1962 Lightwaight

[Jack_Tar]

http://www.mecum.com/auctions/lot_detail...ign=SC0512_F324

Does anyone know how many of these were built?

[old5.0]

I thought all the aluminum nose 62s were supposed to be Impala 2dr hardtops? I think the truth is that no one knows. I've heard people claim 50 factory installations, others claim 5, and others claim none, dealer installed only. I don't believe any 62 was ever equipped from the factory with the special engine pieces.

On a side note, that car is too perfect. The most desirable body style in (arguably) the most desirable color combo, with the most desirable options? That alone would make me very cautious.

[markjohnson]

The general consensus is 20 assembly-line built Impalas and perhaps a dozen or so over-the-counter sets of aluminum fronts in 1962. This car looks to be missing the aluminum inner fenders and has head studs instead of bolts. I'm not saying it's not real, but they're even claiming it to be the original numbers-matching block which would be mind-boggling rare in a 50-year old factory race car. Potential buyers should do some serious homework on the car.

[Fast67VelleN2O]

Real or not... I'm drooling! HOLY HELL! Goregeous car, bubbletop, the right colors, delete everything, and has a Z11 to boot! Wish I had the scratch, I would buy it!

[mockingbird812]

For what it is worth, in '62 NHRA created a new class of <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Super Super/Stock </span></span>which was to include the fastest stock class with drivetrains that were delivered from the factory - not over the counter add-ons. In earlier years, over-the-counter add ons were allowed to compete in the top stock class. Mopar's Maximum Performance Engine packages (Max Wedge) cars were developed specifically to compete in the new SS/S class.

[Plowman]

Aluminum patrs,Dave Strickler 62 BelAir,Don Nicholson's BelAir,Bill&quot;Grumpy&quot;Jenkins alternat between steel and alumninum noses. Later in the season,he received a Factory Lightweight Impala. Just some stuff.

[RPOLS3]

Looks waaaay too nice to be unrestored to me.......even with only 500 or so miles on it as claimed.

Real or not it is a nice car and a cool combination of colors/options.

Jake

[old5.0]

Grump claimed 50 were built, and Old Reliable III was one of the first. The Zintsmaster Chevrolet car is supposedly a factory build... A lot not known about these.

[Jack_Tar]

I posted this largely because I wanted to know how many there were, but also to get the comments going as to the condition of this &quot;Unrestored&quot; 1962 car. If it is truly unrestored, it is the best looking car to ever come out of the factory in 1962. It is in such good condition that I would say it would have never even been raced and was sealed in a climate controlled garage since new. I don't think anyone had A/C in the garage in the 60's. Most people didn't even have it in the house yet. From the looks of it, that black car hasn't spent much time in the heat. If that car is unrestored and in that condition, I would say that it is the only one on the planet. I do not know the car or consignor or any thing about it for that matter. I am just awe struck by the condition and the clame of originality. It seems to be an awesome car.

[Verne_Frantz]

Yes, there is not a lot known about the lightweight Impalas. Lots of rumors and even some inaccurate information from very respected individuals. I am aware of 4 real factory built cars, and a few more that received the aluminum over the counter. There is NO proof that any aluminum left the factory on a Belair though. There is no proof that any '62 left the factory with Z-11 top end parts. Those parts didn't receive Chevy casting numbers until they were used on the 50 '63 Z-11s. Prior to that they were all &quot;zero-dash&quot; parts and funnelled to certain racers. The light weight '62 Impalas were specifically built to compete in B/FX and were delivered with stock 409hp 409s. That's the way the Zintsmaster car was delivered until the current owner added the Z-11 top pieces.
I'm familiar with the car in question and that's the way the owner decided to build it. &quot;Unrestored&quot;................. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/haha.gif[/img]

Verne [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]