1961 Chevrolet Impala

Since the very first Impala rolled off the Chevrolet assembly line in the mid-1950s, this car was an instant classic. And the Impala lowrider has represented the pinnacle of lowrider style more than any other car ever produced. More than 12 million Impalas later, this classic still represents the best of American car making, and just hearing the name brings to mind the Impala lowrider, even in people who have no clue what a lowrider is.

The Impala debuted at a 1956 car show as an offshoot of the Corvette – in fact it was referred to in the press as the Corvette Impala. By the time of its official introduction in 1958, the Impala had become the top of the line option in Chvrolet’s Bel Air line. On top of special styling and trim, as well as deluxe interiors, the Impala also sported the highest price tag in the entire Chevy line. Nonetheless, the Impala was an instant hit, and by the next year it had graduated to a separate model all its own, available in both coupe and sedan. This was the beginning of the Impala lowrider phenomenon.

By 1961 the phenomenon would be complete, with the introduction of the “world’s first muscle car”, the 1961 Chevrolet Impala SS. The SS package was oriented toward performance, nothing more or less. Only high performance engines were available, and the top was the newly-introduced 409 cubic inch V8, the engine that started Detroit on competition for ever increasing engines.

1969 Chevrolet Impala SS 427

Further redesigns and tweaks took place as the sixties continued, and technology and styles changed. The Impala kept up with these changes at an amazing pace for usually slow moving Detroit. For example, the 1965 Impala became a more streamlined, less boxy car. In 1967, by contrast, saw a longer and heavier looking Impala. By the end of the 60s though, the Impala excitement was fading, and the SS model was discontinued in 1969.

In the 70s though, further redesigns and the popularity of the customized Impala lowrider led to renewed success. By 1972, 10 million total Impalas had been sold, topping all other full sized cars in American history. In 1977, Chevy’s response to the gas crisis was to downsize the Impala, in a risky move that could have alienated the public. Fortunately, the redesign worked, and the Impala again set all time sales records.

The 80s however were not kind, and by 1983 the remnants of the Impala were found only in a single four door model. The 90s saw somewhat of a renaissance, but the Impala line ended in 1996, only to reintroduce it in 2000.

Five decades of evolution. If you’re driving an Impala lowrider, that’s something to be proud of.

The latest lowrider stuff for sale (click here for more):

Cypress Hill , Audio CD, Lowrider / Psychodelic /Superstar US $9.47 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 1:41:33 PST   | Watch this Item

Pumps & Dumps Lowrider Car Video Rare Footage VHS VOL X US $29.74 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 1:47:01 PST   | Watch this Item

Pumps & Dumps Lowrider Car Video Rare Footag VHS V XIII US $29.74 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 1:49:55 PST   | Watch this Item

Pumps & Dumps Lowrider Car Video Rare Footage VHS V XII US $29.74 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 1:51:16 PST   | Watch this Item

LOWRIDER LOGO TAG GREY BUTTON DOWN WORK SHIRT XL NEW US $16.99 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 2:32:07 PST   | Watch this Item

71 72 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 15" Hub Cap Hubcap Lowrider US $9.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 3:28:38 PST   | Watch this Item

MARCH 1992 LOWRIDER car magazine US $12.00 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 4:12:35 PST   | Watch this Item

7/2001 LOWRIDER car magazine US $9.99 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 4:53:54 PST   | Watch this Item

6/1998 LOWRIDER car magazine US $9.99 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 4:53:57 PST   | Watch this Item

9/2003 LOWRIDER car magazine US $9.99 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 4:53:58 PST   | Watch this Item

10/2005 LOWRIDER car magazine US $9.99 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 4:55:07 PST   | Watch this Item

12/1999 LOWRIDER car magazine US $9.99 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 4:55:08 PST   | Watch this Item

2/2001 LOWRIDER car magazine US $9.99 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 4:55:11 PST   | Watch this Item

10/2006 LOWRIDER car magazine US $9.99 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 4:55:11 PST   | Watch this Item

11/2000 LOWRIDER car magazine US $9.99 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 4:55:13 PST   | Watch this Item

1/2003 LOWRIDER car magazine US $9.99 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 4:55:15 PST   | Watch this Item

5/2008 LOWRIDER car magazine US $9.99 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 4:55:20 PST   | Watch this Item

3/2008 LOWRIDER car magazine US $9.99 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 4:59:42 PST   | Watch this Item

12/2007 LOWRIDER car magazine US $9.99 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 4:59:43 PST   | Watch this Item

4/2008 LOWRIDER car magazine US $9.99 Auction Ends: Sunday Feb-05-2012 4:59:44 PST   | Watch this Item

[Click here to see all lowrider stuff for sale]