Car Lust--1971-1976 Chevrolet Impala
Like the dinosaur, the massive rear-wheel-drive American full-size sedan once had a long run as the master of all it swurveyed--only to fade slowly into obscurity and disappear entirely, succumbing to competitors more suited to a changing environment.
But, also like the dinosaurs, the big sedans enjoyed a long, glorious run. For decades, the large rear-wheel-drive sedans were at the top of the heap; for many years, the Chevrolet Impala was the runaway sales leader, the most popular of the behemoths.
And why not? Impalas, like their slower-selling bretheren, were large, attractive, soft-riding sedans that offered palatial accommodations and cavernous cargo room at a reasonable price that many families could afford. In those hazy, nearly forgotten days before minivans and SUVs burst onto the scene, Impala wagons carried large quantities of people and cargo, serving as the trusty backdrop for countless family vacations. As a bonus, the Impala's massive hood and trunk lid could double as a helicopter landing pad in case of emergency.
With the smooth burble of a sweet, low-compression V-8, long-limbed freeway cruising ability, and vaguely nautical ride and handling (bring the Dramamine!), the Impala and its optioned-up Caprice twin brought to the freeway all the comfort (and agility) of your living room. The Impala was a freeway cruiser nonpareil.
The 1976 model was the last of the truly leviathan full-size Impala/Caprice. The 1977 model year would bring the revolutionary downsized sedan, a great car in its own right that lived until 1990. I continually keep an eye out for a classic 1971-1976 Impala to pick up. I prefer the styling of the 1972 and 1976 editions, ideally unmodified with all of its original flavor intact. Unfortunately, these are getting harder to find in inexpensive, unmolested form. Thanks to the popularity of Impalas in the lowrider and hip-hop scenes, many of the original low-mileage grandmother-owned Impalas seem to have been snapped up and made into "donks."
A couple of years ago, I found a beautiful original beige 1976 Impala for $1,100; but I quickly realized the true cost would involve divorce proceedings. I believe I've mentioned in this space before a '75 burgundy Caprice coupe that's for sale near me. It's possibly the largest two-door car ever made, and I'd bet each door has roughly the length and mass of a plate of battleship armor. It's gorgeous, but at $6,000, I think I'll pass.
What would I do with an Impala/Caprice? My wife asks me that, and I'm not sure I have a great answer. Since the Impala can easily take both small- and big-block Chevrolet V-8s, the temptation is there to drop in a mild big-block and make a pleasant old cruiser into a paradoxically fast pleasant old cruiser. I'd probably only do that when (if?) the original engine gave up the ghost.
Today, the Impala is a front-wheel-drive sedan, primarily powered by a V-6, and the Ford Crown Victoria is the closest thing one could call a survivor of the Age of Automotive Dinosaurs. Like the rogue dinosaur cloning efforts of Jurassic Park, Chrysler has brought large, powerful, rear-wheel-drive sedans back to life in the dangerous and unpredictable form of the Chrysler 300C Hemi, Dodge Charger, and Dodge Magnum Hemi, but they are too rapacious and aggressive to be part of the same genus as the old Impala.
The top three photos here are all from an excellent Impala page at How Stuff Works.com; the top image is a '76 coupe, the second is a '76 sedan, and the third is a '72 coupe.
The fourth photo is from StillRuns.com, which is a hilarious tribute to the glory and wonder of beaters. The '72 Impala pictured here has more than 300,000 miles on it, has been in no way restored, and boasts the fine, authentic patina of age and abuse. The Impala is as yet unbowed. If you are at all a fan of these cars--or beaters in general--StillRuns.com is worth a read.
--Chris H.
luke on October 20, 2011 at 04:00 AM
When i was fifteen my friends and i were familiar with the 60's generation of impala's. So when a 71 passed by one day i noticed the emblem on the side and told my buddies ,hey thats an impala. They did'nt believe me so we chased it down to prove me right. About a year later a few miles from my house there she was on the road side with a for sale sign. I was sixteen and rideless with 1480 dollars saved up. They wanted 1500 for the 71. My dad told me if i could buy it and still keep some money in my savings that would be ok. So of course i lied and said i had more than the 1500. To this day he still does not know i closed my savings account and borrowed 20 bucks from my best friend to buy the car. That was in 1996 so i've had the car for about fifteen years now. I drove it to highschool ,i took nine people to a keg party in one trip , i drove it to atlanta and back 10 times which is a 4 hour trip one way , a little 17 year old girl sat on the hood while i told her i loved her for the first time she is now my wife of nine years. The car was brown with a black vinyl top ,rusty in places with a few dents here and there and the seats and carpet were torn up. It was frequently called the big terd. Those first 2 years made alot of memories. Then after it sat up for about 4 more i restored it with some friends. It is now red with a painted white top just like i repeatedly told my friends it would be when we were kids. Now at 32 years old everytime i drive it i feel like i'm 16 again and there's nothing i love more than when my 5 year old kid says i wanna ride in daddy's red car! Since i painted it and added cutom wheels and a more aggressive exhuast it's a real head turner everywhere i go but the funny thing is when i'm crusing down the old back roads where i grew up riding the big terd wishing it was restored. Now that it is restored i catch myself wishing it was just like the big terd again. I don't think I'll ever be able to part with my 1971 chevy impala.
brandy harris on November 28, 2011 at 11:42 AM
my grandfather left me his '76 impala. it is all original with 99,000 original miles. garage kept its whole life. drives like a brand new one. VERY NICE CAR. if you're interested or know someone who might be, please let me know. i hate to sell it, but i've got a baby on the way and could sure use the money. thanks so much for your time.
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