some comments on 1962 SS 409 cars and 1962 convertibles, including 327‘s. I am referring to an original restoration - that sounds like that’s what you want - modifications to original are fine depending on what you want
- All... 62 convertibles have factory all vinyl seats SS & bench seats - all convertibles have/had from the factory “silver “ welt/bead on the covers
- missing the correct 300 HP items -2 &1/2 inch manifolds, 3269 AFB carb and correct intake
- I see errors all the time on restorations of 409 and 327 convertibles - missing or errors things such as: - missing interior chrome on the door and 1/4 panels, power window switches mounted in the wrong place, wrong factory carpet ( tuxedo is correct), missing convertible only items on the door jambs, missing SS items, 409 emblems mounted incorrectly, wrong factory tach, missing chrome buttons on the door panels, rear 1/4 panels or the seats. There is a 62 SS 409 convertible original style restoration ($67,000)in Florida now that has at least 3 of these errors
- mismatched cowl and vin tags or fake SS cars ( I found this a number of times finding 62 Impala SS cars for friends to purchase(they asked me to help find good 1962 SS cars - the cars I reviewed and “that they purchased“ were what I thought they were)
- I just found a high priced 62 SS 327/300 HP convertible in the midwest with mismatched vin and cowl tags -I have know of a very high priced 62 SS 409 convertible for sale with mismatched tags.
- 409 cars missing the one or more of these items- correct 409 fan shroud, wrong 409 only generator, wrong 409 exhaust manifolds, wrong intake, wrong carbs ( Carter afb’s are correct), wrong radiator ( not 409 only), missing screw top master cylinder, missing ballast resistor 409 starter wiring. Again nothing wrong with changes, but you should know what is changed or not original.
- another pet peeve with me is using cheap tape on the SS side trim restoration -- instead of the factory style metal SS swirl inserts
- bolting the bucket seats mounting brackets on top of the new carpet is also incorrect............