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History of the Impala - The 1960's
Introduction |
1950's |
1960's |
1970's |
1980's |
1990's |
2000 |
Production Figures |
Insignias
When America left the 1950s behind, it entered a new era in automotive design. Arguably, one of the most profound outside influences was the space race. In less than four years (1958-62), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was created, Alan Shepard became the first American astronaut in space, and John Glenn became the first American to orbit the earth.
Back on the ground, Bill Mitchell's styling vision was evident. By 1961, tail fins were gone on Chevrolet models, chrome trim was subdued, and the outspoken designs of the '50s gave way to cleaner, crisper, faster-looking edges, and streamlined, rocket-like shapes.
The '65 model also featured round triple taillights - a classic Impala styling cue. Gasoline was still relatively cheap, and the rate of passenger car travel continued to grow, with statistics showing a 21 percent increase from 1960 to 1965. The boom of the '50s continued into the '60s, with the Chevrolet Impala leading the way.
In The Record Books To Stay
Impala ruled America's roads during the '60s. Impala embodied the Chevrolet "magic formula" at its very best, and customers gobbled them up, with 7.8 million sold from '60 to '69. The Chevrolet Impala was America's favorite car at the beginning of the '60s, at the end, and during every year in between. "Never in recent history has the demand for our top models equipped with a maximum of options been as strong," said then-Chevrolet general manager Semon "Bunkie" Knudsen.
To keep up with demand, Impala evolved at a frenetic rate, introducing all-new designs in '61 and '65, and styling changes every year of the '60s.
IMPALA'S LANDMARK YEAR WAS 1965 -CHEVROLET SOLD MORE THAN ONE MILLION IMPALAS THAT YEAR ALONE - A RECORD NO OTHER NAMEPLATE HAS EVER TOPPED.
Suddenly, the Impala name almost seemed prophetic - the car named for an animal capable of extraordinary leaps had bounded from nonexistence to history's top seller in just six years.
In 1966 and beyond, Impala continued to dominate. But the market was changing, subdividing into compact, mid-size, full-size and sporty car segments. As the '70s approached, import makes began gaining ground on American soil.
Introduction |
1950's |
1960's |
1970's |
1980's |
1990's |
2000 |
Production Figures |
Insignias
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Monday, March 15, 2010
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