1967 Chevrolet Impala Series

Chevrolet restyled the Impala for 1967, refining the styling introduced in 1965, considered its 'Fourth Generation' of styling updates. The early 1960s full-size Impalas and lightweight Biscaynes had ruled the strip, street, and NASCAR ovals. As the 1960s continued, their perch atop the performance ladder was replaced by muscle and pony cars. The performance credentials of the Impala continued to remain impressive, with the enlarged 427 CID Mark IV V8 becoming available in 1966, supported by an ever-expanding list of heavy-duty powertrain and suspension options to cope with the dramatic increases in output.

The 396 CID big-block engine superseded the old and relatively inflexible 409 CID V8. Chevrolet's 'big block' series of performance began in 1958 with the 'W' head 348 cubic-inch Turbo-Thrust' V8 which originated as a truck engine but soon found its way into the engine bay of the all-new Impala for 1958. Relentless developed saw it grow to 409 cubic-inches and 425 horsepower by 1962, and Chevy's Biscaynes and Impalas utterly dominated the emerging Super Stock classes at the drag strip and were strong performers in NASCAR competition, until General Motors distanced itself from racing in the early 1960s. Chevrolet engineers, however, clandestinely worked on the 409's successor, the 396 CID big-block V8 which debuted in 1965.

Early examples of the 1965 Impala could still be ordered with the 409, offered in four-barrel 340 and 400 horsepower options. The 396 Turbo-Jet V8 was the first engine in the General Motors lineup to be equipped with the Rochester Quadra-jet four-barrel carburetor setup. The engine delivered 325 horsepower with a 10.25 to 1 compression ratio and hydraulic lifters or 425 horsepower with 11 to 1 compression and solid lifters.

The previous 'X' frame platform was replaced by a full-width perimeter frame for 1965 with a redesigned full-coil suspension. The bodies became more curvaceous, with a sharper angled windshield, frameless side glass on the pillarless body styles, and reshaped vent windows. The 'Coke bottle' styling theme was further enhanced for 1967, with front and rear fender bulges inspired by the Corvette. Brightwork included lower body side moldings, side window accents on sedans and station wagons, and roof drip cap and reveal moldings on the hardtops. There was a deck lid center panel accent in silver, a Chevrolet emblem in the center, black-accented taillamp surrounds, and station wagons wore lower tailgate reveal molding. There were full wheel covers and the Sport Coupes had a graceful fastback roofline, with an unbroken line that flowed into the rear deck.

Safety
In compliance with new and evolving federal regulations, the 1967 Chevy Impala received a fully collapsible energy-absorbing steering column, side marker lights, and shoulder belts for closed models.

Interior
The well-appointed interiors were endowed with upgraded door panels with carpeting on the lower section, an electric clock, cigarette lighter, armrests with built-in ashtrays, a lockable glove compartment, cloth-and-vinyl upholstery, foam-cushioned rear seat, fingertip door release, bright seat end panels, brushed metal bright-outlined lower instrument panel facing, courtesy instrument panel on convertibles and two-door hardtops, and color-keyed floor carpeting. There were bright foot pedal trim outlines, roof side rail lights, and the convertibles had a power-operated top.

New optional features included a stereo 8-track player, fiber optic light monitoring system, and vacuum power door locks. An all-vinyl upholstery was a new option, offered in several colors on all coupe and sedan body styles. Previously, the all-vinyl trim, offered solely in black, was optional on the Sport Sedan and Sport Coupe since 1963. The all-vinyl upholstery was standard on the convertible and station wagons, offered in a range of colors.

Engine and Dimensions
The '4th Gen' Impala, produced from1 965 through 1970, rested on a 119-inch wheelbase, the platform Chevrolet used for its full-size models. It had a front tread of 62.5-inches and a rear tread of 62.4-inches and rode on standard 8.25 x 14 tires or 8.15x15 when equipped with disc brakes. The Impala SS-427 was equipped with 6.70 x15 tires and the station wagons used 8.55 x 14 tires. The previous generation of the Impala, produced from 1960 through 1964, also used the GM B platform with the same wheelbase of 119-inches and an overall length of 209.3-inches.

Engine options ranged from the base inline six-cylinder unit to small-block and big-block V8s. Most of the engine options were carried over from the previous year, including the base 250 cubic-inch Turbo Thrift 6 with overhead valves, a cast-iron block, a Rochester one-barrel carburetor, hydraulic valve lifters, and delivering 155 horsepower at 4,200 RPM. The base V8 was the 283 cubic-inch Turbo-Fire V8 with overhead valves, a Rochester two-barrel carburetor, five main bearings, 9.25:1 compression, and delivering 195 horsepower at 4,800 RPM.

The optional 327 cubic-inch Turbo-Fire V8 (RPO L30) was rated at 275 horsepower. It used a Rochester four-barrel carburetor, 10.0:1 compression, overhead valves, five main bearings, and hydraulic valve lifters. The 396 CID Turbo-Jet V8 delivered 325 horsepower (RPO L35), and the 427 cubic-inch Turbo Jet V-8 (RPO L36) produced 385 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque at 3,400 RPM. With 10.25:1 compression and a hydraulic cam, the 427 CID V8 was both powerful and smooth. The RPO L36 was included with the SS-427 package ($316). The 427 CID V8 with 425 horsepower from the previous year was not listed on the options list, however, it is believed that it was briefly reintroduced to the full-size Chevy model lineup on April 3rd of 1967. Approximately 11 examples received the RPO L72 engine with its 427 cubic-inch displacement and 425 factory-rated horsepower.

Through the 1960s, General Motors insisted that engines larger than 400 cubic inches should not be installed in its intermediates, however, there were no such restrictions against big cubes in its full-sized cars. After Zora Arkus Duntov successfully developed the Mark II 427 cubic-inch racing engine for use in the Corvette, Chevrolet engineers designed its Mark IV evolution into the big Impala SS427, creating a full-size luxury muscle car boasting a four-barrel-equipped 427 rated at 385 HP, the highest rating of any Chevrolet except for the big block and L88 Corvettes. The triple two-barrel carbureted V8 powering the Corvette, however, was a drop-in conversion on any SS427, and perfectly proportioned for the Impala's generous engine compartment.

A three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic was available with the 327 V8 and big-block 396 and 427 V-8s. The two-speed Powerglide automatic was the only shiftless transmission available with the inline-6 and the 283 V8. The standard transmission was a column-shift three-speed full-synchronized manual and a four-speed manual transmission (RPO M20) was offered with all V8 engines. Overdrive optional for base six-cylinder and base 283 CID V8s.

Performance options included Posi-Traction rear axle, heavy-duty suspension, front and rear sway bars, power steering, power brakes, Strato-back seats, and bucket seats. Front disc brakes were a new option for 1967, and standard with the SS-427 option.

Body Styles, Pricing, and Production
The 1967 Chevrolet Impala was offered as a sedan, two- and four-door hardtop, convertible, and 6- and 9-passenger station wagon. All were available with either a six- or eight-cylinder engine. The two-door hardtop had a base price of $2,740, the sedan listed for $2,720, and the four-door hardtop was priced at $2,790. The convertible listed for $2,990 with the inline-6 and $3,097 with the base V8. Adding the eight-cylinder engine to the other body styles added a similar price increase of approximately $105. The six-passenger station wagon was $3,015 while the nine-passenger added an additional $113 to the price.

Chevrolet produced approximately 575,600 examples of the Impala for 1967, with the majority being equipped with eight-cylinder power, and just (roughly) 18,800 keeping the baes inline-6. The combined totals for full-size convertible production (included in the overall Impala production) was 29,937 units, including 9,545 examples of the Super Sport convertible. The Impala was the number two selling convertible in the United States the previous year, with approximately 38,000 units sold. 1967 convertible sales were slightly off that figure, but still respectable. Additionally, 155,100 (approximately) full-size station wagons were built in 1967, which includes sales of the Bel Air, caprice, and the Biscayne.
Chevrolet offered the convertible body style on the Impala, Malibu, Chevelle SS-396, and the Camaro. Station wagons were offered on the Chevy II, Concours, Malibu, Chevelle 300 Deluxe, Caprice, Bel Air, and Biscayne.

The Impala Super Sport was offered as a two-door hardtop priced at $2,900 with the six and $3,000 with the V8. The convertible was priced at $3,150 with the six and $3,255 with the V8. The hardtop was much more popular with 66,510 examples built, compared to the 9,545 of the convertible. Most of the Super Sports received eight-cylinder power, with around 400 buyers keeping the six. 2,125 (or 2,124) examples of the Impala Super Sports received the SS-427 option.

The combined total of the Impala and Impala Super Sport, disregarding station wagon sales, was approximately 651,600 units. Accounting for the combined full-size station wagon production, the total rises to 730,700 units.

Super Sport
The Super Sport option came with an all-viny interior, front Strato bucket seats, or Strato bench seats for no additional cost. A division console housed the shift level. SS emblems could be found on the deck lid, front fenders, and grille, and SS full wheel covers were at all four corners. Black accents appeared on the grille, decklid hatch panel, wheelhouse moldings, and along the body sill and lower rear fender bright moldings. Bright horizontal bars remained on the grille, complemented by the use of the blacked-out horizontal grille strip.

The Super Sport option was selling in diminishing numbers as the intermediates rose in popularity during the muscle-car market era. The big-block SS396 and SS427 packages still delivered impressive performance. In a nod to the Corvette, the SS427 came with a distinctive domed hood that tapered towards the front with imitation-chrome intake grille bezels.

by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2021