As you see from my website banner and perhaps read in my first blog, I own a 1962 Impala four door sedan. The motor is a 283ci with a manual three speed transmission with a column shift – three on the tree! My first blog was about how we came to be united so this blog will about the few things I’ve done to it and my plans future plans for it
   | There were a stack of receipts that came with it when I got it. The previous owner (PO) had done a bunch of stuff to clean up the engine bay and had new exhaust put on it. He had done a really good job with the engine bay which I really liked because I am not the most detailed person, haha. The new exhaust was another thing I really liked already being done too, but I’ve had to make some tweaks to it after I lowered it. Also, I will have to fix the front sections of the exhaust on both sides because they hit occasionally after I lowered it. Life is rough as a low rider in the country. There were air shocks on the rear which has come in handy a time or two. The paint is in pretty good shape seeing how it’s probably original and has some really nice patina. The fenders and hood are a tad brighter so I am sure there was some front end damage repaired at some point in its life. The PO also installed an Edlebrock intake manifold and carb, but the original manifold and one barrel carb came with it. |
The first thing I HAD to do was lower it! You can see in the pic above that it had some serious ground clearance! There are lowering springs and drop spindles out there for it, but I did it the traditional way –cutting the springs. Two full coils at each corner were cut off. I really didn’t measure so I can’t tell you for sure but I think it was about 4”. This gave it a look of “gangster elegance”. After lowering it, I did run into some exhaust clearance issues with the tires and ground which I have partially fixed but will require some more attention, but who CARES! It looks pretty tough! The stance change was the best thing I have done to it to date.
The second thing I HAD to do was to get new tires. It came with Goodyear Tiempo all the way around which looked BRAND NEW treadwise but had some very minor dry rot cracking. Through some research, I found out that the Tiempo was Goodyear’s FIRST all season tire introduced in 1977! The car was purchased about 3 hours from home and drove back without issue. Through a series of trips and mishaps, I ended up with four brand new Hankook Optimo h724 tires. That was stressful stretch of time cause I really did not expect to or plan for buying new tires, but all worked out. Ideally, I would have got some wide white walls, but man they are expensive! Maybe next time.
The third thing that I HAD to do which was during the previous two was install rear seatbelts. I don’t mind not having them for the front but wanted them for the little ones for sure.
| During the lowering of it and issues with the tires, I removed the SS hubcaps that came with it. I tried them black but thought the white wheels seemed to fit the look. Once I picked up the trim rings and spider caps, the look came together. I was able to pick up some skirts which I will eventually figure out how to match to the paint. The paint has pretty good patina right now and painting it would take some money not in the budget so that is not really on the table right now. However, I have thought doing a candy and/or lace roof in pure white and laying down a heavy silver flake, and then possibly some pinstriping at select areas on the body. There isn’t much more to the exterior I’d like to do. |   |
The interior is probably where I’d spend some money. It already is in great shape but could use some sprucing up. The high traffic areas like the front kick panels and carpet is where its age is evident. There are some other little things here and there that could use some replacing or refinishing too. At some point I’m going to want some tunes, but I’m still trying to figure out what I want to do. The idea of getting my AM radio reworded to have FM and to accept modern musical devices sounds great but is WAY too expensive. My cousin has a rechargeable, portable BOSE unit that he brings to show and cruise-ins which I really like. So, we’ll see.
The next place I will spend money on it at this point will be upgrading the brakes and upgrading the ignition. The brakes have a single reservoir and are drum, obviously. I probably will not change to front discs, but I’d like to pick up a dual reservoir master cylinder and booster from a late 60’s Chevy something. I have not put many miles on it really and the points have not given me any problems, but I like the idea of an electronic ignition. I’ve used the Pertronix before with pretty good luck. I’m still figuring out and researching my options. STAY TUNED to find out!
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