1962 Chevrolet Impala SS LS Swapped

What’s better than a scorching Roman Red ’62 Chevy Impala slung low with a modern day drivetrain? How about one with the Super Sport trim package!

Twenty years ago, Frank Armendariz built a 327-powered ’62 and thoroughly enjoyed the car. From its looks to the way it drove, the big Chevy made an impression that stuck with Frank as he traded, sold, and built other cars through the years. In the back of his mind, however, he always planned to have another ’62, and when he found this SS model as a half-finished project, he knew exactly what to do.
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The coveted Super Sport package option, which has been lauded by performance enthusiasts for years, was actually introduced on the 1961 Impala. Since then, Chevrolet has offered SS badging on most of its ’60s and muscle car era cars. The SS namesake was revived in the mid ’80s on the Monte Carlo, followed by the last of the rear-wheel drive Impalas in ’94-’96. It was later added to a big-block pickup, and even in a Trailblazer package and, the Camaro.

Chevrolet launched the Super Sport option in the early-summer of 1961 to help hype up the all new 409c.i. engine. The SS package included special hub caps with a fake knock-off spinner, power steering, power brakes with metallic brake linings, heavy duty shocks and coil springs, along with narrow white wall tires.
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The interior received a 7,000 rpm tach mounted off the steering column and a passenger side grab bar, similar to those found in Corvettes. If the car happened to have a four-speed trans, it received a chrome trim plate around the floor-mounted shifter. In ’61, the car had to be equipped with a 348 or 409 engine to receive the special SS badging, and in the end, less than 450 SS-equipped cars were built — but it certainly set the tone for 1962.

The SS package really caught on in 1962, with more than 90,000 buyers checking off the Regular Production Option 240 (RPO) for a new Impala. The option was available only on the coupe and convertible body styles in ’62, though any engine combination could be used, including an inline six.

For the additional $156, the SS package delivered machine-turned bright-work down the side of the car and deck lid panel, special wheel covers (similar to those on the ’61), and unique SS badging. The interior grab bar was retained, bucket seats were added, and if there was a floor-mounted shifter, it also received special chrome surround.




If you notice on Frank’s Impala, the SS side trim and unique emblems really add some flare to the long Impala. Also new this year was the more formal appearing roof line, rather than the bubble-like flavor of its predecessor (and retained on the ’62 Bel Air). It’s also apparent Frank’s car has foregone the factory spinner-style hub caps for a set of big Coys, for a modern stance and to clear the big CPP disc brakes.

Under the hood, you won’t find a W-motor to sing along with, rather a modern LS1 improved engine that produces 425 Hp, more power than the high-horsepower Z11 package ever did. Frank wanted this car to be able to make long cruises smooth and comfortable, and the Gen III engine, along with a 4L60E, nicely fit the bill.

The interior follows suit with the exterior, in that it’s largely original other than modern amenities, including a set of Dakota Digital gauges, air conditioning, and a custom console. As for the red on red combination, it’s actually original to the car, and the bright interior was brought back to life thanks to Ciadella Interiors.

With more than 50 hot rods rotating through his southern New Mexico garage through the years, the ’62 Impala continues to be one of Frank’s favorites, and after looking at his car through a lens for an afternoon, we tend to agree. The car is built to cruise anywhere at any time, and that’s exactly what Frank and his wife Lori are doing with their Super Sport Impala.