Verne Frantz 1963 Anniversary Gold Impala For Sale On Bring A Trailer

[bb767]

Hello everyone, I hope this post doesn't conflict with the forum guide lines. It will be of interest to forum members. This concerns a former forum member, Verne_Frantz who many of you knew and who passed away unexpectedly in 2021. Verne was a highly respected and knowledgeable member here. Verne was the owner of a remarkable all original, including factory paint, 1963 Anniversary Gold Impala.

This car will be auctioned off in a No Reserve auction shortly on Bring A Trailer. Many of you, especially those on the east coast, might be familiar with this car and those of you here on this forum knew Verne. He's been gone about 2 1/2 years now and we are all the poorer for it. The car now has just under 80,000 documented miles and has all past ownership documents that will go with the car. Verne was the 4th owner and it is still titled in his name. He owned the car for 27 years. Once the auction starts I'll be back with a link to it. 100% of the proceeds from the auction go directly to Verne's wife. I hope this post meets with the forum guide lines and approval. Thank you.

Thomas

[BJCHEV396]

Good luck with the sale Thomas.I dealt with Verne a few times and he was very knowledgeable and a straight shooter.

[Charley Lillard]

Thanks for telling us. Verne was the go to guy for those old Impalas.

[Xplantdad]

Thanks for telling us. Verne was the go to guy for those old Impalas.


His knowledge was incredible!:headbang:

[dustinm]

This tugs a string with me. My dad(still alive) has had an anniversary gold 63SS around since 1985. One of the first cars I drove..

[Steve Shauger]

Verne was well respected and willing help and educate us on the cars he was so knowledgeable and passionate on. He was also a member of the Vintage Certification team.

We have an ultra low 5k mile Impala SS for Vintage Certification that he would be all over and in his element.

[Lynn]

I rarely log on to this site without thinking of Verne. We spoke by phone and communicated via PM and email. Never got to meet him face to face.

He was a great resource when I was drafting the Oklahoma law regarding trim tags.

I agree, Thomas, "...we are all the poorer..." as a result of losing Verne.

[Xplantdad]

Verne (on the left) and Paul Martin on the right) at MCACN in 2014 in the vintage certification area.


I miss Verne....


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v645/xplantdad/MCACN2014/Sunday%20at%20MCACN/tn_DSC_0141_zps4d08a5c4.jpg

[WILMASBOYL78]

I had the good fortune to share a swap meet spot at GM Carlisle with Verne back in 2009...we had a great time.

He was a true 'car guy'....

-wilma

[bb767]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Wonderful memories! Verne was very truly a unique individual. I met him around 2003 and shorty thereafter I would go to his shop about 4 times a month for an afternoon and evening, working on various projects with him. I got to do that for about 10 years before I retired and stopped being based at EWR airport. ( I was an international pilot for Continental Airlines) In that time I really got to know him well. I rapidly concluded he would forget more than I will ever know about full size Chevy's, especially 409 cars. We both agreed that what goes on in the shop, stays in the shop. We had so much fun working together out there!

Here's a picture I took of him in 2007 when we rolled one of his 62' 409 cars out of the shop to do some work. I really had to work hard to persuade him to pose for me. He never liked this picture but it's one of my favorites.

Anyway, Verne asked me to be the person to direct the selling of all his various cars and huge hoard of parts after his passing so Janet wouldn't be bothered with it. As such, his '63 Impala is the first to go. I think BAT will be a good venue to sell it. I've uploaded close to 200 pictures of it that will appear in the auction. BAT tells me the auction could go live anytime now. Once it does, I'll post a link to the auction. There's a reason Verne owned it for 27 years, it's a sweetheart of a car. I'm confident it will do well and the new owner will not be disappointed. Thanks again everyone for a nice trip down memory with Verne.

Thomas

[Mr70]

Back when I bought the lighted MOTiON sign from Verne in 2004,he asked that I spend more than 1 day with him.As he wanted to show me all of his cars & parts he had collected.I wish I spent the week,as his stories & collection were incredible,and his wife never stopped cooking either.. :)

[RPOLS3]

Verne was one of the the most unselfish people I have met in the hobby. He was always willing to share his vast knowledge of these cars with those that were interested. He was a tremendous help to us in making corrections to our 409 over the years. I spoke with him briefly in person at the show when he coordinated the 409 Invitational at MCACN but corresponded regularly via e-mail over the years. Another great loss to the hobby. Thank you for helping take care of his car stuff for his wife - not always an easy or fun task.

[bb767]

The auction for Verne's 1963 Impala is now live on BAT. Here is a link to it:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1963-chevrole t-i...

It's a 7 day No Reserve auction ending May 31 in the afternoon. For those unfamiliar with Bring A Trailer auctions, any bid placed in the last 2 minutes of the auction extends the auction by 2 additional minutes. There is no sniping of auctions possible. That is a very fair way to conduct an auction I think.

Anyway, take a look and feel free to add a comment or two. Especially if you knew Verne and or the car. Verne was special and so is this car. Thank you everyone.

Thomas

[njsteve]

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1963-chevrolet-impala-31/

[Lynn]

I am high bidder, but know I won't be for long.

[njsteve]

Sold for $41,305.

[Lynn]

Glad it brought some decent money.

[BJCHEV396]

Yup,well sold.

[bb767]

Next up for auction later this year, Verne had 2 - 1962 Impala Super Sports. Both are 409, 4 speed cars. I'll post a heads up when I get them on BAT.

Thanks everyone for all the positive comments. Verne is missed by us all.

Thomas

[luzl78]

i love that convertible!

[TAR6569]

Verne was well respected and willing help and educate us on the cars he was so knowledgeable and passionate on. He was also a member of the Vintage Certification team.

We have an ultra low 5k mile Impala SS for Vintage Certification that he would be all over and in his element.

What year?