This Is Probably the Last Time You'll Ever See This 1964 Chevrolet Impala SS

It probably won't work, so I'll stick with drooling over tip-top Super Sports looking for new owners at ridiculous prices.

Today's Impala is an opposite find. The car has zero chances of returning to the road, and its only purpose today is to serve as a donor for another project.

Let's start with some context first.

1964 did not bring too many significant changes to the Impala lineup. It all made sense. A new generation was around the corner (it launched in 1965, setting an amazing sales record in the United States), so Chevrolet's priority was to use the 1964 Impala to maintain customers' interest in the nameplate until the new superstar was ready for launch.

It worked. The 1965 Impala became the first car in the United States after World War II whose sales exceeded 1 million units in a single year.

That's an impressive achievement, but it wouldn't have been possible without strong sales in the previous years. The 1964 release had a major contribution.

Except for the new aluminum trim strips, the Impala styling received only subtle touches that even a connoisseur could miss. Chevrolet focused more on engines, where the new offering included lazy, economical, and performance-oriented choices. The GM brand had a little something for everybody, that is.

The 1964 Impala SS that eBay seller f2-15 posted online recently has a similar motto. The car is a wreck, so its only purpose is to serve as a donor, allowing restorers to save other Impalas.

The owner says the car has been sitting for a very long time, which is obvious from the photos. This Impala SS is very rough, and I expect plenty of rust, especially on the undersides. We're not getting a close look at the floors, but potential buyers should try to remove the carpets and check them all, especially on the driver's side. I don't see how this Impala would come with any good news in this regard, but a full inspection is required anyway.

The seller says they have no clue if the engine under the hood is the original unit. They don't even know what engine is in there, though they claim it comes with a 2-barrel carburetor.

The 1964 Impala lineup started with the super-lazy 230 Turbo Thrift. Haters claim it was an awful choice for such a beautiful car, but a six-cylinder made perfect sense for anyone looking for an economical drive to the supermarket. The next in line was the famous Turbo-Fire small-block unit with 195 horsepower (Chevrolet offered this engine only with a 2-barrel carburetor, as the 4-barrel version was no longer available). The optional 327 small-block powerplant was available with 250 or 300 horsepower, while the top-of-the-range version was a 409 with three different power outputs.

The base variant generated 340 horsepower, while the mid-range offering produced 400 horsepower. The top unit offered 425 horsepower and was considered the right choice for the Super Sport.

Unfortunately (or actually fortunately, given its condition), this SS rolled off the assembly lines with a 2-barrel. While the seller did not provide additional information, I believe the unit under the hood was a 283. It's impossible to tell if this is the original engine, but you can inspect everything before committing to a purchase.

The rough shape has turned this Impala SS into a rust bucket, so its only option is to become a donor for other projects. The owner says the car has several usable parts, including the 4-speed transmission, the original shifter, the factory tachometer, the console, and the rear end. Additional parts could get a second chance on another Impala, but only the next owner can decide. The interior looks better, and most of it is still there, including the front seats.

As an Impala fanboy, I'm very disappointed to see a Super Sport in such a horrible shape and, even worse, in a condition beyond restoration. Bringing it back to the road is impossible, and considering it comes without a title, it's a matter of time until the vehicle goes dark once and for all.

The bidding for this once-gorgeous 1964 Impala SS is underway, and the top offer has reached $3,200. I expect the auction to reach $5,000, though someone might be willing to bid more if the engine is still in a good shape. The auction comes without a reserve, so the top bidder will take the car home when the listing expires in approximately six days. If you want to see this Impala in person, you must go to Graham, North Carolina, where the vehicle sits for eternity.