1967 Impala

Other than during years when new Impala generations were introduced, Chevy appeared to work with the modus operandi that the best way to improve the Impala was to make small changes to the car over a number of years. The results led to an ever-evolving car, and nothing was different in 1967. With the a few small-scale changes, the most noticeable was the new, flowing roofline for the Sports Coupes and Impala SS models. The sleek new look gave the cars a similar shape as the pony and muscle cars that were all the rage in 1967 – though of course it was still bigger than all of those.

Other than this roofline, Super Sport (SS) models were probably the most changed. They became less decorated than the other Impala models, and were distinguished by a black grille accents and black body-side and rear fender accents. These models also lacked the bright wheel well trim of other Impala models. Now that the Caprice had become its own model after being introduced as an option package in 1966, it served as the top-of-the-line full-size Chevy, and the SS models seemed to be reverting back to being more of an appearance package than a luxury model – which is similar to how they began when introduced in 1961.

The other main shakeup concerned the engine lineup. The top engine performance was a 427 CID V8 rated at 385 horsepower. This was down five horsepower from the year before, and further hurting maximum power was that the “special performance” version of the 427, which was available the year before and produced 425 horsepower, was no longer offered as an option. There also was only one version of the 396 CID V8 available for 1967, and it was rated at 325.

Those that didn’t want the most powerful V8s could choose a 327 CID V8 rated at 275 horsepower, and there were still two versions of the 283 V8. At the bottom of the line was the poor-selling 250 CID six-cylinder engine. All Impala (and Impala SS) buyers could choose from all of those engine options.

Total production fell for the second year in a row, though not as drastically as it had the previous year. Approximately 649,600 Impalas, including the Impala SS model, were built throughout the year.

1967 Impala

Of the total number of Impalas built, the vast majority were regular Impalas. About 575,600 were built, and this year they had a base price of $2,740.

1967 Impala SS

The Impala SS was still saw quickly decreasing sales. Only about 74,000 were built during the year, down from nearly 120,000 the previous year. These cars had a base price of $2,898.

Competition

Obviously, Impala sales (and particularly Impala SS sales) were on a steep decline by 1967. The majority of the reason for this likely came not from a direct full-size competitor, but to performance car enthusiasts switching their allegiance from the full-size models to the smaller muscle and pony cars that were filling up American roads. As the decade wore on, Those cars continued to see sales rise as baby boomer came of age and wanted cars that were smaller but still packed a punch under the hood. And Impala sales would continue to decline.

 ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS

Type	Size	Carb	Horse Power	Tourqe
I6	250ci	1x1bbl	155 hp @ 4200 rpm	235 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm
V8	283ci	1x2bbl	195 hp @ 4800 rpm	285 lb-ft @ 2400 rpm
L30	327ci	1x4bbl	275 hp @ 4800 rpm	355 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm
L35	396ci	1x4bbl	325 hp @ 4800 rpm	410 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
L72	427ci	1x4bbl	425 hp @ 5600 rpm	460 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
L36	427ci	1x4bbl	390 hp @ 5200 rpm	460 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm

 PERFORMANCE STATISTICS

0 to 60 mph	Quarter Mile	Engine	Source
8.4 sec	15.8 sec @ 86.5 mph	427ci/390hp	Car Life

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1966 Impala

After the Impala sales high of 1965, which has yet to be topped by any car company, there was unfortunately nowhere for the car to go but down. And while sales of the Impala line as a whole remained relatively high, the Impala suffered the worst fate as its production was cut by more than 50 percent.

The reason for the sales decline had to do with a number of factors, not the least of which was Chevy’s decision to make the Caprice– introduced as an upgrade package for the Impala the previous year – into its own model this year. A luxury model of the car, the Caprice replaced the Impala SS as the top-of-the line Chevy full-size car, and Impala SS sales would never fully recover.

But there were still many high points for the car, including the 427 CID V8 introduced for the year. There were two versions of the engine, one rated at 390 horsepower and another “special performance” option rated at 425 horsepower due to its aluminum manifold and heavy duty four-bolt main block.

The previous year’s 396 CID V8 was still available, as well. This year, however, there was only one version of that engine, and it produced 325 horsepower. The base V8 was once again a 327 CID motor that produced 275 horsepower. Impala-buyers also could choose a 250 CID six-cylinder engine that had been introduced the previous year, though relatively few did.

1966 Impala

The regular Impalas were slightly more boxy than the previous year’s models had been, and in addition to the new grille also got revised fenders and bumpers. The new taillights were rectangular and wrapped around the rear of the car.

Throughout the production year, about 654,900 Impalas were produced, not including the Impala SS models (or the Caprice model that was now its own line). The cars had a base price this year of $2,678, which was just about the same as it had been the previous year.

1966 Impala SS

As it had been since 1964, the SS was its own Impala line not grouped in with the other models, and could be had with any engine in the line including the six-cylinder. The model distinguished itself from other Impalas with slim-profile Strato-bucket front seats which were new for the year, as well as other sporty trim both inside and outside the car.

The total production for the Impala SS for the year was 119,314. This was disappointing considering the huge sales numbers the model posted the previous year. The Caprice model outsold the SS, with around 181,000 models produced in 1966.

Competition

The Caprice wasn’t the only thing holding back Impala SS sales, it was also losing sales to smaller and lighter muscle cars that were taking over American cars at the time. The Impala had played a large part in making sporty and more powerful cars popular throughout the early 1960s, but as the end of the decade began to come near, the smaller cars that had nearly the same performance were gaining greater favor from drivers. And as sales of those cars continued to rise, sales of the Impala SS would continue to fall throughout the rest of the decade. The mighty Impala that had started the muscle car craze would, unfortunately, never return to its former glory.

 ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS

Type	Size	Carb	Horse Power	Tourqe
L30	327ci	1x4bbl	275 hp @ 4800 rpm	355 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm
L35	396ci	1x4bbl	325 hp @ 4800 rpm	410 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
L72	427ci	1x4bbl	425 hp @ 5600 rpm	460 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm
L36	427ci	1x4bbl	390 hp @ 5200 rpm	470 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm

 PERFORMANCE STATISTICS

0 to 60 mph	Quarter Mile	Engine	Source
7.2 sec	16.2 sec		Estimate

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1965 Impala

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. After four years of growing progressively more boxy, the 1965 models featured more rounded sides. Additionally, curved window glass, and new hood and a brand new front end help further distinguish the model from those that came before it. Sport coupe models of the car received the newly fashionable semi-fastback roofline, and the instrument panel was completely redesigned as well.

For the second year in a row, the Impala SS was its own distinct model rather than an optional upgrade package. Chevy had realized that car-buyers were pining for more and more power in sportier car models, and answered by making a sports version of its full size models. This would prove a good idea as sales of the SS would also reach all-time highs.

Along with the restyle came a few changes under the hood. Among the most notable was mentioned in the above quote from Chevy’s sales literature that announced the introduction of the new 396 CID V8. The engine was introduced mid-way through the production year, and when it was Chevy began the process of phasing out the legendary 409 V8s.

The 396 engine came in two different versions – one producing 325 horsepower and the other rated at 425. The latter equaled the power produced by the previous year’s top performing 409 that was not available for any of the 1965 model year. The two 409 CID V8s that were both single 4-barrel engines producing either 340 or 400 horsepower. There were also two versions of the 327 CID base V8 engines that were rated at either 250 or 300 horsepower.

Impalas (including the Super Sport models, surprisingly) were also available with six-cylinder engines, though relatively few customers chose this option. Those that did got a new 250 CID engine, replacing the 230 CID motor used as the base the year before.

1965 Impala

As mentioned before, 1965 Impala production hit an all-time high not seen before or since in the auto industry. Around 1,046,500 Impalas were produced throughout the model year. The cars had a base price of $2,672, which was less expensive than it had been the previous year.

The new Caprice Custom Sedan package could be added to the Sport Sedan for an additional cost of around $200. The package provided a black out grille, vinyl top and an extensively redone luxury interior. The option would prove so popular that the Caprice would become its own series in 1966.

1965 Impala SS

Relative to the previous year models, the new Impala SS differed little from the regular Impala models. The package did include a unique instrument panel and center console between its unique bucket seats. Of the total Impala production, 243,114 were SS models.

Competition

In terms of sales, there obviously wasn’t much competition to the Impala in 1965. However, the sales high reached in the year would drop tremendously in the years to come, particularly for the sporty SS models. Though the Impala SS had basically created the muscle car back in 1961, by the mid-60s drivers were wanting the same powerful engines in smaller and lighter cars. As those cars (including the Chevy Chevelle) took off at the end of the 1960s, Impala SS production would decline drastically.

 ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS

Type	Size	Carb	Horse Power	Tourqe
I6	230ci	1x1bbl	140 hp
V8	283ci	1x2bbl	195 hp @ 4800 rpm	285 lb-ft @ 2400 rpm
L74	327ci	1x4bbl	300 hp @ 5000 rpm	360 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
L30	327ci	1x4bbl	250 hp @ 4400 rpm	350 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm
L78	396ci	1x4bbl	425 hp @ 6400 rpm	415 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
L35	396ci	1x4bbl	325 hp @ 4800 rpm	410 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
L31	409ci	1x4bbl	400 hp @ 5800 rpm	425 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm
L33	409ci	1x4bbl	340 hp @ 5000 rpm	430 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm

 PERFORMANCE STATISTICS

0 to 60 mph	Quarter Mile	Engine	Source
7.0 sec	15.8 sec		Estimate

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1964 Impala

With the growing success of the SS package as an option on the early-1960s Impala’s, Chevy decided to make the package into its own distinctive model with the 1966 Impala. Production options were just about the same as they had been the for the SS packages the previous year, but with car-buyers growing demand for more power, it made sense to further distinguish the real sports option of the Impala.

In fact, 1964 marked the first year since the third generation of the Impala was introduced in 1961 that there weren’t significant performance increases in the available engine options. But sales numbers were continually reaching toward all-time highs, so it appeared that this fact didn’t bother Impala buyers.

At the top of the performance heap were two versions of Chevy’s now famous 409 CID V8 engine. By 1964 the engine had already worked its way even into the pop music scene as it was immortalized by the Beach Boys 1962 hit, “The 409,” but performance enthusiasts were more concerned with what the engine would do on the road. The single 4-barrel version of the engine produced either 340 or 400 horsepower depending on the version, while the 2x4-barrel version was rated at 425 horsepower. But of course, these weren’t the only engines available – in fact there were a total of seven engine options.

At the bottom of the line was a 230 CID six cylinder engine that produced 140 horsepower. However, that option didn’t entice many buyers and was by far the lowest selling model. There were two version of the base V8 – a 283 CID motor rated at 170 or 195 horsepower depending on what version was chosen. Finally, a 300-horsepower, 327 V8 could be chosen as well.

The Super Sport (SS) models included nearly identical upgrades as the SS package had the year before, including front bucket seats and special “leather-like” vinyl. The SS models were available in convertible Impala models or the hard top Sports Coupe.

1964 Impala

The Impala was selling better than ever in 1964, and a total of 889,600 were built throughout the model year. The base price of the car was up around $200 from the year before to $2,839.

1964 Impala SS

Sales of the SS model also were up, and 185,325 were produced for the year (this number is included in the total Impala production listed above). Of those, an impressive 8,684 included a version of the 409 engine.

Competition

While the Impala line as a whole was one of the best-selling car makes on American roads in 1964, it would soon begin to experience competition from a new breed of car that it helped inspire. When the 409 was first installed in 1961 Impalas, it became what many consider the first true muscle car. But by the mid-60s, car makers were putting their newly successful more powerful engines in smaller, even sportier cars.

The quintessential muscle cars we know today, including the Pontiac GTO and the Chevy Chevelle may have been inspired by the Impala, but would soon supersede the model in sales. But the SS model still had some growing to do and would hit an all-time sales high the following year.

 ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS

Type	Size	Carb	Horse Power	Tourqe
V8	283ci	1x2bbl	195 hp @ 4800 rpm	285 lb-ft @ 2400 rpm
V8	283ci	1x2bbl	170 hp
L74	327ci	1x4bbl	300 hp @ 5000 rpm	360 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
L30	327ci	1x4bbl	250 hp @ 4400 rpm	350 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm
L30	327ci	1x4bbl	250 hp @ 4400 rpm	350 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm
L80	409ci	1x4bbl	425 hp @ 6000 rpm	425 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm
L31	409ci	1x4bbl	400 hp @ 5800 rpm	425 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm
L33	409ci	1x4bbl	340 hp @ 5000 rpm	430 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm

 PERFORMANCE STATISTICS

0 to 60 mph	Quarter Mile	Engine	Source
6.6 sec	15.4 sec		Estimate

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1963 Impala

In 1962, the sporty Impala with the SS package likely lost quite a few customers to the lighter Bel Air sports coupe that had also been available with the now famous 409 CID V8 engine. But the Bel Air Sports Coupe was discontinued for 1963, and the SS sold even better than ever. This was probably helped by the fact the every engine in the Impala lineup saw horsepower increases over the previous year.

At the top of the line were two versions of the 409 engine. The single 4-barrel version was rated at 400 horsepower, up 20 from the year before. And the 2x4-barrel version of the engine was up to an astounding 425 horsepower, which represented a 16 horsepower increase from the year before.

The aforementioned 427 CID V8 was actually the top performer, and though it was officially rated at 430 horsepower, most critics agree its output was actually at least 500 horsepower. However, the engine was only put in cars made for factory approved customers, and only around 55 Impalas actually included the engine. It would be another few years before customers had the 427 engine available to them again.

On the lower end of performance options, there were quite a few additional engine choices. These began with the 230 CID six-cylinder known as the Turbo-Thrift that produced that produced 140 horsepower, which was up 10 from the year before. Up next, the standard V8 engine was a 283 CID V8 which was rated at 195 horsepower – and that number also represented an increase from the year before. Lastly, there were two versions of a 327 CID V8, and it produced 250 or 340 horsepower.

Once again, the Super Sport package was available with any Impala engine option, including the six-cylinder, and added a sporty trim to the car. The package included a heavy duty suspension, a special “leather-like” soft vinyl interior with aluminum trim and special instrumentation. All SS models also included a floor shifter and a locking console.

1963 Impala

As it had in year’s past, the Impala was available as a sports coupe, sports sedan and wagon, and it continued to sell extremely well. All models featured what Chevy called “Jet Smooth” styling.

Total production the previous year was an impressive 704,900, but 1963 production topped even that at 832,600. Of those cars, 153,271 included the SS package. The most basic Impala had a base price of $2,661, though the convertible Sports Coupe model started at $3,024. The SS package added an additional $161 to the base price of the car.

Competition

There’s a very good reason the Impala is called the first muscle car. To be more specific, that title went to the 1961 model of the car, but Chevy saw the popularity of the powerful versions of the Impala and was continually making more powerful options every year. In fact, by 1963, every car company was attempting to manufacture desirable performance machines.

This trend would be continually illustrated throughout the rest of the 1960s and into the 70s with the introduction of more and more muscle and pony cars. The extremely popular Mustang was only a year away in 1963, and American roads would be littered with muscle cars by the end of the decade. While the Impala would continue to be bigger than all these models, it can be seen as the model that spawned them all.

 ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS

Type	Size	Carb	Horse Power	Tourqe
I6	230ci	1x1bbl	140 hp
V8	230ci	1x1bbl	140 hp
V8	283ci	1x2bbl	195 hp @ 4800 rpm	285 lb-ft @ 2400 rpm
V8	327ci	1x4bbl	300 hp @ 4800 rpm	360 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
V8	327ci	1x4bbl	250 hp @ 4400 rpm	350 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm
V8	409ci	2x4bbl	425 hp
V8	409ci	1x4bbl	400 hp @ 5800 rpm	425 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm
V8 Z-11	427ci	2x4bbl	430 hp

 PERFORMANCE STATISTICS

0 to 60 mph	Quarter Mile	Engine	Source
6.3 sec	14.9 sec @ 98.0 mph	409ci/425hp	Motor Trend 7/63
6.6 sec	15.2 sec @ 90.0 mph	409ci/400hp	Car Life

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1962 Impala

When Chevy introduced the Super Sport (SS) model of the Impala the year before, along with a new 409 CID engine, they had introduced what is now known as the first muscle car. The 409 was built to compete with Ford’s new 390 CID V8, and now that buyers were getting excited about higher performing cars, the “Big Three” car companies would work throughout the rest of the decade and beyond to bring more and more power. And this trend was already apparent in 1962.

Chevy revised the single 4-barrel version of the 409 that had been introduced the year before with new cylinder heads and a revised cam shaft to bring horsepower up to 380 from last year’s total of 360. But the big news was the new 2x4-barrel version of the 409 that was now rated at 409 horsepower.

The Super Sport option was back again for the second year in a row, through this time it was just over $100 more expensive as it added $156 to the base price of the car. The SS package was actually available to any Impala, including those with six-cylinder engines. Included in the SS package were front bucket seats with a special “leather-soft” vinyl covering that had aluminum edging. Additionally, the package included a heavy duty suspension, a tachometer, metallic brakes linings, a locking console and knock-off style wheel covers.

For those Impala-buyers that didn’t choose the high performance engine options, there were still a slew of other options available. At the low end of performance was a 230 CID six-cylinder engine that was rated at 135 horsepower, and the base V8 option was a 283 CID V8 rated at 170 horsepower. A new 327 CID V8 was introduced for the year, and delivered 250 or 300 horsepower depending on which version was chosen.

1962 Impala

As had been the case the previous year, there were three body styles to choose from: a two-door coupe, a four-door hardtop and a four-door wagon. As popular as the 1961 Impalas were with over 400,000 produced, sales were even higher in 1962. Total production for the year was around 704,900. The cars started at $2,662 for the year.

The Super Sport models also proved extremely popular for the year. While relatively few had been sold with the optional sports package in 1961, around 100,000 SS Impalas were built in 1962. Of those, more than 15,000 included the 409 engine.

Competition

One of the Impala SS’s biggest competitors in 1962 was Chevy’s own Bel Air Coupe. In 1962, the 409 engine was available in the Bel Air and Biscayne, as well as the Impala. With the new styling of the Impala, it was slightly less aerodynamic than it had been the previous year, and some drivers wanting the 409 went with the lighter Bel Air Sports Coupe instead. But by the following year, the Bel Air Sports Coupe would be discontinued and the SS package would sell even better.

But Chevy wasn’t the only company building more and more powerful cars. The desire of American drivers to have high performance vehicles was already apparent in 1962, and all of the Big Three were working to develop the most powerful car they could. This was a trend that was nowhere near it’s end in 1962.

 ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS

Type	Size	Carb	Horse Power	Tourqe
I6	230ci	1x1bbl	140 hp
V8	230ci	1x1bbl	140 hp
V8	283ci	1x2bbl	195 hp @ 4800 rpm	285 lb-ft @ 2400 rpm
V8	327ci	1x4bbl	300 hp @ 4800 rpm	360 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
V8	327ci	1x4bbl	250 hp @ 4400 rpm	350 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm
V8	409ci	2x4bbl	425 hp
V8	409ci	1x4bbl	400 hp @ 5800 rpm	425 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm
V8 Z-11	427ci	2x4bbl	430 hp

 PERFORMANCE STATISTICS

0 to 60 mph	Quarter Mile	Engine	Source
6.3 sec	14.9 sec @ 98.0 mph	409ci/425hp	Motor Trend 7/63
6.6 sec	15.2 sec @ 90.0 mph	409ci/400hp	Car Life

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1961 Impala

“My four-speed, dual-quad, Posi-traction 4-0-9,” sang the Beach Boys on their 1962 song “The 409,” and the 409 they were singing about was sitting inside of the new SS models of Chevy’s top performer – the Impala. The Impala’s legend was being established almost as soon as it was introduced.

Though the 1961 Impala was only the fourth production year of the car, it was already in its third generation as a Chevy continuously tweaked the car they promoted as their top model of the full-size Chevrolets. Many refer to the Impala as the first muscle car, and the SS version of the 1961 model could be seen as a more specific starting point for the class. In fact, the 1961 Impala would go on to be heralded as one of the best and most memorable Chevys of the 1960s.

The Impala had been designed since its beginning as a combination of full-size luxury and sportiness, and had fulfilled the role well, but the introduction of the 409 not only introduced even more power to the car, it would start the other two car makers in the “Big Three” scrambling to equal (and then exceed) its power. But the engine wasn’t the only Impala option available.

Impalas equipped with the SS package, which added $53.80 to the price of the car, came with the choice of one of three 348 CID V8s, which ranged from 305 to 350 horsepower. Throughout the year, 453 Impalas included the SS package, and most of them were Sports Coupe models of the car. There was also a four-door hardtop and station wagon versions of the Impala available. Of the SS models produced, only 142 included the now iconic 409 engine. That engine produced 360 horsepower and 409 lbs./ft of torque.

The SS version of the was marketed by Chevy as a “highly personalized version” of the Impala, and included heavy duty springs and shocks, a padded instrument panel, a tachometer and 14-inch narrow band whitewall tires. An optional four-speed manual transmission for the largest V8s came with a distinctive floor-mounted gear shift.

1961 Impala

While the new high performance options were part of what made the 1961 Impala exciting, there also were options for those who didn’t need as much power. At the bottom end of the Impala’s power option was a 235 CID six-cylinder engine that produced 135 horsepower, and then there were two 283 V8s buyers could choose from: one with 170 horsepower and the other with 230 horsepower. The ability to customize the car with a variety of specifications was part of the Impala’s appeal, and around 491,000 Impalas were built during the model year, and of those, around 64,600 were convertibles. The base price of the car was $2,536.

Competition

The 409 engine was introduced in response to Ford’s new 390 CID V8. That engine was rated at 375 horsepower, so Chevy’s was more impressive in size (and name) than actual performance in 1961. However, this competition is part of what would start all auto makers to continue to upgrade performance throughout the rest of the 1960s, hence the name of the Impala as the first muscle car.

Additionally, the Impala itself would already begin to increase its own horsepower by the following year, as maximum performance would grow to 409 horsepower with the addition of a new 2x4-barrel version of the 409. The 1961 Impala was really the start of something special when it came to high performance cars.

 ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS

Type	Size	Carb	Horse Power	Tourqe
I6	235ci	1x1bbl	135 hp
V8	283ci	1x2bbl	195 hp @ 4800 rpm	285 lb-ft @ 2400 rpm
V8	283ci	1x2bbl	170 hp
V8	327ci	1x4bbl	300 hp @ 5000 rpm	360 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm
V8	327ci	1x4bbl	250 hp @ 4400 rpm	350 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm
V8	409ci	2x4bbl	409 hp
V8	409ci	1x4bbl	380 hp

 PERFORMANCE STATISTICS

0 to 60 mph	Quarter Mile	Engine	Source
6.3 sec	14.9 sec @ 98.0 mph	409ci/409hp	Motor Trend
7.3 sec	14.9 sec @ 94.0 mph	409ci/380hp	Car Life

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