The Last Traditional Chevy Sedan
The Chevrolet Impala saw many changes throughout its life. While production wasn’t continuous, it was a full-size sedan for the longest time, then downsized for 1977. The name was briefly dropped in the late ’80s, then revived again for a short time in the mid-’90s. At the dawn of the millennium, it transformed into a front-wheel-drive large car until it retired in 2020.
But there will be those who will argue that the last traditional Impala was the final B-Body iteration from 1994 to 1996. We wouldn’t argue with that, as it was the last one with V8 power, rear-wheel drive, and a body-on-frame chassis. It’s still a much-loved model, along with the Caprice that spawned it in its place.
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The Backstory
About 689,000 of the final B-Body Caprices were made between late 1990 and 1996. Of that, 70,000 were the Impala SS that ran from 1994 to 1996. While not entirely rare, it’s still a small portion of all the full-size Chevys built during that time. And as time moved on, clean examples slimmed down, and preserved, low-mileage examples were fast becoming scarce. Classic.com currently lists market values at just under $26,000.
That’s why the Impala SS we have here is a bit of a unicorn. It’s a 1996 model, so it was one of the last to roll out of Arlington. The car’s done less than 25,000 miles in all those years, but more impressive is the fact that it’s only had one owner for the last 30 years. The car was purchased at Beckman Chevrolet in Defiance, Ohio, where it resides to this day. The seller notes two knocks against it, namely a blemish on the center console and a scratch in the trunk interior. Still, the car was meticulously looked after by the original owners, and the car was given a service prior to this sale.
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The Offer
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Make | Chevrolet |
| Model | Impala SS |
| Year | 1996 |
| Mileage | 23,930 miles |
| Engine | 5.7-liter LT1 V8 |
| Power | 260 horsepower |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic |
| Drive type | Rear-wheel drive |
| Exterior color | Black |
| Interior color | Medium Grey leather |
| Wheels | 16-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels |
| Suspension | Short/long arms front, live axle rear |
| Brakes | Four-wheel ventilated disc |
| Steering | Hydraulic recirculating ball steering |
| Current bid | $15,000 |
Interested in this car? View the listing here.
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Why it’s Special
Anyone who grew up in the ’90s will remember the ad for this car. “Lord Vader, your car is ready,” it said, and the Impala SS looked properly sinister. That’s ironic given that its sibling, the Caprice, was much-loved by law enforcement. Speaking of which, it benefitted from a cop motor, along with cop tires, cop suspension, and cop shocks. There were also other handling upgrades, so this was a boat that actually cornered well for its era.
The last B-Body Impala SS also brings us back to a much simpler time, and it’s nostalgic for all the right reasons. Traditional sedans like these simply can’t exist anymore, and with the way the automotive world is now, it’s unlikely we’ll ever see this classic formula come back. Yes, it’s a dinosaur, but dinosaurs still fascinate even after they’ve been gone for a long, long time.
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About the author
Anton Andres
News Editor