by Lloyd Frazier

This is one of best designs the Chevrolet flagship sedan has donned since the 1994 –1996 Impala SS model years.  Then, it disappeared from the lineup until the 2000 model year.  The eight generation Impala was OK, just not great.  The exterior of the current production ninth generation Impala, in my opinion,  lacks appeal and blends in well with many of the other bland looking rental car sedans on the road.

When the Impala first hit the scene in 1958, smack dab in the middle of the rocket and fin design themes, it was a bulky, chrome ladened beast that competed with its other GM siblings similar offerings at Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile and Pontiac.

The 1958 design was short lived.  Next came the second generation ‘59 Impala that was quite a polarizing design.  You either loved it or hated it.  One thing was for sure, it was instantly recognizable with those huge wings, massive back deck and tear drop taillights.

Thankfully, the triple taillight design returned in 1961 for the third generation Impala.  This generation, from 1961 -  1964, is the most popular designs for classic car collectors.  My all time favorite is the 1961 bubbletop 2-door sedan.  This was the year the Super Sport (SS) option debuted and would live on until 1969.  The SS designation would not return until 1994.  The Nomad designation saw its last iteration in the same year.

The totally redesigned fourth generation Impala, in its first year of production in 1965, set an all-time sales record for Chevrolet selling more than 1 million units in the US.  The Impala never saw sales numbers like that since.  My second favorite Impala is the 1965 SS with the 396 CID V-8.

The following fifth and sixth generation Impalas fell into design obscurity.  It was not the iconic, stand out car that it once was.  Impala was dropped from the Chevrolet line for three model years, 1991-1993. 

In 1994, the Impala, only offered in SS dress, hit the scene as a less bloated, high-performance version of the Caprice.   The 1996 model saw improvements and is already becoming a collector for muscle car enthusiasts.

Now comes an all new design for Impala.  The tenth generation Impala is larger and more upscale than the outgoing model.  The plans for the new Impala to be based on the Holden VE Commodore (think Pontiac G8)  with a V8 engine and rear-wheel drive were dropped due to new federal regulations.  Instead, it will share the Epsilon II platform that the current Cadillac XTS is built on.  There goes the promise of a rear-wheel drive, V8 muscle car…well, not exactly.  The SS debuts this year as well!

Check out the GM promo vid below.

GM unveils the NASCAR Chevrolet SS in this video.  There is some great historical info at the beginning.  Chevrolet has chalked up over 700 NASCAR wins in its history.  Jeff Gordon makes an appearance during the unveil.  The production version of the Chevrolet  Super Sport will arrive in dealer showrooms late 2013.  It is good to see the new synergy between manufacturer and NASCAR once again.  The NASCAR SS will be revealed during speed week in February 2013 at Daytona.  Teams that will be involved in 2013 NASCAR SS Sprint Cup Series:

• Budweiser #29 – Kevin Harvick, Richard Childress
• Lowe’s #48 – Jimmie Johnson, Rick Hendrick
• Bass Pro Shop #14 – Tony Stewart, Gene Hass
• McDonald’s #1 – Jamie McMurray, Chip Ganassi

All cars are shown at the end of the video…enjoy!

Follow Team Chevy at:

• Facebook.com/TeamChevy
• @TeamChevy on Twitter

There comes a time in our lives where we take a reflective look at where our world and our humanity are at and where it could be.  AutoRamblings takes this time to reflect on the direction our world is headed.  Jesus’ words in John 13:34 states it in a simple but easily understandable way that rings true, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” 

Humanity is awakening to the reality that the power and control  of our planet is concentrated into the hands of an elite, deleterious few. A refreshing look at where we are as a human race and where we could be is well delivered in the video below.  I recommend that you take two hours of your time to watch and absorb the information.

AutoRamblings would like to extend to you our wishes for a happy and rewarding holiday season to all.

This about sums it up for me….I know exactly how that dog feels.

General Motors has sold more than 100 million small block V-8 engines since  they built the first one for sale in 1955.  The new Gen V small block is slated for the new C7 Corvette for the 2014 model year.  It will also appear in several other GM models.

Go to Car and Driver for all the exciting details