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Wikipedia: Chevrolet Impala
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History
The following section is an excerpt from Wikipedia's Chevrolet Impala page on 30 May 2017, text available via the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
The Chevrolet Impala /ʃɛvrəˈleɪ ɪmˈpælə, -ˈpɑːlə/) is a full-size car built by Chevrolet for model years 1958 to 1985, 1994 to 1996, and 2000 to present. The Chevrolet Impala derived its name from the African antelope of the same name.
The Impala was Chevrolet's most expensive passenger model through 1965, and had become the best-selling automobile in the United States.
For its debut in 1958, the Impala was distinguished from other models by its symmetrical triple taillights, which returned from 1960 to 1996. The 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 Bel Air and the Biscayne. The Impala continued as Chevrolet's most popular full-size model through the mid-1980s. Between 1994 and 1996, the Impala was revised as a 5.7-liter V8–powered version of the Caprice Classic sedan.
In 2000, the Impala was reintroduced again as a mainstream front-wheel drive Hi-Mid sedan. As of February 2014, the 2014 Impala ranked number one among Affordable Large Cars in U.S. News & World Report's rankings. When the current tenth generation of the Impala was introduced for the 2014 model year, the ninth generation was rebadged as the Impala Limited and sold only to fleet customers through 2016. As of the 2015 model year, both versions are sold in the United States and Canada, with the current-generation Impala also sold in the Middle East, the People Republic of China, and South Korea.
The Impala name was first used for the full-sized 1956 General Motors Motorama show car that bore Corvette-like design cues, especially the grille. Painted emerald green metallic, with a white interior, the Impala featured hardtop styling. Clare MacKichan's design team, along with designers from Pontiac, started to establish basic packaging and dimensions for their shared 1958 General Motors "A" body in June. The first styling sketch that would directly influence the finished Chevrolet automobile was seen by General Motors Styling vice president Harley Earl in October. Seven months later, the basic design was developed.
First generation (1958)
The Impala was introduced for the 1958 model year as top of the line Bel Air hardtops and convertibles. From the windshield pillar rearward, the 1958 Bel Air Impala differed structurally from the lower-priced Chevrolet models. Hardtops had a slightly shorter greenhouse and longer rear deck. The wheelbase of the Impala was longer than the lower priced models, although the overall length was identical. Interiors held a two-spoke steering wheel and color-keyed door panels with brushed aluminum trim. No other series included a convertible.
Second generation (1959–1960)
The 1959 Chevrolet Impala was redesigned. Sharing bodyshells with lower-end Buicks and Oldsmobiles as well as with Pontiac, part of a GM economy move, the Chevrolet's wheelbase 1-1/2 inches longer. Using a new X-frame chassis, the roof line was three inches lower, bodies were two inches wider, and curb weight increased. Its tailfins protruded outward, rather than upward. The taillights were a large "teardrop" design at each side, and two slim-wide nonfunctional front air intake scoops were added just above the grille,
The Impala became a separate series, adding a four-door hardtop and four-door sedan, to the two-door Sport Coupe and convertible. Sport Coupes featured a shortened roof line and wrap-over back window.
Third generation (1961–1964)
The Impala was restyled on the GM B platform for the first time for 1961. The new body styling was more trim and boxy than the 1958–1960 models. Sport Coupe models featured a "bubbleback" roof line style for 1961, and a unique model, the 2-door pillared sedan, was available for 1961 only. It was rarely ordered and a scarce collectible today. The rare Super Sport (SS) option debuted for 1961. This was also the last year the top station wagon model would have the Nomad name.
Fourth generation (1965–1970)
Redesigned in 1965, the Impala set an all-time industry annual sales record of more than 1 million units in the US. All new full-size Chevrolets eschewed the "X" frame for a full-width perimeter frame, a new body that featured curved, frameless side glass (for pillarless models), sharper angled windshield with newly reshaped vent windows, and redesigned full-coil suspension.
In 1965 Chevrolet introduced the Impala Caprice, exclusively as a four-door hardtop. Caprices received tufted upholstery, wood grained accents on the dashboard and specialty pulls on the insides of the doors. This "halo" model also featured the "spinner" wheel covers from the Impala SS, with the "SS" logo centers replaced by a Chevrolet "bowtie" emblem. The Super Sport's blackout rear trim strip below the triple taillights was also used, with the "Impala SS" emblem replaced by a large "Caprice by Chevrolet" badge. The Caprice Custom was reintroduced as the Chevrolet Caprice in 1966, taking the top position in the full-size Chevrolet lineup.
Fifth generation (1971–1976)
The Impala remained Chevrolet's top-selling model with the fifth generation. A high-performance big block V8 was still available in the form of the Turbo-Jet 454, which produced 365 hp in 1971, but power decreased as the years went along. The 1971 redesigned B-body would be the largest car ever offered by Chevrolet. The hardtop Sport Coupe continued to be offered; it was a smoothly sloped semi-fastback reminiscent of the 1961 "bubbletop" styling. A three-speed manual transmission remained standard at the beginning of the year, but in the spring of 1971 all V8-equipped full-size GM cars got Turbo Hydra-Matic as standard equipment. Interestingly, Powerglide remained optionally available for six-cylinder cars until the 1973 models. In keeping with their huge size, these new "B" body Chevrolets were close to Cadillac in luxury features, styling, and ride.
Sixth generation (1977–1985)
The changes in the automobile marketplace resulted in Chevrolet redesigning the Impala once again in 1976 to meet changing demands. The new downsized Impalas were shorter in length, taller and narrower than before. The new Impala's frame was a shortened version of the one introduced in 1970 and would be utilized until 1996 when the B-body production line was shut down. Even with its trimmer exterior dimensions, the new Impala featured increased headroom, rear-seat legroom and trunk space. Production of the downsized model increased substantially over 1976, and the Impala regained the number one US sales position. The redesigned 1977 Impala/Caprice was named Motor Trend's car of the year. The new body was taller and narrower than the 1976 model.
Seventh generation (Impala SS, 1994–1996)
In January 1990, the GM B platform was redesigned for the 1991 model year, though it retained the same shortened frame design of the 1977 model year redesign. The Impala SS badge was resurrected at the 1992 Detroit Auto Show as a concept car designed by GM designer Jon Moss. The concept car was two inches lower to the ground than the regular Caprice, and was powered by a 8.2-liter (500 cu in) engine. Eventually, the concept car's engine was replaced with a 5.7-liter (350 cu in) engine derived from the Corvette.
The 1994 Impala SS went into production on February 14, 1994, at GM's plant in Arlington, Texas, 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). The car was, in essence, a high-performance version of the Caprice. It used the Caprice 9C1 police package as its base and as such got most of the equipment formerly available only to law enforcement and government agencies. This included a sport-tuned suspension with reinforced shocks and springs, a high-capacity reverse-flow cooling system (derived from the Corvette's LT1), larger four-wheel disc brakes, transmission cooler, dual exhaust, a higher-output electrical system, and other minor mechanical alterations. The Impala SS did not get the external oil-to-air engine oil cooler, nor were all the body mounts secured (the standard Caprice and Impala SS were assembled at the factory with the front three body mounts missing one of the rubber cushions, while the 9C1 was assembled with all rubber cushions in place).
In 1995, Dark Cherry Metallic and Dark Grey Green were added as exterior color options, and the body paneling on the rear quarter panel was altered to reflect the cosmetic effect formerly achieved by a window insert. 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. 1996 was the last year of production with 41,941 units sold. 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. The 1996 Impala SS production went late into the model year; the last one being produced on December 13, 1996. It saw minor interior alterations, with the digital speedometer being replaced by an analog one, along with a tachometer. The shifter was moved from the column to the center console, and the engine was given an OBD-II computer control system (the camshaft was reground to adjust for the new computer).
Eighth generation (2000–2005)
The Impala name was revived for the 2000 model year as the "Hi-Mid" program to rename the Lumina As The Chevy Impala. Based on the Lumina's W-body platform, it was built at Oshawa Car Assembly in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. Unlike the earlier Impalas built on a B-body, this one was front-wheel drive and was available with a choice of two engines, the ever-enduring 3.8L V6 engine, and the slightly smaller 3.4L V6 engine. A new Impala SS with a supercharged V6 was brought out for the 2004 model year.
Ninth generation (2006–2016)
The 2006 Impala was introduced at the 2005 Los Angeles Auto Show in January. Like the Buick LaCrosse, the ninth generation Impala used the updated GM W platform. The base engine was a 3.5 liter (214 cu in) V6 producing 211 hp (157 kW) and 214 lb·ft (290 N·m) of torque at 4000 rpm. The new Impala featured new taillights, different from the four-circle style of the previous generation. This Impala mostly sold to fleet operators, with private buyers only accounting for a quarter of sales.
Tenth generation (2014–present)
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. The tenth generation Impala was the first American sedan in 20 years to earn Consumer Reports' top score, with a score of 95 of a possible 100 points.
This tenth generation Impala was built larger (once again considered full-size) and more upscale than the previous generation (sharing the extended Epsilon II FWD platform with the Cadillac XTS) to reduce price overlap between Impala and Malibu, similar to how the Ford Taurus and Ford Fusion are positioned in Ford's lineup. The current versions are being assembled in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, alongside the ninth-generation Impala (now renamed the fleet and rental exclusive-only Impala Limited), and at the Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly in the United States. All trim levels are equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission with sport and manual shifting modes.
Merchandise
MPC 1969 Chevy SS 427
MPC '72 Chevy 454
| Type & Item # | Name | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Model Kit - AMT 6548 | '58 Chevrolet Impala Coupe | 1:25 scale, 3 in 1 |
| Model Kit - Lindberg 72163 | '61 Impala SS 409 | 1:25 scale, Hardtop |
| Model Kit - Lindberg 72182 | '61 Impala SS 409 Convertible | 1:25 scale |
| Model Kit - Lindberg 73056 | Aztec Gold '61 Impala Lowrider | Homie Hoppers, 1:25 scale |
| Model Kit - AMT 8209 | 1962 Impala SS | Classics, 1:25 scale |
| Model Kit - Revell-Monogram 85-2574 | '64 Chevy Impala Lowrider 2 'n 1 | Lowriders, 1:25 scale |
| Die Cast - Hot Wheels M6924-0918E | '65 Chevy Impala | 2008 All Stars, small scale, purple w/orange flames & orange glass |
| Model Kit x3 - AMT 8456-10DO | 60's Chevrolet SuperSports | 1:25 scale, '67 Impala SS427, '64 Impala SS, '63 Impala SS |
| Model Kit - MPC 369-200 | 1969 Chevy SS 427 | 1:25 scale, includes turbocharged 427 engine  |
| Model Kit - MPC 1-7203-250 | '72 Chevy 454 | 1:25 scale, |
| Die Cast - Winner's Circle 90011.001 | 1:24 scale, Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 Mountain Dew "Old School/New School" Chevrolet Impala | |
| Die Cast - Hot Wheels T9707-09A0F | Danica Patrick 2010 Chevy Impala | 2011 New Models, small scale, 2010 Chevrolet Impala, #7 Hot Wheels |
| Die Cast - Hot Wheels T9707-09A0H | Danica Patrick 2010 Chevy Impala | 2011 New Models, small scale, 2010 Chevrolet Impala, #7 Hot Wheels |
| Date | Document Name & Details | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| 25 November 1970 | NHTSA Recall 70V143000 1971 Buick Skylark, 1971 Chevrolet Bel Air, 1971 Chevrolet Biscayne, 1971 Chevrolet Camaro, 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle, 1970 Chevrolet El Camino, 1971 Chevrolet Impala, 1971 Chevrolet Nova, 1971 Oldsmobile F-85, 1971 Pontiac Firebird, 1971 Pontiac Le Mans Vehicle Speed Control National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | Recall Page - 1 page |
| 19 December 1973 | NHTSA Recall 73V250000 1974 Buick Century, 1974 Buick Electra, 1974 Buick Estate, 1974 Buick LeSabre, 1974 Buick Regal, 1974 Buick Riviera, 1974 Chevrolet Bel Air, 1974 Chevrolet Camaro, 1974 Chevrolet Caprice, 1974 Chevrolet Caprice Estate, 1974 Chevrolet Chevelle, 1974 Chevrolet El Camino, 1974 Chevrolet Impala, 1974 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 1974 GMC Sprint, 1974 Oldsmobile 88, 1974 Oldsmobile 98, 1974 Oldsmobile Cutlass, 1974 Pontiac Bonneville, 1974 Pontiac Catalina, 1974 Pontiac Firebird, 1974 Pontiac Grand Prix, 1974 Pontiac Grand Safari, 1974 Pontiac Grand Ville, 1974 Pontiac Le Mans Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Arm National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | Recall Page - 1 page |
| August 1973 | Evaluation of a Chevrolet Fitted with a Vortex Reactor U.S. Environmental Protection Agency |  PDF - 61KB - 3 pages |
| October 1973 | Evaluation of a 350 CID Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion (CVCC) Powered Chevrolet Impala U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | PDF - 351KB - 13 pages |
| 2 September 1976 | NHTSA Recall 76V132000 1977 Buick Century, 1977 Buick LeSabre, 1977 Buick Regal, 1977 Buick Skylark, 1977 Chevrolet Bel Air, 1976 Chevrolet Camaro, 1977 Chevrolet Camaro, 1977 Chevrolet Caprice, 1977 Chevrolet Chevelle, 1977 Chevrolet El Camino, 1977 Chevrolet Impala, 1977 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 1977 Chevrolet Nova, 1977 GMC Sprint, 1977 Oldsmobile 88, 1977 Oldsmobile 98, 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass, 1977 Oldsmobile Omega, 1977 Pontiac Bonneville, 1977 Pontiac Catalina, 1976 Pontiac Firebird, 1977 Pontiac Grand Prix, 1977 Pontiac Le Mans, 1977 Pontiac Ventura Steering:Wheel And Handle Bar National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | Recall Page - 1 page |
| April 1980 | Modified Compact Car Side Structure Testing Car-to-Car Front-to-Side 60° Oblique: 1976 Plymouth Volare Impacted by 1978 Chevrolet Impala National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 29.2MB - 353 pages |
| January 2000 | Veridian On-Site Redesigned Air Bag Deployment/Infant Passenger Fatality Investigation Vehicle - 2000 Chevrolet Impala National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 240KB - 13 pages |
| March 2004 | Side Air Bag Investigation / Vehicle to Vehicle 2000 Chevrolet Impala National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 1,403KB - 21 pages |
| July 2002 | On-Site Side Impact Inflatable Occupant Protection Investigation Vehicle - 2001 Chevrolet Impala LS National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 8,880KB - 41 pages |
| 26 June 2003 | Vehicle Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 208 for Occupant Crash Protection: Sled Test 2003 Chevrolet Impala National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 6.8MB - 202 pages |
| classified date 2006 | Special Crash Investigation Report Case Vehicle: 2003 Chevrolet Impala LS, 4-door sedan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 7.4MB - 119 pages |
| January 2006 | Certified Advanced 208 Compliant Investigation / Vehicle to Vehicle 2006 Chevrolet Impala National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 2,501KB - 25 pages |
| 28 August 2007 | Vehicle Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 208, Occupant Crash Protection; FMVSS 212, Windshield Mounting; FMVSS 219, Windshield Intrustion (Partial); FMVSS 301, Fuel System Integrity 2007 Chevrolet Impala Passenger Car National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 16.9MB - 327 pages |
| May 2008 | On-Site Side Impact Inflatable Occupant Protection Investigation Vehicle - 2007 Chevrolet Impala LT National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 585KB - 23 pages |
| 30 January 2008 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 201: Occupant Protection in Interior Impact, Upper Interior Head Impact Protection 2008 Chevrolet Impala LS 4-Door Sedan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 5.1MB - 170 pages |
| 8 July 2008 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 201: Rigid Pole Side Impact Test 2008 Chevrolet Impala 4-Door Sedan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 3.4MB - 109 pages |
| 28 August 2008 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS No. 111: Rearview Mirrors (Other Than School Buses) 2008 Chevrolet Impala LS 4-Door Sedan National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 4.0MB - 64 pages |
| 24 September 2008 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 207: Seating Systems 2008 Chevrolet Impala 4-Door National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 9.1MB - 104 pages |
| Janaury 2009 | Calspan On-Site Side Impact Inflatable Occupant Protection System Crash Investigation Vehicle: 2008 Chevrolet Impala National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 757KB - 31 pages |
| February 2009 | On-Site Certified Advanced 208-Compliant Vehicle Investigation Vehicle - 2008 Chevrolet Impala LT National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 1,851KB - 19 pages |
| December 2009 | On-Site Other Inflatable Occupant Protection Investigation Vehicle - 2008 Chevrolet Imapala LT National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 2,330KB - 23 pages |
| 15 January 2009 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS No. 110: Tire Selection and Rims 2009 Chevrolet Impala Four-Door Passenger Car National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 2.1MB - 39 pages |
| 29 January 2009 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS No. 138: Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems 2009 Chevrolet Impala Four-Door Passenger Car National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 2.9MB - 81 pages |
| 26 March 2009 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 401: Interior Trunk Release 2009 Chevrolet Impala Four-Door Passenger Car National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 1.5MB - 27 pages |
| 30 April 2009 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS No. 114: Theft Protection 2009 Chevrolet Impala LS, Passenger Car National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 4.7MB - 25 pages |
| 12 August 2009 | Safety Compliance Testing for FMVSS 214S: Side Impact Protection (Static) 2009 Chevrolet Impala LS, Passenger Car National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 4.0MB - 56 pages |
| October 2010 | Front Safety Belt Anchor Pretensioner Installation General Motors NHTSA Recall 10V480000 | PDF - 786KB - 8 pages |
| 13 October 2010 | NHTSA Recall 10V480000 2009-2010 Chevrolet Impala Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | Recall Page - 1 page |
| 14 October 2010 | Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages/FMVSS 210 From: Jennifer Timian, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration To: Carmen Benavides, General Motors Corporation NHTSA Recall 10V480000 | PDF - 30KB - 3 pages |
| 13 October 2010 | From: Carmen Benavides, General Motors LLC To: Daniel C. Smith, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA Recall 10V480000 | PDF - 343KB - 3 pages |
| November 2010 | Front Safety Belt Anchor Pretensioner Installation General Motors NHTSA Recall 10V480000 | PDF - 790KB - 10 pages |
| November 2010 | Representative Letter General Motors NHTSA Recall 10V480000 | PDF - 52KB - 2 pages |
| 5 November 2010 | 10312A – Noncompliance Recall - Revised Front Safety Belt Anchor Pretensioner Installation General Motors NHTSA Recall 10V480000 | PDF - 85KB - 2 pages |
| 26 January 2011 | Quarterly Recall Progress Report General Motors LLC NHTSA Recall 10V480000 | PDF - 131KB - 4 pages |
| 26 April 2011 | Quarterly Recall Progress Report General Motors LLC NHTSA Recall 10V480000 | PDF - 133KB - 4 pages |
| 27 July 2011 | Quarterly Recall Progress Report General Motors LLC NHTSA Recall 10V480000 | PDF - 165KB - 4 pages |
| 25 October 2011 | Quarterly Recall Progress Report General Motors LLC NHTSA Recall 10V480000 | PDF - 75KB - 4 pages |
| 25 January 2012 | Quarterly Recall Progress Report General Motors LLC NHTSA Recall 10V480000 | PDF - 59KB - 4 pages |
| 24 April 2012 | Quarterly Recall Progress Report General Motors LLC NHTSA Recall 10V480000 | PDF - 67KB - 4 pages |
| 20 February 2014 | 14V-092 To: Nancy Lewis, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration From: Carmen Benavides, General Motors LLC | PDF - 2.5MB - 4 pages |
| 21 February 2014 | NHTSA Recall 14V092000 2014 Buick Enclave, 2014 Buick Lacrosse, 2014 Buick Regal, 2014 Buick Verano, 2014 Chevrolet Cruze, 2014 Chevrolet Impala, 2014 Chevrolet Malibu, 2014 Chevrolet Traverse, 2014 GMC Acadia National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | Recall Page - 1 page |
| 20 March 2014 | Broken Transmission Adjuster Cable/FMVSS 102/114 To: Carmen Benavides, General Motors LLC From: Jennifer Timian, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 50KB - 2 pages |
| July 2015 | Recall Bulletin: Passenger Occupant Detection Sensing General Motors | PDF - 36KB - 4 pages |
| 21 July 2015 | Part 573 Safety Recall Report 15V-465 General Motors LLC | PDF - 28KB - 3 pages |
| 21 July 2015 | 15400 – Noncompliance Recall – Stop Delivery Until Completion of Recall, Passenger Occupant Detection Sensing General Motors | PDF - 4KB - 1 page |
| 21 July 2015 | Part 573 Report: N150400 General Motors | Microsoft Word - 35KB - 1 page |
| 24 July 2015 | NHTSA Recall 15V465000 2014-2015 Chevrolet Impala AIR BAGS: Automatic Occupant Sensing National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | Recall Page - 1 page |
| August 2015 | Recall Bulletin: Passenger Occupant Detection Sensing General Motors | PDF - 185KB - 6 pages |
| 4 August 2015 | 15400A – Noncompliance Recall - Passenger Occupant Detection Sensing, Customer Letter Added General Motors | PDF - 67KB - 1 page |
| 20 August 2015 | Occupant Sensing System/FMVSS 208 To: Joy Hotchkiss, General Motors LLC From: Jennifer Timian, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | PDF - 49KB - 2 pages |
Article Index
| Post Date | Description | Price | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 November 2021 | 2016 Chevrolet Impala  | GSA Auction | Fairfield, California  |
