CHEVROLET IMPALA

The year of 1961 brought an entirely new shape and purpose to General Motors’ biggest brand. Billed as the ‘Jet Smooth Chevrolet’, GM’s market leader pushed the attributes of abundant space and aircraft-inspired performance.

Heading Chevrolet’s range for ‘61 was the stylish and fairly plush Impala SS. Impalas came with two or four doors, as a hardtop or convertible, and a range of V8 engines including the ferocious 409 cubic inch race motor. Styling was fresh and distinctive too, with a slimline ‘bubble top’ roofline characterising two-door versions.

With impossibly thin pillars front and rear, Impala Hardtops appeared from a distance to have a canopy