This article is a followup to
http://boyracer.blogspot.in/2013/01/oldest-nameplates-still-in-production.html
Few models have a major hand in deifining the North American Automobile industry like the Chevrolet Impala. Identified by its triple symmetrical tail lights, the car has become a best seller for GM raking in the much needed money over the years. But unlike other nameplates still in production, this car has not had a constant run thanks to top management reshuffles and product lineup goofups.
Impala: An Impala is a medium-sized African Antelope.
First generation (1957-1958)
The Impala was manufactured in 1957 as a top of the line full-size economy cars alongwith Belair. The car had many distinguishing design features compared to other chevy's such as the tailfins at the rear and the triple symmetrical tail lights. This car was available in a 2-door convertible and 2-door hardtop version with a 3.0L I6, 4.6L v8 and a 5.7L V8 engines. The cars also had the cross flagged insignias now only found on the Corvettes. This car had a major hand in helping GM retain the no.1 spot as worlds largest car maker.
Second Generation (1958-1960)
The early years in car industry did not see a new generation car every year. But after the success of First Imapala and the feedback received by the company, the second generation came out in 1958. The car was heavily reworked and the chassis and bodywork was shared with entry level Buicks and Pontiacs. The tailfins at the tail were more pronounced but the triple taillights were given a miss but returned in the 1960 model. The second generation was basically hurried to give Impala a brand in itself instead of being sold as Belair. The 1959 car also had a distinct nostril design between the headlights and the Bonnet which was removed in the 1960 design. The cars sported a a new 3.9L I6 but retained the 4.6L v8 and 5.7L v8 engines.
Third Generation (1960-1964)
With the onset of the 70's the cars were losing their angles and becoming more boxy when it came to looks. The tailfins of the Impala were lost in the Third generation. The Tapered B-pillar design continued. A special edition Impala with bubble glass roof (streching from Windshield to Boot) was launched. Engine options included a 3.8L I6, 4.6L V8, 5.4L V8, 6.7L V8 and a 7.0L V8.
Fourth Generation (1964-1970)
The fourth Generation Impala continued to be more subtle and simpler and more boxy. The Impala was at the time one of the largest selling cars in the U.S. alongwith the likes of Ford Mustang. To cater to the demand, the Chevrolet Impala was made across 12 plants in the U.S. and Canada. In total, the fourth Generation Impala helped cement its place in the world as the fourth largest selling car in the world. Ten engine options were on offer. 4.1L I6, 4.6L V8, 5.0L V8, 5.4L V8, 5.7L V8, 6.5L V8, 6.6L V8, 6.7L V8, 7.0L V8 and 7.4L V8.
Fifth Generation (1971-1976)
The sales success of the Chevrolet Impala continued through the early 70's. Various bodystyles were launched by Chevrolet to sustain sales such as a fastback version (aka Mustang), a bubbletop roof version and stations Wagons. The fifth generation Impala designs were streamlined in general and engine choices were also brought down to 5. A 4.1L I6, 5.7V8, 6.6L V8 turbo, 6.6L V8 NA, and 7.4L V8 options.
Sixth Generation (1976-1985)
The Sixth Generation marked the end of the beautiful American cars and the onset of wierd designs. The boxy muscle car designs were gone. Also gone were the big sized cars. The new Impalas were considerably smaller than previous versions thanks to the increased Japanese Invasion. Fortunately, the car still ruled as one of the largest selling cars in the North American market. While bodystyles decreased, engine options increased to 6. A 3.6L V6 replaced the old gen I6 engine along with a 4.1L V6. A diesel V8 engine was also added to the lineup.
Seventh Generation (1994-1996)
The big American Carmakers had started bowing down to the Japanese onslaught in the Automobile sector. The seventh generation Impala was smaller than before and the classic styling cues were absent too. This was also the last time the older Impala platform was used which was in continuous production since 1959. The sport tuned suspension and the black hues was a huge hit amongst the cops. Only one engine was offered, a 5.7L V8 and only a 4 door sedan bodystyle was offered. Increased competition and reliablity killed the Impala name in 1996. The triple ring tail lights was gone too.
Eighth Generation (1999-2005)
With the last of the old school Impala production ending, The fortunes at General Motors had also turned. Fighting with the Japanese onslaught, even American cars were becoming a me too design tough to distinguish in the market. Finally, a revision program brought back the Eighth Generation Impala in 1999. The Impala again provided a much needed boost in sales for GM being the largest selling cab car in the North America. The new Impala was a Front wheel drive car with only a 3.4L V6 and 3.8L V6 options available. The circular tailights and the running impala logo had returned on the car.
Ninth Generation ( 2005-2013)
In an attempt to win back marketshare and money, GM did a half hearted redesign of the Eighth Generation Impala. The ringed tail lights were lost but the running Impala logo was retained until 2008. A 3.5L V6, 3.6L V6, 3.9L V6 and a 5.3L v8 engine were offered. Also new on this car was a 6-speed automatic. Various minor refreshes continued over the 8 years trying to arrest falling sales for an outdated car with low fuel efficiency.
Tenth Generation (2013- Present)
Post Bankruptcy, GM adopted a new design philosophy. The Tenth Generation Impala received modern design cues on the lines of the 70's muscle car designs. The larger size of the sedan has been restored. Only a 4-door sedan version will be offered. Also new for the tenth generation Impala are the smaller 2.4L I4, 2.5L I4 and 3.6L V6 engines. The ringed tail lights have been deleted but the running Impala on the C-pillar has been retained.
http://boyracer.blogspot.in/2013/01/oldest-nameplates-still-in-production.html
Few models have a major hand in deifining the North American Automobile industry like the Chevrolet Impala. Identified by its triple symmetrical tail lights, the car has become a best seller for GM raking in the much needed money over the years. But unlike other nameplates still in production, this car has not had a constant run thanks to top management reshuffles and product lineup goofups.
Impala: An Impala is a medium-sized African Antelope.
First generation (1957-1958)
The Impala was manufactured in 1957 as a top of the line full-size economy cars alongwith Belair. The car had many distinguishing design features compared to other chevy's such as the tailfins at the rear and the triple symmetrical tail lights. This car was available in a 2-door convertible and 2-door hardtop version with a 3.0L I6, 4.6L v8 and a 5.7L V8 engines. The cars also had the cross flagged insignias now only found on the Corvettes. This car had a major hand in helping GM retain the no.1 spot as worlds largest car maker.
Second Generation (1958-1960)
The early years in car industry did not see a new generation car every year. But after the success of First Imapala and the feedback received by the company, the second generation came out in 1958. The car was heavily reworked and the chassis and bodywork was shared with entry level Buicks and Pontiacs. The tailfins at the tail were more pronounced but the triple taillights were given a miss but returned in the 1960 model. The second generation was basically hurried to give Impala a brand in itself instead of being sold as Belair. The 1959 car also had a distinct nostril design between the headlights and the Bonnet which was removed in the 1960 design. The cars sported a a new 3.9L I6 but retained the 4.6L v8 and 5.7L v8 engines.
Third Generation (1960-1964)
With the onset of the 70's the cars were losing their angles and becoming more boxy when it came to looks. The tailfins of the Impala were lost in the Third generation. The Tapered B-pillar design continued. A special edition Impala with bubble glass roof (streching from Windshield to Boot) was launched. Engine options included a 3.8L I6, 4.6L V8, 5.4L V8, 6.7L V8 and a 7.0L V8.
Fourth Generation (1964-1970)
The fourth Generation Impala continued to be more subtle and simpler and more boxy. The Impala was at the time one of the largest selling cars in the U.S. alongwith the likes of Ford Mustang. To cater to the demand, the Chevrolet Impala was made across 12 plants in the U.S. and Canada. In total, the fourth Generation Impala helped cement its place in the world as the fourth largest selling car in the world. Ten engine options were on offer. 4.1L I6, 4.6L V8, 5.0L V8, 5.4L V8, 5.7L V8, 6.5L V8, 6.6L V8, 6.7L V8, 7.0L V8 and 7.4L V8.
Fifth Generation (1971-1976)
The sales success of the Chevrolet Impala continued through the early 70's. Various bodystyles were launched by Chevrolet to sustain sales such as a fastback version (aka Mustang), a bubbletop roof version and stations Wagons. The fifth generation Impala designs were streamlined in general and engine choices were also brought down to 5. A 4.1L I6, 5.7V8, 6.6L V8 turbo, 6.6L V8 NA, and 7.4L V8 options.
Sixth Generation (1976-1985)
The Sixth Generation marked the end of the beautiful American cars and the onset of wierd designs. The boxy muscle car designs were gone. Also gone were the big sized cars. The new Impalas were considerably smaller than previous versions thanks to the increased Japanese Invasion. Fortunately, the car still ruled as one of the largest selling cars in the North American market. While bodystyles decreased, engine options increased to 6. A 3.6L V6 replaced the old gen I6 engine along with a 4.1L V6. A diesel V8 engine was also added to the lineup.
Seventh Generation (1994-1996)
The big American Carmakers had started bowing down to the Japanese onslaught in the Automobile sector. The seventh generation Impala was smaller than before and the classic styling cues were absent too. This was also the last time the older Impala platform was used which was in continuous production since 1959. The sport tuned suspension and the black hues was a huge hit amongst the cops. Only one engine was offered, a 5.7L V8 and only a 4 door sedan bodystyle was offered. Increased competition and reliablity killed the Impala name in 1996. The triple ring tail lights was gone too.
Eighth Generation (1999-2005)
With the last of the old school Impala production ending, The fortunes at General Motors had also turned. Fighting with the Japanese onslaught, even American cars were becoming a me too design tough to distinguish in the market. Finally, a revision program brought back the Eighth Generation Impala in 1999. The Impala again provided a much needed boost in sales for GM being the largest selling cab car in the North America. The new Impala was a Front wheel drive car with only a 3.4L V6 and 3.8L V6 options available. The circular tailights and the running impala logo had returned on the car.
Ninth Generation ( 2005-2013)
In an attempt to win back marketshare and money, GM did a half hearted redesign of the Eighth Generation Impala. The ringed tail lights were lost but the running Impala logo was retained until 2008. A 3.5L V6, 3.6L V6, 3.9L V6 and a 5.3L v8 engine were offered. Also new on this car was a 6-speed automatic. Various minor refreshes continued over the 8 years trying to arrest falling sales for an outdated car with low fuel efficiency.
Tenth Generation (2013- Present)
Post Bankruptcy, GM adopted a new design philosophy. The Tenth Generation Impala received modern design cues on the lines of the 70's muscle car designs. The larger size of the sedan has been restored. Only a 4-door sedan version will be offered. Also new for the tenth generation Impala are the smaller 2.4L I4, 2.5L I4 and 3.6L V6 engines. The ringed tail lights have been deleted but the running Impala on the C-pillar has been retained.
