King of the Cruisers: A History of the Chevy Impala

1964 Chevrolet Impala lowrider classic
A 1964 Chevy Impala — the icon. Automotive Timelines

When it comes to cars built for cruising, you can’t get much better or more significant than the Chevy Impala. Over the years, it’s gone from being an icon of American motoring to a hip hop and street modding legend to a collector’s and restomod favorite. What was so good about the Impala? How did it come about? In this article, we’re going to look at the origins and development of the Impala, from its early days to the third generation, considered by many to be the car’s golden age.

1956 Chevrolet Impala Motorama concept car
The ’56 Impala concept. Carstyling
1958 Chevrolet Impala hardtop first generation
The car that started it all. Cruisin Classics
1958 Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupe vintage ad
Vintage ad of the ’58 Impala Sport Coupe. GM Heritage Center

Second Generation

1959 Chevrolet Impala with dramatic tailfins
The ’59 Impala’s wonderful redesign. Mecum
1959 Chevrolet Impala sales brochure page
Page from a brochure for the ’59 Impala. Troxel’s Auto Literature
1960 Chevrolet Impala with triple taillights
The ’60 Impala, featuring the new fender stripe. Barrett-Jackson

Third Generation

1961 Chevrolet Impala Bubbletop
The 1961 Impala. Complex
1962 Chevrolet Impala SS hardtop
The beauty that is the 1962 Impala SS. Classic Cars
1963 Chevrolet Impala SS brochure
Hemmings
1964 Chevrolet Impala convertible
A ’64 convertible. Specialty Sales Classics
1964 Chevrolet Impala SS interior
A ’64 Impala SS interior. Barrett-Jackson

Please let us know in the comments if you enjoyed this article, and if you’d like a follow-up covering the Impalas from the fourth to the sixth generation!

Back to blog

Become a Car Club Member

Car Club Members Get Entries to Win, Discounts in our Shop, Discounts with our Preferred Partners and more!

Membership benefits

By joining the RestoMods Car Club Today, you will receive amazing perks plus 15 bonus entries into our sweepstakes for every month you are an active member.

  • Auto Discounts: Curated Discounts From Your Favorite Parts Companies
  • Restomods Monthly: Monthly Magazine With The Latest Industry News
  • Classified Ads: Get Free Postings seen by 300,000 enthusiasts monthly
  • Car Show Tickets: Check out the biggest vintage car shows on us.
  • Exclusive Car Deals: First chance to purchase any prize cars not selected
Become A Member

Some of our discount partners

Restomods on Instagram

Follow us on Instagram and other networks