Verne Frantz's 63 Impala Anniversary SURVIVOR

[Belair62]

Amazing how intact this car is....I'll resize the photos when I figure out how !!!

[hvychev]

Very Cool! I dig any survivors!

[Belair62]

Some interesting stuff there...I have a shot of the frame with the VIN still crayoned on it but it won't post...

[Mr70]

Verrrrrrrrrrry good pictures of this Car.

[Seattle Sam]

Over forty, and she looks fabulous!
-Sam

[Don_Lightfoot]

What a gorgeous car, love the color

By the way Bob, you better watch your backside when using that "survivor" tag or you may get some kind of legal letter from a certain group of lawyers

[JoeG]

I could look at this car all day---Very Nice Verne--

[Verne_Frantz]

Thanks guys,

I've been working with Belair, trying to get the other photos to work. They were all sent in the same format.
To do the feature justice, I wish I had more pics to share. The tie rod ends, spindles and
coil springs still show the factory paint daubs. The steam cleaning (someone) gave
the engine revealed an "S" crayoned on the front of the cylinder head (signifies 250hp
with Powerglide as on the deck stamp). The engine compartment "black out" treatment is
still there where paint was wiped down the steering shaft and the top of the box, also
the rear face of the rear axle housing and panard bar got the same treatment. This black-out is what shows in the photo of the rear of the trunk floor. I believe it was done with a swipe of a mit. This prevented a rear view of the car from showing primer under the rear bumper.
Little things like wax crayon markings on electrical connectors, and paper tags on wiring
harnesses are there. Believe it or not, I even found a paper label still stuck to the
outside of one of the rear brake drums with the 2-letter rear code. That's how the axle
assemblies were identified on the pallet and matched to the car's build sheet.
When I checked out the car in Ind. before purchase, I tried the rear speaker fader and
the speaker didn't work. That was the only thing that didn't function perfectly. When
I got home, I pulled the rear seat cushion, and I found the speaker wire just hanging there.
It had never been plugged onto the speaker!. So I finished the assembly of the car
(roughly 30 years late) and my "new" speaker came to life for the first time!
I really do appreciate owning and driving this car. I've learned a lot from it too.

The digital photos of the engine compartment make it appear as though the alternator and P/B booster have been restored, but they were not. The original alternator was rebuilt due to a bearing squeal that developed, but not bead blasted or painted. The booster still has it's original finish, with a little oxidation and a lime green paint daub.
Ms. Essie must have been the perverbial "little 'ol lady". She was a light weight, as evidenced by the firm seat cushions, and she was from a time when women wore gloves when they went out, hench no scratches or ring marks on the steering wheel. I'm guessing the accessory Chevrolet rubber floor mats were there from new, since there is absolutely no wear at all on the carpet.

This car is not perfect, by any means; it has a small share of parking lot dings and grime here and there, but in my opinion, this is one car that should never, ever be restored - only maintained. And as far as I'm concerned, the Bloomington Gold/Meecum cry-babies (who want private rights to the English language) can go pound sand. Perhaps their fiberglass-rimmed tunnel vision glasses are distorting Webster's definitions, but to my eyes, this car is a survivor.

Verne

[Casey Marks]

[ QUOTE ]
....And as far as I'm concerned, the Bloomington Gold/Meecum cry-babies (who want private rights to the English language) can go pound sand....

[/ QUOTE ]

PREACH IT Brutha !

I couldn't agree more Verne !

It's only original once. Yours is a true SURVIVOR, and gorgeous !!

[moparts]

Neat car....It is very possible that my dad painted that car. Depending on what shift the car was built and which one my dad was working at the time.