1964 Chevrolet® Impala™
During the first half of the 1960's, few cars from General Motors (or any other marque, for that matter) inspired the envy and respect that the Chevrolet Impala Super Sport (or SS™) did. And with good reason! When equipped with one of the Bow-Tie™ Division's potent 409 Big Block V-8s, the Impala SS had both the understated good looks and the engine-bay muscle to add plenty of excitement to the full size bracket.
During the 1950s, Chevrolet had been aggressively remolding it's image to that of the chic, sporty, thoroughly modern member of America's low priced trio. The '55-57 Bel Air Models had blazed their way to the forefront of stylish family transportation-- Especially when equipped with the Division's small-block V-8s. Then, for '58 a new "top drawer" sub-series -- the Impala -- added even more pizzazz to the mix. The full-sized Chevrolet models had grown lower, longer, and wider. In order to keep the '58s at the head of the pack in performance a potent 348 -cid Big Block V-8 was added to the list of available engines. By 1959, the Impala had become Chevrolets upper-echelon series, extending coupe and convertible offerings to include a more family-oriented four-door model.
Midway through the '61 model year, two options appeared that would make Chevrolet models some of the most sought-after full-sized barnburners of the era. One was the newly fortified version of the Big Block, the legendary "409". The other was a Super Sport option, an appearance/ interior package that broadcast the aggressive image of Chevrolet for all to see. Of course, any big Chevrolet, even the entry level Biscayne, could be equipped with a 409. Conversely, In subsequent years an SS-dressed Impala could be had with six-cylinder! However, for true luxury high-speed touring, the Impala SS 409 was just the ticket.
During the '62 and '63 model years, both had the 409 and the SS package gained fans. Along the way, Chevrolet styling became less flamboyant and more discreet. Perhaps the Vintage most representative of this evolution is the '64. A rectangular silhouette coupled with formal details gave the full-sized Chevrolet a more substantial presence.....not staid, but definitely more mature.
The verile fire was still available under the hood. Topping the list of options for the full-sized Chevrolet was a trio of 409's. The entry level engine featured a single 4-barrel carb, producing 340 bhp/420 ft.lbs. of torque and having 10.0:1 compression ratio; air conditioning was available only with this version. One step up was the 400 bhp/425ft. lbs. of torque unit witch sported a 4-barrel, dual exhaust and an 11.0:1 compression ft. ratio; all for an additional $428. For a true adrenaline rush, the $484 "bad boy" offered "dual quads" (two 4-barrel carbs.) to a tune of 425 bhp.425 11.0:1 compression ft. powerhouse; a 3.70:1 Positraction rear differential also added some spice. All 409's were offered with four-speed manuals; only 340 could be had with a Powerglide automatic.
For '64, the SS evolved from an appearance option to a full-fledged series, witch included a convertible ($3,196) for a base V-8) and a sport coupe ($2,974 for a base V-8). A six-cylinder Impala SS was still available. SS-only goodies include series-specific badging, wheel covers and swirl-pattern metal work on body moldings, rear cove molding and dashboard trim. Inside, a console with locking compartment housed the four-speed manual or two-speed powerglide shifters. Outside, the SS featured the "less-is-more" look of Detroit's luxury speedsters; the U-shaped molding of the Impala was replaced with a single, color accented strip. GM withdrawn from racing the spring of '63; a few months later, Chevrolet debuted it's new intermediate line, Chevelle. Before the model year ended, sister division Pontiac dropped a huge V-8 into it's own mid-size Tempest, and the resulting GTO launched the youth-mesmerizing Muscle Car craze. During the '64 model year, 153,000 Impala SS-badged cars left the showrooms; 8846 Chevrolet models were equipped with 409's, most of them Impala SS sport coupes or convertibles. Big, fast, luxurious, the 1964 Impala SS 409 still puts a smile on the faces of enthusiasts everywhere.
