1966 Chevrolet Impala Series

The Chevrolet Impala was introduced in 1958 and, with the exception of a brief interlude in the late 1980s, is still one of General Motors' flagship cars. It was named after the South African animal that can leap more than ten feet in a single bound, and combined both glamour and performance as Chevrolet's full-size car. The versatile vehicle was available as a sedan, hardtop, convertible, and even a wagon. Several V-8 engine options were also available and, despite its large size, the Impala had surprising performance. For many years, the Impala was distinguished by its symmetrical triple taillights.

Chevrolet augmented its small-block V8 models with a new big block, the 'W series' 348 cubic inch engine in 1958. Offered in three different stages of tune, the most powerful 'Turbo-Thrust' configuration offered 315 horsepower with 11.0 to 1 compression when fed by three dual-venturi carburetors. A few years later, in 1961, it was enlarged to 409 cubic inches, immortalized by the Beach Boys in their hit record of that name. In 1963, a 427 cubic-inch version was created for drag racing, but production was very limited. Around this time, work had begun on a 'mystery motor.' It was released for production in mid-1965 as a modified version of the 'W' engine, named the 'Mark IV' but referred to in sales literature as 'Turbo-Jet.' The smallest Mark IV was the 366 cubic-inch version found in the trucks. A 396 cubic inch version was introduced in Chevelles and Corvettes and later offered in full-size Chevys, Novas, Camaros, and the Monte Carlo. It grew even larger for 1966, its displacement reaching 427 cubic inches, and offered in full-size cars and Corvettes. Designated as option code L36, it made 390 bhp with a four-barrel and 10.25 to 1 compression. With solid lifters, a more aggressive cam, and 11.0 to 1 compression, it was labeled L72 and developed 425 bhp. The L72 was available only with a manual transmission.

The fourth-generation was built from 1965 through 1970. It received a total redesign which resulted in an all-time industry annual sales record of more than 1 million units in the U.S., which has never been bettered. All-new full-size Chevys eschewed the 'X' frame for a full-width perimeter frame. The new body design featured curved, frameless side glass (for pillarless models), a sharper angled windshield with newly reshaped vent windows, and redesigned full-coil suspension. The new 1965 model designs had been done in secret by Chief Designer Irv Rybicki, whose concept was approved despite the fact that GM's board of directors had already given the green light to a previous design. It featured forward-leaning front-end treatment, prominent rear-fender rise, curved side glass, and a sharp wraparound character line that proved very popular, resulting in only minor revisions for 1966.

The Super Sport was once again a separate Impala model offered in convertible and two-door coupe form. The signature Super Sport logo was relocated to the front fenders and distinctive SS badges were added to the grille and trunk lid. There was an exterior belt-line trim strip, and 3-bar spinner full wheel covers. Super Sport interiors were well-appointed with thin-shell Strato bucket seats, a full-length console, and an SS badge on the glovebox door. The Super Sport option was available on all V-8-powered Impalas, but they are rare since many of the Chevrolet performance-minded buyers were opting for intermediate-sized muscle cars like the Chevelle SS396 or the sports-car Corvette 427.

The Caprice was introduced as a top-line Impala Sport Sedan for the 1965 model year becoming a separate series positioned above the Impala in 1966, which itself remained above the Bel Air and Biscayne. Caprices received unique tufted upholstery, wood-grained accents on the dashboard and specialty pulls on the insides of the doors.

The Impala was Chevrolet's most popular model in 1966, with more than 650,000 sold. Most had small-block V8 engines. The Impala continued as Chevrolet's most popular full-size model through the mid-1980s.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2019