CHEVROLET IMPALA SS History
Introduction: The
Chevrolet Impala is often credited with starting the muscle car era. Born
as Chevrolet's top of the line model, the Impala quickly became the symbol
for performance in the early sixties and introduced Chevrolet's signature
"SS" brand of performance. Although it would later be eclipsed by smaller,
lighter automobiles, the Impala still remains the performance car of choice
for those that like big cars.
1958 Chevrolet
Bel Air Impala
Comments:
The Impala began as the top option level on Chevrolet's Bel Air line. Chevrolet's
1958 lineup featured one year only styling that sported "curves where before
there were lines." The Impala option added special trim, deluxe interiors,
and resulted in the steepest price in the Chevrolet lineup. Performance
was important from the begining as the first Impala could be optioned with
up to a 348 V8 putting out 315 bhp. The public's positive response lead
to Chevrolet making the Impala a separate option for the next year.
Production: 2D Hardtop:
43,000 Convertible: Approximately 17,000
Engines: 235.5 I6
145 bhp. 283 V8 185 bhp. 283 V8 230 bhp. 283 V8 250 bhp. 348 V8 250 bhp.
348 V8 280 bhp. 348 V8 315 bhp.
1959 Chevrolet
Impala
Comments:
The Impala became its own model in 1959. As with all 1959 Chevy's, the
new Impalas were longer, lower, wider, and more curvy. They are had the
wildest tailfins besides Cadillac. The rear end sported "bat wing" rear
fenders, "cat's eye" taillamps, and a huge decklid. The drivetrain stayed
the same, with some increases in horsepower and sales remained good. Of
particular interest to enthusiasts were the availability of fuel injected
283 V8's, although these were rare.
Production: Sport
Coupe: 182,520 Convertible: 72,765
Engines: 235.5 I6
145 bhp. 283 V8 170 bhp. 283 V8 185 bhp. 283 V8 230 bhp. 283 (fuel injected)
V8 250 bhp. 283 (fuel injected) V8 290 bhp. 348 V8 250 bhp. 348 V8 320
bhp. 348 V8 335 bhp.
1960 Chevrolet
Impala
Comments: The Impala
was toned down for 1960 and lost some of their distinct styling and fuel
injected engines.
Production: Sport
Coupe: 204,467 Convertible: 79,903
Engines: 235.5 I6
145 bhp. 283 V8 170 bhp. 283 V8 185 bhp. 283 V8 230 bhp. 348 V8 250 bhp.
348 V8 320 bhp. 348 V8 335 bhp.
1961 Chevrolet
Impala SS
Comments:
1961 would be the year that the first true muscle car was introduced, the
Chevrolet Impala SS. This would also be the year that Chevrolet introduced
its 409 cubic inch V8, the engine that would launch the Big Three auto
manufacturers into the horsepower race that would last well into the 1970s.
The 409 was actually a response to Ford's new 390 cid engine, which was
outperforming Chevy's on the dragstrip. Although it put out "only" 360
bhp compared to Ford's top 375 bhp, those extra 19 cid gave it respect
on the street and immortalized in song ("She's really fine, my 409"). Chevrolet
introduced the Super Sport (SS) option package, which was optional on the
348 and standard with the 409, which would define Chevrolet performance
for many years to come. The Super Sport package, a bargin at just .80,
consisted of special body and interior trim, power steering, power brakes
with sintered metallic linings, full wheel covers with a three blade spinner,
a passenger grab bar, a console for the floor shift, and a tachometer on
the steering column. The 409 engine came only with the four-speed manual
transmission and only one factory axle ratio. Lower axle ratios were available
from the dealer and owners could see 1/4 mile times in the high 15s, which
was pretty impressive in 1961. Unfortunately, the 409 already came with
11.25 compression and a four barrel carburetor, and due to its wedge shaped
combustion chambers was not very easy to improve performance further. But
no matter. Although only 142 Impala SS 409s were built in 1961 (and most
went to good customers that would run them at the local dragstrips), the
legend was born and the horsepower race was on.
Production: Impala
SS: 453 Impala SS w/ 409 V8: 142
Engines: 348 (4 bbl)
V8 305 bhp. 348 V8 340 bhp. 348 (3x2 bbl) V8 350 bhp. 409 V8 360 bhp @
5800 rpm, 409 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm.
Performance: 409/360:
0-60 in 7.8 sec. 1/4 mile in 15.8 sec. @ 94.1 mph.
1962 Chevrolet
Impala SS
Comments: Chevrolet
increased production of the 409 and made it available in all full size
Chevy's - Biscaynes, Bel Airs, and Impalas. The Impala's were a bit less
aerodynamic this year, which made some racers turn to the lighter and slicker
Bel Air coupe. The 409 was improved by adding new cylinder heads and a
revised camshaft. With the standard 4 bbl carb, the 409 produced 380 bhp.
But the real news was the improved top of the line 409 which added a pair
of Carter AFB four barrel carbs and a lightweight valve train, and produced
an astonishing 409 bhp, or a magical 1 bhp per cid. The 409 legend grew.
Production: Impala
SS: Approximately 100,000 Impala SS w/ 409 V8: 15,091
Engines: 283 V8 170
bhp. 283 V8 195 bhp. 327 V8 250 bhp. 327 V8 300 bhp. 409 V8 380 bhp. 409
(2x4 bbl) V8 409 bhp.
1963 Chevrolet
Impala SS
Comments:
1963 saw the Impala SS continue to increase in performance and popularity.
With the elimination of the Bel Air coupe, buyers again switched back to
Impala SS coupes and convertibles. The 409 was further improved for driveability
and a detuned version with 340 bhp was made available with an optional
Powerglide automatic transmission. For the serious enthusiasts, Chevrolet
offered the 409 with solid lifters and a single four bbl carb good for
400 bhp and a solid lifter 409 with two four barrel carbs good for a whooping
425 bhp. As if that wasn't enough, Chevrolet introduced a new engine, the
Z-11 in mid 1963. This was a 427 cid V8 loosely based on the existing 409
but featured a smaller bore and a longer stroke. It featured angled valves
and was nicknamed the "porcupine head motor." Although it was officially
rated at 430 bhp, it easily made close to 500 bhp and was an instant sucess
at the drag strip. Unfortunately, it was only available to factory approved
customers through Chevrolet's RPO (Regular Production Option). It was usually
coupled with the optional factory fitted lightweight front end - aluminum
panels and bumper. In addition, Chevrolet was preparing another 427 V8,
the Daytona "Mystery Motor" to be used at the 1963 Daytona race. However,
Chevrolet officially withdrew from racing competition, putting a stop to
development of the "Mystery Motor" and after only 55 Z-11 Impalas were
built. The 427 would not reappear for another three years, but it would
be a direct descendent of the "Mystery Motor" that Chevrolet had killed
in 1963.
Production: Impala
SS: 153,271
Engines: 283 V8 170
bhp. 283 V8 195 bhp. 327 V8 250 bhp. 327 V8 300 bhp. 409 V8 340 bhp, 430
lb-ft @ 3200 rpm. 409 V8 400 bhp. 409 (2x4 bbl) V8 425 bhp. (Z-11) 427
V8 430 bhp.
Performance: 409/340:
0-60 in 6.6 seconds, 1/4 mile in high 15s.
1964 Chevrolet
Impala SS
Comments:
The Impala SS became its own series for 1964 and continue to feature unique
exterior trim and a lavish interior. Available only as a convertible or
Sport Coupe, the SS was offered with the same engines as 1963, including
the top of the line 409. But the introduction of the Pontiac GTO would
steal the Impala SS thunder as buyers began to shift over to smaller, lighter
cars that could offer similar performance for less money than the full
size car.
Production: Impala
SS: 185,325 Impala w/ 409 V8: 8,684
Engines: 283 V8 170
bhp. 283 V8 195 bhp. (L30) 327 V8 250 bhp @ 4400 rpm, 350 lb-ft @ 2800
rpm. (L74) 327 V8 300 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 360 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm. (L33) 409 V8
340 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 430 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm. (L31) 409 V8 400 bhp @ 5800 rpm,
425 lb-ft@ 3600 rpm. (L80) 409 (2x4 bbl) V8 425 bhp @ 6000 rpm, 425 lb-ft
@ 4200 rpm.
1965 Chevrolet
Impala SS
Comments:
The Impala was completely redesigned for 1965 and featured a more streamlined
look, rather than the boxy look of previous years. In February, the mighty
409 was phased out and was replaced by the Mark IV 396 cid V8, which would
power Chevrolets for the rest of the '60s. The new 396 could be mated to
a new automatic transmission, the Turbo Hydra-matic 350. The 396 was a
direct descendant of the "Daytona Mystery Engine" The 409s and 396s were
available in all Impalas, including four door sedans and station wagons,
but the Impala SS continued as a separate series. 1965 also saw the introduction
of the Caprice option on the Impala and came standard with a V8.
Production: 239,500
Engines: (L30) 327
V8 250 bhp @ 4400 rpm, 350 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm. (L74) 327 V8 300 bhp @ 5000
rpm, 360 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm. (L35) 396 V8 325 bhp @ 4800 rpm, 410 lb-ft @
3200 rpm. (L78) 396 V8 425 bhp @ 6400 rpm, 415 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm. (L33)
409 V8 340 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 430 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm. (L31) 409 V8 400 bhp @
5800 rpm, 425 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm.
1966 Chevrolet
Impala SS
Comments:
By 1966, the Impala SS was beginning to lose its luster. The Caprice became
the new top of the line Chevrolet, stealing the Impala's luxury image while
the SS was becoming more of an appearance package rather than a performance
one. The Impala also lost its signature six round taillights, which had
been an Impala trademark since 1958. New large rectangular ones replaced
them along with a more massively styled front end. The Mark IV 396 continued,
but a larger 427 version was introduced. It was rated at 390 bhp, while
the "special performance" version was rated at 425 bhp due to solid lifters,
four-barrel carb with aluminum manifold and heavy duty four bolt main block.
The 427 was available with a special performance, extra rugged, extra noisy,
four speed manual transmission, called the "rock-crusher." The Impala SS
sales were down by more than 50% to 119,312 due to lost sales to the Caprice
and smaller midsize performance muscle cars.
Production: 119,314
Engines: (L30) 327
V8 275 bhp @ 4800 rpm, 355 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm. (L35) 396 V8 325 bhp @ 4800
rpm, 410 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm. (L36) 427 V8 390 bhp @ 5200 rpm, 470 lb-ft @
3600 rpm. (L72) 427 V8 425 bhp @ 5600 rpm, 460 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm.
1967 Chevrolet
Impala SS
Comments:
The Impala SS sales continued to fall as buyers increasingly turned away
from fullsize performance. The SS began to look more and more like the
standard Impala, with only a black accented lower body sill and bright
fender moldings on the SS. The engine choices were reduced down to just
a 396 with 325 bhp or a 427 with 385 bhp. The Impala also had a host of
new safety and convience features, including a dual master cylinder brake
system, an energy absorbing steering column, and an ignition switch illuminated
by the first use of fiber optics technology to appear in a Chevrolet.
Production: Impala
SS: 75,600 SS427: 2,124
Engines: (L30) 327
V8 275 bhp @ 4800 rpm, 355 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm. (L35) 396 V8 325 bhp @ 4800
rpm, 410 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm. (L36) 427 V8 390 bhp @ 5200 rpm, 460 lb-ft @
3600 rpm. (L72) 427 V8 425 bhp @ 5600 rpm, 460 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm.
1968 Chevrolet
Impala SS
Comments:
The Impala SS reverted back to an option for 1968, and was ordered on only
38,210 out of 710,900 Impalas. The SS option was now available on three
models, the convertible, the Sport Coupe (hardtop coupe), and the Custom
Coupe. Both the 396 and 427 engines continued, despite continued falling
sales.
Production: Impala
SS: 38,210 SS427: 1,778
Engines: (L30) 327
V8 275 bhp @ 4800 rpm, 355 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm. (L35) 396 V8 325 bhp @ 4800
rpm, 410 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm. (L36) 427 V8 390 bhp @ 5200 rpm, 460 lb-ft @
3400 rpm. (L72) 427 V8 425 bhp @ 5600 rpm, 460 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm.
1969 Chevrolet
Impala SS
Comments:
Due to poor sales, Chevrolet eliminated the SS option on all full size
cars except one, the Impala SS 427. The 1969 Impala SS featured new pontoon-bulge
fender lines and new "full door glass" which eliminated the vent windows.
The 427 engine was carried over from the year before. Only 2,455 copies
of the Impala SS 427 were sold, which ensured that this would be the last
year of the famed Impala SS. The Impala line would continue, sporting the
new 454 cid V8 engine for 1970 and surviving well into the late 1970s.
But the Impala would never recapture its performance image and became just
a luxury fullsize car. But in retrospect, an impressive 918,000 Impala
SS were manufactured, a true testament to its significance.
Production: Impala
SS 427: 2,425
Engines: (L36) 427
V8 390 bhp @ 5400 rpm, 460 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm. (LS1) 427 V8 400 bhp @ 5400
rpm, 460 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm. (L72) 427 V8 425 bhp @ 5600 rpm, 460 lb-ft @
4000 rpm.
To add some flash to its
fullsize Caprice, Chevrolet brought back the Impala SS in 1994, 25 years
after the last one rolled off the assembly lines in 1969. Sporting a high
performance V8 and rear wheel drive, and wrapped in body work to match
its performance intentions, the Impala SS was truly a modern muscle car.
Though it only lasted three model years, it became an instant cult classic
and a fitting tribute to the great Impala's of the 1960s.
1994 Impala SS
Comments:
The Impala SS debuted in 1994 as a high performance model based on the
fullsize Caprice platform. It was the first four door sedan to carry the
fabled "Impala SS" name (all previous SS models were coupes or convertibles),
but Chevrolet made sure that it lived up to its heritage. As such, it sported
rear wheel drive, a xxx inch wheelbase, and a commanding presence on the
road. The Impala SS was only available in black and featured a ody-colored
grille, body-color front and rear fascias, rocker moldings, door handles
and key locks, taillamp moldings, body-colored raised Impala SS logos along
the rear fenders, a unique rear deck-lid spoiler, and Impala emblems on
the sail panels and rear deck lid. The interior featured a gray leather
interior with deeply contoured front bucket seats and black statin finish
on the instrument panel and door trim panels. But the heart of a muscle
car is the engine, and Chevrolet didn't disappoint there. Replacing the
Caprice's rather weak 180 bhp V8 was a new Corvette-derived 5.7 liter LT1
V8 with Sequential Fuel Injection, reclaibrated to deliver 260 bhp at 5,000
rpm and 330 lb-ft. of torque at 2,400 rpm. The engine was hooked up to
the standard GM electronically controlled 4L60-E four speed automatic transmission
with a 3.08:1 final-drive ratio and a limited slip differential. Chevrolet
also added a special ride and handling suspension derived from the Chevrolet
law enforcement package for its Caprices and threw in a quick-ratio power
steering unit (12.7:1 vs. the standard 15.3:1 ratio). Tuned front and rear
stabilizer bars and de Carbon gas-pressure shocks helped the Impala keep
its composure in the twisties while massive 17" x 8.5" five-spoke cast-alloy
wheels fitted with huge P255/50ZR17 tires kept the Impala SS connected
to the road. Standard four-wheel, 12" diameter ventilated disc brakes and
a 4-wheel anti-lock braking system brought the car to a stop if things
got out of hand.
Production: About
6,000
Engines: 350 (5.7
liter) V8 260 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 330 lb-ft @ 2400 rpm.
Performance: 0-60
in 7.1 seconds, 1/4 mile in 15.4 seconds @ 91.1 mph.
1995 Impala SS
Comments:
Changes were minor for 1995. Whereas the previous year had a small plastic
insert in the window just forward of the C-pillar, in 1995 this curve was
stamped into the body panels. Impalas could now be ordered in two more
colors: Dark Cherry metallic (a dark purple), and Dark Green-Gray Metallic.
Also, the mirrors moved from being door mounted to being mounted on the
window frame and could now foldaway.
Production: 18,649
- Black: 7,134, Dark Cherry: 9,858, Gray Green: 4,442.
Engines: 350 (5.7
liter) V8 260 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 330 lb-ft @ 2400 rpm.
Performance: 0-60
in 7.1 seconds, 1/4 mile in 15.4 seconds @ 91.1 mph.
1996 Impala SS
Comments:
Changes were minor for 1996, the last year of the Impala SS. The shifter
was now mounted on the console and the dash sported an analog gauge cluster.
The fuel pressure and voltage gauges were dropped, but a tachometer and
analog speedometer was added. Production of the Impala SS actually lasted
untill December 13, 1996 (well into the 1997 model year), but all Impala
SS's built were labeled as 1996 models.
Production: 41,941
- Black: 19,085, Dark Cherry: 12,180, Gray Green: 10,676.
Engines: 350 (5.7
liter) V8 260 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 330 lb-ft @ 2400 rpm.
Performance: 0-60
in 7.1 seconds, 1/4 mile in 15.4 seconds @ 91.1 mph.
Chevrolet Impala
2000
New for 2000: Chevrolet's flagship
sedan returns after a four-year absence from the U.S. market. The
full-size Impala is completely newóthe only carryover detail is
its name, which has been around for over 40 years.
History: The first Impala was
introduced in 1958, and it became Chevrolet's best-selling
car in its second year of production. This success was only a taste
of what was to come. More than one million Impalas were sold in 1965
aloneóa record that still stands for a single nameplate. In
1994 the Impala nameónow with an SS on the endóreturned as
a high-performance version of the Caprice Classic. For 2000 a totally
new model wears the Impala name. This sedan features a number of
styling cues from its predecessors, including the round taillights
found on Impalas from the 1960s. Unlike earlier Impalas, the 2000 model
features front-wheel drive. Expect Impala in showrooms later this
year.
Trim Details: The 2000 Chevrolet
Impala is available in two trims: Base and LS. Safety features include
dual airbags, a driver's side airbag (optional on Base), daytime running
lights, child safety locks, and an anti-lock brake system (ABS)óoptional
on Base. Powering the Impala Base is a 3.4-liter V6 engine that produces
180 horsepower. Standard on the LS and optional on the Base is a
3.8-liter V6 that boosts horsepower to 200. Standard equipment includes
air conditioning, power windows and door locks, intermittent wipers, a
rear window defroster, a theft-deterrent system, and an AM/FM stereo
system. The LS upgrades with cruise control, a center console, a
power driver's seat, 16-inch alloy wheels, a split-folding rear seat,
and traction control. Leather trim, heated seats and a CD player are available
options.
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