History of the Chevrolet Impala: The Biggest Milestones
The Chevrolet Impala is one of the most iconic American vehicles of all time. It was first introduced in 1958 as a luxurious variant of the Bel Air, but its huge popularity forced Chevrolet to release it as a separate model during the very next year.
Today, any classic car enthusiast in Huntington Beach would pay for a professional Chevy Impala restoration without a second thought, including giving it both a cutting-edge 1965 Impala air ride install and a gorgeous matte paint job. After all, the Impala started the muscle car craze, and deserves all the care you can give it.
In previous articles, we explained what made the Chevy Impala body style so revolutionary, and touched on some of the history of the Chevy Impala. Now we'll delve deeper into the Impala's roots in order to explain what made it one of the most important cars of all time. Read on.
What made the 1965-1969 Chevrolet Impala so popular?
The 4th generation of the Chevy Impala was introduced in 1965, and offered phenomenal styling for the consumer market. The sleek design was a huge hit, and was made even more popular by its excellent styling and unique colors. One particular color, Evening Orchid, became the go-to choice of female drivers.
All this contributed to the 1965 Chevy Impala achieving the all-time industry sales record of well over a million units. To this day, this record is yet to be topped, and marks the Impala as a true smash hit among muscle cars.
Did the Impala run into problems during the 1970s?
Yes, but it wasn't the only one. The automotive industry as a whole was shaken by OPEC oil embargo during the 1973-1974. Oil shortage caused General Motors to begin a massive downsizing. As a result, Chevrolet produced its last full-size convertible model in 1975, called Caprice Classic.
The uncertain oil situation eventually resulted in the new 1977 Chevy Impala being downsized in order to cater to the consumer market. These models had extra trunk space, headroom, and leg room. This new Impala garnered extremely positive reviews and was even named "Car of the Year" by Motor Trend.
Where is the Chevy Impala made?
The precise place where the Impala was assembled varies depending on specific models. For instance, the 1965-1970 Impala was assembled in Arlington, Atlanta, Flint, Janesville, Norwood, Oshawa, and a number of other General Motors facilities.
In 2018, General Motors announced a huge restructuring that would result in the closing of multiple factories and the axing of the Impala line. This was motivated by the declining popularity of sedans in general, as well as the need to make room for additional production of crossover SUVs.
The current plan is to continue producing Impalas until January 2020. At this point, the Oshawa and Detroit-Hamtramck assembly facilities become idle and the Impala will cease production. It remains to be seen whether General Motors has plans to revive the Impala lineup in the future.
Where can I get an efficient 1965 Impala air ride install in Huntington Beach?
So you've become a proud owner of a lovely Chevy Impala with a clean history. Great choice! However, unless you paid through the nose for a fully restored vehicle, chances are your new favorite car is going to need some work before you can take it on a joy ride along the Huntington State Beach.
Located in Huntington Beach, Chimera Motors is a first-rate classic car restoration company. Between our crew of seasoned technicians, our state-of-the-art equipment, and our impeccable track record, we're uniquely qualified to attend to your oldtimer's every need.
Come to our premises today, or give us a call if you'd like to learn more about what we offer. We'll make your Chevy Impala as good as new in no time.
