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1969 Chevrolet Impala

The Impala became a part of the Chevrolet lineup in 1958, serving as the top-of-the-line Bel Air hardtops and convertibles. 1958 was General Motors' fiftieth year of production, and Chevrolet celebrated with its Bel-Air Impala, Buick with its Roadmaster Riviera, Oldsmobile with the Super 88 Holiday, Cadillac with the Eldorado Seville, and Pontiac with the Bonneville Catalina.

The styling of the 1969 Impala was a continuation of the design first introduced in 1965 when it set an all-time industry annual sales record of more than 1 million units in the United States. The 1965 through 1970 GM B platform is the fourth best-selling automobile platform in history, behind the Volkswagen Beetle, Ford Model T, and the Lada Riva.

The previous 'X' frame platform was replaced by a full-width perimeter frame in 1965, and the bodywork incorporated frameless side glass on pillarless body styles, a steeper angled windshield, curvaceous bodylines, and newly reshaped vent windows.

The 'Caprice' was a new luxury package available on the four-door hardtop Impala and coded as RPO Z18. The list of additional amenities included wood-grained accents on the dashboard, specialty pulls on the insides of the doors, and tufted upholstery. There were 'spinner' wheel covers from the Impala SS, with the 'SS' logo centers replaced by a Chevy 'bowtie' emblem.

Power was from an inline six-cylinder or optional small-block and big-block V8s. The 396 cubic-inch V8 could be paired with a new three-range Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. The previous 409 CID 'W' engine was discontinued early in the 1965 model year, while later-built examples could be acquired with the 396 CID big-block option. Transmissions included 3- and 4-speed manual units and a two-speed Powerglide.

The styling of the 1967 Impala introduced a more enhanced 'Coke bottle' styling with Corvette-inspired fender bulges, plus all federally mandated safety features, including a fully collapsible energy-absorbing steering column, should belts for closed body styles, and side marker lights. The L72 engine was not offered in 1967, however, an L36 Turbo-Jet V8 was optional equipment.

A new front end was applied to the 1968 Impala and a new rear bumper contained 'horseshoe' shaped taillights. A 'Custom Coupe' two-door hardtop joined the list, wearing the formal roofline of the Caprice Coupe. The '427 Turbo-Jet' L72 engine with 425 horsepower was still optional equipment and would continue through 1969, replaced for 1970 by the Turbo-Jet 454.

The 1969 Chevrolet Impala
All full-size Chevrolets, including the Impala, gained new slab-sided bodies with a small 'upsweep' at the rear quarter window. Horizontal taillights were in the rear bumper and the new front bumpers wrapped around the grille. There was bright metal along the lower portion of the body and body-side script displaying the Impala name. Although styling was new, it continued to rest on the 119-inch wheelbase from the previous models.

The 1969 Chevy Impala was available as a sedan, hardtop coupe, hardtop sedan, Formal Top Custom Coupe, convertible, and a 6- or 9-passenger Kingswood station wagon. The Kingswood name was new and would continue through 1972. The 'fastback' C-pillar of the hardtop Sport Coupe of 1967 and 1968 was replaced by a new notchback roofline. All body styles had ventless front windows.

The six-cylinder engine was offered in the sedan, hardtop sport sedan, and hardtop sport coupe, with the other body styles coming standard with the V-8 engine. The sedan was priced at $2,910, the hardtop sport sedan at $2,980, and the hardtop sport coupe at $2,930. The eight-cylinder versions were approximately $100 higher. The 'fastback' Custom Coupe was priced at $3,085 and the convertible at $3,260. The six-passenger Kingswood wagon was $3,350 and the nine-passenger version was approximately $100 more.

The base engine was an overhead valve six-cylinder unit displacing 230 cubic inches, with overhead valves, seven main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, a cast-iron block, and offering 140 horsepower. The standard V-8 was the 327 cubic-inch unit with 235 hp, and optional V8s that included the 350 CID 'Turbo Fire' with overhead valves, five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, a four-barrel carburetor, and delivering 255 horsepower at 4,800 RPM. The 396 CID 'Turbo Jet' OHV V8 used a two-barrel carburetor and delivered 265 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. The 427 cubic-inch Turbo Jet V8s delivered 335 and 390 horsepower depending on the setup. The L72 427 cubic-inch V8 with 425 horsepower was an SS-only option and available on all B-Body Chevys. All V8 engines were offered with the three-speed Turbo Hydramatic transmission for the first time, with the two-speed Powerglide available with the 327 and 350 V8s.

1969 was the final year of the Impala SS until 1994 and was offered exclusively with the 427 cubic-inch V8 with 335, 390, or 425 horsepower. It was also the only year in which front disc brakes and 15-inch wheels were standard. It wore no distinctive SS badging inside the vehicle except for the 'SS' logo on the steering wheel.

Standard equipment included bright metal rear window, roof drip and windshield moldings. They had front and rear side marker lamps and a glove box light. They had all the GM safety features, door-actuated light switches, heater, defroster, cigarette lighter, locking glove box, carpeting, armrests, and center dome light. They also came with a Deluxe steering wheel, door and window frame moldings, and extra-thick seat cushions in the front. The Sport Coupe had bright metal moldings below the doors and wheel lip moldings. Convertible models had vinyl upholstery and carpeted lower door panels. Kingsman station wagons had courtesy lights and body side moldings.

The GM-designed variable-ratio power steering unit was a new option for 1969, along with a rare 'Liquid Tire Chain' option (UPC option code is 'V75'), which was activated by a button and would spray ice melt on the rear tires.

Chevrolet produced approximately 8,700 Impalas with six-cylinder engines and 768,300 with the V-8. 14,415 of those were convertibles. 2,455 units were the Z24-optioned Impalas. The Impala was the most popular full-size Chevrolet for 1969, offering everything from a station wagon to a performance-oriented Super Sport Coupe.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2014

Related Reading : Chevrolet Impala History

Noted as one of Chevrolets most historic vehicles, the Impala has been an American legend for decades. Setting a standard in comfort and value, the Impala seemed to set the bar for the American muscle car. A full-size sedan built by the Chevrolet division of General Motors, the Impala was introduced for the 1958 model year. The Impala was Chevrolets priciest passenger model through 1965 and became....
Continue Reading >>

Related Reading : Chevrolet Impala History

Considered to be ‘the best selling full-size car in the U.S., in 1960 the Chevy Impala was designed and built by the Chevrolet division of General Motors.Originating as a sports coupe, the Impala began as a dreamcar for the 1956 General Motors Motorama. The name Impala originated from a southern African antelope known for its speed and prowess. Introduced in 1958, the Impala was developed....
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Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

1969 Impala
$3,465-$25,580
1969 Chevrolet Impala Price Range: $2,910 - $3,465

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

Other 1969 Chevrolet Models
$2,240 - $2,435
$2,635 - $2,850
$3,295 - $3,675

Impala

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
803,400
119.00 in.
6 cyl., 230.00 CID., 140.00hp
6 cyl., 250.00 CID., 150.00hp
8 cyl., 283.00 CID., 195.00hp
8 cyl., 283.00 CID., 220.00hp
8 cyl., 327.00 CID., 250.00hp
8 cyl., 327.00 CID., 300.00hp
8 cyl., 396.00 CID., 325.00hp
8 cyl., 409.00 CID., 340.00hp
8 cyl., 409.00 CID., 400.00hp
$2,700 - $3,200
654,900
119.00 in.
4 cyl., 153.00 CID., 90.00hp
6 cyl., 193.99 CID., 177.00hp
8 cyl., 283.00 CID., 195.00hp
8 cyl., 283.00 CID., 220.00hp
8 cyl., 327.00 CID., 275.00hp
8 cyl., 396.00 CID., 325.00hp
8 cyl., 427.00 CID., 390.00hp
8 cyl., 427.00 CID., 425.00hp
$2,700 - $3,200
575,600
119.00 in.
6 cyl., 250.00 CID., 155.00hp
8 cyl., 263.00 CID., 195.00hp
8 cyl., 283.00 CID., 220.00hp
8 cyl., 327.00 CID., 275.00hp
8 cyl., 396.00 CID., 325.00hp
8 cyl., 427.00 CID., 385.00hp
8 cyl., 427.00 CID., 425.00hp
$2,700 - $3,300
710,898
119.00 in.
6 cyl., 250.00 CID., 155.00hp
8 cyl., 307.00 CID., 200.00hp
8 cyl., 327.00 CID., 250.00hp
8 cyl., 327.00 CID., 275.00hp
8 cyl., 396.00 CID., 325.00hp
8 cyl., 427.00 CID., 385.00hp
$2,660 - $3,355
777,000
112.00 in., 116.00 in.
6 cyl., 250.00 CID., 155.00hp
8 cyl., 307.00 CID., 200.00hp
8 cyl., 396.00 CID., 325.00hp
$2,910 - $3,465
119.00 in.
8 cyl., 400.00 CID., 265.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 300.00hp
8 cyl., 454.00 CID., 345.00hp
8 cyl., 454.00 CID., 390.00hp
$3,000 - $3,590

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