This Impala mostly sold to fleet operators, with private buyers accounting for a quarter of sales.[63]. This was a special package created for drag racers and NASCAR and included a 427 with aluminum body parts and a cowl-induction air intake system. Engine choice was similar to 1962, with the small-block 283cuin (4.6L) and 327cuin (5.4L) V8s most popular. Many big 68-78 Fords were derbied in the 70s/80s. While the Super Sport was for the most part an appearance package for the Impala, Chevrolet did see fit to offer a performance version in a special equipment and trim package that today is rare and valuable. I have a 65 Impala SS Convertable,300 HP 327 with A/C. The Impala and the upscale Caprice sold well into the early 1980s. [63][78] All trim levels are equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission with sport and manual shifting modes. The Impala was available in two trim levels from 2000 to 2003. [106], In September 2009, a local news station's investigative team in Rhode Island discovered that GM's fleet customers who purchased the 20062009 Impala were able to order them with the side-curtain airbags deleted for a savings of $175 per vehicle. Only 38,210 Impalas were so-equipped, including 1,778 with the Z24 package, which was carried over from 1967. $49,000.00. The 1963 Impala featured rectilinear styling with an engine-turned aluminum rear taillight panel surrounded by a chrome border on SS models. In 2010, the aluminized interior trim was replaced with faux carbon-fiber. The Super Sport was known as Regular Production Option (RPO) Z03, from 1962 to 1963, and again in 1968. Chart #1: General production numbers for full size Chevrolets of 1958-1965. Right hand drive cars were made at GM's Oshawa plant in Canada and often shipped overseas in kit form for assembly in South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. Side-curtain airbags are standard for front and rear rows; side torso airbags previously unavailable became standard on all trim levels beginning with the 2009 model year. Based on the LT, it added a FE3 Sport Suspension (replacing the FE1 Touring Suspension), four-wheel ABS, eighteen-inch SS-style alloy wheels (replacing the 16-inch wheels), rear SS style spoiler, "50th Anniversary" Impala badges on the C-pillars, two-tone, leather-trimmed seats with "50th" logos embroidered on the front headrests, eight-way power-adjustable driver seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel with accent-color threading including audio controls, ebony carpet, ebony floor mats with accent threading, "50th" Anniversary emblems on the sill plates and a choice of two premium exterior colors: Black Granite Metallic and Red Jewel Tintcoat. All body style codes in 1964 were four digits, which were changed to five for the 1965 model year. This was Regular Production Option Z24, marketed as the SS 427. The 2006 Impala was introduced at the 2005 Los Angeles Auto Show in January. Sales of the 1966 Impala SS dropped by more than 50% to around 117,000 units; this was mainly due to the sport/performance car market switching from full-sized models to intermediates (including Chevrolet's own Chevelle SS396 and Pontiac GTO), along with the emerging market for the even smaller pony car market created by the Ford Mustang in 1964 that Chevrolet would respond to with the Camaro for 1967. The cars had a base price of $2,672, which was less expensive than it had been the previous year. In 1965, you could get an Impala with just about any motor that Chevy made. In January 1990, the GM B platform's body was redesigned for the 1991 model year, though it retained the same shortened frame design of the 1977 model year redesign. The station wagon was renamed the Kingswood - reverting to a pre-1962 Chevrolet practice of using different nameplates on wagons than other models. Rooflines were carried over from 1963 unchanged. The 2015 Chevrolet Impala Bi-Fuel runs on CNG (compressed natural gas) and gasoline. Due to the early release of the redesigned 2014 model, the 2013 Impala had an abbreviated model year. The 1966 Impala SS was facelifted with a revised grille and new rectangular taillights that replaced the triple round units. All full size 1964 Chevrolet station wagons got small rectangular taillight lenses mounted vertically, one for each side of the car. Other later-built cars had the 396cuin (6.5L) as the big-block option. It had a two-piece aluminum intake, dual four-barrel Carter AFB carbs, and a unique cowl induction system coined the "cold air." The engine pushed out 430 hp of performance and an insane 575 lb-ft of torque. The Impala continued as Chevrolet's most popular full-sized model through the mid-1980s. You may not have a true SS, just badges put on, that was popular also at the time. Today's Impala, introduced as a 2014 model, was a substantial upgrade from the previous generation. Here we go again, Charlie. Current owners may be able to tell if their car has side airbags by checking the VIN and/or by checking to see if "Air bag" is printed on the roof support between the front and back rows. The 10th-generation Impala was also sold in the Middle East and South Korea. The Impala also received new packages, including the LS Uplevel package, LS OnStar and Bluetooth package, LT Sunroof package, LT OnStar package and the LT OnStar and Bluetooth package.[69]. Only 142 1961 Impala Super Sports came from the factory with the 409. Speedometers read up to 100mph (160km/h), and added kilometers per hour. The bench front seat position was modified to fit tall drivers more comfortably; shorter drivers found it less so. Daytime running lights became standard on LT and navigation became standard on Premier. From 2013 to 2017, Chevrolet drivers began driving the Holden VF Commodore SSV based Chevrolet SS in Sprint Cup until the Chevrolet SS was discontinued after 2017. straight-six, then two optional 283-cu.in. Impala sales, as expected, ranked far above other big Chevrolets with 612,800 Impalas built (6,500 six-cylinder and 606,300 V-8s) compared to 92,000 Caprices, 75,800 Bel Airs and 35,400 Biscaynes, plus another 162,000 station wagons for all series.[8]. Ban or no ban, the Impala SS 409 hardtop ($2,947) or convertible ($3,196) was still a big, fast car for the time. It offered steel wheels with wheel covers (later alloy wheels), an AM/FM stereo with single-disc (six-disc optional) CD player and MP3 capability, SiriusXM, auxiliary input jack, six speakers, keyless entry, air conditioning, cloth seating surfaces, and a choice of two front bucket or a single front bench seat. Electric Vehicle ; Autos ; Reviews ; Acura; Alfa Romeo; AMC; Apollo; Apple Car; Aston Martin; Audi In 2007, the Impala received the FlexFuel 3.5-liter V6 and Flex Fuel rear badge for the LS, LT, LTZ, and Touring. Another change from 1994 was the placement of the side mirrors from pods attached to the door to a larger format attached to the 'A' pillar. This was also the last year the top station wagon model would have the Nomad name. LT models included fog lights and once again offered an optional Luxury Edition package. Of the total Impala production, 243,114 were SS models. Upon the demise of the Impala name, the base model full-size Chevrolet was rebranded Caprice starting in 1986, with the upper models being called the Caprice Classic and Caprice Classic Brougham. Clare MacKichan's design team, along with designers from Pontiac, started to establish basic packaging and dimensions for their shared 1958 General Motors "A" body in June. [15] However, this frame was not as effective in protecting the interior structure in a side-impact crash as a traditional perimeter frame. Police vehicles were upgraded to correct this defect and law enforcement agencies were compensated for expenses incurred for tire replacement, but civilian vehicles were not recalled. The Impala SS badge was resurrected at the 1992 Detroit Auto Show as a concept car designed by GM designer Jon Moss. The ninth generation model remained in production in LS, LT, and LTZ trim until the 2016 model year as a rental, fleet, and police car under the revised model name "Impala Limited". The control knobs found throughout the vehicle's cockpit were similar to those found in Buick models as well as the Cadillac DTS, all of which featured a similar center console. The package provided a black out grille, vinyl top and an extensively redone luxury interior. Right Hand Drive cars were manufactured in Canada for export to some countries such as Australia, UK, etc., until 1969. The 9C1 was a base model with a stronger suspension and the 3.8 liter (231 cu in) V6 engine. During the Third Quarter of 2018 three new colors, Nightfall Gray Metallic, Cajun Red Tintcoat, and Graphite Metallic, were introduced. There were four new exterior colorsPrecisions Red, Imperial Blue Metallic, Bordeaux Red, and Red Jewel Tintcoat, as well as a Regency-outfitted "Impala RSS". Australian models were assembled by hand on the GMH Holden assembly lines. New Zealand models were assembled by General Motors New Zealand with bodies supplied from Canada already welded, painted and trimmed. Like everybody has echo'd Chevrolet never kept track of the various combinations on the cars. That's actually bigger than the show's described 275-hp V8. Like the 1968s, the Z24 could be ordered on the Impala convertible, Sport Coupe, or Custom Coupe. Sport Coupes featured a shortened roof line and wrap-over back window. As such, it got much of the equipment formerly available only to law enforcement and government agencies. It also offered preparation for a criminal cage to be installed between the front and rear seats. of torque at 2,000 rpm. This would prove a good idea as sales of the SS would also reach all-time highs. I have been looking in the midwest for years and have not found a twin. The Impala SS was fitted with a standard 3.08 gear. The Hammtramck Assembly plant in Michigan, where the Impala and other full-size GM cars were built, is being converted for production. One ACRS-equipped Impala was preserved and remains a witness to the ability of an American automaker to design life saving safety systems into cars without a government mandate. Each trim level includes a generous amount of standard equipment: LS Includes: 2.5L EcoTec Inline Four-Cylinder (I4) gasoline engine, six-speed automatic transmission, Eighteen-inch (18") black-painted steel wheels with full plastic wheel covers, 4.2-inch (4.2") color LCD radio with Bluetooth (2014-2017 models), eight-inch (8.0") Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system (2018-2019 models), 100-watt six-speaker audio system, keyless entry, premium cloth seating surfaces (2014-2017 models), premium cloth seating surfaces with leatherette trim (2018-2019 models), power-adjustable front driver's bucket seat, OnStar with 4G LTE Wi Fi capabilities (2015-2019 models), leather-wrapped steering wheel, split-folding rear bench seat, color-keyed exterior door handles, and black side mirrors. More info on the Z-11 Chart #2: A more detailed breakdown of production numbers for 1958-65 Chevrolet full size. The 9C1 and 9C3 were equipped with an external trunk lock tumbler starting in 2008 which was not available for the civilian version of the car. For the 2012 model year, the exterior received a slight refresh and 4 trims: a standard Impala, LS, LT, and LTZ. The instrument panel was restyled and highlighted by a new steering wheel. Chevrolet buyers could choose from 10 engines this year. Fender and dashboard emblems rounded out the package. A three-speed manual transmission with column shift was standard equipment as in previous years but the floor-mounted four-speed manual with Hurst shifter was dropped from the option list for 1970 as were the Strato bucket seats and center console previously offered on coupes. Over the decades the system proved durable and successfully protected front passengers in front-end collisions. A similar arrangement applied in New Zealand although the bodies were supplied from Canada already welded, painted and trimmed. The 1960 Impala models reinstated three round taillights on each side, and a white band running along the rear fenders. The redesigned 1977 Impala/Caprice was named Motor Trend's car of the year. [113][114], Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) selected the Impala for its 2006 Pyramid Award for Environmental Initiatives for the launch of its new ethanol-powered E-85 model.[115]. The 409 remained on the Chevy options sheet through 1965, after which it was replaced by the next-generation 396 Big Block. 1959 was the first year when Chevrolet Impala landed as a stand-alone series after being offered as a top-of-the-line version of the Bel Air hardtops and convertibles. McNally Institute", "The Mysterious Pile Of 1950s Transmissions Buried At The Site Of An Old GM Plant", "1964 Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupe 409 V-8 Turbo-Fire 425 HP 4-speed close", "Six Four: An End to Automotive Apartheid", "G.m. The tailfins of the 1957 were replaced by deeply sculptured rear fenders. [13] The 1958 models shared a common appearance on the top models for each brand; Cadillac Eldorado Seville, Buick Limited Riviera, Oldsmobile Starfire 98, Pontiac Bonneville Catalina, and the Chevrolet Bel-Air Impala. Sport Coupe models now featured the "convertible roof" styling, shared with other GM "B" full-size hardtop coupe, which proved popular. 4 Link, 12 bolt posi, mildly built 350, tubular upper and lower control arms, 4" drop, very nice paint, extremely clean all they way around. Buyers could choose either vinyl bucket seats with a center console, or a Strato-Bench seat with a fold-down center armrest. 19951996 Chevrolet Impala SS 4-door sedan. A 283cuin (4,640cc) engine was the standard V8, with ratings of 185hp (138kW), 230hp (170kW), and 250hp (190kW) with optional Rochester Ramjet fuel injection. The hardtop Sport Coupe got a new notchback roofline, replacing the "fastback" C-pillar from 1967 to 1968. A record 15,376 Corvette roadsters were produced. The Impala was Chevrolet's popular flagship passenger car and was among the better-selling American-made automobiles in the United States. [18], The Impala was restyled on the GM B platform for the first time for 1961. All new full-size Chevrolets eschewed the "X" frame for a full-width perimeter frame, a new body that featured curved, frameless side glass (for pillarless models), sharper angled windshield with newly reshaped vent windows, and redesigned full-coil suspension. The 1965 Impala SS came standard with the sporty SS hubcaps. All models used the previous SS style spoiler (actually phased in for the late 2008 model year). The newly restyled full-size Chevys, including the Impala models, grew even bigger than they had been before during the 1965 restyle that ushered in the fourth-generation of the car. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Engine choices for 1962 began as previously with 1962 being the final year for the 235 I6. The 1969 model year Impala production topped Caprice production by 611,000 units. Discontinued again from 1997 to 1999, the car came . The Impala had round headlamps while the Caprice used the new quad rectangular ones. Radios (centrally mounted) and heaters were locally sourced and wipers parked in the center of the windscreen. The 409cuin (6.7L) V8 engine returned as the big-block option, as well as the Carter AFB 2X4-barrel carburetors setup for the 425bhp (431PS; 317kW) at 6,000 rpm and 425lbft (576Nm) at 4,200 rpm of torque engines. [43] It was rated at 240 horsepower (180kW) and had been previously used in the Pontiac Grand Prix GTP, Buick Regal GS, Buick Riviera, and H-body Pontiac Bonneville SSEI and Buick Park Avenue "Ultra". However, unlike the passenger cars, Impala wagons had dual-unit taillights. The 348cuin was available in 250 to 320hp (190 to 240kW) with a 350hp (260kW) Special Super Turbo-Thrust with triple two-barrel carburetors, 11.25:1 compression ratio, and dual exhausts. Unlike all other years, the 1961 Super Sport package was available on any Impala, including sedans and station wagons (the sales brochure shows a 4-door hardtop Sport Sedan with the SS package). New this year was the big-block 396 cubic-inch Turbo-Jet. The new combination once again pushed the Impala to a 300-horsepower rating, and continued with the Impala Limited from 2014 to 2016. From 1964 through 1967, the Super Sport was a separate model, with its own VIN prefix (for example in 1965-67 cars, 164 was the prefix for a regular Impala with a V8 engine, 166 or 168 were used in 1966-68 for a V8-equipped Impala SS). The 2011 Impala had the same wheels as the 20122013 Impala, but the 2011 Impala was the last model year where the chrome trim on the trunk lid appeared. 1976 Impalas used a previous year Caprice nose, with a new "egg crate" grille insert. [75] The tenth generation Impala was the first North American sedan in 20 years to earn Consumer Reports' top score, with a score of 95 of a possible 100 points.[63][76]. Output of full-sized Chevrolets dropped sharply for the 1970 calendar year, below the million mark, partly as a result of a 65-day strike in the fall of 1970 - but that strike affected the production of early 1971 models.