory, 409hp, 3-speed, Impala 4dr sedan.