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Chevrolet Impala

1,046,514 sold in 1965: the Impala's million-car year.1

Researched November 1, 2026 from 34 sources

Also called

  • Bubble TopUsed for the 1961 Sport Coupe's rounded roof with curved glass.2
  • crinkle topThe segmented roof introduced for 1962 resembled a convertible top.2

At a glance

0250500
110–430 hpPower
0510
5.6–8.6 s0–60 mph
0125250
248 km/hTop speed
0400800
230.5–780 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
1,572–1,915 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.46791012

Engine
I4, I6, V6 and V8; 1971–76: 7.4 L V8; 2014: 2.4 L eAssist I4510
Layout
Front engine; RWD through 1996, FWD from 20004
Gearbox
1961–64: 3/4-speed manuals, 2/3-speed autos; 2012: 6-speed auto replaces 448
Built at
1965–70: Flint Assembly, United States; 2014 Limited: Oshawa, Canada81011
Units built
1958: 125,480 coupes and 55,989 convertibles4

The story

Ed Cole developed the Impala for a postwar appetite for bigger, flashier cars. Named after the 1956 Corvette Impala concept, it debuted atop the Bel Air range in 1958, with hardtop and convertible bodies and three taillights per side.34

1958: Bel Air Impala reaches showrooms19581965: 1,046,514 sales in a single year19651971: 1971–76: the largest Impalas19711977: Downsized, then retired after 198519771994: SS returns with police-car hardware19942000: Front-drive Impala succeeds Lumina20002006: Chevrolet's first front-drive V820062014: New Impala, old car lives as Limited20142020: February 27: the final Impala2020 Chevrolet Bel Air Impala: 1958Chevrolet Impala: 1959–1960Chevrolet Impala (B-body): 1965–1970B-bodyChevrolet Impala (B-body): 1971–1976B-bodyChevrolet Impala: 1977–1985Chevrolet Impala SS (B-body): 1994–1996Chevrolet Impala (GMX210): 2000–2005GMX210Chevrolet Impala / Impala Limited (GMX211): 2006–2013; Limited 2014–2016GMX211Chevrolet Impala (Epsilon II LWB): 2014–2020 1960197019801990200020102020
GenerationsMilestones1245691116
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1958Chevrolet Bel Air Impala
1959–1960Chevrolet Impala
1965–1970Chevrolet Impala (B-body)
1971–1976Chevrolet Impala (B-body)
1977–1985Chevrolet Impala
1994–1996Chevrolet Impala SS (B-body)
2000–2005Chevrolet Impala (GMX210)
2006–2013; Limited 2014–2016Chevrolet Impala / Impala Limited (GMX211)
2014–2020Chevrolet Impala (Epsilon II LWB)
1958Bel Air Impala reaches showrooms
19651,046,514 sales in a single year
19711971–76: the largest Impalas
1977Downsized, then retired after 1985
1994SS returns with police-car hardware
2000Front-drive Impala succeeds Lumina
2006Chevrolet's first front-drive V8
2014New Impala, old car lives as Limited
2020February 27: the final Impala
  1. 1958

    Bel Air Impala reaches showrooms

    Two-door hardtop and convertible bodies launched the name; Impala became a separate model for 1959.14

  2. 1965

    1,046,514 sales in a single year

    The redesigned Impala traded its X-frame for a perimeter frame and passed a million annual sales.1

  3. 1971

    1971–76: the largest Impalas

    The wheelbase grew to 121.5 inches, or 125 for wagons. By 1976, Impala sat below Caprice as the base full-size Chevrolet.145

  4. 1977

    Downsized, then retired after 1985

    Sedan, wagon and coupe bodies kept the name alive beside Caprice Classic; the Impala badge disappeared for 1986.16

  5. 1994

    SS returns with police-car hardware

    A 260-hp, 5.7-liter V8 powered a civilian version of the 9C1 police-package car; the SS revival lasted through 1996.1

  6. 2000

    Front-drive Impala succeeds Lumina

    At 200 inches long on a 110.5-inch wheelbase, the new sedan's LS trim added ABS, traction control and a 200-hp 3.8-liter V6.17

  7. 2006

    Chevrolet's first front-drive V8

    The SS's transverse 303-hp, 5.3-liter V8 could shut off four cylinders; a road test recorded 0–60 mph in 5.6 seconds.189

  8. 2014

    New Impala, old car lives as Limited

    The new generation offered a 305-hp V6 and four-cylinder choices, including eAssist. The previous car continued for fleets as Impala Limited through 2016.410

  9. 2020

    February 27: the final Impala

    Production ended as the Michigan assembly plant shifted toward building electric vehicles, including the GMC Hummer pickup.1

Every generation

  • Chevrolet Bel Air Impala
    Chevrolet Bel Air Impala1958
  • Chevrolet Impala
    Chevrolet Impala1959–1960
  • Chevrolet Impala
    B-body1965–1970
  • Chevrolet Impala
    B-body1971–1976
  • Chevrolet Impala
    Chevrolet Impala1977–1985
  • Chevrolet Impala SS
    B-body1994–1996
  • Chevrolet Impala
    GMX2102000–2005
  • Chevrolet Impala / Impala Limited
    GMX2112006–2013; Limited 2014–2016
  • Chevrolet Impala
    Epsilon II LWB2014–2020

Power over the years

From 360 hp to 430 hp in 2 years.

0200400600 196019701980199020002010 hp 1961 · 360 hp · SS 4091962 · 409 hp · SS409, dual four-barrels (gross)1963 · 430 hp · Z11 427 drag package1994 · 260 hp · SS 5.7 L V82000 · 180 hp · Base 3.4 L V62000 · 200 hp · LS 3.8 L V62004 · 240 hp · SS supercharged 3.8 L V62006 · 303 hp · SS 5.3 L V82012 · 300 hp · 3.6 L V6; six-speed automatic2014 · 182 hp · eAssist 2.4 L I4 (gas engine)2014 · 195 hp · 2.5 L I42014 · 305 hp · 3.6 L V6 430 hp Z11 427 drag package 360 hp SS 409
13478910
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1961360SS 409
1962409SS409, dual four-barrels (gross)
1963430Z11 427 drag package
1994260SS 5.7 L V8
2000180Base 3.4 L V6
2000200LS 3.8 L V6
2004240SS supercharged 3.8 L V6
2006303SS 5.3 L V8
20123003.6 L V6; six-speed automatic
2014182eAssist 2.4 L I4 (gas engine)
20141952.5 L I4
20143053.6 L V6

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • LS / LT / LTZ / Impala Limited

    Standard

    LS / LT / LTZ / Impala Limited

    2006–2016

  • Super Sport

    Performance

    Super Sport

    1961–1969

  • SS 5.3 V8

    Performance

    SS 5.3 V8

    2006–2009

    303 hp

  • Performance

    SS LT1

    1994–1996

    260 hp

  • Special

    Landau

    1975–1976

  • Special

    Midnight Edition

    2015–2016

  • Special

    50th Anniversary Edition

    2008

    211 hp
  • Spirit of America

    Limited

    Spirit of America

    1974

  • SS427

    Performance

    SS427

    1967–1969

  • Limited

    Indy SS

    2004

    240 hp

  • Racing

    Z11

    1963

    430 hp

    50 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • 1958–1975 coupes and sedans usually show three-part taillights; 1959 has cat-eye lamps.1
  • 1958: paired headlights sit above the grille; conical parking lamps resemble tiny jet engines.2
  • 1959: long fins end in sharp rear points, paired with distinctive teardrop taillights.2
  • 1967 Sport Coupe: the fastback roof flows in one unbroken sweep into the rear deck.11

Year by year

  1. 1958–1960

    1958 has headlights above the grille; 1959 moves them level with it and adds hood scoops; 1960 puts them inside and deletes the scoops.2

  2. 1961–1962

    The Sport Coupe trades its rounded bubble roof for a segmented, convertible-like roof; 1962 parking lamps sit partly behind the headlights.2

  3. 1963–1964

    1963 rings its triple taillights in continuous trim; 1964 gets a wide oval grille and bumper-mounted parking lamps.2

  4. 1966–1970

    Rear lamps become rectangular in 1966, horseshoe-shaped in 1968 and vertical in 1970; the formal Custom Coupe joins for 1968.11

  5. 1994–1995 SS

    1994 is black only with stalk mirrors; 1995 adds Dark Cherry Metallic and Dark Grey Green, and moves mirrors to the side-glass corners.16

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Chevrolet Impala
    Impala
    Photo of a Chevrolet Bel Air / Biscayne / Delray
    Chevrolet Bel Air / Biscayne / Delray

    Chevrolet Bel Air / Biscayne / Delray

    1958–1975: Impala usually has three-part taillights, versus two on these cheaper Chevrolets; 1959 cat-eye lamps are the exception.1

  • Photo of a Chevrolet Impala
    Impala
    Photo of a Chevrolet Caprice
    Chevrolet Caprice

    Chevrolet Caprice

    1976: round Impala headlights versus four rectangular Caprice lamps. A 1994–1996 SS adds a body-color grille, spoiler and reshaped rear quarter windows.4516

Against its rivals

  • Ford Galaxie 500 (1963)

    Impala vs Ford Galaxie 500 (1963)

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    Impala6.3 s
    Ford Galaxie 500 (1963)6.9 s
    3

Prices

Value today $5.0K–$94.5K3031

Price when newAuction saleValue todayPrices on a log scale
$1K$10K$100K 1960197019801990200020102020 Value today: $5,000–$94,500 1958 · $2,586 · US base1962 · $3,858 · US SS409, price when new1995 · $24,405 · US base, SS2000 · $18,705 · US base2000 · $24,198 · US LS, as tested2006 · $26,990 · US base, SS2014 · $27,535 · US base2020 · $31,620 · US base 1958 · $2,586 · US base price, 1958 model year 2012 · $85,800 · 1958 Impala, 348 V8, Fort Lauderdale2025 · $18,250 · 1995 SS, 69k miles, BaT2025 · $19,577 · 1967 427-powered wagon, 66k miles shown, BaT2025 · $94,500 · 1958 Tri-Power convertible, mileage unknown, BaT2025 · $5,000 · 2006 SS, 100k miles, BaT2026 · $42,000 · 1958 Sport Coupe Tri-Power, 39k miles shown, Bring a Trailer2026 · $23,750 · 1996 SS, 60k miles, Bring a Trailer2026 · $31,360 · 1965 Sport Sedan, 5,500 miles, The Hershey Auction2026 · $23,250 · 1972 350 convertible, 85k miles shown, BaT $94.5K BaT, 2025
136791016262728293031323334
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1958Launch price$2,586US base price, 1958 model year
1958Price when new$2,586US base
1962Price when new$3,858US SS409, price when new
1995Price when new$24,405US base, SS
2000Price when new$18,705US base
2000Price when new$24,198US LS, as tested
2006Price when new$26,990US base, SS
2014Price when new$27,535US base
2020Price when new$31,620US base
2012Auction sale$85,8001958 Impala, 348 V8, Fort Lauderdale
2025Auction sale$18,2501995 SS, 69k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$19,5771967 427-powered wagon, 66k miles shown, BaT
2025Auction sale$94,5001958 Tri-Power convertible, mileage unknown, BaT
2025Auction sale$5,0002006 SS, 100k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$42,0001958 Sport Coupe Tri-Power, 39k miles shown, Bring a Trailer
2026Auction sale$23,7501996 SS, 60k miles, Bring a Trailer
2026Auction sale$31,3601965 Sport Sedan, 5,500 miles, The Hershey Auction
2026Auction sale$23,2501972 350 convertible, 85k miles shown, BaT
2026Value today$5,000–$94,500

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 11 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 12 stories from its legend
    • “1,046,514 sales in 1965”
    • “Five straight titles for NASCAR's Impala”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 9 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 34 sources
  1. Chevrolet Impala: History, Generations, Specifications motortrend.com
  2. 1958-64 Impala Identification Guide & Model Year Changes news.classicindustries.com
  3. 1962 Chevrolet Impala SS409 vs. 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 - Motor Trend Classic motortrend.com
  4. Chevrolet Impala - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  5. Chevrolet Impala (fifth generation) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  6. Chevrolet Impala Generations - iSeeCars.com iseecars.com
  7. 2000 Chevrolet Impala - Road Test - Motor Trend motortrend.com
  8. 2006-14 Chevrolet Impala/Impala Limited | Consumer Guide Auto consumerguide.com
  9. 2006 Chevrolet Impala SS Tested caranddriver.com
  10. 2014 Chevrolet Impala First Drive - Motor Trend motortrend.com
  11. Chevrolet Impala (fourth generation) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  12. 1994 Chevrolet Impala SS caranddriver.com
  13. FAQ page for 348-409.com 348-409.com
  14. 2000-05 Chevrolet Impala | Consumer Guide Auto consumerguide.com
  15. Chevrolet Unveils Impala Indy SS theautochannel.com
  16. Inside The ’94-’96 Chevrolet Impala SS - Hot Rod Magazine hotrod.com
  17. None More Black: Chevrolet Rolls Out Impala Midnight Edition | The Daily Drive | Consumer Guide® blog.consumerguide.com
  18. 2008 Chevrolet Impala 50th Anniversary Edition caranddriver.com
  19. When Is An Impala Not An Impala? When It's An SS427 chevyhardcore.com
  20. 1963 Z11 Impala - Super Chevy Magazine motortrend.com
  21. 4/09: It’s 409 day—The engine that inspired a song, and a legion of drag racers | NHRA nhra.com
  22. 1964 Chevrolet Impala | The National Historic Vehicle Register | Hagerty Drivers Foundation driversfoundation.org
  23. The Five Greatest Chevy Race Cars Of All Time: #3 Johnson's Impala - Chevy Hardcore chevyhardcore.com
  24. Going under the Hood of SUPERNATURAL’S Impala — Nerdist archive.nerdist.com
  25. Have a Merry Racing Season in Forza Horizon 5 forza.net
  26. 1958 Chevrolet Impala | Fort Lauderdale 2012 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  27. 1996 Chevrolet Impala SS for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $23,750 on August 25, 2026 (Lot #259,600) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  28. Tri-Power-Equipped 1958 Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupe 3-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $42,000 on August 19, 2026 (Lot #258,641) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  29. 1965 Chevrolet Impala Sport Sedan | The Hershey Auction 2026 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  30. No Reserve: 2006 Chevrolet Impala SS for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $5,000 on April 30, 2025 (Lot #189,623) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  31. 1958 Chevrolet Impala Tri-Power Convertible for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $94,500 on May 20, 2025 (Lot #192,439) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  32. 25-Years-Owned 1972 Chevrolet Impala Convertible 350 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $23,250 on January 16, 2026 (Lot #226,700) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  33. No Reserve: 1995 Chevrolet Impala SS for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $18,250 on July 23, 2025 (Lot #201,618) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  34. 427-Powered 1967 Chevrolet Impala Station Wagon for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $19,577 on June 12, 2025 (Lot #195,721) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • motortrend.com
  • news.classicindustries.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • iseecars.com
  • consumerguide.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • 348-409.com
  • theautochannel.com
  • hotrod.com
  • blog.consumerguide.com
  • chevyhardcore.com
  • nhra.com
  • driversfoundation.org
  • archive.nerdist.com

Photo credits

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