Through the Decades: Chevrolet Impala

 Presently the Impala is known for being used in many fleets across North America. They choose the Impala over other cars because the Impala is a full size workhorse, with long term reliability. So for GM the Impala must be a great success, right? Well it's true, but not quite right. Why? Well because Chevrolet didn't have any intention of making this car a complete fleet car. They built this car with the civilian consumers in mind, that's why you can actually buy this car at the dealership. Although no average consumer will buy this car because, well, they don't want to drive a fleet car. In this article we'll go through the decades, to see how the Impala developed into what we have today and why it went along to become a very popular fleet car.

 The journey begins in 1958, when the Impala name first appeared. The year before Chevrolet had a successful year in sales with their Tri-Chevy models, including the Bel Air, 210 and 150. But in 1958, Chevrolet redesigned the full sized vehicle with a lower, wider and longer theme. With that, they completely re-arranged the names around. The Bel Air was the premium model range for the 1950 to 1957 models. In 1958 it was marked as the mid range trim level. Thus the Impala became the most equipped Bel Air available. The Biscayne was also added, but it was the lowest; most basic trim level that Chevy offered. The Impala was listed at around $2,580 at the time, with it came many exclusive features like the Ramjet fuel injection system that Chevy introduced back in 1957. The design was also radical, which made it unique, but generally people thought that is was over the top. That caused sales to drop a bit, although there was a recession in 1958 and that could of been another reason.

1958 saw the introduction of the premium trim Chevrolet named "Impala"

 The second generation came in 1959... ALREADY? Yup, at that time GM was releasing new models at a fast rate. Which at the time seemed normal since GM had an immense revenue. This time though the Impala was a completely separate trim level, she remained the premium full size Chevrolet. Once more in 1959, Chevrolet took the lower, wider and longer theme further. The wheel base itself grew 11 and half inches compare to the previous generation. Chevrolet also redesigned the full size line-up by giving it the space age treatment that has been influenced by rockets and jets. Mechanically; it was revised also, giving it more horsepower, better technology and more optional equipment. In 1960, the model got refreshed, this time though they gave the design a more conservative look, and that boosted sales quite a bit.

The 1959 full sized Chevy line-up introduced radical designs that would forecast future car trends.

For 1960, the designers took the design a notch to give it a more conservative appeal.

 As 1961 arrived so did the third generation Impala, Bel Air and Biscayne. The body shells were redesigned with a new chassis and with new mechanical components. The SS (SuperSport) models began to appear this year, but these were rarely bought. In 1962 again Chevrolet redesigned their full size line up. Now though the design became more boxy, with a more conservative design, compared to its previous styling. The mechanical components were refreshed, but not drastically. That year sales went up and the SS model became more popular as people discovered the muscle car age. For 1963, little was changed in general. Again in 1964, the car got a refresh, although the glamor design factor faded a bit.

For 1962-1963, Chevrolet headed towards a more settle box like design, with sharp yet soft lines.

The refreshed 1964 Impala kinda bored people quite a bit.

 Then in 1965, again Chevrolet redesigned their full-sized vehicles, creating the fourth generation Impala. Now the model became longer, wider and more powerful. With that came the introduction of the Caprice. So now the basic low trim level was the Biscayne, the lower-mid range trim level was the Bel Air, the higher-mid range trim level was the Impala herself and the premium trim level was now the Caprice. This year the Impala got improved suspension, more power under the hood and the wrap-around wind-shield has been dismissed. The SS models had their own unique treatment this time, it had a black grille with other blacked-out trimming. The Impala finally sold over a million models that year, thanks to the revamp of the model. In 1966 not much changed except for the light fixtures in the front and back. The cars were again redesigned in 1967, but it wasn't dramatic. Althought now it was given the "coke-bottle styling", which is a type of style with many defined curves and rounded body lines. Nothing changed till 1969, when again the body was refreshed, the coke-bottle styling was passe for full-sized Chevys now (already?) and so they gave the car slab-sided bodies that featured a minor "unsweap" on the rear quarter window, giving it a more formal styling. That same year GM decides to place the ignition switch to the steering wheel column, they also began offering some sort of air conditioning unit that was rather basic compare to our modern day air-conditioning system. In 1970 the line-up again got a minor refreshing, with different tail lights, bumpers and grille.

All-New 1965 Impala was a hit with families and performance enthusiast alike.

In with 1966, came new tail lights that gave it a unique look.

Coke-bottle design gave birth to the 1967 Impala, it gives it a muscular impression. Mind you under the hood was a monster to compliment the exterior.

When the 69' Impala arrived, it was getting ready for the 70's with a slab side design.

 In 1971 all the trims got redesigned, pushing once again the longer and wider theme to the complete extreme. These are the biggest cars Chevy has ever make in their 100 year history, with the exception of trucks and SUVs of course. As the fifth generation came many were rather impressed than scared by their size. If any grand-parent or parent ever mentioned about driving boats on the road he/she was most probably talking about this car. They were so big that they were given the land-yacht nick name. Later this super sizing madness would be rather fatal for full GM vehicles due to their fuel consumption rate, which was fine until the 1973 oil crisis hit the world. These cars had V8 engines that would produce over 350 HP, but with power came a lot of gas drinking. As 1972, 73, 74, 75 and 76 passed; little was changed, it was refreshed every year. Every year usually the only thing that was re-touched were the head lights, tail lights and the grilles. The biggest change was in 1974, and even then the size and shape were very similar.

A 1972 Megasaurus, uh, sorry, I mean Impala... 

Nothing changed in 1974, even after the 1973 Oil Crisis, well except for the head lights and tail lights.

 Everything changed as the sixth generation began in 1977. Due to new environmental and security standards cars shrunk quite a bit. Even with the cut backs the cars were still fairly large, although the engines were reduced in size and power to adapt with new consumption and emission rules from a bill that was passed at the time. This marked the end of an era, the era of land boats and muscle cars. The Biscayne trim was obsolete in 1974, the Bel Air was put to rest also in 1976.Therefore the Impala became the low trim level and the Caprice stood as the premium trim level. In terms of design the car was now shorter, leaner and taller. To many, it was a surprise to find out that there was more interior space than the previous generation that came before. Also with the 80's on it's way boxy cars were in, therefore the new Impala looked a box on wheels. GM finally calmed down with the re-generating, meaning that now generations lasted longer. Actually the sixth genertion was the longest one, spanning from 1977 to 1990. But for the Impala it would be the end in 1985. With the exception of Canada, there the name continued to be used until 1981. As the sixth generation continued the only trim model was the Caprice, refreshing came around every 3 to 4 years, but with minor touches. This generation would be popular though, New York taxis famously used this model for their fleets, making it an icon for the 80's New York. Other cities also did the same, Police fleets were also filled with them across the countries of Canada and America.

The all-new 1977 Chevrolet Impala was drawn with a ruler, the only thing that wasn't square was the wheels and steering wheel. Mind you that was the style back in the late 70's.

The 1977-1990 Impala and Caprice dominated the full-sized vehicle segment.

In 1991 a new generation arrived, the seventh. Now the car had curves everywhere, the design was sleek and rather revolutionary for full sized vehicles. Unfortunately the Impala never came back as a normal trim level, it was still known as the Caprice. In 1994 the Impala name was revived, except it was only used as a sporty trim level, thus it was actually called the Impala SS. Many raved this astonishing comeback. Sadly it was cut short again in 1996 when Chevrolet decided to end production of their full size vehicle line up. The whole market moved towards full sized SUVs and GM intended to focus on that to maximize profits.

1994 was the year that the Impala SS came back, only to run away again shortly after its re-introduction.

   Fortunately the year 2000 arrived, and a new more modern generation appeared, and with it the Impala nameplate came back. This recovery was part of a program to dismiss the Lumina and to replace it with this new Impala, it was know as the "Hi-Mid" program. The car car grew once again, adding a couple of inches in all directions. The curves came along with Chevrolet's body language at the time, hence the modern look approach. Better horsepower and more fuel efficiency came with the revived Impala. Sales were not as they used to be back in the 50's, 60's and 70's. Although the numbers were rather satisfying, that is why they still produce the Impala in the first place. This 8th generation Impala was most remarkable for it's huge tail light mountings... a big red glob in the back, which then was very unique yet not too radical. This generation was used for fleets all around North America. Mostly cops bought these cars for their fleets, hurting the car's image in term of resale value.

The name appeared again in 2000, when they unveiled Chevrolet's new full-size sedan.

 After 6 years, in 2006, the 9th genration Impala started. It grew slightly longer, wider and taller. At the front they redesigned it with a new grill, to match the ongoing design in the Chevy line-up. The head lights still kept the silhouette of the previous generation's head lights, but it was drawn longer and more sleek. On the sides it remained bland and at the back there was a triangular tail lights, and in between ran a plastic chrome bar. The SS was still being produced, and in the back the bar was the body color. Engine wise they gave the model a more powerful and more fuel efficient engine. Fleets hung to the Impala and therefore bought hundreds of thousands of these full sized cars. More than 60% of Impalas sold went to police and taxi fleets, and that ruined the resale value of the car. In 2012, the car got a minor refresh with a new grille, new body color trimming in the back and more powerful engines.

A sleeker more modern Impala generation began in 2006.

For 2012, they added a new grill with body-color trim at the back and new engine options. It's aging quite well for now, but a new generation is needed for Chevrolet to compete in the full-size segment.

   What about the future, no one knows. A couple of months ago someone spotted a full sized vehicle being tested by Chevrolet. The car grew longer and wider, matching close to the 2013 Cadillac XTS. Chevrolet announced that this generation will be developed for the average consumer, and not the fleets. To assure that statement GM started selling the 2012 Chevrolet Caprice Cop car to police fleet to make sure the new Impala won't be used for police fleets. Chevrolet also said that the car will be in the higher price range, making it the premium Chevy. So is the Impala heading to the right directions, or will it be discontinued with higher fuel prices and expenses? Not sure, we'll have to wait for that to happen.

Cadillac XTS, Cadillac's way of going back to its roots...

 
   Remember those cars that Cadillac was famous for, the 1959 Eldorado, the 1963 Seville, the 1976 Coupe Deville? All of them were huge, they were basically boats on wheels, especially the 1976 Coupe Deville. This is what made Cadillac the standard of the world, full-size luxury vehicles. Sadly, after the oil crisis of 1973 and the post 1976 downsized cars; Cadillac lost it's shine. They became known for as an old people car, a lost jewel.

It's a Cavalier! No wait, what? It's a Caddy? Oh dear God...

   It got worst when in 1981 Cadillac released their famous compact car; the Cimarron. Although it was famous, it wasn't really great, actually it was horrifying, what GM did was suicidal. Basically they took the Chevrolet Cavalier, changed the plastic, put some Caddy badges, added a little bit of chrome and voila! Its a Cadillac! The Cimarron was killing Cadillac due to poor quality, ugly design and low reliability. Although this might be little bit over dramatic; that's what was running behind everyone's mind back in the mid-80's, there's no doubt.

   The death of Cadillac continued as their cars lost quality, it mostly had to do with stalled engines and poorly made transmissions. As the 80's passed, so did the 90's, by the year 2000 GM was seriously thinking of ditching the Caddies. Fortunately enough they kept the brand and stated that Cadillac will start making cars using the "Art and Science" ideology. By the way why are we writting about the lousy times that Cadillac had? Well it's simple, the brand's history highly reflects the cars that they make today, including the all-new XTS. You see the "Art and Science" ideology is what gave birth to the Cadillac CTS series, a car that basically put the brand back on the map. Sales of the CTSs were very impressive, and it's not the numbers that prove it, but also the quality of the car. And with success, Cadillac decided to give the same treatment to it's full-size and compact car lineup. Thus they released the XTS, to replace the low selling DTS and STS.

 

Cadillac's new flag ship, it's big, roomy and stunningly beautiful, the modern equivalent of the Cadillac Coupe Deville? Maybe.

   What to expect from the new XTS? Well I can promise a unique beautiful car, that highly resembles the path that they took with the CTS. I can promise top notch quality, as much as her German competitors; if not, even better quality. That the interior will wrap around you like a million dollar blanket, that the car will out perform the Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. I am not writing that because I want to believe that, I'm writing that because that's what Cadillac promised us.

XTS' Front fascia is unique to Cadillac's design language... 

   Just by the looks of it, the first thing a car lover wants to do is stare, staring for hours looking at every angle at every curve. Her crown is her grill, that is topped off with a huge Cadillac emblem. Her headlights are heavily influenced by her older smaller sister, the Cadillac CTS. Running across to the back, and you go back in time without sacrificing the looks of a 21st century vehicle. in other words it resembles to the taillights that Cadillac put on their cars between 1965 to 1977. Although now they have LED lighting, hence the 21st century twist.

Slim, tall and retro looking tail lights, with the LED, hence the 21st century twist!

   The wheel base allows the wheels to flare out a bit, giving it the impression that its grabbing the road for dear life. Under the hood will be a 3.6L V6 making 300 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque. It's also going to be front wheel drive, which is better for us Canadians, since we have winter. Unfortunatly Americans are not too fond about that, wait until they find out that it's going to be made in Canada! There will be also a couple of bells and whistles from the V-series. Security, gadgets and the new CUE, which is Cadillac's version of the Ford Sync. Also Cadillac will implement the magnetic suspension to this machine, that will give the XTS an amazing ride. May I mention that Ferrari looked up to Cadillac to perfect their own suspension? So expect alot when it comes to riding this car. Motor Trend can explain more:

   In the end there is no doubt that the XTS will sell, with high quality and performance it's for sure people will like or even love this car. If this is not true than the world is becoming a mad place! So Cadillac, when can we get the XTS-V?