The Chevrolet Impala is a full-size automobile built by the Chevrolet division of General Motors. One of America’s most successful nameplates, the Impala became the best-selling automobile when full-sized cars dominated sales.
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. The Impala, named for a southern African antelope, is most readily distinguished by having three pairs of taillights, where most contemporary cars have two.
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 1964 sales of 1,074,925 units (Impala & Impala SS) in the U.S. still stands as a record. 1965 wasn’t far behind with 1,046,500 units. In 2008, Impala was the 8th best selling vehicle (of any kind) and 6th best selling car in the United States and had the distinction of being the top selling American nameplate sedan, according to Reuters Top 20 Best-selling Vehicles Scorecard.
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 (6.7 L) “W” engine was discontinued early in the 1965 model year, so early-production ‘65s got the 409, where later-built cars had the 396-cubic-inch (6.5 L) as the big-block option. Two-range Powerglide, as well as Synchro-Mesh 3- and 4-speed manual transmissions were available. As with previous years, Impalas featured more chrome trim inside and out, with pleated tufted upholstery and door panels.
History speaks for itself – as these luxury Impalas have been immaculately restored for your enjoyment!
