OVERSTEER ROAD TEST: Chevrolet Impala
I wonder just how many times I have seen the Chevrolet Impala in Hip Hop and Rap music videos. They are usually painted in a nice shade of psychedelic purple, or maybe lime green with gold rims, and the compulsory hydraulic suspension, for when these “Playas” want to raise the roof! Little did Chevrolet know exactly where their famous family sedan was going.
The car was first seen in 1958 as the top of the line variant of fabled old Bel Air. Then in 1959, the Impala first had a look that it made its own. This shape kept changing from the fins and wings of the late fifties to blue collar muscle of the sixties, and one of these was the 1967 car, which I have been checking out.
When you look at a ’67 impala, you know straight off the sheer size of the Impala means it would be pretty safe and robust should you ever bend it, plus its girth leaves plenty of space for that extra bit of luggage, or if you are a gangster, body space…
The car featured is the Impala Caprice and is powered by the classic GM 327 cubic inch small block V8 which produces 175kW. This is a great engine has found itself in Camaros, Corvettes and Pontiacs of many descriptions. It’s solid and, in my opinion, is one of the best all round V8s in the range. It provides the best of both power and torque at whatever the revs.
Versions in later models gave customers the option of slotting the gargantuan 7.4-litre (454 cubic inch) V8, giving these customers a lot to “torque about!” A column shift auto transmission and rear wheel drive naturally ensure that power is put to the road as best it can.
You can probably tell by looking at pictures this particular car isn’t entirely the way it left the factory, particularly those circular devices found underneath the wheel arches. The matt black aftermarket rims are never going to be to everyone’s taste but I personally think they add more stance and presence to a car which you would never think needed anymore.
Hopping – or should I say sliding – inside, it doesn’t take too long for your backside to get into a nice groove and settle into those spongy bench seats. You discover the steering wheel and the glove box are so far apart they might as well be in different time zones.
Three huge dials stare at you; fuel gauge, speedometer and a massive analogue clock. All around it is typical late sixties America, plenty of vinyl and wood.
Getting out onto the road, you discover how much street cred a car like this has. Every bit of footpath and pedestrian crossing I came across contained a citizen snapping their head round to see you. Despite the aftermarket wheels on this particular car, the ride was sublimely comfortable. The Impala flowed from corner to corner like it was on a bed of marshmallows. Mind you what can expect from a heavy American boulevard cruiser. You never feel the desire to go really fast, as this car is much more in its element wafting along the highway with that Chevy V8 humming and “Black Betty” playing on the stereo.
Production continued has continued on ’til the present day (with a few gaps), but the Impala has changed a lot. However I can assure you, driving an Impala will give you plenty of memories.
Need to know
Year: 1967
Production: 1965-1985, 1994-1996, 1999-present
Engine: 4700cc V8 petrol
Power/torque: 175kW/n/a
Transmission: Two-speed automatic
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