The 1961 - 1964 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport introduced America to the concept of a sportsmanlike full - size gondola . Continue reading to learn more about this powerhouse .
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Yearning for a certain machine was n’t a young phenomenon among American teens when the Beach Boys released their hit single " 409 " in 1962 . But focusing on a specificengine– now that was something dissimilar . Few V-8s have been immortalized at all , much less recollect so fondly as the 409 - cid motor that growled within bigChevroletsof the early sixties .
Up to that time , the sporty full - size car was a practical oxymoron : two concepts that just did n’t work together . With its Super Sport edition of the restyled 1961 model , Chevrolet was out to change that perception .
Toning down the Impala / Bel Air / Biscayne threesome had begun in 1960 by subduing their wide tailfin . This yr ’s body finished the job . Three rooflines were create , led by a Sport Coupe with gently incline front pillars and plenty of glass .
Though still on the garish side with its creased bodysides , taper trim strip , jut fender top , and rear - pack of cards sculpturing , the Impala ’s course were undeniably cleaner – quick to usher in a new geological era . One paragraph of the 1961 cut-rate sale catalog sum theChevrolet ImpalaSuper Sport as the " highly personalized version " of any Impala physical structure vogue .
price as low as $ 53.80 , the choice package included special trim , simulated whack - off spinster steering wheel covers , power brakesand steering , punishing - responsibility springs / shocks , metallic pasture brake linings , a 7,000 - rpm tach alongside the steering column , and minute - banding 8.00 × 14 whitewalls . Inside was a front - rider help bar ( as on corvette ) , but ordinary terrace seats .
This initial Super Sport came with a choice of 348 - Criminal Investigation Command engines ( 305 , 340 , or 350 bhp ) and a four - speed manual gearbox ; or the 305 - bhp could get Powerglide . far down the Impala lineup , the top engine option delivered only 280 bhp .
quarry marketplace : " customer who care sports car panache and go , team up with big car elegance . " That was just the start of what would become the " SS " phenomenon , for at the same time , Chevrolet was preparing a massive 409 - cid locomotive . What better place to innovate it than beneath the hood of a Super Sport ?
Go on to the next page to find out about the styling and mechanics of the 1961 - 1964 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport .
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Continued
The 1961 , 1962 , 1963 , 1964 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport featured a monumental 409 - cid engine , giving it much more power than any other car on the road . Essentially a caliber / CVA job on the 348 - Criminal Investigation Command V-8 , the 409 wielded 360 bhp ( at 5800 rpm ) along with an gumptious 409 lbf. / feet of torsion . It looked the part , too , painted violent with silver grey rocker covers , transcend by a double - snorkel breather aviation cleaner .
The first 409 - equip Super Sports hit the showrooms in mid-1961 . Most of the 453 examples build that year were Sport Coupes , with a handful ofconvertibles , though the computer software was theoretically offered on any Impala body . Only about 142 dribble the bragging engine .
" Without trying hard , " declaredMotor Trendin its trial run of the 409 , " the SS will shoot away from practically anything else on the road . " Testers accomplish 0 - 60 times as spry as 7.0 seconds with a 4.56:1 axle . An ordinary Impala with 250 - bhp 348 required more than 10 second .
More 409s became available for 1962 ; but curiously , the Super Sport turn into a $ 156 trim package offer with any Impala locomotive engine , even the 135 - bhp six . However , SS dead body styles were stringently determine to the Sport Coupe ( hardtop ) and translatable . Styling raise sporting yet , with a more square - off visibility and trailing body creaseline .
SS interiors now sported front bucketful seat with anodized aluminum edge . " Swirl - normal " anodized aluminum inserts grace bodyside moldings , versus painted trim in unconstipated Impalas .
Chevrolet ’s intimate 283 - cid V-8 was bored and stroke to 327 Criminal Investigation Command to replace the 348 . Top dog of the 409s swig through a pair of four - barrelcarburetorsto output 409 bhp .
Motor Trendroared its 409 test car to 60 in 6.3 seconds , blasting through the quarter - mile in 14.9 seconds . A 380 - bhp edition take on an extra second to attain 60 in the hands ofCar Life . Sales virtually doubled those of the rival Ford Galaxie 500XL .
Impala ’s consistency was boxier yet for 1963 , as a 427 - cid V-8 get in , mean for professional pull racers . Most customers had to be content with a 425 - bhp enhancement of the 409 .
A new " police pick " 409 was rated 340 bhp . All SS Impalas had floor sceneshifter for 1963 . As common , the $ 161 option could be ordered with any railway locomotive , down to the raw 230 - cid six . Inside , the catch barroom was go .
Super Sports were considered a decided model in 1964 . By this time , the SS owner could tune up in to the Beatles on an AM / FM tuner , and grasp a rarely see counterpart - speak walnut - grainedsteeringwheel . " Any of three big 409 V-8 ’s , " said the 1964 catalogue , " is specially saucy in highway pass away post . " Impala fans could n’t harmonise more , and the Super Sport phenomenon was well afoot .
For 1961 - 1964 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport specifications , go to the next page .
1961, 1962, 1963, 1964 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport Specifications
The 1961 , 1962 , 1963 , 1964 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport was a powerful and sporty full - sizing car that quickly begin a phenomenon .
Specifications
engine : ohv I-61962235.5 cid ( 3.56 × 3.94 ) , 135 bhp1963 - 1964230 cid ( 3.88 × 3.25 ) , 140 bhp ; ohv V-8 , 283 Criminal Investigation Command ( 3.88 × 3.00 ) , 170/195 bhp;1961only 348 cid ( 4.13 × 3.25 ) , 305/340/350 bhp;1962 - 1964327 cid ( 4.00 × 3.25 ) , 250/300 bhp ; 409 cid ( 4.31 × 3.50)1961360 bhp1962380/409 bhp1963 - 1964340/400/425 bhp
Transmissions:3 - speed manual ; overdrive , 4 - hurrying manual of arms , and Powerglide 2 - hurrying robotic optional
Suspension , front : upper and lower A - arms , spiral springiness , stabilizer
respite , rear : unrecorded axle , coil spring
brake : front / rear drums
Wheelbase ( in.):119.0
Weight ( lbs.):3,265 - 3,565
Top speeding ( mph):103 - 140
0 - 60 mph ( sec):V-8 6.3 - 12.8
