This 1963 Impala Is So Original the GM Crate Engine Doesn't Make Any Sense

The next years brought no change, only witnessing a continuously increasing distance between Chevrolet and its competitors.

1962 pushed GM's sales to a level the company didn't even imagine the previous decade. General Motors controlled over 50% of the market, and if you believe Ford was close, you're very wrong. GM's rival had a market share of approximately 27%, meaning that the Chevrolet parent company was by far the preferred company for new cars in the United States.

This would obviously be fantastic news for any carmaker, but becoming so big produces new responsibilities and concerns for every company, especially in the United States. Total dominance in the automotive market meant every change introduced by General Motors was carefully analyzed by antitrust bodies, as US authorities didn't want a single company to command the automotive space.

As a result, General Motors didn't want the 1963 model year to produce record sales but rather to maintain a steady pace. The company dropped investments in motorsports, albeit GM still wanted its money-making machines, including the Chevy lineup, to remain the leading choice for buyers of all ages and interests.

The company invested heavily in personalization options, and the 1963 Impala was available with 15 exterior colors. Customers ordering the convertible could choose from white, black, and beige tops, and all Impalas came with new standard equipment, including parking brake warning lamps, extended armrests, bright metal side trims, and electric clocks.

The options list also increased in 1963, so customers could order the L33 409 with 340 horsepower (typically a popular choice for customers ordering the Z03 SS option available for $161.40) and a Powerglide transmission. It was the first time the 409 could be paired with this gearbox.

The 1963 Impala in these photos boasts many of the original goodies it left the factory with, but the engine under the hood, despite developing enough power for people particularly interested in performance, might not be everybody's cup of tea.

Posted on eBay by seller flt59, the Impala is described as a "rust-free survivor," though the survivor promise isn't entirely delivered, considering the new engine under the hood.

The Impala wears the original Saddle Tan exterior and saddle interior. It looks great, and I'd verify the "original paint" claims, as I believe the car has already been resprayed. It looks like a professional job, though, and it's hard to find something to complain about – you should still inspect everything in person and, if possible, put the car on a lift to verify the undercarriage.

The interior spoils passengers with original goodies, starting with the dash pad and the headliners and ending with the carpet, the seats, and the headliner. The car also has the original tinted windshield and the chrome.

I've always been a huge fan of original cars, and considering the Impala is my all-time favorite Chevrolet, I absolutely adore unrestored and unaltered examples. I'm not necessarily against restomods, but an Impala powered by the original engine is a genuine head-turning machine.

This 1963 Impala comes with a brand-new GM crate 350 engine with 357 horsepower. The unit is paired with a 700R transmission and comes alongside factory power steering and power brakes. As you can imagine, the drivetrain works flawlessly, so if you don't mind the new engine under the hood, there's little to complain about on this front.

Modern systems don't always fit a classic car, but the Impala has always been considered a perfect model for custom suspension systems. This is the reason this 1963 example sports a computer-controlled air ride suspension.

If I can live with a GM crate engine and an air ride suspension, the next part shouldn't be there on a classic Impala. The owner installed a hidden Bluetooth stereo system with a subwoofer and an amplifier, so if you enjoy listening to your favorite tunes while cruising in a classic car, this Impala might be the right choice. You'll probably miss the engine roar, which I find significantly more pleasant than the sound of music behind the wheel of an automotive icon, but the Bluetooth system is probably a welcome addition for music aficionados.

The car sells with the original window sticker and the owner's guide.

As you can imagine, an Impala in nearly tip-top shape can't sell cheaply, especially when coming with so many original goodies. The GM crate engine also increases its value (albeit an original mill would have made the car more desirable, especially if it was the L33). However, the selling price is a mystery, as the online auction comes with a reserve. The top offer is $15,100, but the reserve is still in place, with six days remaining until the fight ends.

The car can be found in Pleasanton, California.