|
This car has had an extensive "Frame Off" restoration, and there is no rust anywhere on this car. It has a 327 V8
motor, Automatic Transmission (cast iron 2 speed Powerglide) and Power Steering.
After the body was removed from the frame, the frame, entire body and all body panels, hood, trunk lid, doors,
and many small parts were all media blasted. The frame and suspension parts were painted black with epoxy primer.
The body and all body parts were sprayed with self etching primer, and then it went to the welding shop for all the
metal repair including floor pans, trunk pans, and many other panel repairs. From there it went to the paint shop,
finish body work was completed and then painted, and then finally back to me for re-assembly. I have been at this
hobby for some time, and this car is the best one I have ever done. The car runs great, everything works and needs
nothing to be thoroughly enjoyed right now.
This car is a real SS, (Trim # on trim tag is 821) but I restored this car with some minor cosmetic changes that
represent the way I always thought a 62 Impala SS Convertible should look. That is why I call it a mild custom.
While I was at a car show some time ago, side by side there was a 62 Impala Convertible, and a 62 Belair 2 door. I
noticed how much better I thought the Belair looked with the tail lights just sitting in the paint, rather than
having that large aluminum tail pan. I also thought the dashboard looked better in the Belair, with its gauges just
sitting in the paint, rather than having that aluminum trim piece that normally goes behind the gauges. (I also
added the Belair thin dash trim that goes under the gauges.) Also, in 1962, the Impala had the Hot/Cold temperature
lights instead of a gauge, but I installed an actual temperature gauge that came stock in the 1961 Impala.
The aluminum trim that runs along the side of the car has red inserts, rather than the SS silver inserts.
The car has been painted with urethane base coat / clear coat, (the best), and the color is 2010 Hyundai Cotton
White, (a nice vintage white for a nice vintage convertible). If your curious you can go to a Hyundai dealer and
see the color on a car. The dash, and all the red metal parts have been painted 2010 Ford Bright Red (code E-4).
When I ordered the new interior, I told them not to put in that ugly silver piping that comes on the SS seat
covers, red piping is there instead. The car has new tuxedo carpet and new door panels and nice red seat belts,
front and rear. I have installed a nice set of vintage 14 inch Crager Mags, which look much better than the 1962
wheel covers. The results are what you see in the photos. I know this is my opinion, but the car looks absolutely
incredible. It has all the beauty of a stock 62 SS convertible, but this one looks even better. Nicest looking 62
SS convertible around.
The motor is a re-built (pistons .030 over) 327 V8, and the transmission is a rebuilt cast iron powerglide.
The rear end is a rebuilt open carrier 3:08 ratio. Great for cruising. All the suspension bushings have been
replaced, and there are new rear springs. New gas tank. All new braking components, lines, hoses, wheel cylinders,
shoes, drums turned and a dual line master cylinder for extra safety. The brakes work excellent and the car does
not pull to either side when the brakes are applied. An external transmission cooler has been installed. All new
single exhaust. A rebuilt Rochester 2 barrell carburetor gives this car great drivability and fuel economy. It goes
down the road very smooth and quiet, no hesitation, and when you stop at a red light you would not think there is a
motor in the car. Power steering works excellent. even the radio works, with both front and rear speakers. The top
is new, with new hydraulic cylinders, but the top has some wrinkles from being in the down position most the time.
All new weather-stripping. The car has a new red parade boot as well. I installed a new self regulating alternator,
but a nice generator and new voltage regulator come with the car, and if you like I can re-install these if you
want to bring the charging system back to original.
The car is not perfect, the bumpers are of good driver quality and there are a couple of very minor dings in the
p
|
|
