The Chevrolet Impala was, through 1996, a full-sized automobile built by General Motors for their Chevrolet division. The Impala was reintroduced in 2000 as a full-size front-wheel-drive car. Ed Cole, Chevrolet's chief engineer in the late 1950s, defined the Impala as a "prestige car within the reach of the average American citizen."

From 1958 until 1965, the Impala was Chevrolet's most expensive full-size car. In 1965, Chevrolet introduced the more-expensive Caprice.

In the late sixties, the Impala was typically positioned just below the top luxury trim, the Caprice, and above the more economical models like the Biscayne or the Bel Air. The Impala, named for a southern African antelope, is most readily distinguished by a pair of three rather than two taillights at its rear. It competed in the market against other full-size cars such as the Ford Galaxie 500 and the Plymouth Fury.

One of both General Motors' and America's most successful auto nameplates, the Impala was often the best-selling automobile in its formative years when full-sized cars dominated sales. The 1965 sales of over one million units in the U.S. still stands as a record. From 1958 through 1996, Impala sales were in excess of 13 million, more than any other full-size car in the history of the automobile. The current version of the Impala is the 8th best selling vehicle (of any kind) and 5th best selling car in the United States and has the distinction of being the top selling American nameplate sedan, according to Reuters Top 20 Best-selling Vehicles Scorecard for the calendar year of 2007.

Impala showcar

The Impala name was first used for the Corvette-based show car at the 1956 General Motors Motorama. Painted emerald green metallic, with a white interior, the Impala featured hardtop styling.

1958–1960

First generation

Production 1958-1961

Body style(s) 2-door convertible

2-door coupe

2-door hardtop

4-door hardtop

4-door sedan

Layout FR layout

Engine(s) 235 CID Blue Flame I6

283 CID 195-220 bhp Turbo Fire V8

348 CID W-series Turbo Thrust V8

409 CID W-series Turbo Thrust V8 360 bhp (1961 only)

The Impala was introduced in 1958 as a new, upmarket, sporty trim package created for Bel Air coupes and convertibles. Unique to the model were its six taillights, which set it apart from lower trim levels with only two lights on a side. This classic styling cue would become its trademark. The Impala became a separate model in 1959 in both two- and four-door versions and became the best-selling car in the Chevrolet lineup. For 1960, it became the best-selling automobile in the United States and held that position for the next decade.

The Impala featured body-on-frame construction, using the "X" frame used on other Chevys, as well as Cadillac. The exception for the six-taillight rear end styling was the 1959 model, which used the "teardrop" taillight shape as all other Chevy models had.

1958 Chevrolet Impala

1958 Chevrolet Impala convertible

1958 Chevrolet Impala

1959 Impala convertible

1961 Chevrolet Impala

1961-1964

Second generation

Production 1962-1964

Assembly Arlington, Texas

Body style(s) 2-door convertible

2-door coupe

2-door hardtop

4-door hardtop

4-door sedan

4-door station wagon

Layout FR layout

Platform B-body

Engine(s) 230 CID 140 bhp (100 kW) Turbo Thrift I6

283 CID 195-220 bhp Turbo Fire V8

327 CID 250-300 bhp Turbo Fire V8

409 CID W-series Turbo Thrust V8, 340-425bhp

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Pontiac Bonneville

Oldsmobile 88

The Impala was restyled on the existing GM B platform for 1961. The new body styling was more trim and boxy than the 1958-60 models. Sport Coupe models featured a "bubbleback" roofline style for '61, and a unique model, the 2-door pillared sedan, was available for 1961 only. It was rarely ordered and a scarce collectible today. The rare Super Sport (SS) option debuted for 1961.

The 1962 model featured new "C" pillar styling for all models except the 4-door hardtop "Sport Sedan." Sport Coupe models now featured the "convertible roof" styling, shared with other GM "B" full-size hardtop coupes. This style proved extremely popular, and contributed to the desireability of the '62-'64 Impalas as collectibles. The "overhang" roof style of the sedans was replaced with a more attractive, wider "C" pillar with wraparound rear window. Engine choices for '62 settled down, the 348 V8 discontinued and replaced by the 340-bhp 409 CID, which could be ordered with any transmission. The small-block 283 was enlarged to 327 cubic inches, which added more engine choices for small-block fans. The Beach Boys produced a hit single, "409," referring to the Chevy, which became an iconic song for these cars. Impalas again featured premium interior appointments, plusher seats, and more chrome trim outside, including a full-width aluminum-and-chrome panel to house the triple-unit taillight assembly. Super Sport (SS) models featured that panel in a special engine-turned aluminum, which was also used to fill the side moldings, making the SS more distinctive in appearance. Due to reliability problems, the optional Turboglide automatic transmission was discontinued, leaving Powerglide the only autobox available until 1965.

Many consider the 1963 model to be the best in terms of styling, although it was mechanically identical to the '62 in most ways. Crisper styling, with pointy front and rear fenders, emphasized the longer, lower look which was so popular at that time. Impalas again featured a rear taillight panel which was aluminum surrounded by a chrome border, which had the engine-turned surface on SS models. Engine choices was similar to '62, which the small-block 283 CID and 327 CID V8s the most popular choices. The Sport Sedan featured a new, creased roofline that proved popular. A new "coved" instrument panel was good-looking, but replaced the temperature gauge with "idiot lights" for hot and cold engine conditions. An optional factory tachometer was built into the dash, just above the steering wheel. It was rarely ordered, but gave the Super Sport models an extra feel of sportiness.

For 1964, the Impala was slightly restyled, reverting to a more rounded, softer look. Out back, the signature taillight assembly had an "upside-down U" shaped aluminum trim strip above the taillights, but the lights themselves were surrounded by a body-colored panel. The 409 CID returned as the big-block option, but the 4X2 carburetor setup was no longer on the option list. SS models continued to feature the engine-turned aluminum trim. Rooflines were carried over from '63 unchanged.

1963 Chevrolet Impala convertible

1964 Chevrolet Impala SS coupe

1965-1970

Third generation

Production 1965-1970

Assembly Arlington, Texas

Body style(s) 2-door convertible

2-door coupe

2-door hardtop

4-door hardtop

4-door sedan

4-door station wagon

Layout FR layout

Platform B-body

Engine(s) 250 CID 155 bhp (116 kW) Turbo Thrift I6

283 CID 195-220 bhp Turbo Fire V8

307 CID 115-200 bhp Turbo Fire V8

327 CID 250-375 bhp Turbo Fire V8

350 CID 250-350 bhp Turbo Fire V8

396 CID 265-425 bhp Turbo Jet V8

409 CID 340 bhp Turbo Jet V8

427 CID 335bhp-425 bhp Turbo Jet V8

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Redesigned again in 1965, the Impala set an all-time industry annual sales record of more than 1 million units in the U.S., which has never been bettered. All new full-size Chevys eschewed the "X" frame for a full-width perimeter frame, a totally new body which featured curved, frameless side glass(for pillarless models), sharper angled windshield with newly-reshaped vent windows, and redesigned full-coil suspension. As with previous years, Impalas featured more chrome trim inside and out, with pleated tufted upholstery and door panels.

In 1965, Chevrolet introduced the Impala Caprice. Beginning with the four-door hardtop sedan body, Impala Caprices received unique upholstery, wood grained accents on the dashboard and specialty pulls on the insides of the doors. The Impala Caprice was reintroduced as the Chevrolet Caprice in 1966, taking the top position in the full-size Chevrolet lineup. The Impala however, remained Chevrolet's top-selling model until the late 1970s. The 1967 model was redesigned along the lines of the 1963 Buick Riviera. The Coke bottle shape was strengthened and the curves were biggest with the 1967-68 models. In keeping with Federal regulations, safety features were built into Impalas during the 1967 and '68 model years, including a fully collapsible energy-absorbing steering column, side marker lights, and shoulder belts for closed models. During the 1969 model year, for example, Impala production topped Caprice production by 611,000 units.

Right Hand Drive cars were manufactured in Canada for export to some countries such as Australia, UK etc., until 1969. They used a version of the 1965 Impala dash panel until 1969. Australian models were assembled in Australia from kits as this lessened tax on the cars.

Engine choices included the inline six-cylinder as well as the famous Chevy small-block and big-block V8s. Automatic buyers were given the option of the newly-introduced three-range Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission for the newly-introduced Mark IV big-block engine, displacing 396 cubic inches. The old 409 cubic-inch "W" engine was discontinued early in the 1965 model year, so early-production '65s got the 409, where later-built cars had the 396 as the big-block option. Two-range Powerglide, as well as Synchro-Mesh 3- and 4-speed manual transmissions were also available.

1965 Impala SS

1968 Chevrolet Impala custom

Chevrolet Impala sedan

Six-cylinder:

235 CID Blue Flame 6 (1958-1962)

230 CID 140 bhp (100 kW) Turbo Thrift 6 (1963-1965)

250 CID 155 bhp (116 kW) Turbo Thrift 6 (1966-1969)

Small block V8s:

283 CID 195bhp-220 bhp Turbo Fire V8 (1957-1967)

307 CID 200 bhp (150 kW) Turbo Fire V8 (1968)

327 CID 235-375 bhp Turbo Fire V8 (1961-1969)

350 CID 250-350 bhp Turbo Fire V8 (1969-1980)

400 CID 255-265 bhp Turbo Fire V8 (1970-1976)

Big block V8s:

348 CID W-series Turbo Thrust V8, 250bhp-350bhp (1958-1961)

409 CID W-series Turbo Thrust V8, 340bhp-425bhp (mid-1961 to early 1965); This engine was immortalized in the Beach Boys song titled "409".

396 CID 265bhp-425 bhp Turbo Jet V8 (mid-1965 to 1969); sung about in the song "SS 396"

427 CID 335bhp-425 bhp Turbo Jet V8 (1966-1969)

454 CID 345-390bhp(1970-1976)

Impala SS

1961 Chevrolet Impala SS

1965 Impala SSIn 1961, the Impala SS (Super Sport) was introduced to the market. The SS badge was to become Chevrolet's signature of performance on many models, though it has often been an appearance package only. The Impala's SS package in 1961 was truly a performance package, beginning with the high-performance 348 CID (5.7 L) V8 engines (available with 305, 340, and 350 hp (230, 255 and 260 kW)) or the new 409 CID (6.7 L) V8, which was available with up to 425 hp (317 kW). The package also included upgraded tires on station wagon wheels, springs, shocks and special sintered metallic brake linings. Starting in 1962, the Impala SS could be had with any engine available in the Impala, down to the 235 CID 135 hp (101 kW) inline-6. With one exception, from this point until 1969, the SS was an appearance package only, though the heavy-duty parts and big engines could still be ordered. From 1962-on, Super Sports were limited to the hardtop coupe and convertible coupe exclusively. The Super Sport package was known by Regular Production Option (RPO) Z03, from 1962-63, and again in 1968. As mentioned above, '62-64 Super Sports got engine-turned aluminum trim, which was replaced by a "blackout" trim strip in '65 which ran under the taillights. "Super Sport" script replaced the "Impala SS" badges in 1965 and 1966.

The exception was the Z24 option package available in combination with the standard Z03 Super Sport package. Starting in 1967 through 1969, buyers of Impala Z24s got cars badged as "SS427" models. The SS427 included a heavy-duty suspension and other performance goodies, as well as a Turbo-Jet 427 CID V8 in either L36 (385 hp 1967-1968 390 hp in 1969) or L72 (425 hp RPO 1968-1969 only. 17 L-72s were rumored to have been built in 1967; however, this has been disputed and none has surfaced as yet). Special SS427 badging, inside and out, was the rule, but few were sold since muscle car enthusiasts were looking toward big-block intermediates such as the Chevelle SS396 and Plymouth Road Runner, which were lighter and faster off the line. From 1968 to 1969, Z24s could be ordered without the Z03 SS package, which meant SS427 equipment but no bucket seats or center console.

The Impala SS could be identified by "SS" emblems on the rear fenders and trunk lid. The Impala SS became its own series (separate model rather than an option package) for 1964. In 1968, the Impala SS once again became an option package. 1967 and 1968 SS427s got a special domed hood and body emblems, and the 1968 model featured "gills" on the front fenders in front of the wheel opening, possibly to remind people of its Corvette cousin. In 1969, the Impala SS was available only as the Z24 (SS427), coming exclusively with a 427 CID V8 of 335, 390 or 425 hp (317 kW). This was the final year for the Impala SS until 1994. Those 1969 Impala SS cars were often considered "sleepers" in that there was no distinctive SS badging inside the car (again there was no Z03 offered that year), and a true 1969 Z24-optioned car is the rarest and most collectible of the SS427 years.

1969 was the last year that the Impala SS was offered with the Z24 package, but the only year in which front disc brakes and 15-inch (380 mm) wheels were standard; that made the 1969 SS427 better than the previous version. Although the 427 was replaced by the 454 CID Turbo-Jet V8 in 1970, the SS option was gone. Thus, the 1969 Impala SS427 got the best of both worlds, which is why it is so valuable and is often cloned today.

1971-1976

Fourth generation

Production 1971-1976

Assembly Arlington, Texas

Body style(s) 2-door convertible

2-door Sport Coupe (hardtop)

2-door Custom Coupe (formal hardtop)

4-door hardtop

4-door sedan

4-door station wagon

Layout FR layout

Platform B-body

Engine(s) 454 CID 345-390 bhp V8

350 CID 250-350 bhp Turbo Fire V8

400 CID 255-265 bhp Turbo Fire V8

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1972 Chevrolet Impala sedanIn 1971, the redesigned full-size B-body would be the largest full-size car ever offered by GM. However, the 1970s marked the impact of the 1973 energy crisis. Gasoline prices doubled between 1973 and 1979. Industry car sales plummeted 20 percent between 1973 and 1974, and for the first time in recent history, annual passenger car travel in the U.S. actually declined. The Impala's sales dropped to 176,376 units in 1975, the weakest since its introduction in 1958. In spite of the large size of these cars, an Econominder gauge package was offered on 1975 and 1976 models to keep track of gas mileage. Station wagons replaced the swinging tailgate with an unusual design where the back window retracted into the roof, which was abandoned on the subsequent redesign.

While still very good cars, these Impalas had some notorious reliability issues. The appearance of a large crack in the dashboard when exposed to the sun's rays was jokingly referred to as the "Mark of Excellence" by some owners. The windows would sometimes leak, including the back window leaking into the trunk. Many different car makes of the era were plagued by these same maladies though.

Starting in 1968, two coupe models were offered on Impalas, the "Sport Coupe" was the lower-priced hardtop coupe design, shared with other GM "B" body hardtop coupes, and the formal-roof "Custom Coupe" which was the Caprice Coupe body in Impala trim. Sport Coupe models were discontinued after 1975, leaving the Custom Coupe, with its wide "B" pillar and fixed rear window, the only 2-door Impala available in 1976. This body style was actually introduced for the 1974 model year, a precursor to Detroit's complete abandonment of pillarless body styles before the end of the Seventies.

The 1972 model introduced a "gaping" grille which extended below the bumper. The large size was partly because of federal bumper rules which required 5 mph (8.0 km/h) impact protection beginning in 1973, and the rear in 1974.

1974 Chevrolet Impala hardtop (4door sedan with original factory color paint.)Powertrains consisted of V8 engines mostly, offered with 350 CID, 400 CID, or 454 CID; however, the long-familiar OHV six-cylinder Turbo-Thrift engine continued to be standard on two-door hardtop coupe and four-door pillared sedan models through the end of the 1972 model year. Beginning in 1972, all engines were designed to run on unleaded gasoline. Catalytic converters were introduced in 1975. High Energy Ignition, or HEI, debuted on the 75 models as well, although it is said HEI was installed on some 1974 cars. The Impala convertible model was dropped after 1972, and continued as a Caprice until 1975.

Several new options were offered for the first time in 1975. In addition to the Econominder gauge package, new options included intermittent wipers and a divided 50-50 bench seat (with a choice of sport cloth or vinyl trim). Also in 1975, the dashboard, radio and climate control graphics were revised; the speedometer read up to 100 mph, and had smaller numbers for kilometers per hour.

Although the "Super Sport" model was long since discontinued, two special models were offered:

A "Spirit of America" package. Offered in 1974 on Sport Coupe models, this was primarily a trim package featuring special white body paint, a white vinyl top, sports-styled dual remote outside rearview mirrors, special wheel covers, optional rally rims (sourced from the Chevrolet C10 truck, painted white), a vinyl bodyside molding insert, and pinstriping and interior trim in either red or blue. The interior trim also included color-keyed seat belts and floormats. Special fender badges (along with one on the dashboard) announced the package to passengers or passers-by.

A "Landau" model, for 1975-1976 models (and carried over into the late 1970s and 1980s). Like the "Spirit of America" package, this was primarily an appearance package. The model featured a choice of special paint colors, sports-styled dual remote outside rearview mirrors, color-keyed wheel covers, a landau vinyl roof (with chrome band across the roof), a vinyl bodyside molding insert, and pinstriping. Inside there were color-keyed seat belts and floormats. Fender and dashboard emblems rounded out the package.