1965 marked the introduction of the redesigned fourth-generation Impalas. Redesigned in 1965, the Impala set an all-time industry annual sales record of more than 1 million units in the United States. The Impalas included crossed-flag insignias above the side moldings, as well as bright rocker moldings and dummy rear-fender scoops. No changes were made to the exterior design until 1977 when the body became shorter and slightly narrower. Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and Cowl Tag Decoding - impalas.org 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. The Impala again was offered as a police vehicle in the ninth generation form. The 119-inch (3,023mm) wheelbase, inner body shell and framework were carried over from the 1965 model along with the roof lines of pillared four-door sedans and station wagons. Sales for the Impala 9C1 and 9C3 were strong with law enforcement and they were especially popular with large city fleets such as the NYPD and Philadelphia Police Department. Steering wheels and instrument panels were color-keyed to interior colors, as opposed to the matte black used in 19711972. Sport coupe models of the car received the newly fashionable semi-fastback roofline, and the instrument panel was completely redesigned as well. A two-tone instrument panel put gauges in a recessed area ahead of the driver. [28] 1966 saw a pair of enlarged big-block V8s featuring 427cuin (7.0L). The 1996 Impala SS was also exported to the Middle East, as the Caprice SS, with the car being identical to its American counterpart except for the side fonts on the rear quarter panel and the badge on the dashboard saying Caprice SS. 1965 Impala/ Caprice/ Bel Air/ Biscayne Factory Paint Color - YouTube Impala overwhelmed the sales charts, as it had for years. They were all four-door sedans painted in a special green-gold color. As mentioned before, 1965 Impala production hit an all-time high not seen before or since in the auto industry. Impalas were discontinued from production from 1986 to 1993 with a total revamp in design in 1994. The Chevrolet Caprice was introduced as a top-line Impala Sport Sedan for model year 1965, later becoming a separate series positioned above the Impala in 1966, which, in turn, remained above the Chevrolet Bel Air and the Chevrolet Biscayne. A year-by-year timeline of Chevy convertibles, 1946-'75, from Ban or no ban, the Impala SS 409 hardtop ($2,947) or convertible ($3,196) was still a big, fast car for the time. Australian models were assembled in Australia from kits as this lessened tax on the cars. The package also included upgraded tires on station wagon wheels, springs, shocks and special sintered metallic brake linings. In 1965, Chevrolet introduced a new luxury package for the Impala four-door hardtop, called "Caprice" and coded as RPO Z18. This was Regular Production Option Z24, marketed as the SS 427. This "halo" model also featured the "spinner" wheel covers from the Impala SS, with the "SS" logo centers replaced by a Chevrolet "bowtie" emblem. 1976 Impalas used a previous year Caprice nose, with a new "egg crate" grille insert. The 2-door hardtop model (dubbed the "Sport Coupe") was discontinued after 1975, leaving redesigned Custom Coupe, with its wide "B" pillar and fixed rear window, the only 2-door Impala available in 1976. The new rear bumper housed triple "horseshoe" shaped taillights. Standard wheel covers were the same as the optional full covers on other big Chevrolets, but the centers featured the "SS" logo surrounded by tri-color ring of red, white and blue. [94] However, GM CEO Mary Barra later said that unlike Ford and FCA, GM had no plans to exit the sedan market,[95] and at the time stated that the Impala would continue in production as a way to fill the void left by the planned departure of the Ford Taurus in 2019. The 19771979 coupes sported a double bent tempered rear window similar to what was later used for the 1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Aerocoupe. The Beach Boys produced a hit single, "409", referring to the Chevrolet, which became an iconic song for these cars. New Zealand models were assembled by General Motors New Zealand with bodies supplied from Canada already welded, painted and trimmed. *Ford fans mainly got Mustangs, and maybe Torinos/Fairlanes as their 'hot rod'. The Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission was offered for the first time. Optional were a 283cuin with 290hp (220kW) and 348cuin (5.7L) V8 up to 335hp (250kW). [46] Based on the Lumina's W-body platform, it was built at Oshawa Car Assembly in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. The new Caprice Custom Sedan package could be added to the Sport Sedan for an additional cost of around $200. 2014 Chevrolet Impala Can Help: Study shows high-intensity discharge headlamps can help drivers stop sooner", "2014 Chevrolet Impala - Specs and Features", "2014 Chevrolet Impala to move upmarket, share platform with Cadillac XTS", "Rare praise: Consumer Reports gives Chevy Impala top rating", "2014 Chevrolet Impala LTZ w/2LZ 4dr Sedan Specs and Prices", "GM Invests $68 million for Next-Gen Impala in Oshawa", "GM's 2014 Chevrolet Impala headed to dealerships", "2014 Chevrolet Impala Production Begins Today in Oshawa", "2014 Chevrolet Impala: GM has full-size ambitions for flagship sedan", "2014 Chevrolet Impala Surges Ahead Of Competition After Retail Share, Average Transaction Prices Spike", "Chevy announces broad deployment of 4G LTE with OnStar (w/videos)", "2016 Chevy Impala Gets A Bevy Of Changes And A Few Updates", "Apple CarPlay's coming to these 14 Chevrolet cars in the 2016 model year", "These are the 14 Chevrolet cars from the 2016 model year that will have Android Auto", 2018 Chevrolet Impala Gets Standard Features Galore, New Colors And More, 2019 Chevy Impala Gets These Three Changes, 2020 Chevrolet Impala Drops LS Model, 2.5L Four Cylinder Engine, "2015 Green Car Of The Year finalists announced, run alt-fuel gamut", "LA Auto Show 2014: BMW's i3 named Green Car of the Year", "2016 Chevrolet Impala Exported To South Korea", "Where are the Sonic and Impala in Chevy's updated 2019 car lineup? Cheers! . The 2012 NASCAR season marked the end of use of the Impala nameplate on stock cars. Over the decades the system proved durable and successfully protected front passengers in front-end collisions. The standard column-shift three-speed manual was now full synchronized, and a new 250-cubic-inch six-cylinder engine replaced the previous 230-cubic-inch six while the 195-horsepower 283-cubic-inch Turbo Fire V-8 remained the base V-8 engine. For more about the Chevrolet Impala, browse our . The tenth-generation Impala was introduced at the 2012 New York Auto Show for the 2014 model year, with sales and production commencing March 4, 2013. 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). 18 Things Supernatural Fans Don't Know About The Winchesters' Impala [109] (GM is also facing a similar legal dispute regarding a pre-bankruptcy upgrade to its OnStar system which left thousands of users without service in violation of their paid-up contracts. The CD player was now only offered as standard equipment on the LTZ, but available as an option on other trims as part of the Technology package. Power front disc brakes were standard on the Impala Custom coupe and optional on all other models. A ceremony was held at the plant on December 13, 1996, as the last Impala SS was produced.[3]. [105] and a "Good" score for side impacts. Specially stitched cloth door panels were accented with simulated walnut, and contour-padded seats wore a combination of fabric and vinyl. A new radio was optional.[19]. 1965 Super Sport exteriors differed only slightly from regular Impalas. 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. As those cars (including the Chevy Chevelle) took off at the end of the 1960s, Impala SS production would decline drastically. in 66 the 375HP 396 and the 425HP 427 got a new solid lifter cam with more lift than the 65 solid cam. With all the pony-cars. Topping the list was the big 427, rated at 385 or 425 horsepower. In 1968 only, SS427s could be ordered without the Z03 SS package, which meant SS427 equipment but no bucket seats, SS door panels, or center console. [72], In the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's crash tests, the 2000 to 2005 Impala was given a "Good" rating overall for good structural performance and no chance of any significant injury in a crash of its severity, except for maybe a minor lower-left-leg injury, such as a bruise or sprain. [7], The 1970 Impala got a minor facelift featuring a more conventional bumper under the grill replacing the wrap-around unit used in 1969 and new triple vertical taillights. The 1975 Impala used a 1974 carried-over Caprice front end, with a grille insert and emblem change. 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. Two versions of Chevrolet's 348cuin (5,700cc) V8, its first big-block, were also optional, producing 250hp (190kW) with a single four-barrel carburetor and 280hp (210kW) with three two-barrels. It will allow the driver to switch from gasoline to CNG or from CNG to gasoline at the push of a button. Of the total Impala production, 243,114 were SS models. 253. The primary difference between the LT1 in the Impala and the LT1 that was in the Corvette and Camaro was that the Impala engine was fitted with cast-iron cylinder heads instead of aluminum ones, and a camshaft that was designed more for low-end torque than high-end horsepower. Current owners may be able to tell if their car has side airbags by checking the, Chevrolet Impala - Shannons Club TV - Episode 9, 2006 Chevrolet Impala SS Road Test / Family Four Doors / Car Shopping / Hot Lists / Reviews Car And Driver, Motor Trend: Car of the Year-February 1977, Chevrolet Impala (fourth generation) Impala SS, Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive, "History of the Chevrolet Impala 19582011", "Buick Regal vs. Ford Taurus, Chevy Impala, Dodge Intrepid, Hyundai XG350, Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord", "THE BLOG; What Car Sold Best? The concept car was two inches lower to the ground than the regular Caprice, and was powered by an 8.2-liter (500cuin) engine. Only 142 1961 Impala Super Sports came from the factory with the 409. 10 Pages Includes Caprice Impala Bel Air Biscayne And Full Size Station Wagons Chevy 65 . The convertible was moved upmarket to the Caprice Classic series. The 9C1 and 9C3 models were based on the LS model, yet offered steel wheels or steel wheels with wheel covers, optional rubber flooring, preparation for police equipment such as sirens, radios, lighting, special badging, inoperable rear door handles, windows, and door locks. I have a 65 Impala SS Convertable,300 HP 327 with A/C. The changes in the automobile marketplace resulted in Chevrolet redesigning the Impala for the 1977 model year to meet changing demands. No longer a separate series, the Super Sport was a mere $179 option package (Regular Production Option Z03) for the two Impala coupes and the convertible. During the 1969 model year Impala production, including Kingswood wagons totaled 777,000 units, compared to 166,000 Caprices and Kingswood Estate wagons, 68,700 Biscaynes and Brookwood wagons, and 155,700 Bel Airs and Townsman wagons. All models used the previous SS style spoiler (actually phased in for the late 2008 model year). Turbo-Jet 396 V8. 1965 Chevrolet sales brochure. The 1969 models were unique in several ways: Disc brakes were standard that year (optional on other years) along with 15 inch wheels, and this was the only year that the cars had the name "Impala" anywhere on the body. 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. The marker lights moved back up beside the headlamps once again. The Impala remained Chevrolet's top-selling model with the fifth generation. Fuel injection was no longer an option on full-size Chevrolets. The generation-7 OnStar system with turn-by-turn navigation was included when the available directions and connections service was selected. All Impalas of this generation received annual facelifts as well, distinguishing each model year. They used a version of the 1965 Impala dash panel without provision for a radio and installed in a dashboard moulding made of fibreglass, not metal until 1969. The formal Custom Coupe, previously a Caprice exclusive, became available as an Impala. This Impala mostly sold to fleet operators, with private buyers accounting for a quarter of sales.[63]. The inline six-cylinder engine was now offered on the Bel Air 4-door sedan only, and only with the 3-speed manual transmission. In addition to the "OnStar/Connections Plan" being rebranded as the "Guidance Plan", the 2016 Impala's option packages were rebranded: The 2017 model year Impala only saw minor changes, with the top-of-the-line LTZ trim rebrand as the Premier trim and Pepperdust Metallic introduced as a new color option. 1960 Chevrolet Impala | Hemmings 1965 Chevrolet Cars Complete Set Of Factory . The 425 HP block casting number for `65 will be 3855962. For the 2012 model year refresh, both the 9C1 and 9C3 replaced the fog lamps with brake cooling ducts not seen on civilian models, body colored exterior trunk trim, larger 17-inch wheels with new wheel covers, and the same LFX V6 that powers the civilian Impala paired to a six speed automatic transmission. The new combination once again pushed the Impala to a 300-horsepower rating, and continued with the Impala Limited from 2014 to 2016. GM was so sure that Nascar was going to put a 400 CI limit on motors in 65, that is why . 1965 Impala - Muscle Car Facts The RPO L36 was rated at 385hp (287kW), the L72 at 425hp (317kW). The 348-cubic-inch (5.7L) V8 was discontinued and replaced by the 380bhp (283kW) 409-cubic-inch (6.7L) or 409bhp (305kW) 409-cubic-inch (6.7L) engine,[citation needed] available only with a manual transmission. Sport Coupes wore a sleek semi-fastback roofline, and wheel well moldings were revised. Now in person and in print I have seen quite a few 409 65 impala hardtops. Throughout the early 1960s, Chevrolet's basic body designs became increasingly subtle, while the bright trim that was part of the Impala package added more than a touch of luxury to the look. While Supernatural films in Vancouver, the Impala is used for long-distance driving and has put on some serious mileage to be a potent car. The 1994 Impala SS went into production on February 14, 1994, at GM's plant in Arlington, Texas,[36] and was almost identical cosmetically to the concept car, the only noticeable change being the chromed bowtie logo on the grill (vs. a red logo on the concept). Rooflines were carried over from 1963 unchanged. The 1970 Impala was one of three remaining Chevrolet convertibles, with only 9,562 were built. The Chevrolet Impala (/mpl, -pl/) is a full-size car built by Chevrolet for model years 1958 to 1985, 1994 to 1996, and 2000 to 2020. As such, it got much of the equipment formerly available only to law enforcement and government agencies. The Last Car: Why the Chevy Impala Is Worth Eulogizing The fourth generation of Impala models, released in 1964, sold more than one million models to U.S. customers. All body style codes in 1964 were four digits, which were changed to five for the 1965 model year. The 1971 redesigned B-body would be the largest car ever offered by Chevrolet. 1961 Chevrolet Impala SS 409 - Horsepower Memories Pistons were made from forged aluminum. For 2015, 4G LTE was added to OnStar as an optional feature[84] HD Radio was no longer offered starting with the 2015 model year. [22] along with the small-block 283 fitted with a two barrel carburetor. The last of the big, brutal American four-speeds - Hagerty Media However, the transmission was not upgraded up for the power of the LT1, nor the extra weight of the body and frame, and transmission failures after 100,000 miles (160,000km) were commonplace. SS or Super Sport did not necessarily mean big power. 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. The 283 was also enlarged to 327-cubic-inch (5.4L), offered in two versions, one with 250bhp (186kW) and one with 300bhp (224kW). This began the gradual slide to oblivion for manual-equipped full-size Fords. Fender and dashboard emblems rounded out the package. The Sport Coupe, still a pillar-less hardtop, now used larger roll-down quarter glass like that of the 19711973 Custom Coupe, and had a narrower, fastback style, flat back window. The old 409-cubic-inch (6.7L) "W" engine was discontinued early in the 1965 model year, so early-production '65s got the 409, available only in four-barrel 340 and 400 horsepower options. Fifty RPO Z11 cars were produced at the Flint GM plant. [64] The ninth generation Impala was 200.4in (5,090mm) long, 58.7in (1,491mm) high, and 72.9in (1,852mm) wide with a drag coefficient of 0.33. 2 America in successive years, for Michele Mouton (1985), Bobby Unser (1986) and Walter Rhrl (1987). 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 Chevrolet Impala (fourth generation) are full-size automobiles produced by Chevrolet for the 1965 through 1970 model years. The consolidated plant in Oshawa, Canada continued making the Impala Limited, along with the Chevrolet Equinox. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Made with for Muscle Cars - Musclecarfacts.com Copyright 2023. GM adopted a new lock system for all models, replacing the previous system that had been in use since 1936 with letter-coded keys that changed each year.