1963 Impala SS 327/300

By Frank Scala

Photography by Jim Knight

I have always been an avid car lover and collector. I have owned Corvettes, Ford retractables, two seater Thunderbirds, street rods, a Chevy Impala convertible (which I wish I still owned today), and a Plymouth Barracuda, but my true love is for Pontiacs.

In mid-summer of 2007 I began my search for a 1967 Pontiac GTO and thought for sure I had found my dream car. In the process I came across this 1963 Chevy Impala SS and I was so impressed with it that I just kept going back to the ad on eBay and looking at it. I checked every detail and just couldn't believe how nice the car was. I even called the owner and spoke with him at some length. He told me he had the car fully restored by Central Florida Auto Body and had since not allowed the car to come out of the garage if there was a chance of rain. I told him I would call him and I'd like to look at the car.

In the meantime my son Philip and I hooked up the trailer and headed out to a little town just outside of Valdosta, Georgia to check out and purchase what I thought was going to be the car of my dreams. Needless to say the Pontiac turned out to be very disappointing and we left Georgia without the car.

On the way back to Clearwater I called the owner of the Chevy, Mr. Anthony Kubelka, and asked if we could stop in Ocala and look at it. He was very accommodating, however, made it clear that if it was raining he would not pull the car out of the garage. Low and behold it started to rain on the way there but by the time we arrived it had stopped. When the car backed out of the garage my son and I were amazed at how beautiful it was. After thoroughly checking it out we paid for it, loaded it in the trailer and brought it home.

Tony gave us all of the bills and step-by-step pictures of the restoration. I have since made sure that all of the hoses and clamps are correct; put the original stickers and stamps in all the correct places, bought bumper guards, new tires and fender skirts. The car has won first place in its class and platinum certificates at the Chevy Classics Winter National in Kissimmee, Florida in 2008 and 2009. No matter where we take the car we enjoy driving it, showing it and talking with other enthusiasts about the car. It's a great trip down memory lane.

Car Facts:
• Super Sport package
• Ember Red exterior – RPO 922
• Power Steering
• Factory tachometer
• 327ci 300 HP engine
• 4-speed transmission
• Dual antennas
• Accessory bumper guards
• Rocker moldings
• Door edge guards