Mario's Tribute to Chevy Impala Pt 2. 5th to 7th Generations 1971 - 1996

1 1971 Chevy Impala 5th Generation. The 1971 redesigned B-body would be the largest car ever offered by Chevrolet. In keeping with their huge size, these new "B" body Chevrolets were close to Cadillac in luxury features, styling, and ride. All 1971 Chevy engines featured lower compression ratios to permit the use of regular leaded, low lead or unleaded gasoline of at least 91 octane rating. This was in anticipation of the catalytic converters planned for 1975 which necessitated the use of unleaded fuel.

2 1971 Chevy Impala. 1971 Impala models offered the same body styles as previous years. Newly standard features included power front disc brakes, inside hood release, and a revised Astro-Ventilation system that utilized air distribution grills in the trunk lid. However, the system proved to be problematic and was disliked by many buyers and discontinues in 1972. The new body featured a double panel roof for improved rollover protection and flush exterior door handles.

3 1971 Chevy Impala. As expected, 1971 Impala production was well below 1970 totals due to the 67-day corporate wide strike at General Motors that began in September, 1970 after initial 1971-model production began and would not end until November. The Impala remained Chevrolet's top-selling model with the fifth generation.

4 1971 Chevy Impala. 350CI 245HP. Engine offerings included the base 145hp, 250ci Turbo Thrift six-cylinder and 245hp 350ci Turbo Fire V-8. Optional engines included the 255hp 400ci Turbo Fire V-8, 300hp 400ci and 365hp 454ci V-8. GM strike. 427,000 Impalas were produced of 1.7 million total.

5 1972 Chevy Impala. The 1972 Impala introduced a lower height grille which extended below the bumper and revised taillights now set in the bumper. 1972 saw the last Impala convertible, the following year moving to the top-of-the-line Caprice Classic. The Impala ragtop sold 6,456 units, placing fourth with just under 9% of the market.

6 1972 Chevy Impala. The Astro Ventilation system was redesigned for 1972 with the vents relocated from the trunk lid to the doorjambs for improved reliability and efficiency over the troublesome 1971 system that was a major source of complaints from owners to Chevrolet and its dealers.

7 1972 Chevy Impala. The best-selling body style was the formal-roof Custom Coupe. Beginning in 1972, all engines were designed to run on unleaded gasoline.

8 1972 Chevy Impala. 454CI 360HP. After the short run of early-1972 six-cylinder Impalas were built in the fall of 1971, the six-cylinder engine and three-speed manual transmission were relegated to low-line Biscayne and Bel Air sedans. 597,500 Impalas were produced of 2.3 million total.

9 1973 Chevy Impala. 1973 Impalas featured a larger, shock-absorbing front bumper due to new federal mandates which required a 5-mile-per-hour impact protection. The chassis was tweaked for better roadability, and new square taillights were mounted in the carry-over rear bumper.

10 1973 Chevy Impala. With the convertible now moved to the top-line Caprice Classic series Impalas were now all closed body styles for the first time in the nameplate's history and the station wagon known as the Kingswood since 1969 rejoined the Impala series.

11 1973 Chevy Impala ACRS Lone Survivor. GM equipped 1,000 1973 Chevy Impala Sedans with their experimental Air Cushion Restraint System (ACRS), an early prototype of an airbag system. ACRS employed a driver's side airbag that was housed in a unique four-spoke steering wheel as well as a passenger side airbag. The Impalas featured a modified instrument panel from an Olds 88. The passenger side airbag was a "dual-stage" unit that used impact sensors in order to determine the amount of force to use when deploying the airbag based on the severity of the impact. All models coming with ACRS were painted green and sported a 350 V8 engine. This is the single known Impala ACRS survivor owned by an automotive safety expert from Maryland. These cars no longer exist because GM used them as crash testing vehicles for the airbag system. The other 999 cars were probably crushed and thrown out.

12 1973 Chevy Impala. 350CI 175HP. One of the ACRS-equipped 1973 Impalas was used on the TV show Seinfeld, where it was driven by Cosmo Kramer in several episodes. See the video I posted. The personal-luxury segment was booming, but full-size cars were declining. 190,530 Impalas were produced of 2.6 million total.

13 1974 Chevy Impala Spirit of America. A limited-edition Spirit of America package was offered in 1974 on Sport Coupe models, primarily an appearance package. The front end featured a new grille and headlight bezels, a new header panel, and a bumper with a drop-down center section. The marker lights moved back up beside the headlamps. It featured white body paint and a white full vinyl top. Special fender and dashboard badges announced the package to passers-by and passengers.

14 1974 Chevy Impala Spirit of America. For 1974, the rear bumper of Impalas and other full-sized Chevrolets incorporated shock absorbing cylinders to meet the upgraded bumper standards with new taillights above the bumper, separated by the license plate and fuel filler. It also came equipped with rear fender skirts. The Custom Coupe was no longer a hardtop, with large, fixed rear quarter glass and a thick B-pillar.

15 1974 Chevy Impala Spirit of America. White upholstery with red or blue trim, color-keyed seat belts and floormats, special wheel covers, optional white rally wheels, sports-styled dual remote outside rear view mirrors, a vinyl body side molding insert, and red pin-striping. Inside were white vinyl seats, while red-white-blue striping adorned the door cards, steering wheel, and other interior bits.

16 1974 Chevy Impala Spirit of America. 350CI 300HP. Only 2500 of these Limited-edition models were built and very few remain today. See the video I posted. 181,469 Impalas built of 2.3 million total.

17 1975 Chevy Impala. This was the final year of the full-size Chevrolet convertible. The 1975 Impala used a 1974 carried-over Caprice front end, with a grille insert and emblem change. Catalytic converters were installed for 1975 and later models which necessitated the use of unleaded fuel. The Caprice model carried a new front end with a swept back style header panel with recessed headlight buckets, a new hood, and new fenders.

18 1975 Chevy Impala. A Landau appearance package was new for 1975. It featured an elk-grained landau vinyl roof (with a chrome band across the roof), a choice of special paint colors, sports-styled dual remote outside rearview mirrors, color-keyed wheel covers, a vinyl bodyside molding insert, and pin-striping.

19 1975 Chevy Impala. In 1975 upholstery, door panels and the dashboard were revised as were the radio and climate control graphics. Speedometers read up to 100 miles per hour and added kilometers per hour. The hardtop Sport Sedan got a small triangular "opera window" carved out of the wide roof panel.

20 1975 Chevy Impala. 350CI 145HP. 1975 officially debuted a high-energy (HEI) electronic ignition system. Last year for the Bel Air, it was dropped after the 1975 model year. 176,376 Impalas built of 1.8 million total.

21 1976 Chevy Impala. The 1976 Impala used a previous year’s Caprice nose, with a new "egg crate" grille insert. The Impala had round headlamps while the Caprice used the new quad rectangular ones. The pillarless Impala Sport Coupe faded out of the lineup; a formal-roof Custom Coupe was the only Impala two-door.

22 1976 Chevy Impala. This was the final year for the four-door hardtop sedan, the big block 454 V-8 now yielding 225 horsepower, and the station wagon clamshell tailgate. Impalas rode steel-belted radial tires and carried an automatic transmission, power brakes, and variable-ratio power steering.

23 1976 Chevy Impala. The interior had such luxuries as simulated rosewood vinyl trim on the instrument panel, steering wheel, and doors. The standard bench seat could be replaced by a 50/50 split front seat, as in 1975. A lighted visor vanity mirror was new to the options list.

24 1976 Chevy Impala. 350CI 150HP. A lower-priced Impala "S" series, available only as a four-door sedan, was introduced this year to replace the discontinued Bel Air. The Impala S was a basic low-cost transportation with the convenience of a V-8 powered full-size automobile. 239,217 Impalas built of 2.1 million total.

25 1977 Chevy Impala 6th Generation. 1977 Pillarless hardtops were discontinued, the result of rumors of federal rollover standards looming in the near future. Chevrolet redesigned the Impala for the 1977 model year to meet changing demands. The new downsized Impalas were shorter in length, taller and narrower than before.

26 1977 Chevy Impala. The new Impala's frame was a shortened version of the one introduced in 1970 and would be used until 1996 when the B-body production line was shut down. Even with its smaller exterior dimensions, the new Impala featured increased headroom, rear-seat legroom, and trunk space. The 1977 to 1979 coupes sported a double-bent, tempered rear window.

27 1977 Chevy Impala. Production of the downsized 1977 model increased substantially over 1976, and the Impala regained the number one U.S. sales position. The redesigned 1977 Impala/Caprice was named Motor Trend's car of the year.

28 1977 Chevy Impala 305CI V8 135HP. Engine availability was reduced for 1977. The inline-6 was reintroduced with 110 hp. Options included 267-and-305-cubic-inch (4.4 and 5.0 L) V8 engines. The 350-cubic-inch (5.7 L) V8 engine was available. Oldsmobile's 350-cubic-inch (5.7 L) V8 diesel engine also was available. 311,485 Impalas built of 2.3 million total.

29 1978 Chevy Impala. The new downsized redesign marked a pivotal moment for the Impala, as Chevrolet responded to the energy crisis with a more efficient design. This generation shed nearly 800 pounds while maintaining interior space, demonstrating that full-size comfort didn’t require excess.

30 1978 Chevy Impala. The dramatically downsized body maintained the Impala’s signature styling cues while offering improved fuel economy. Engine options ranged from a thrifty 250 cubic-inch inline-six to a 305 cubic-inch V8, reflecting changing consumer priorities.

31 1978 Chevy Impala. Despite its smaller size, the sixth-generation Impala remained popular among law enforcement agencies and taxi services, testament to its durability and performance.

32 1978 Chevy Impala 305CI V8 160HP. 312,174 Impalas built of 2.4 million total.

33 1979 Chevy Impala. Changes for 1979 included slight changes to the front and side. In the front was a ladder-style grille with wide, squat openings. The park and signal lamps were updated and positioned into the bumper. In the front were quad rectangular headlamps.

34 1979 Chevy Impala. The rear side marker lamps were restyled and now had grid detailing. The Impalas came equipped with a day/night mirror, a locking glove compartment, a Freedom battery, a front stabilizer bar, heater, defroster, concealed two-speed windshield wipers, floor carpeting, an inside hood release, power steering, power brakes, and automatic transmission.

35 1979 Chevy Impala. The 1979 Impala was available with either 6- or 8-cylinder engines and were available as a Sport Coupe, Landau Coupe, Sedan, and a 6- or 8-passenger Station Wagon. The Landau body styles had a vinyl roof, wheel opening moldings and body side pin striping.

36 1979 Chevy Impala 350CI 165HP. 270,907 Impalas built of 2.3 million total.

37 1980 Chevy Impala 4 door sedan. The 1980 Impala was reduced to the base model full-size Chevrolet and was popular with fleet usage, including taxi and police-pursuit vehicles. The 1980 Chevrolet Impala stands as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of one of America's most enduring automotive nameplates. Born from the stables of General Motors, this full-size sedan was crafted during a period of transition for the auto industry, where fuel efficiency began to take precedence over sheer power.

38 1980 Chevy Impala 4 door sedan. The exterior styling of the 1980 Chevrolet Impala was a departure from the flamboyance of the '70s, presenting cleaner lines and a more aerodynamic profile. Its squared-off contours and formal roofline echoed the conservative design language of the era. The Impala's unique blend of comfort and practicality, coupled with its commitment to evolving consumer demands, etched its name into the annals of automotive history. Notably, the 1980 model marked a significant downsizing from its predecessors, a move that was both a response to the energy crisis and a harbinger of changing times.

39 1980 Chevy Impala 4 door sedan. Inside, occupants were greeted with a functional cabin that prioritized space and comfort. Materials ranged from durable fabrics to plush velours, reflecting both utility and luxury preferences. Technological advancements were modest but meaningful, including improved fuel economy and electronic ignition systems. The color palette offered a range of shades from understated earth tones to bolder blues and reds, with classic white and black remaining perennial favorites. Buyers could choose between sedan and coupe body styles, with the four-door version being particularly popular for its practicality.

40 1980 Chevy Impala 4 door sedan. 267 CI 115HP 4.4L V8. In 1980, the inline-six was replaced by a 229 cubic-inch (3.8 liter) V6. Engines available were a 229 CID V6, 267 CID V8, 305 CID V8 and a 350 CID V8 Diesel. The 1980 Impala's significance lies in its role as a transitional vehicle that bridged the gap between the excesses of the '70s and the efficiency-minded '80s. It was among the first to respond to shifting market demands without sacrificing its core identity as a reliable family car. The drastic drop in sales for the Chevy Impala in 1980 from 1979 was primarily due to declining popularity of sedans. There was a significant shift towards SUVs and Crossovers which were more appealing to consumers. 99,527 Impalas built of 2.3 million total.

41 1981 Chevy Impala. The 1981 Chevrolet Impala is a classic car that combines style, comfort, and performance. The 1981 Impala emerged with a downsized body and an emphasis on efficiency without forsaking its heritage. A notable moment in its history was its role as a bridge between the classic full-size American sedan and the modern era of cars.

42 1981 Chevy Impala. The exterior of the 1981 Chevrolet Impala was a blend of traditional American sedan proportions with a nod to aerodynamic efficiency. The straight lines and angular design of previous models gave way to a more streamlined silhouette, reducing drag and improving fuel economy.

43 1981 Chevy Impala. Inside, occupants were greeted with a functional cabin that prioritized comfort and practicality. Materials ranged from durable fabrics to plush velours, reflecting both budget-friendly and more luxurious options. Technological features at the time included an optional electronic tuning radio and power accessories that were advanced for its era. The color palette offered choices from conservative shades like Silver Metallic to bolder hues such as Dark Blue Metallic. Among body styles, the four-door sedan was particularly popular for its balance of practicality and style.

44 1981 Chevy Impala 3.8L V6 229CI 190HP. Performance-wise, the 1981 Impala came with various engine options, including a 229 cubic inch V6 and a 267 cubic inch V8, providing adequate power for daily driving. 85,964 Impalas built of 1.6 million total.

45 1982 Chevy Impala Station Wagon. The drastic drop in Chevrolet sales from 1981 to 1982 can be attributed to several factors: Downsizing and Efficiency: GM's massive downsizing efforts aimed to reduce costs and improve efficiency. This included the FWD X-Cars, which were the biggest industrial investment in the US since WWII, totaling over $20 billion.

46 1982 Chevy Impala Station Wagon. Market Shift: The price of oil and gasoline fluctuated, leading to a rush by Americans to buy smaller, more efficient cars; industry's focus on small cars changed the market dynamics, making it difficult for GM to maintain its market share. Consumer Preferences: Millennials were less interested in driving dynamics than lifestyle accessories.

47 1982 Chevy Impala Station Wagon. This was the last year of the Impala Station Wagon with weak sales of only 16,899. The 1982 Chevrolet Impala may not have been revolutionary in terms of automotive design or technology, but it played a crucial role in sustaining the Impala lineage during a period of uncertainty. It set itself apart from contemporaries with its no-nonsense approach to providing comfortable and reliable transportation at a time when consumers were increasingly value-conscious.

48 1982 Chevy Impala Station Wagon 305CI 5L V8 145HP. Engine options were: 229 CID V6, 267 CID V8, 305 CID V8 with HP range of 110 – 150. 64,679 Impalas built of 1.1 million total.

49 1983 Chevy Impala. The only Impala model offered for 1983 was a 4-door sedan as Impala sales continued to plummet. Minor body design changes were made.

50 1983 Chevy Impala. The '83 Impala may not boast an extensive list of rare editions or celebrity owners; however, it has made numerous appearances in films and television shows set in the '80s, often as police cars or unassuming background vehicles.

51 1983 Chevy Impala. Technologically, the '83 Impala offered features that were advanced for its time, such as an optional AM/FM stereo with cassette player and cruise control.

52 1983 Chevy Impala 5.0L 305CI V8 150HP. The base engine remained a 229-ci, 3.8-liter V6 rated at 110 horsepower, and the optional V8 was a 305-ci rated at 150 horsepower. The diesel 5.7L V8 350CI 165HP was also offered. 45,154 Impalas built of 1.2 million total.

53 1984 Chevy Impala. The 1984 Impala's exterior styling was characterized by its boxy yet stately silhouette—a hallmark of many cars from the era. Its long hood and generous trunk space were complemented by clean lines and minimalistic chrome accents, presenting an image of understated elegance.

54 1984 Chevy Impala. Technological features were modest by today's standards but included conveniences like power windows and air conditioning that were appreciated in their day.

55 1984 Chevy Impala. Inside, passengers were greeted with a spacious cabin that prioritized comfort and practicality. The quality of materials reflected the utilitarian nature of the vehicle, with durable fabrics and hard-wearing plastics designed to withstand years of use.

56 1984 Chevy Impala 305CI V8 150HP. Performance-wise, the 1984 Impala was equipped with a range of V6 and V8 engines that provided adequate power for everyday driving —the car was valued more for its smooth ride than for outright speed. 55,296 Impalas built of 1.7 million total.

57 1985 Chevy Impala. Last of the 6th Generation Impalas and the last Impala for 9 years. The Impala nameplate was discontinued after 1985.

58 1985 Chevy Impala. Upon the demise of the Impala name, the base model full-size Chevrolet was rebranded Caprice starting in 1986.

59 1985 Chevy Impala. The 1985 Impala would be the last of the model the world would see for almost a decade.

60 1985 Chevy Impala 262CI V6 4.3L 140HP. Not satisfied to letting the car die with a whimper, Chevy upped the engine to a 262-ci, 4.3-liter V6 rated at 140 horsepower. Optional engines included a 305-ci V8 rated at 165 horsepower and a 350-ci V8 rated at 105 horsepower. 53,438 Impalas built of 1.7 million total

61 1994 Chevy Impala SS. 7th Generation. 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, with the only noticeable change being the chromed bowtie logo on the grill (vs. a red logo on the concept). The Impala SS received body-colored trim, a unique single-bar grille with no hood ornament, and a rear deck spoiler. It was fitted with 17-inch brushed aluminum wheels with 255/50ZR17 all-season tires.

62 1994 Chevy Impala SS. The car was, in essence, a high-performance version of the Caprice heavily based on the Caprice 9C1 police package. As such, it got much 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), four-wheel disc brakes, transmission cooler, dual exhaust, a higher-output electrical system, and other minor mechanical and electrical alterations.

63 1994 Chevy Impala SS. Inside, the car came with a central console with cup holders and a storage compartment, leather seats embroidered with the Impala SS logo, and a standard leather-wrapped steering wheel. For the 1994 model year, it was available only in black with a gray interior. Due to a shortage of the unique five-spoke aluminum wheels, only 6,303 cars were sold. However, the wheel shortage was remedied for the 1995 model year and 21,434 cars were sold.

64 1994 Chevy Impala SS 350CI 5.7L LT1 V8 260HP. A retuned LT1 5.7-liter (350 cu in) small-block V8 was standard on the Impala SS, making 260 hp. The primary difference between the LT1 in the Impala and the LT1 that was in the Corvette and Camaro was that the Impala engine was fitted with cast-iron cylinder heads instead of aluminum ones, and a camshaft that was designed more for low-end torque than high-end horsepower. 6,303 Impala SS built of 1.8 million total

65 1995 Chevy Impala SS. 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.

66 1995 Chevy Impala SS. The black units continued to receive semi-gloss door moldings and wheel-well trim, whereas the other color offerings received those items in full gloss.

67 1995 Chevy Impala SS. 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.

68 1995 Chevy Impala SS 350CI 5.7L LT1 V8 260HP. The Impala SS was fitted with a standard 3.08 gear. The limited-slip rear differential was standard (as opposed to the optional G80 on Caprices) and the suspension was an inch lower. Another difference was that the block casting for the Impala LT1 had two-bolt main bearing caps while the casting used for the Corvette LT1 had four-bolt main bearing caps. 21,434 Impala SS built of 1.9 million total

69 1996 Chevy Impala SS. 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.

70 1996 Chevy Impala SS. The 1996 Impala SS production went late into the model year: the last one being produced on December 13, 1996. Marblehead Gray Metallic had been planned for that final year; however, the option was cancelled at the last minute even though many trim part numbers for the color had already been designated.

71 1996 Chevy Impala SS. The last year 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).

72 1996 Chevy Impala SS 350CI 5.7L LT1 V8 260HP. The entire B-body line, consisting of the Chevrolet Caprice, Impala SS, and Buick Roadmaster, as well as the related D-Body Fleetwood, was discontinued, as GM wanted more assembly lines to be able to produce more profitable SUVs. A ceremony was held at the plant on December 13, 1996, as the last Impala SS was produced. 41,941 Impala SS built of 2.5 million total

73 Our very own Rob with AT sent me a picture of his Impala SS that he once owned. A very beautiful Burgundy color. Thank you Rob, I added the picture for all to see. Cheers, Mario