It’s tough to see the numbers Four Zero Nine without hearing the lyrics to the 1962 Beach Boys’ classic echo through your head. But to hear the real music, you'll need to turn the key on this immaculately restored, low-miles Ermine White Chevrolet Impala 409 Impala offered on eBay - opens in new window or tab. by Bullet Motorsports of Dania Beach, Fla. to listen to it rumble from beneath the hood and out of the dual exhaust.
When I take her to the track she really shinesShe always turns in the fastest timesMy four speed dual quad posi-traction 409
With a production run that ran from 1961 through 1965, Chevy’s 409 cubic inch Big Block V8 passed the magic mark of one horsepower per cubic inch when outfitted with dual four-barrel Carter AFB carburetors and the aluminum intake manifold. Ah, for the days when the cost of gasoline was measured in dimes per gallon, rather than dollars.
Although the engine in this car is not a numbers-matching original, it’s faithful to the era—if not the specific year. The engine bay is ultra clean and delightfully devoid of aftermarket parts, garish or otherwise. The big block cranks out an estimated 425 horsepower—the spec for the ’63 through ’65 dual quad 409—and is fitted with a solid 480 lift cam and six quart oil pan. The dual quads are rebuilt factory units. Shifting chores are handled by a four-speed aluminum M21 close-ratio manual transmission and the posi-traction rear is period-correct.
Bullet’s 409 underwent a full frame off restoration two years ago, at the prior owner’s private shop. Great attention was paid to detail, throughout the car. “Every single nut and bolt is period correct for a 409,” said Bullet Motorsports Jonathan Perque. “The body and frame was completely taken down to bare metal and prepped. The underside is zinc coated just like factory.”
While there are no bold racing stripes, bulges on the hood, or glass pack mufflers, you can’t call this one a sleeper. The 409 emblems on the front fenders provide full disclosure, although the pristine Ermine white exterior paint and luscious chrome provides little hint to the monster lurking underneath the hood. B.F. Goodrich 8.00-14 Silvertown tires wrap the matching white steelies and dog dish hubcaps compete the stock look. You’ll want to slap on a set of slicks before you take it to the drag strip and aim for the 12s.
The red interior is gorgeous. There are no holes cut for speakers in the door panels or rear shelf, and no accommodation for an aftermarket head unit. It’s all business, with a jumbo-sized period-correct Sun tachometer mounted on the steering column. The lack of a console tips off the fact that this is not an Impala SS. The upholstery looks fresh, the carpet a tad on the shaggy side, and the trunk like it just rolled off the showroom floor. The entire car is completely detailed—and the odometer reads a scant 27,393 miles.
Put aside the worries over buying at a distance. “We take care of the whole shipping process and do not charge the customer any fees other than the actual cost of shipping,” Perque explained. “We have a shippers account as we purchase so many cars. More than 90 percent of our inventory is sold out of state.” Bullet Motorsports was founded in 2010 and specializes in traditional American muscle cars, exotics, race cars, and limited production vehicles.
Want to see and hear this beauty run? The company takes pride in delivering a detailed representation of the vehicles they list, with extensive photography and video. It’s a joy to hear to hear when opened up. As Perque puts it, “This thing sounds amazing at open throttle!”
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.