Chevrolet Impala 1965-1970 Fourth Generation
The Impala broke the all-time industry yearly sales record in 1965 with more than one million units going out the showroom doors. The ‘65 sales record remains unbeaten to this day. The fourth generation is revised bottom to top featuring a full coil spring suspension to support the new full width perimeter chassis. The green house glass windshield has a sharper angle, no-draft windows reshaped, and the side windows are now frame-less in the hard top versions. Mid-year ’65 the newly introduced Caprice is in show rooms as an option package for the four door hard top. The Caprice “Halo” model has tufted upholstery, simulated wood grain vinyl accented interior, with unique hand pulls on the door. The Caprice exterior sports SS “spinner” wheel covers with the bow tie logo in place of the SS emblem and also borrows the SS black-out strip below the tail lights minus the SS emblem.
The 1966 model year sees the Impala takes a back seat with the Chevrolet Caprice as the uptown full size luxury model. The inline six cylinder engine is still available but most opted for one of the V8 choices. There is finally a new three speed automatic back in ’66 after a four year hiatus, reinvented as a Turbo Hydra-Matic, and it is readily acquired by purchasing the new big block 396 cu in Mark IV V8 engine. The 396 replaces the deleted 409 early in the ’65 model year but a few 409 engines did make it out of the showroom. The two speed Power glide automatic is still available as well as a four speed and the three speed transmissions are there to be chosen but this year both synchro-meshed gears. The Impala line-up is flashing a lot of chrome on the exterior this year. With interiors looking good featuring pleated-tufted seating and door panels which is set off with an abundance of chrome trim strips. The Chevy Impala convertible had 38,000 happy new owners in ’66; it was second bestselling unit in North America and chosen by double the number of customers that purchased a Mustang rag top.
The sheet metal is revised on the Impala in 1967; the front and rear fenders now have a bulge following the Corvettes example. Both this year and next the smooth lines are tending more towards the coke bottle shaped body. In order to comply with federal safety regulations this year the complete GM lineup comes equipped with impact absorbing steering column, marker lights on either side, and have a shoulder harness.
The Impala models have a revised front fascia for 1968 and the triple tail light configuration is the shape of a horse-shoe and nestled in the bumper this year. The Custom coupe is new for ‘68 with the same conventional roof line as the Caprice Coupe.
The 1969 Impala has shed the sinewy coke bottle look; radically revised the side panels are flat with up swept rear quarter windows give the car a more refined look. The automobile is still on the same wheelbase but the size is emphasized the designers are trying to make the car appear larger with the new wrap-around bumpers front and rear and it does look wider. The old style no draft worked well but added wind noise so for ’69 the vent windows are scrapped and all models of Impala have a basic flow through ventilation system with bringing fresh air into the cabin through dash mounted adjustable ports. This supplies lots of fresh air and save the company some cash as well with the ports also serving as the delivery system for the optional air conditioning units. All models have the ignition switch on the steering column which is now a locking design as is the shift lever. A notch back roof line is now featured on the hard top sport coupe. The 1970 Impala is the end of the 4th generation is altered minimally with the front bumper now under the grill and the rear tail lights are now vertically configured and mounted in the bumper. The Canadian customers have an added Sport Coupe model available in the body of the Bel-Air for the budget minded sport fans.
Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Most Recent Facebook Posts
Drag Race between a TRD Supercharged Toyota Tundra with Killer Chiller drag radials, shift kit , torque converter upgrade, minor weight reductions, exhaust and bigger crank pulley and a Dodge Challenger R/T with a Kenne Bell supercharged 419 cubic inch Modern Muscle Stroker. #KenneBell #DragRace #ModernMuscleStroker
Supercharged Challenger R/T vs Supercharged Tundra Drag Race Video – Road Test TV - Muscle Car Fan
Drag Race between a TRD Supercharged Toyota Tundra with Killer Chiller drag radials, shift kit , torque converter upgrade, minor weight reductions, exhaust and bigger crank pulley and a Dodge Challenger R/T with a Kenne Bell supercharged 419 cubic inch Modern Muscle Stroker.The shootout between the 840-horsepower Dodge Challenger Demon and the 1,000-horsepower Hennessey Performance Exorcist Camaro for dragstrip supremacy will play out in coming months to determine the king of the super muscle cars.
Full article: goo.gl/LGF6jE #musclecars
The Dodge Demon and Exorcist Camaro Vie for Title of King of the Super Muscle Cars - Muscle Car Fan
The shootout between the 840-horsepower Dodge Challenger Demon and the 1,000-horsepower Hennessey Performance Exorcist Camaro for dragstrip supremacy will play out in coming months to determine the king of the super muscle cars. Full article: goo.gl/LGF6jEOne of the most amazing Hot Rods Ever Made..
Hot Rod – Badass Hot Rod - Muscle Car Fan
One of the most amazing Hot Rods Ever Made..We head to Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs for the 90th running of the world's most famous mountain race; the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb. We follow Jess Neal and Morgan Combes as they attempt to make it to the top of the treacherous 12.5 mile course in a 1971 Plymouth 'Cuda... #PlymouthCuda
Plymouth ‘Cuda 1971 Conquers Pikes Peak! - Muscle Car Fan
We head to Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs for the 90th running of the world's most famous mountain race; the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb. We follow Jess Neal and Morgan Combes as they attempt to make it to the top of the treacherous 12.5 mile course in a 1971 Plymouth 'Cuda...The 1960s was a very innovative time for #classic muscle cars. From the space race to the evolution of the automobile, tech enthusiasm boomed, so automotive designers stepped up their game. Here's a taste of the most iconic, quintessential cars of the 1960s.
Ford Mustang
The 1964 Mustang started a revolution. It's easily the most iconic of the '60s #American classic muscle cars. #musclecars #auctions #PontiacGTO #ChevroletCorvette #PlymouthBarracuda #ChevroletCamaro
Are These Cars The Embodiment Of The 1960s Classic Muscle Car Culture? - Muscle Car Fan
The 1960s was a very innovative time for classic muscle cars. From the space race to the evolution of the automobile, tech enthusiasm boomed, so automotive designers stepped up their game. Here's a taste of the most iconic, quintessential cars of the 1960s. Ford Mustang The 1964 Mustang started a re...