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Wednesday, November 19, 2008
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History of the Impala - Introduction
Introduction |
1950's |
1960's |
1970's |
1980's |
1990's |
2000 |
Production Figures |
Insignias
In a country that worships its automobiles, being the favorite brand is a high honor. Since it was first introduced in 1958, Impala has become more than just a car... its unique combination of style, performance and value made it an off-the-charts favorite for millions of Americans. In fact, with sales in excess of 13 million from 1958 to 1996, more American households chose Impala as their car than any other full-size car in the history of the automobile.
For many, just hearing the name Impala brings an emotional response. Whatever comes to mind probably depends on your perspective. For some, Impala meant vacations in the family station wagon, or sun-drenched rides in the back seat of a big convertible. To others, it meant the venerable Impala SS Coupes of the ‘60s, packing big-block V8s and "four on the floor."
But for most owners, Impala was a roomy, four-door sedan that provided them with "something extra" compared with the competition.
Ed Cole, Chevrolet’s chief engineer in the late ‘50s, said it best when he defined Impala as a "prestige car within the reach of the average American citizen." In essence, the Impala was built on a simple formula — provide a good-looking car with more performance, amenities and value than you might expect, all at a Chevrolet price, and the rest will follow.
The formula worked like magic and helped turn Impala into an American icon. Impala became the best-selling Chevrolet car in its first full year as a model line. The very next year, it became the best-selling car in America... a position it held for more than a decade. In 1965, Impala set an all-time industry annual sales record of more than 1 million units.
Thus, this magic formula (one which Chevrolet had championed for decades) was perfected in the Impala.
Introduction |
1950's |
1960's |
1970's |
1980's |
1990's |
2000 |
Production Figures |
Insignias
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