I remember 1964. My father bought a NEW 1964 Chevy Impala for $2000 and was telling me how ridiculous it was that a CORVETTE cost $4000.
I remember in 1969 my dad bought a brand new, fully loaded Pontiac Bonneville. He said, "I never paid $5000 for a car in my whole life, but your Mom and I really wanted this one, and with my new job, we can afford it." I was so impressed, because I was in college, driving my used $800 Volkswagen bug.
I think your 64 Impala number is too low.
Edmunds shows them around $3000.
I know I bought a new strippo Chevy II (Nova) for $2300 in 67 and back then prices weren’t going up very fast.
Had we purchased that Vette and put it in a climate controlled storage it would have increased better than gold.
I remember that year standing on the front porch with my Dad. I pointed out to Dad that the neighbors across the street had just bought 2 brand new Chevy’s. My dad turned to me and said “Well you can afford two new cars when you are pulling down $10,000 per year”.
I just remember reading the Dick Tracy comic strip and he had a $4000 car!