1966 Chevrolet Impala S/S 427

Normally, the 1966 Impala isn’t the first car that comes to mind when thinking of 1960's muscle cars, but the 427 V8, 4-speed equipped Impala SS can make some think otherwise.

Chevrolet's Impala was introduced in 1958. It was named for the Southern African Antelope, and was Chevrolet's most expensive passenger model through 1965, eventually becoming the best-selling automobile in the United States when pitted against it's rivals like Ford's Galaxie 500, and Plymouth's Fury in the time when full-size models  dominated the market.

In 1961, the Impala Super Sport ("SS") was introduced. The SS badge was Chevrolet's signature of performance on many models, although sometimes it has been an appearance package only.

The Super Sport was known as the Regular Production Option (RPO) Z03, from 1962 and 1963, and again in 1968. The 1966 Impala SS was face-lifted with a revised grille and new rectangular taillights that replaced the triple round units of the 1965 model. A chrome beltline strip shared with regular Impalas was added in response to complaints about door dings on the clean-lined 1965's. (And who hasn't had their day ruined by one of those?) Of course, not everybody kept those on...as shown by the photo example.

In 1966, there was no special model option for Impala known as "SS 427". There were many 1966 Super Sports ordered with one of the two 427 engines, but Chevrolet did not market them as "SS 427".  Buyers mating up a factory Muncie M-21 4-speed manual transmission (GM 3851325) to the 427 was the way to go for the ultimate experience. Inside were new Strato bucket seats with thinner and higher seatbacks, and a center console with an optional gauge package available.

Unfortunately, sales of the 1966 Impala SS dropped by more than 50% due to the sport/performance car market switching from full-sized to intermediate models (including Chevrolet's own Chevelle SS396 and the Pontiac's GTO), along with the emergence of the even smaller pony car market created by the Ford Mustang in 1964, that Chevrolet would eventually respond to with the Camaro in 1967.

The Impala continued as Chevrolet's most popular full-size model through the mid-1980's. Between 1994 and 1996, the Impala was revived as a muscular 5.7 Liter V8 powered version of the Caprice Classic sedan. In 2000, the Impala was re-introduced again as a mainstream front wheel drive sedan. But personally, the early to mid 60's Impala's will always remain (to me) as being the epitome of "the good old days."