The Chevrolet Impala is an iconic American car that has gone through many changes over the years. From its debut in 1958 to its eventual discontinuation in 1985, the Impala went through multiple redesigns and updates, reflecting the changing tastes of American car buyers.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the 18 model years of the Chevrolet Impala, starting from its first year of production in 1958 and ending with its final year in 1985. We’ll examine the key features and design elements of each model year, as well as the changes made along the way.
1958 Chevrolet Impala
The first year of production for the Chevrolet Impala was 1958, and it featured a distinctive design with a wraparound windshield, V-shaped hood, and a distinctive grille. The Impala was available as a two-door coupe, four-door sedan, and a convertible. The car was powered by a 348 cubic inch V8 engine that produced 250 horsepower.
1959 Chevrolet Impala
The second year of the Impala, 1959, featured a more elaborate grille design and “cat-eye” tail lights. The Impala was also available as a two-door hardtop and a four-door hardtop, in addition to the existing coupe, sedan, and convertible models.
1960 Chevrolet Impala
The 1960 model year featured a new “bubble top” roof design, which gave the car a sleeker, more modern look. The Impala also received a more refined grille, with a flatter, wider appearance. The car was available with a variety of engine options, including a 348 cubic inch V8 that produced up to 350 horsepower.
1961 Chevrolet Impala
The 1961 model year featured a redesigned grille and tail lights, as well as a new “Super Sport” (SS) package. The SS package included a 409 cubic inch V8 engine that produced up to 425 horsepower, as well as a special suspension and trim package. The Impala was also available with a variety of other engine options, including a 348 cubic inch V8 that produced up to 350 horsepower.
1962 Chevrolet Impala
The 1962 model year featured a more restrained design with a cleaner grille and a new “W” block V8 engine. The Impala was available as a two-door hardtop, a four-door sedan, and a convertible. The car was powered by a variety of engine options, including a 327 cubic inch V8 that produced up to 300 horsepower.
1963 Chevrolet Impala
The 1963 model year introduced the iconic “split grille” design, which gave the Impala a more aggressive, sporty look. The Impala also received a new SS package, which included a 409 cubic inch V8 engine that produced up to 425 horsepower. Other engine options included a 327 cubic inch V8 that produced up to 340 horsepower, and a 283 cubic inch V8 that produced up to 220 horsepower.
1964 Chevrolet Impala
The 1964 model year featured a more angular design with sharper lines and a more aggressive stance. The Impala was available as a two-door hardtop, a four-door sedan, and a convertible. The car was powered by a variety of engine options, including a 409 cubic inch V8 that produced up to 425 horsepower.
1965 Chevrolet Impala
The 1965 model year featured a redesigned body with a more angular, sporty look. The Impala received a new grille design, as well as a revised interior with updated features, including a new instrument panel and revised upholstery. The car was powered by a variety of engine options, including a 396 cubic inch V8 that produced up to 425 horsepower.
1966 Chevrolet Impala
The 1966 model year introduced a new “Caprice” luxury package, which included upgraded upholstery and trim, as well as a more upscale exterior design. The Impala also received a new “427” big-block V8 engine that produced up to 425 horsepower. Other engine options included a 327 cubic inch V8 that produced up to 350 horsepower.
1967 Chevrolet Impala
The 1967 model year marked a major design overhaul for the Impala, with a more streamlined body and a more modern, sporty look. The Impala also received a new interior design, with revised upholstery and trim. The car was powered by a variety of engine options, including a 427 cubic inch V8 that produced up to 385 horsepower.
1968 Chevrolet Impala
The 1968 model year featured a redesigned grille and tail lights, as well as the introduction of a new “Custom Coupe” model. The Impala also received a revised interior with updated features, including a new instrument panel and revised upholstery. The car was powered by a variety of engine options, including a 427 cubic inch V8 that produced up to 425 horsepower.
1969 Chevrolet Impala
The 1969 model year featured a longer, wider body with a more muscular, aggressive look. The Impala also received a revised grille design, as well as updated interior features, including a new instrument panel and revised upholstery. The car was powered by a variety of engine options, including a 427 cubic inch V8 that produced up to 425 horsepower.
1970 Chevrolet Impala
The 1970 model year featured a more restrained design with a new grille and tail lights. The Impala also received updated interior features, including a new instrument panel and revised upholstery. The car was powered by a variety of engine options, including a 454 cubic inch V8 that produced up to 450 horsepower.
1971 Chevrolet Impala
The 1971 model year featured a new grille design and updated interior features, including a new dashboard and steering wheel. The car was powered by a variety of engine options, including a 454 cubic inch V8 that produced up to 365 horsepower.
1972 Chevrolet Impala
The 1972 model year featured a new grille design and a revised interior with updated upholstery and trim. The car was powered by a variety of engine options, including a 402 cubic inch V8 that produced up to 240 horsepower.
1973 Chevrolet Impala
The 1973 model year featured a new “Colonnade” body style with a more formal, upright look. The Impala also received updated safety features, including front and rear bumpers designed to withstand low-speed impacts. The car was powered by a variety of engine options, including a 400 cubic inch V8 that produced up to 230 horsepower.
1974 Chevrolet Impala
The 1974 model year featured a revised grille design and new safety features, including front and rear bumpers designed to withstand low-speed impacts. The Impala was also available with a variety of engine options, including a 400 cubic inch V8 that produced up to 230 horsepower.
1975-1976 Chevrolet Impala
These model years were essentially carryovers from the previous year, with minor updates to the grille and interior. The Impala was still powered by a variety of engine options, including a 400 cubic inch V8 that produced up to 180 horsepower.
1977-1985 Chevrolet Impala
These years marked the end of the full-size Impala era, with a smaller, more fuel-efficient design and a shift towards more compact cars. The Impala was eventually replaced by the Caprice Classic. The 1977 model year featured a more aerodynamic design, with a sloping hood and windshield. The car was available with a variety of engine options, including a 350 cubic inch V8 that produced up to 170 horsepower.
The 1980 model year featured a major design overhaul, with a more boxy, angular design that reflected the changing tastes of American car buyers. The Impala was available with a variety of engine options, including a 305 cubic inch V8 that produced up to 155 horsepower.
The 1985 model year marked the end of the Impala’s production run, as the car was replaced by the Caprice Classic. The Impala received minor updates to the exterior and interior, but was still powered by a variety of engine options, including a 305 cubic inch V8 that produced up to 165 horsepower.
The Chevrolet Impala is a true American classic, and its evolution over 18 model years is a reflection of the changing tastes and trends of American car buyers. From its distinctive design in 1958 to its smaller, more fuel-efficient design in the 1980s, the Impala left an indelible mark on American car culture.
FAQs
- What is the history of the Chevrolet Impala? The Chevrolet Impala was first introduced in 1958 and was produced until 1985. It went through many changes over the years, reflecting the changing tastes of American car buyers.
- What were some of the key features of the Impala? The Impala was known for its distinctive design, powerful engines, and spacious interior. It was available in a variety of body styles and was popular with families and car enthusiasts alike.
- Why did Chevrolet discontinue the Impala? The Impala was discontinued in 1985 due to changing trends in the American car market, including a shift towards smaller, more fuel-efficient cars.
- Are Chevrolet Impalas collectible? Yes, certain model years of the Impala are considered collectible, particularly those from the 1950s and 1960s. These cars are highly sought-after by collectors and car enthusiasts.
- What replaced the Chevrolet Impala? The Chevrolet Impala was eventually replaced by the Caprice Classic, which was produced until 1996.