Chevy first used the Impala badge on a concept car at its 1956 Motorama show, bringing it to the showroom two years later as the top trim level of the Bel Air. The Impala became its own model in 1959, and an SS option was offered from 1961-1969 with a 409 cubic inch V8 making 360 horsepower. It stayed in production until 1986 but was revived three times: in 1994, 2000, and 2014. Classic Impalas are highly tunable, powerful, and, like most other cars of the era, remarkably simple to work on.
According to Hemmings, Chevy made more than half a million first-generation Impalas, and “few marques can rival Chevrolet for parts availability–NOS (new old stock), used or reproduction.” As for the cars themselves, classic Impalas have gargantuan engine bays, making it easy to access and replace most parts. They are heavy, long, and wide, so you’ll need high-capacity jacks, stands, and a roomy garage to make your work easy and comfortable.
