Chevrolet Impalas for Sale

After enjoying significant success with its all-new 1955 models, Chevrolet wanted to keep the momentum rolling with an all-new lineup for 1958. The new models would be based on a completely redesigned chassis, featuring a new â€œX-frameâ€ arrangement, and th...

After enjoying significant success with its all-new 195...

Previously, the top-of-the-line Chevrolet had been the Bel Air, but that nameplate would go on hiatus for ’58, along with the old 150 and 210 designations. The new base model was the Biscayne; the Delray took over as the mid-range model. At the top was the Impala, offered only as a two-door hardtop or convertible.

The Impala forged into new territory for Chevrolet, offering a more upscale model than even the previous top-line Bel Air, despite being a marque traditionally known for practicality and economy. Impala was ornate, with aggressive lines, lots of bright metal trim, quad headlamps, echoed with four parking lamp lenses, and at the rear, six taillamps—a feature that would become an Impala hallmark.

Impala conveyed an image of power and performance, pairing its muscular styling with the name of a notoriously swift creature, and using the likeness of the antelope engaged in its characteristic leap—a swift and graceful movement. Chevrolet’s Impala would offer several variations of the 283-cu.in. V-8 engine, based on the “small-block” design introduced for 1955. Also available was the brand-new “W-series” V-8 engine, displacing 348-cu.in. This was considered the Mark I V-8, an early “big-block” design that would be replaced by the Mark IV big-block in production cars in 1965. The new Impala offered the Powerglide two-speed automatic, or three-speed manual, as well as a four-speed manual.

The new Impala was very popular, and for 1959, Chevrolet would offer a full line of Impalas, now including four-door models. During the 1961 model run, a new Super Sport version was introduced, initially in small production numbers, though by the following year, the Impala SS would prove quite popular. The small-block V-8 lineup would offer a new 327-cu.in. variation, and during that same year, a new 409-cu.in. version of the Mark I V-8 would be introduced.

As the 1960s rolled on, the Impala continued to gain popularity, and set a model sales record for 1965, with over 1,000,000 units sold, which remains unbeaten by a single nameplate even today. That was the same year the new Mark IV big-block engine debuted, with 396-cu.in. and 427-cu.in. But that year would also see the introduction of a new luxury package called Caprice, which would become its own model for 1966, taking over as the top-tier full-size Chevrolet. For 1969, Impala would offer a 350-cu.in. version of the small-block V-8 and then a new 400-cu.in. version for 1970.

Impala would continue as a main-line Chevy, still producing high sales volumes well into the 1970s, even as large cars began to fall out of favor. For 1977, General Motors downsized its full-size models, and the Impala and Caprice moved from a 121.5-inch wheelbase to 116 inches.

The Impala remained a very popular model into the 1980s, but the Caprice was taking over in sales. By the mid-‘80s, it was difficult to distinguish between an Impala and a Caprice, and Chevrolet decided to focus on the Caprice—the Impala nameplate was gone for 1986.

But years later, after the full-size Chevrolets had been completely restyled again, this time to not-so-favorable reviews, the Impala name was revived for a Caprice-based show car. This new proposed Impala SS had radiused rear wheel arches, a “Hofmeister kink” in its rear side glass, and a single horizontal bar in its grille, highlighted with a bowtie. The Impala SS would go into production for 1994 and continue until the rear-drive platform was cancelled, concluding at the end of the 1996 model year.

Once again, the Impala name was resurrected for a new front-drive Chevrolet for 2000, using GM’s W-body platform. This new front-wheel drive Impala was technically considered a midsize car, though it still held the status as Chevy’s largest sedan. It lasted through the 2014 model year, with one major restyle for 2006.

For 2014, and all-new Impala debuted, based on the GM Epsilon II platform shared with the Cadillac XTS. This new model offered V-6 engines, but also a 2.5-liter four-cylinder—the first time a full-size Chevrolet would use this engine configuration. This Impala continued through the 2020 model year but was cancelled as the industry continued to move away from large sedans.

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