In 1964 GM and Chevrolet had the world as its kingdom. Long before OPEC and the early 1970′s Gas Crisis caused people to stop buying full size cars Chevy sold “One Million” Impala’s in 1964. Nobody made a better fullsize car for the price than Chevy. The Impala came in five different body styles. A four door sedan and hardtop, station wagon, convertible and the top selling two door hardtop. You could opt for many options and upgrades. For those looking to add some spice to their Impala you could get the “SS”. Engines choices ranged from the 265 horrsepower 283 “Small Block” v8 all the way up to the road burning 425 horsepower twin carbureted 409 V8. Perhaps the most popular upgrade was the 300 horsepower 327 small block V8. Transmission choices were a 3 speed manual, 4 speed or the outdated two speed powerglide. Options were plenty. You could fill your Impala with nice touches like power steering and brakes for easy handling. 
To make yourself more comfy A/C, power windows, seats and trunk were available. Starting at $2788.00 for a two door hardtop and weighing in at 3415 LBS your 1964 Impala was less than a dollar a pound. Chevy bragged that the Impala had “Jet Smooth” luxury. Riding on air was the Impala’s strong suit. maybe not the best thing for spirited handling but perfect for cruising while hold holding your 
favorite girl on the cushy bench seat. The Impala was about more value for you buck. In a comparision test Motor Trend Magazine gave it top honors over offerings from AMC, Ford and Chrysler. “Alot of car for not alot of money” Motor Trend proclaimed in its 1963 road test. Chevy would do a total re-style in 1965 and Impala sales would remain strong for years. When OPEC shut the pipe line down in 1973 large cars like the Impala became dinosours. GM would never recover and would lose market share to Japan and Europe year after year. The Impala was put to rest and re-born in a number of remakes. Todays Impala while a decent car is not very “Impala-like”. Bland and front wheel drive it will never recapture the glory days of 1964 when a million people the Impala a car and a legend. Chevy had some great TV commercials in 1964. Check out this vintage 1964 TV spot.
Tag Archive: Chevrolet
Oct
26
1964 Chevy Impala..One Million Strong And Less Than A Dollar A Pound
May
18
What Auto is This?? Early Luxury Make Marched To A Different Drummer
This high end automobile was produced between 1913-1923.Its founder made his fortune in the newspaper industry.He was also known as an artist and engineer. Early cars were known as auto-cycles because of their half car half motorcycle design.Known for its at the time exotic engines the first cars were powered by a 18 horsepower OHV four cylinder engine.Very unusual at the time.
Only 400 of the early cycle cars were produced when its founder changed his focus to the luxury car market.This 1915 model would feature one of the industies first v8 engines.A working marvel at the time it would compete with luxury biggies like Packard and Cadillac.Other very upscale features were full auto spark advance,3 speed tranmission with shaft drive,electric starter with full electrical system,Zenith carburetor,push button door locks,electric horn with steering wheel mounted button and full pressure lubrication. 
Prices for the four cylinder models started at $775.00 in 1915 not bad considering a Model T sold for $700.00..The more hoity-tioty V8′s sold for $1525.00 a premium for a car in its day.By mid 1913 shares of the company was sold to the public.By 1915 its founder lost control of the company and it was gobbled up by GM CEO Billy Durant in a semi hostle takeover.By 1917 Durant used this company and the power of Chevrolet to regain his hold on GM.From then till its demise in 1923 this luxury make was part of the early GM days. despite all the drama this car company was able to produce over 34,000 vehicles in its short history. What Auto is This??
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Feb
27
What Auto is This?? First For Mopar Week 2012
This car was “Totaly New In Every Way” for 1936 as its sales brochures would brag. Founded in 1928 this maker would still be making vehicles into the 21st century.Model year 1936 would be a banner year with sales up 15% over 1935. Even though “All New” it still was realy just a re-hased 1935 model. At the heart was the old reliable flathead six cylinder engine. The sturdy engine was first introduced in 1933 and would stay with this thrifty maker till 1959. 
Rated at horsepower the 190 cubic inch powerplant featured a full pressure oil system. Something rival Chevy would not have till 1954. This car company also bragged it had hydraulic brakes in 1929. A first for a low priced car and years before Ford. 1936 Would start with just three body styles. A two door coupe,five passenger sedan and a commercial body.By year end they would add a spiffy convertible, a pricey wood bodied wagon and two door sedan. Prices started at $510.00 for the base sedan going up to $785.00 for the classy woody wagon. 
It was also the first year since 1928 that all models had a single platform with the series known as the “PJ”. Other upgrades included larger brakes,improved heater that worked form the engines hot water rather than “gasoline fired” like Ford. Can anybody say “Malatoff Cocktail” at Ford. Still despite all this it was still outsold by rivals Chevy and Ford. Even its brother car in the same corporation outsold it.Still it remained popular and always considered a well engineered car. What Auto is This??
Jan
20
What Auto is This?? Quiz
This would be the first year for this long running car maker. They would produce some of Americas most popular cars from 1928-2001. From its inception it was marketed as direct competition against rivals Chevrolet and Ford. They would be priced slightly higher because they offered a higher level of standard equipment.
Even though it was considered a low priced car they came with hydraulic brakes. The cross town rivals Chevy and Ford only came with mechanical brakes. The robust engine was a flathead four cylinder. It was rated at 45 horsepower. The transmission was a three speed manual.
Many body styles were available. You could chose a two door or four door sedan. Open cars were a two door roadster or sporty four door pheaton. This make would not see a pickup truck till model year 1936. The six cylinder would not appear till 1933. Many inovations would follow including a semi-auto in 1939.
Even though this car make started in 1928 as a thrifty alternative to Chevy and Ford it would make some of the most thrilling Muscle Cars of all time. What Auto is This??
Sep
14
What Auto is This?? for Sept 14th 2011..
This quality maker of automobiles opened its doors in 1909.Known for building upper scale autos it would close its doors with this featured 1940 model. This last of the line car would borrow the casting and mouldings from another famous but defunct luxury automaker. One of its founders was born in 1877 and was a former employee of Oldsmobile and Ford. With 
his brother they starting producing cars in 1909 with 500 being produced the first year. In 1910 its second year they made over 5000 vehicles. Oddly its founders would leave the company bearing their names in 1912 due to disagreements with Bankers. Despite its founder leaving the company prospered. By 1928 they would compete directly with 
Ford and Chevrolet producing over 65,000 units. Sadly that would this companies last banner year. Even before The Great Depression they lost sales and market share every year. It didn’t help that managment decided to go ”upscale” just before the Stock Market crashed. When the “Crash” hit the bottom fell out of the Stock Market and this higher priced car. With their lowest price car almost twice that of a Ford the end was in sight. They managed to hang on thru selling production facilities and stock till 1940 when this model was introduced. Orders poured in by the 1000′s but the company lacking staff and production facilites could not fill the orders. Only 317 would be sold as the final nail in the coffin was driven through in early 1940. Hint:The name of this model would go on to be one of Buick’s most popular models. What Auto is This??
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