Chevrolet Impala 1969

Chevrolet IMPALA SS

Registered in France, collector's title (carte grise collection).

Fiscal power: 40 CV. Real power: 390 hp DIN.

Nothing to do, drives any distance — a real treat...

You can also consult the attached PDF of the TORQUE magazine feature dedicated to this beautiful American.

A bit of history:

The Impala originally started as a Corvette-derived prototype during the early-to-mid 1950s. Several Chevrolet models were based on the Corvette, such as the Corvair and the Nomad. The Impala emerged as a sport coupe, and was the vehicle that looked the least like the Corvette, because it was not introduced with the original.

The Impala name was first used on the full-size show car at the 1956 General Motors Motorama, which carried Corvette-style design cues, particularly the grille. It was named Impala after the graceful African antelope, and that animal became the car's logo. Painted metallic emerald green with a white interior, the Impala concept car featured hardtop styling. Clare MacKichan's design team, working with Pontiac designers, began establishing the basic packaging and dimensions of their 1958 General Motors "A" body in June. The first styling sketch that would directly influence the finished Chevrolet automobile was seen by General Motors Styling Vice-President Harley Earl in October. Seven months later, the basic design was developed.

Impala SS (1961-1969)

The Impala launched the muscle car era. In 1960s North America, petrol prices were low and consumers wanted powerful, not fuel-efficient cars. Buyers demanded space, performance, driving enjoyment and quality. In 1961, the first true "muscle car" was introduced with the Impala SS.

In 1969, the Impala SS was only available as the Z24 (SS427), exclusively delivered with a 7.0L V8 producing 340 hp (250 kW), 395 hp (291 kW), or 431 hp (317 kW). It was the last year for the Impala SS until 1994. Unlike the previous two years, the 1969 model finally received "Impala" script on the front fenders and interior. The 1969 Impala SS had no distinctive SS badge inside the car, except for an "SS" logo on the steering wheel (again, no Z03 was offered that year). As with 1968, the Z24 could be ordered on the Impala Convertible, Sport Coupe or Custom Coupe. 1969 was the last year the Impala SS was offered with the Z24 package, but it was the only year that front disc brakes and 15-inch wheels were standard equipment; this made the 1969 SS427 mechanically better than previous versions in standard form. Although 1969 Impala sales with the Z24 option rose to about 2,455 units compared to 1,778 units with the 1968 Z03 option, and powerful big-block V8 engines remained available, there would be no Impala SS for 1970. The 427 was also replaced on the engine list by a new Turbo-Jet 454 producing 395 hp (291 kW).