Chevrolet · 1964–1970

Chevrolet Impala (fourth generation)

The fourth-generation Chevrolet Impala is a full-size automobile produced by Chevrolet for the 1965 to 1970 model years. The 1965 Impala was all new, while the 1967 and 1969 models featured new bodies on the same redesigned perimeter frame introduced on the 1965 models. All Impalas of this generation received annual facelifts as well, distinguishing each model year. Throughout the early 1960s, Chevrolet's basic body designs became increasingly subtle, while the bright trim that was part of the Impala package added more than a touch of luxury to the look. The same pattern was followed in the interiors, where the best materials and equipment Chevrolet had to offer were displayed. In short, the Impala was on its way to becoming a kind of junior-grade Cadillac, which, for both the company and its customers, was just fine.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Successor: Chevrolet Impala

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History

=== 1965 === Totally redesigned in 1965, the Impala set an all-time industry annual sales record of more than 1 million units in the United States; which has never been bettered. The new full-size Chevrolet featured dramatically rounded sides, and an all-new front end with new hood contours, curved, frameless side glass (for pillarless models), and sharper angled windshield with newly reshaped vent windows. Sport Coupes wore a sleek semi-fastback roofline, and wheel well moldings were revised. Chevrolet promoted the cars' Wide-Stance design, adhesively bonded windshield, and improved full-coil suspension. A two-tone instrument panel put gauges in a recessed area ahead of the driver. The "X" frame was dropped for a new Girder-Guard full-width perimeter frame which reduced the size of the inside driveline tunnel and redesigned suspension. Two-speed Powerglide, as well as Synchro-Mesh 3- and 4-speed manual transmissions were available. The Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission was offered for the first time. As with previous years, Impalas featured more chrome trim inside and out, with pleated tufted upholstery and door panels plus simulated walnut trim on the lower instrument panel. Engine choices included the inline six-cylinder as well as the famous Chevrolet small-block and big-block V8s. Automatic transmission buyers were given the option of the newly introduced three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic for the newly introduced Mark IV big-block engine, displacing 396 cubic inches. The old 409-cubic-inch (6.7 L) "W" engine was discontinued early in the 1965 model year, so early-production '65s got the 409, available only in four-barrel 340 and 400 horsepower options. The new 396 Turbo Jet V8 was the first General Motors engine to receive the Rochester Quadra-Jet four-barrel c

Impala SS

1965 Super Sport exteriors differed only slightly from regular Impalas. Rocker panel trim was deleted. "Super Sport" scripts replaced the "Impala" fender badges. The new center console housed a rally-type electric clock, and full instrumentation now included a vacuum gauge. A total of 243,114 Impala SS coupes and convertibles were built for 1965. The 1966 Impala SS was facelifted with a revised grille and new rectangular taillights that replaced the triple round units. A chrome beltline strip shared with regular Impalas was added in response to complaints about door dings on the clean-lined 1965s. Inside were new "Strato-bucket" front seats with thinner and higher seat backs, and a center console with an optional gauge package available. Sales of the 1966 Impala SS dropped by more than 50% to around 117,000 units; this was mainly due to the sport/performance car market switching from full-sized models to intermediates (including Chevrolet's own Chevelle SS396 and Pontiac GTO), along with the emerging market for the even smaller pony car market created by the Ford Mustang in 1964 that Chevrolet would respond to with the Camaro for 1967. The 1967 Impala SS was less decorated than other Impalas; Super Sports had black grille accents and black-accented body-side and rear fender moldings. Lesser models leaned more toward brightwork inside and out. Buyers could choose either vinyl bucket seats with a center console, or a Strato-Bench seat with a fold-down center armrest. Standard wheel covers were the same as the optional full covers on other big Chevrolets, but the centers featured the "SS" logo surrounded by tri-color ring of red, white and blue. "Chevrolet" and "Impala" callouts on the body were all replaced by "Impala SS" badges. Of the 76,055 Impala SS models built, just

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

Manufacturer

Chevrolet (General Motors)

name

Chevrolet Impala (fourth generation)

Production

1964–1970

Model years

1965–1970

Layout

FR layout

Platform

B-body

Body style

2-door convertible, 2-door hardtop (Custom Coupe), 2-door hardtop (Sport Coupe), 4-door hardtop (Sport Sedan) , 4-door sedan, 4-door station wagon (1965–68: Impala, 1969–70: Kingswood)

Predecessor

Chevrolet Impala (third generation)

Successor

Chevrolet Impala (fifth generation)

Engine

250 cuin Turbo Thrift I6, 283 cuin Turbo Fire V8, 307 cuin Turbo Fire V8, 327 cuin Turbo Fire V8, 350 cuin Turbo Fire V8, 396 cuin Turbo-Jet V8, 400 cuin Turbo Fire V8, 409 cuin Turbo-Jet V8, 427 cuin Turbo-Jet V8, 454 cuin Turbo-Jet V8

Wheelbase

119 in

Width

79.9 in

Length

213.2 in (sedan/coupe), 212.4 in (wagon)

Height

54.4-56.7 in

Transmission

2-speed automatic, 3-speed automatic, 3-speed manual, 3-speed manual (three-on-the-tree), 4-speed manual

Related

Chevrolet Caprice, Chevrolet Bel Air, Chevrolet Biscayne, Chevrolet Kingswood, Chevrolet Townsman, Chevrolet Brookwood

Designer

Irv Rybicki (1963)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q10877707CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Impala_(fourth_generation)CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1370553005 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1965_Chevrolet_Impala_Super_Sport_Coupe_(1).JPGCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: GTHO · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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