1963 Chevrolet Impala SS

With crisp new "Jet Smooth" styling and the most powerful V-8s in Chevy history, the big 1963 Chevrolet Impala SS was hard to beat. Still is, in fact -- especially the hot-looking droptop convertible.

The 1963 Chevrolet Impala SS featured crisp styling and racy touches. See more pictures of classic cars.

Detroit's Big Three swore off racing in 1957, largely under pressure from the "safety lobby," yet within a few years they were back at it, sneaking special parts and low-key technical support to all manner of drivers and mechanics -- unofficially, of course. Chevrolet was more active than most makes, and in 1961 it came out of the closet with a new SS package that added bucket seats, shift console, and other racy touches to the lush Impala convertible and hardtop coupe. At the same time, Chevy introduced its biggest V-8 yet, a 409 with 360 horsepower. The result was a legendary performer that cast a glow over the entire Chevy line.

The 1963 Chevrolet Impala SS interior boasted bucket seats and shift console.

The SS proved popular and immediately became an Impala sub-series. Enhancing its appeal for 1963 was Chevrolet's new "Jet Smooth" big-car styling, a crisp, broad-shouldered look that helped SS sales soar beyond 153,000. The SS convertible started at $3186 with an available 250-horsepower 327 V-8. Optional small-blocks offered up to 340 horses, and the "real fine" 409 big-block packed 340 to 425 depending on your courage and budget. Manual four-on-the-floor was available too, but a '63 SS in any form was a great way to go. Still is.

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