360 bhp, 409 cu. in. OHV V-8 engine (upgraded), four-speed manual transmission, coil spring independent front suspension, live rear axle with trailing arm coil spring suspension, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 119.0 in.

California is the home of car culture, so it’s no surprise that the car songs of the 1960s came out of the surfing crowd. Chief among them were the Beach Boys, whose “Little Deuce Coupe” and “Fun, Fun Fun…(‘til her daddy takes the T-Bird away)” ruled the charts for several years. It all began, however, with Chevy’s legendary 409, the inspiration for the song by that name released in June 1962 as the B-side of their first single for Capitol Records, “Surfin’ Safari.” Both songs became huge hits, and they appeared together on the Beach Boys’ first studio album, also titled “Surfin’ Safari,” that October.

The car that gave birth to the song was announced in December 1960. Coinciding with the debut of the Impala Super Sport option, the 409 was a bored and stroked version of the big block 348, introduced for the 1958 season. Initially rated at 360 brake horsepower with a single Carter AFB four-barrel, it had solid lifters, a new forged steel crankshaft, 11.25 to 1 compression, and a more aggressive camshaft. The only transmission choice was a four-speed manual.

The Super Sport package included both trim and chassis enhancements. “SS” emblems were prominently displayed, and the springs and shock absorbers were beefed up. Other ingredients were power steering and brakes, metallic brake linings, a column-mounted tachometer, spinner wheel covers, and narrow whitewall tires. Most prominent was a grab bar for the right front passenger, hinting at the g-forces that a Super Sport could deliver. Just 453 Impalas received the SS option in 1961, 311 with 348s and a paltry 142 with the 409.

There was a good reason for the latter number. Boring the 348 had created some problems, so production was halted while the casting was revised. Re-introduced for 1962, it was offered in both a 380 brake horsepower single-carb version and a one-horsepower-per-cubic inch 409/409 with dual Carter AFBs. The latter became a favorite of drag racers, who repeatedly broke and re-broke records in NHRA Nationals.

This car, a sport coupe hardtop with the bulging “bubbletop” rear window, has been upgraded to 409 power. It has all the correct SS equipment, emblems, tach, wheel covers, grab bar, four-speed, power steering and brakes, and nothing more—not even a radio. In solid white over a red vinyl and cloth interior, it has excellent contours and paint. The brightwork is very good but exhibits a few pits in cast items and some scuffing on the stainless. The floor has red SS409 mats. The doors shut well, alignment is good, and gaps are even. The undercarriage is very clean but has not been apart recently.

The car comes with an assortment of authentic literature: a 1961 spiral-bound salesman’s book and color and fabric albums, as well as an Impala SS brochure.

Rare in its day and rarer today, this is the archetypal 409. But if you wish to listen to the Beach Boys, you will have to bring your own iPod: Nothing can catch her, nothing can touch my 409…