Text by Patrick Bell.
Nearly 14 million full size Chevrolet’s were produced in the 1960-1969 decade. Today we have 14 images to view from that decade where Chevrolet made few missteps.
Our lead image was a Regal Red 1966 Impala Super Sport Coupe that may have been someone’s present. It was equipped with the popular 327 Turbo-Fire V8, radio, dual outside mirrors, thin whitewall tires, and a Minnesota license plate used from 1965-1967. The wheel covers are hard to see in this image, but they don’t look original. The 327 for 1966 had a 4 barrel carburetor, single exhaust, and generated 275 horsepower. It was one of six V8’s available, along with one 6 cylinder.
The decade began with the second year of a two year style cycle, and was a more conservative version of what many considered the over the top 1959 model. The tide had turned. This one was a 1960 Impala Sport Sedan, the 4 door hardtop also known as the “flat top”, for obvious reasons. Visible extras were an outside mirror, rear mounted antenna, full wheel covers, whitewalls, and curb feelers. Five V8’s and one 6 cylinder were available to choose from for this year.
Here was a close to new 1960 Bel Air 2 door sedan that apparently was purchased at Carr Chevrolet in Beaverton, Oregon, per the license frame. The lack of a “V” on the deck lid indicates it was equipped with the 235 Hi-Thrift 6 cylinder for power, and the only extra I see was the bumper mounted trailer hitch.
1961 brought a new restyle that showed the more conservative direction of styling. The 119′ wheelbase carried over from 1959/1960, but the overall length was about one inch less, and weight was down 70 pounds. The entry level Biscayne series was available in utility sedan (2 doors and no back seat), 2 door and 4 door sedans, and 4 door wagon. Plus a Fleetmaster series that catered to fleets and were less expensive.
The one above was a 1961 Biscayne 2 door sedan. There appears to be a “V” on the grille emblem, so a V8 model, most likely the Turbo-Fire 283. Parked behind it was a 1956 Ford Customline Fordor Sedan.
At the other end of the scale in 1961 was the Impala convertible. This one was optioned with an outside mirror, rear antenna, full wheel covers, and whitewalls. The body was new, but the engine choices carried over from 1960 with the exception of the Turbo-Fire 409 that was introduced mid year along with the Super Sport option.
The business sign indicates this was a Ford dealer, but out of nine cars on the front line there were two other 1961 Chevrolets, three Oldsmobiles, two Fords, one Buick, and the very last one was too blurry to ID.
A reskin was in store for the 1962 models to go along with some new engines. The Hi-Thrift 235 6 cylinder and base Turbo-Fire 283 V8 were unchanged. Two versions of a new Turbo-Fire 327 V8, as well as two versions of the Turbo-Fire 409 were now available.
The featured car was the ever popular 1962 Impala Sport Coupe with the Turbo-Fire 283, full wheel covers and whitewalls. In the background was a 1962 Oldsmobile F-85 convertible.
It was restyle time again in 1963 as seen in this Impala Sport Sedan from Illinois with an outside mirror, whitewalls, and full wheel covers from a 1964 model. The six cylinder was replaced with a new Turbo-Thrift 230 with 140 hp, and the base Turbo-Fire 283 received a horsepower boost to 195. The two Turbo-Fire 327’s were carried over, and now there were three versions of the Turbo-Fire 409.
The 1964 models received a reskin, while the engine selection remained the same. And the Super Sport was now its own series, as opposed to a trim option.
Above was a December 1963 photo of a 1964 Impala Super Sport convertible that had the Turbo-Fire 283 V8, outside mirror, bumper guards, whitewalls, and the unique wheel covers that were part of the SS trim. It appeared to have a New Hampshire license plate issued in Merrimack County, and the top seemed to fit poorly for a new car. That may have been a 1962 full sized Buick in the garage, and a 1950-1952 Plymouth 4 door sedan was next to it.
An extensive restyle came about for the 1965 model year, and it was a hit with both critics and buyers. The 425 horsepower version of the Turbo-Fire 409 was dropped for 1965, and mid-year, the Turbo-Fire 409 was replaced by the new Turbo Jet 396 with 325 hp or 425 hp. The Turbo-Hydramatic was available with the 325 hp 396. The featured car was a 1965 Impala Super Sport Coupe with one of the Turbo-Fire 327’s and whitewall tires.
1966 brought a minor reskin along with some new powertrains, including a one-year only 220 hp 4-barrel version of the 283, a 275 hp 327 replaced the previous 250 and 300 hp versions, and the new larger 427 Turbo-Jet arrived with in 390 and 425 horsepower versions. The Turbo-Hydramatic transmission was available on the 396 and the 390 hp 427.
The car above was a 1966 Impala Sport Coupe with a vinyl top, radio, full wheel covers, and whitewalls. The fender engine call out and “IMPALA” nameplate have been edited out the image, and the outside mirror was now standard equipment.
The Caprice was introduced midway through the 1965 model year as a trim package for the Impala Sport Sedan. In 1966 it became its own series bumping the Impala down to #2, and adding a coupe and wagon model.
Above was a 1966 Caprice Custom Sedan with one of the optional small block engines, radio, whitewalls, and a license plate I don’t recognize. The full wheel covers were unique to the Caprice and standard equipment. Parked in front of it was a 1966 or 1967 Volkswagen Type 1.
The 1967 restyle continued the fastback look on the Impala and Super Sport Coupes as shown here. Engine choices were down to one 6 cylinder and four V8’s, having dropped the 220 hp Turbo-Fire 283, and the 425 hp Turbo-Jet 427 was gone while the remaining 427 was now 385 hp.
Featured above was a 1967 Impala Sport Coupe with a Turbo-Fire 327, radio, whitewalls, and non-original looking wheel covers.
It looked like a cool day judging by the warmly dressed people. In the center was another 1967 Impala Sport Coupe, with a Turbo-Fire 283 or 327 V8, air conditioning, radio, full wheel covers, and whitewalls. This was the 283’s last year, as a new Turbo-Fire 307 V8 came on board in 1968. To the right was a 1967 or 1968 Chevrolet C/K series Fleetside, with a camper shell, aftermarket step bumper, and an unreadable license plate.
Our final image was a 1969 Impala Custom Coupe from New Jersey, and was equipped with a vinyl top, radio, and bumper guards. 1969 brought a new restyle, and made use of the “loop” front bumper style. The 307 was replaced by a Turbo-Fire 327 with 235 hp as the standard V8, but it was in it’s last year as well. Two new Turbo-Fire 350 V8’s (255 and 300 hp) were added to the choices, and two versions of the Turbo-Jet 427 (335 and 390 hp) were available again.
Thanks for joining us and have a great day!
My first car was a ‘63 Impala with the 409 V-8 and 4-speed; dark green over green vinyl with “chromed reverse” wheels. Purchased in fall of 1969 for $800; my Dad worked part-time at the Piggly Wiggly and saw the For Sale sign in it when loading groceries in it. Two days later it was mine…definitely one of those “I should have kept it” cars! Sold it for $850 to purchase a ‘70 Chevelle Malibu convertible…but that’s another story.
Those 65-66 Impala fastback coupes are beautiful! From 86-96, I worked with an older lady who had one in white, the SS or sport coupe, whatever the sporty one was. She was the original owner. Even then she said that many people would offer to buy her car, but she always said no. She was single, no kids, so I wonder whatever happened to her car.
Correction: In 1969, the only 327 in full size cars was a cast crank 2 barrel version rated at 210HP. Sad. The engine that came in with fuel injection fury left us in a 2 barrel whimper. After a mere 7 years. Best SBC ever.
It was rated at 235 hp.
You may be thinking of the 2-barrel 327 that was standard in the gen1 Camaro. It was rated at 210 hp.
First car was a 66 ss chevelle in 1971..396 car..4 speed tranny..great car and in 2026..I still have the car..will replace the 327 motor.in may and have it rebuilt..it will last forever..just takes money. Rj
What? No ’68 Chevy?
Below is a picture from the brochure of a ’68 Impala, just like our family car (minus the vinyl top). Dad opted for the base 307 that year, when he traded in the Firethorn Red ’66 Impala Sport Coupe (283 in that one) not too dissimilar from the car in the lede photo.
Not sure why he was a base engine guy, but he was that way for years with his automotive choices, only occasionally opting for more power.
and the best rear end styling of them all.
+1 – I have to agree. Those U-shaped taillights in the bumper are my favorite from the era…
The front end was nice on them as well. I know others prefer the ’67, but IMHO, that year just seemed too plain compared to the good looks of the ’68…
…of course this opinion is biased by the fact I grew up with a Grecian Green example.
In the 4th picture, one of the houses has an outhouse. Indoor plumbing was the last of all modern conveniences. Many rural and urban areas still had outhouses in the ’60s.
A couple of things. The 409 was discontinued mid year for the 65’s and was replaced by the 396. And 1965 was the last year the 283 was identified above the cross flags. For the ’66 and ’67 models, just the cross flags meant the 283. The 327 was identified over the cross flags and the 396/427 engines also stated “turbo jet”.
Thanks; I’ve made the corrections.
Thank you all for the information on the mid 1965 changes. I had that thought in my memory, but could not find any info to back it up, so I stuck to the sales brochures. I am pretty sure I saw a ’65 Biscayne 4 door with a 396 or 427 that came the used car lot I worked at in the early 1970’s, but that was a long time ago.
For the next to last photo, a green 67 Impala 2 door hardtop. you say “another 1967 Impala Sport Coupe, with a Turbo-Fire 283 or 327 V8, air conditioning…”
How did you figure out that it had A/C?
I think he is relying on the decal in the right rear window for that information.
When dad shopped for a new Chevy wagon in ’65, he took the blue six passenger Impala. Us kids tried to get him to go for the green Bel Air because of the “Air Conditioned” sticker, and third row seat.
You can see the center air vent in the dash. Thanks for asking.
I’m no Chevy guy, but I believe the W-series engines (348, 409, early 427) were referred to as “Turbo-Thrust” as opposed to small block being Turbo-Fire and Mark IV being Turbo-Jet.
I’m sure someone will correct me if I am wrong.
The 348 was called Turbo-Thrust but the 409 reverted to the Turbo-Fire moniker.
Great collection of Chevys. That ’66 in the first shot looks to me like it has it’s original wheel covers, the ’66 Super Sport used the same covers as the ’65. They were hard to keep looking clean and nice after a few years in a winter climate.
The 409 actually went away in mid ’65 and was replaced with the 396 at that time, which is also when the TH400 came along (396 only). I had a roached ’65 Impala 4 door hardtop with one of the first 396s as a first car. With it’s rust, faded purplish paint (Evening Orchid I now know) and generally beat condition it was an embarrassment to be seen in but it was the fastest 300 dollar car I ever owned!
Yes, I’ve made that correction. Thanks.
Love these! Got my license in a 1967 Impala Sport Coupe with a 4 barrel 327. I do believe those are the original wheel covers on both pictured 1967 Impalas.
I think the mystery license plate on the truck in the next-to-last picture is a 1966 or ’67 Alaska Light Truck plate. The colors match, and it looks like the plate has the prefix “LT” that Alaska used for light truck plates in the 1960s & early ’70s. Plus, the scenery looks like Alaska to me too.
Thanks, Eric! I should have got that one!
That red impala oh my
My 1st car was a ’63 Chevy Nova we called it ‘the blue box’s , 3 on the tree and I’d give anything to have it back. My 2nd car was ’67 Camero, white with black vinal top, 327 engine only thing was it was an automatic. But I loved it anyway. I’d give a whole bunch of anything to have that baby back. I had some great cars that’s for sure. Was a wonderful time back then.
I remember the beautiful late ’60s GM cars from this era and how far ahead they were in styling. I loved them all.
But I also remember the huge trunk in our ’98 Olds coupe. Because of its low sleek styling you couldn’t have an upright grocery bag in the trunk. Also, the rear seat was sparsely padded and uncomfortable.
Beautiful for sure, but it took time for practicality to come back.
Being a Ford guy I did lust after the Impala in certain years. The two makes in 60 are equivalent to me. In 61 I am going Ford. In 62 tough call but lean Chevy. In 63 the same as 62 as I have always loved the rear treatment of the 63 Impala SS. In 64 the Ford as the Chevy is too boxy and squared off. Now from 65-68 it is a real contest between the two as far as looks. In those years it may get down to the engine choices for me such as 350 vs 352 or 396 vs 390.
I’ve always been a smaller car fan but wow, all these look so good and any V8 would leave me in it’s dust .
-Nate
My first car (1978) was a four door Impala with a 283. My brothers first car (1982) was a 2 door Impala with a 327. In retrospect that four door ’65 Impala was a perfect car for a beginner male driver. Not very quick so I didn’t get tickets racing. Long, low and wide so it was stable on the road, good for a beginner. The front and rear drum brakes forced any ‘sporty’ driving at slower speeds which also went well with beginner drivers learning experience. But it also carried 6 comfortably and going to college swallowed belongings in the back seat and trunk. I really liked how my 10 speed bicycle with 26 inch wheels could fit upright in the rear with the front tire slightly turned to fit against the door and seat edge.
“61” wasn’t a “fav Impala”, year. That , there, “covertible”; like that one though! Would love to know the color, combo.
The “67”, in front of the “shack” is an interesting, pic for sure.
See,,,the USA, in your Chevrolet, America the greatest land of all. On a vintage Chevy post, unless I missed it, one simply can’t forget the lovely Dinah Shore, who pitched Chevrolets for 12 years.( 1951-1963) Like Groucho Marx with DeSotos, or Milton Berle with Buicks, TV was a gospel and Hollywood personalities were considered honest, and they helped sell a lot of cars. I read, GM gave Dinah Shore a new Chevy every year. Chevy touched just about everyone, just due to the massive sales, and it was considered “American” to buy a Chevy. My grandfather had a 1948 Packard he bought new, mostly on its war merits, but totaled it in 1961. If he could have bought another Packard, he would have, but had to “settle” for the next most patriotic car, a Chevy. He bought a new 1961 Impala 4 door from Holz Chevrolet in Milwaukee. Back then, people were very loyal to their car dealers, and usually stayed with them. He then traded the ’61 on a 4 door ’65 Impala, and remained Chevy/Holz loyal until the end. His last car, from Holz Chevrolet, natch, was a 1971 350 Chevy Nova, that yours truly had a blast with. Thanks for the memories, as the “new guy”, I really like the vintage photos.
The sixties are usually regarded as the Pontiac decade but these images reinforce that Chevrolet during the same time was certainly no slouch, either. Those 1965-68 Impala fastbacks, in particular, really had it going on.
The turqoise (Seafoam Green?) ’66 fastback is an especially attractive car.
My first car -a used 1961 Corvair Monza was a gift for my 1968 high school graduation. That summer I took Driver’s Ed and our test cars were new 1968 4-door Bel Airs. The instructor and 5 students piled in taking turns at the wheel. I so distinctly recall when I took the wheel the incredibly smooth and quiet ride. So different from my 4-speed manual Corvair. When Dad picked me up after that session I told him I wanted to trade my Corvair for an Impala. He was pissed -and I drove and grew to love my Corvair for 3 years.