1963 Chevrolet Full Size Cars Fact Sheet

Chevrolet decided to respond to increased pressure from competition with a complete RPO package – and a special 427 CID version of the W-Series 409 engine was developed. It was a stroked version of the 409 and available in the 1963 Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupe ordered under Chevrolet RPO number “Z11”. The engine was rated at 430 HP @ 6000 RPM. Learn about it HERE.

The Bel Air was Chevrolet’s mid-priced line. Standard equipment included all Biscayne features: heater and defroster, dual sun visors, crank operated ventipanes (small vent windows at the front of the front windows) , directional signals, parallel action windshield wipers, front door arm rests, ash tray, and coat hooks. However extra quality interior appointments were added: foam front and rear seats, color keyed carpeting, foam backed luggage compartment mat and a line-specific steering wheel hub. Interiors were higher grade cloth and vinyl combinations.

A full-length upper body side molding was used with “Bel Air” in script appearing on the rear fenders just below it. A stainless bright gutter cap molding was another Bel Air feature. Like the Biscayne, four taillights, arranged two on each side, were seen. A bright rear cove molding added a touch of distinction. Like the Biscayne, the line was trimmed with no 4-door sport sedan offered. Only the 2- and 4-door sedans were offered. The station wagon was available in 6- and 9-passenger versions. Bel Airs still treated the I-6 and V-8 equipped cars as separate models.

Chevrolet’s plushest line had the standard equipment found on Biscayne and Bel Air, plus bright aluminum front seat end panels, patterned cloth and leather grained vinyl upholstery (color coordinated), extra thick foam seat cushions, tufted grain and cobble pattern vinyl door and side panels, paddle type arm rests with lift-up door releases, bright metal rear view mirror backing, added insulation and foam backed trunk mats. A specific Sports style steering wheel with half-circle, thumb control horn ring was used. Other extras included electric clock, parking brake warning lamp, glove box lamp, bright metal, textured, instrument cluster accents. The steering wheel had duotone finish on cars with Fawn, Aqua, Green and Blue interiors.

Exterior body side trim included front fender accent bars, stainless steel belt moldings with stainless steel drip caps (except on convertible), a full-length lower body molding with colored insert and “Impala” lettering on the rear quarter section. An Impala emblem appeared high on rear fenders. The rear cove a satin aluminum finish and was trimmed by bright metal outline moldings. The trademark triple unit taillight groups were in palce and incorporated built-in backup lamps.

The 1963 Super Sport equipment package was expanded this season. It now included swirl pattern side molding inserts; matching cove inserts; red-filled ‘SS’ overlays for rear fender Impala emblems; specific full wheel covers.  on the interior, all-vinyl front bucket seats were fitted along with a center console with locking storage compartment when either Powerglide or four-speed manual transmission were ordered. The Super Sport dashboard was trimmed with bright, swirl pattern inserts, and a “SS” steering wheel center hus was fitted.

Turbo-Fire 283 V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 283 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.875 x 3.00 inches. Compression ratio: 9.25:1. Horsepower: 195 @ 4800 RPM. Torque: 285 @ 2400RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: (includes ramp) Intake (300°) 250°, Exhaust (300°) 250°, Valve Lift: 0.3987″. Carburetor: Rochester 2GC two barrel: SMT 7023007, AMT w/AC 7023018; AMT 7023008.

Turbo-Fire 327 V-8. (RPO L30) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 327 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.00 x 3.25 inches. Compression ratio: 10.5:1. Horsepower: 250 @ 4400 RPM. Torque: 350 @ 2800RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration (Includes ramps): Intake: (300°) 250°, Exhaust: (300°) 250°, Lift: Intake 0.3987″, Exhaust 0.3987″. Overlap 78°. Carburetor: Rochester four barrel AMT w/AC 7023012; AMT 7023006, Carter AFB 3461.

Turbo-Fire 327 V-8. (RPO L74) Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 327 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.00 x 3.25 inches. Compression ratio: 10.5:1. Horsepower: 250 @ 4400 RPM. Torque: 350 @ 2800RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration (Includes ramps): Intake: (300°) 250°, Exhaust: (300°) 250°, Lift: Intake 0.3987″, Exhaust 0.3987″. Overlap 78°. Carburetor: Carter AFB 3460.

Turbo-Fire 409 V-8 (RPO L33). Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 409 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.3125 x 3.50 inches. Compression ratio: 10.00:1. Horsepower: 340 @ 5000 RPM. Torque: 420 @ 3200RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: (includes ramps) Intake: (312°) 266°, Exhaust: (320°) 274°, Lift: Intake 0.4005″, Exhaust 0.4119″. Overlap 90°. Carburetor: Rochester 4-GC  AMT 7020024; SMT 7020023.

Turbo-Fire 409 V-8 (RPO L31). Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 409 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.3125 x 3.50 inches. Compression ratio: 11.00:1. Horsepower: 400 @ 5800 RPM. Torque: 425 @ 3600RPM. Five main bearings. Solid valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake: 322°, Exhaust: 320°, Lift: Intake 0.5069″, Exhaust 0.5185″. Overlap 94°. Carburetor: Carter AFB model 3499 .

Turbo-Fire 409 V-8 (RPO 587). Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 409 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 4.3125 x 3.50 inches. Compression ratio: 11.00:1. Horsepower: 425 @ 6000 RPM. Torque: 425 @ 4200RPM. Five main bearings. Solid valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake: 322°, Exhaust: 320°, Lift: Intake 0.5069″, Exhaust 0.5185″. Overlap 94°. Carburetors: Carter AFB 3361 (front) 3362 (rear).