The Chevy Impala has long been one of America’s favorite Bow Ties, and for good reason. It was introduced in 1958 as a prestige vehicle, the pinnacle of the Bel Air coupes and convertibles. Millions of Impalas were sold over its lifetime. Some of those were very rare, some had amazing performance, and some had extraordinary technological advancements. This is in no way a list of all the collectible Impalas, but a handful of remarkable offerings.
1958 Chevy Impala Rochester Ram Jet Fuel Injection
Photo credit: Mecum Auctions
The Chevy Impala bowed in 1958 as part of the Bel Air line-up. The 1958 model-year offerings were built on a new X-frame that allowed the cars to be longer, lower, and wider. The Impala was Chevrolet‘s top-of-the-line full-size offering. It was offered with a Blue Flame inline-six for those who wished for style on a budget.
The V8s were the way to go if power was what you were after. You could have a Turbo Thrust 348 cubic-inch W-Series V8 making up to 315 horsepower depending upon carburetion, or you could get something a bit more exotic with the 283 cubic-inch Small Block topped with Rochester’s Ramjet Fuel Injection. This combo yielded 290 horsepower. Fuel injection’s advantage was its ability to equally distribute the fuel-air mixture to all cylinders. The downside was the price; the 283 Fuelie was $484 versus $162 for the high-horsepower 348 with three deuces. Exact production numbers aren’t available, but very few 1958 Impala Fuelies were produced. Hagerty Price Guide #1 condition value for Fuelie Coupes is $84,300, and for Fuelie Convertibles it is $146,000.
1961 Chevy Impala SS 409
Photo credit: Mecum Auctions
The Super Sport (SS) package was added as a mid-year option for the Chevy Impala. It was available on all Impala body styles, and consisted of Super Sport trim inside and out, chassis reinforcements, power steering, power brakes, special sintered metallic brake linings, stronger springs and shocks, and better tires on station wagon wheels.
Engine choices included three 348 engines, each with a single four-barrel carb, producing from 305 up to 340 horsepower, and one 348 with three two-barrel carbs making 350 horsepower. But the one to have was the 409. Known as the Turbo Fire 409, it was a 348 that had been bored and stroked. It was rated at 360 horses with a single four-barrel carburetor. The 409 boasted an aluminum intake, Carter carb, a solid-lifter cam, and an 11.25 to 1 compression ratio. Only 456 Chevy Impalas were ordered with the SS package in 1961, and just 142 of those left the factory with the 409. NADA Classic rates high value on a 1961 Chevy Impala SS 409 with four-speed manual transmission at just over $185,000.
1963 Chevy Impala Z11 Lightweight
Photo credit: Mecum Auctions
Just before GM announced a withdrawal from competition in 1963, Chevrolet the Z11 option was offered on the Chevy Impala. Regular Production Order (RPO) Z11 was a special competition package intended for drag racers and NASCAR. The package included a W-Series 427 cubic-inch V8 based on the 409, but with a longer stroke. The engine had a two-piece high-rise aluminum intake, dual four-barrel Carter AFB carbs, forged internals, a special cowl induction ‘cold air’ system, and 13.5:1 compression. It produced 430 horsepower and a staggering 575 pound-feet of torque.
Many of the Z11 Impala parts were built from weight-saving aluminum, including the hood, fenders, front and rear bumpers, brackets, braces, the grille filler panel, grille brackets, a two-piece fan shroud, and hood support catch. This resulted in a 300-pound weight savings. As the Z11 was built for competition, the option package eliminated the radio, front sway bar, heater, and sound deadener. There is some debate over total Z11 production, but the consensus is only 50 Z11 Chevy Impalas were ever built. Hagerty Price Guide #1 condition value is $432,000.
1969 Chevy Impala SS L72 427
Photo credit: Mecum Auctions
The restyled 1969 model year marked the final year for the rear-wheel-drive Chevy Impala SS. Fenders had a bit of swell around wheel wells, taillights were now rectangular, and the rear bumper was thinner. A new grille was framed by dual deep-mounted headlights on either side. Vent windows were eliminated. Fewer than 2,500 copies of the 427 SS trim, designated RPO Z24, were built, all with 427 cubic-inch powerplants.
Redline tires, power front disc brakes, and heavy-duty suspension were all part of the package. Three different versions of the 427 were available, the LS1 427 that made 335 horsepower, the 390-horsepower L36 427, or the much more raucous 425-horsepower L72 427. A scant 546 of the L72 version were built for 1969, and then the Chevy Impala SS party was over. NADA Classic rates high value on a 1969 Chevy Impala L72 427 at just under $77,000.
1973 Chevy Impala Air Cushion Restraint System (ACRS)
Photo credit: Bonhams
In the early 1970s, General Motors developed the Air Cushion Restraint System (RPO AR3), the first airbag system. It consisted of both a driver and a passenger side air bag, as well as a lap belt and status indicator light. The ACRS-equipped Chevy Impalas utilized an Oldsmobile-style instrument panel and a four-spoke steering wheel with a rectangular-shaped hub to house the airbags. This system was installed in one thousand Chevy Impala four-door sedans as a test fleet. All one thousand of the Chevy Impalas were painted the same shade of green-gold.
Many of the cars were used by both GM and the Federal government for crash testing. The system was durable, saving a number of front-seat passengers in front-end collisions. Almost all of the ACRS Impalas were eventually disposed of, save for a single example that was restored. The ACRS was subsequently offered in Oldsmobile, Buick, and Cadillac models for the 1974 model year, with similar results. Airbags wouldn’t be offered again on GM cars until the end of the 1980s.
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Comments
This is the vehicle Chevrolet should have put all the money on today instead of the Camaro. A RWD- Base model, Mid Luxury model, Impala SS and ZL1 427.I had a 69 Impala convertible, the 96 should have been on this list it pave the way for the American Sedan Muscle Cars like Chargers HellCat instead of the 73 model. No matter what anyone thinks Impala is the Biggest Icon in Chevrolet History
Your exactly right Roy, the 94-96 should be on the list. I ordered a 96 from a local dealer.
The 96 was the only year with the Gauge dash and the shifter in the floor. LT-1 (260hp 330 lb.ft torque)definitely ran good for being in a heavy 4097 pound car. Adding a true ram air setup and replacing the 3.08 gear with 3.73 gears really woke it up and made it a blast to drive. Surprised a lot of people in 96 that pulled up beside the big old boat. Lol
I love those Impala’s the 96 being my favorite for the reason you named above, I’d buy it over the Corvette or Camaro any day. Ford and GM lie about sedans don’t sale is just that- BMW 280k, Lexus 270k, Mercedes 260k, Tesla 200k, Audi 186k build the right sedan customers will buy them
Hello folks,
Some seem to realize and some do not almost each year impala from 58 to 70 had an oddball. Some to note thar had been missed from this list for example rare impala s:
59 fuel injection
62 factory light weight
65 409
66- 69 ss427 L72 s ( I do not believe the 69 listed is any rarer then 66-68)
Me personally 68 are the unicorn . Fyi you buy one. Buy it done and documented.
The 65 sold over 1 million. But the smog controlled 10 mph bumper 73 is more collectible? You don’t have a clue about cars
I have a 65 ALL original, good condition, garage find Convertible, right down to the keys, license plates, 3 manuals in glove box with metal ID plates of the first owner. Its truly awesome. Got it for 7 grand a couple years ago, the grandson inherited it, wasnt interested in it, he wanted the money more.
Laura..wow , nice !
Can you send me pics of you and the car.
😍 😉☺
Any guilt from taking advantage of the obviously mentally challenged fellow?
My thoughts exactly
Wow, you got a steal!
1973 chevy is more collectable is that correct
The ’67 Impala SS427 should be noted. One of best looking and powerful
Although this item states that ’69 was the last SS, I clearly recall seeing a ’71 featured in the new car issue of one of the magazines. As pictured, it had a fine-mesh blacked-out grille with a large center-mounted “SS” badge and partially blacked-out stainless rocker trim with an SS454 callout similar to what was used on the Monte Carlo SS454. Can’t say I ever recall seeing one on the street. Anyone else know anything about this – whether it was just a concept that didn’t make final production, etc.?
Having worked for a Chevy store; a ’71 SS was never available to order & if there was a prototype it didn’t make to the shows.
I had a ’64 SS convertible. A rare car in my area. Had ball drag racing it. I was never beat in my class. Seems like a lifetime ago. Traded it for my ’69 Chevelle SS 396. Same bright yellow w/black buckets. Still have it. My son will have it when I’m gone. Gotta love those Bowties!!!
58 gorgeous
59 convertible taillights and fins
60 convertible fins door thickness
61 convertible hardtop and sedan
63 plain but dresses up nice
64 as above
65 love the signature taillights
After 68 … must have hired son in law
Had a 62 Impala 409/409 dual 4 barrel 456 posi rear and close ratio 4 speed. No one ever mentions the 62. Why is that. By the way it was black with dark blue interior
The ’62 Impala is my favorite bowtie of all!
With respect, it was a lifetime ago. lol
The 1958 Chevrolet Impala, convertible or hard-top, is hard to top. It had the styling, front, side, and back plus the right amount and placement of chrome to capture the eye. Black exterior with a maroon or white interior was like the classy lady in a black dress with pearls; tough to top. The interior was also fitting of that fine machine. GM, what happened? Oh for a truly nice luxurious and roomy sedan or even an SUV/Crossover. Just some thoughts from an old man who can still remember when GM made automobiles instead of just cars.
All great comments, back when Chevrolet made a REAL car !!! I remember them all !!!! Great article !!
Boy, those cars were MONSTERS. They are HUGE by today’s standards.
This is the answer to “what do you want us to write about?” Great reading the article AND the comments from a bunch of car guys from my era! We had a ’58 Biscayne four door, very plain but a good car. I did have my ’40 Ford with an Oldsmobile Rocket V8 though. Good times.
My Mom had a 61, white with red same as the first image. It was a 283, 3 on the tree. Great memories of the good old days. Glad to have those memories!
I own an original 1961 Impala “bobble top” Sport Coupe. Roman Red, 283 4bbl., and factory dual exhaust. Original paint ( except roof) and under 23000 miles. I’m amazed this car wasn’t changed to big block, and reto- moded, but very happy it wasn’t!
I have a 73 Impala “ACRS” edition #944.. full intact.. I am restoring it now
1962 “gold anniversary” SS 409 4spd . The Imapla was 5yrs old. 1962 was chevys 50th anniversary. My Dad had one when I was a kid. The car had anniversary gold paint different than Aztec gold on regular impala yellow/gold interior. They made 250-350 who knows the info I have found is in between these #. Not supper low # I think the # is much lower. I have been looking for one 25 yes. A gift to my Dad.
The 2014-17 impala LTZ Are very nice !!! 305 Hp
The 1962 SS 409 is the best! Period! I have one ! Roman Red w/red interior! Vintage air; Dakota gauges ; Muncie 4spd and posi rear end!!! Oh and fuel injection!!! Enough said!!
First car was ’64 SS, 283 with posi. Had a ’66 396, ’70 400 custom coupe, and ready to sell my ’96. My family had countless station wagons, sedans, and I will never forget the mist green & white ’60 convertible. They made their mark on automotive history in sales, NASCAR, NHRA, low-riders, and most importantly, daily people haulers. They’re in the heart & soul of America. My favorite is the ’68 427 SS, 4spd, with that special hood hide-a-way lights. I’ve probably only seen two. Quite frankly, I’d liked to have learned more of real performance vehicles. I love the B-body.
how many 64 impala convertable ss black on black on black with 4 speed 409 dual quads were built?