1964 CHEVROLET IMPALA SS CONVERTIBLE

In 1964, Chevrolet became the number one car producer in the United States with 2,318,619 numbers sold. While the smaller ranges – the Chevelle, Nova, Corvair and Corvette – struggled to achieve their targeted volumes, the full-size bodied Impala, Bel Air and Biscayne met with more success: they appealed to Americans’ car style and became unchallenged among the “Big Three”. Of the 6-cylinder and V8 versions of these three models, the highly equipped Impala was the most popular.

A continuation of, and the final example of, the 1961 B-Body styles and specifications, for 1964 Chevrolet marketed the Super Sport (SS) luxury and performance package (introduced in 1961) for the sport coupe and convertible Impala models at the additional cost of 161 Dollars.

Named after the African antelope, the Impala was offered with Super Sport options that were actually aimed at improving appearance and trim levels. The basic specifications of the SS model were identical to the regular Impala, Bel Air and Biscayne. Last year bearing the SS emblem both inside and out, the Super Sport features a larger and higher chrome strip than the regular Impala’s U-shaped body side chrome strips. In use since 1958, the X-shaped chassis without frame support was in its final year. The body, manufactured by Fisher, was an uni-body, as had become recent GM practice. Suspension was by coil springs with heavy-duty shock absorbers. The tires were kept under control using the “Positraction” system for use on snow, sand and similar slippery surfaces, and the driver was able to adjust the steering wheel’s position thanks to the jointed steering column.

Purchased by our Museum in Istanbul in 1991 and fully restored, this Tuxedo Black Impala with red interior and full equipment can be easily distinguished from the lower ranges, the Bel Air and Biscayne, thanks to its triple taillights.