With a fat body, big fins, and those distinctively-styled dual headlights, the Chevy Impala was immensely popular. Whether you were a diehard bowtie enthusiasts or simple pencil pusher, the Chevy Impala served the masses. Unfortunately, as the years wore on and Cold War ended, the Chevy Impala began to lose its way.
Chances are, by now, you probably aren’t a fan of the most recent late-model Chevrolet Impala and we don’t blame you. It’s front wheel drive platform, bloated design and underwhelming power make it less muscle car and more taxi.
However, all is not lost. We’ve scoured the internet and more importantly, some of our favorite sources for information to bring you a sigh of relief with a brief look back at the Impala origin to where it ended it’s reign as a rear-drive sedan in the late-90s.
With borrowed design cues from the Corvette, the Impala hardtop coupe was essentially a concept car until it received the green light; finally introduced in ’58. Although the design looked different than the concept, it hit chord with buyers and GM dove head first into a second generation for ’59 and ’60. This second rendition featured the classic, flat-tailfins which American fell in love with.
By the early 60s, the Impala was gaining momentum; even offering up more than one powerplant choice to buyers. The Impala finally saw an “SS” model by ’61 and featured a number of sporty upgrades including more engine options. According to carbuzz.com, the SS was available with engines ranging from the venerable small- and big-blocks. The 305-horsepower, 348ci (5.7L) to the 427ci (7.0L) which made 425 horsepower. A 454ci (7.4L) big-block engine was offered as well, but this maxed out at 390 horsepower.
By the Impalas third generation in ’61, the body was noticeably smaller, however, still considered a large car. With its size versatility and plethora of engine and options, the Impala remained highly popular. So much so, the Impala became Chevrolet’s best-selling car during it’s third and fourth-generations.
By ’69, the Impala was becoming mature and easily recognizable as a household name. Impalas equipped with the 427ci engine were sold as a separate model, the SS427, from ’67-69.
This became the only SS model available in ’69, before the focus shifted to muscle cars and the Impala SS was cut from the lineup altogether. Fast forwarding through the early-70s as well as the height of the smog-restriction era, the Impala had one last life before GM introduced the front-drive 3800 series 6-cylinder engine.
And if you’re an Impala nut you’ll know we’re talking about the ’94-96 Impala SS, which served the Impala name for three final years. Power was offered by a detuned 5.7-liter LT1 small-block right from the fourth-generation Corvette, albeit with cast-iron heads rather than the aluminum pieces. It was all good for 260 horsepower and for the time, a respectable 330lb-ft of twist. Of course, it all went to the rear wheels.
As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. Despite strong sales of the car, GM finally killed the Impala line, however, it did make one last appearance in 2000 and the SS was even back for ’04-05. Those were all powered by the 3800 series 6-cylinder though and by then, the Impala had lost much of what made it so desirable. True Impala enthusiasts have always avoided the new Impalas and who can blame them. With the front-powered tenth-generation Impala coming our way shortly, feelings probably won’t change.
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