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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 492
Backyard Mechanic
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OP
Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 492 |
Hi Fellas,
Just want to get my facts straight. I believe you could purchase a '62 Impala without the SS package but still get the 409 V-8.
Is this correct?
If so, any production numbers to go with that?
I know there were 15,019 409s in '62. How many were SS vs. Non-SS?
- James
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Willwood Engineering
Wilwood Engineering designs and manufactures high-performance disc brake systems.
Wilwood Engineering, Inc. - 4700 Calle Bolero - Camarillo, CA 93012 - (805) 388-1188
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,699 Likes: 141
ChatMaster - 25,000
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ChatMaster - 25,000
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,699 Likes: 141 |
A 409 engine was available in any series in 1962.The standard engine in an Impala was a 6 cylinder.The SS option was an upgrade of trim only-so it could have a 6 or any of the V8 engines or transmissions.
Gene Schneider
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,142 Likes: 3
ChatMaster - 2,000
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ChatMaster - 2,000
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,142 Likes: 3 |
James, I own a non SS 409 Impala. A real late production car second week of July of 62. It is a 2x4 car with the 425 HP Chevrolet over the counter service package equiptment that was offered on July 1, of 62. Mine is a heater and radio deleate car, but has a padded dash and seatbelts in the front. My father bought it in 72, and I bought it off of him in 1984. It does need to be restored but is rock solid silver blue, 38,000 mile 425HP monster. I have started and stopped with the resto but now I am looking to focus on that one. There were no production numbers as to what body style got what engine, but it is a safe bet that there were not as many Red SS 409 ragtops built then, as we do see now!. The rarest one of the 62 409's is the 380 HP version, I only saw a few of them in my life, and I am going back to when they were used cars. I do remember seeing a seafoam green Belair wagon 380 HP wagon when I was in High School with a three speed, with a real big hitch on the back. There is also some controversy with the production numbers. Some feel that those numbers were foundry production numbers, and that was only the tottal number of blocks cast, so this could really be misleading, also this would acount for the high number produced in 62. There also seems to be no production numbers for the truck 409's so......? Were they part of that 15019? What about the CE or service blocks are they part of that number? Besides the 61 blocks which really are non-existant due to racing attrition,and lack of public access, the 65 blocks are the rarest with a production of 2828, I have had two of these blocks in te past few years,and I picked up one for a fellow member last year, who also owns at least two other 65 blocks(see crossed flags last year in the G&D the numbers article)and just ran into a local street rod guy who just picked one up a few weeks ago and stopped by the house looking for an oil pan. The 62 block seems like it should be plentiful and yetit is very hard to find! Go figure! There was also a long time lag on the blocks from casting to assembly on the 62's that I have noticed. I have one that was cast in January and assembeled in May, the one I my car was late February and assembled in the fourth week of June. This is just something to note if any of you are looking at a "Matching Numbers" restored car. I have never seen this with any other engines of that era, even the 348's. As you can see I can go on and on about these cars! John 348/340HP and 409/409(425HP)
John
1954 Belair Sport Coupe 1960 2 door Impala Hardtop 348/340HP 4spd 1962 2 door Impala Hardtop 409/409 4spd 1962 2 Door Biscayne Sedan 327/250 Auto 1977 Monza Mirage 305 4 Speed 1988 Celebrity Wagon 2018 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Diesel
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