Vehicle Description
1996 Chevrolet Impala SS
In retrospect, it wasn't a good idea. It was brilliant. A stroke of
genius. Looking back, it's amazing the 1990s Impala SS ever
happened. In the early 1990s, family-sized rear-wheel drive muscle
was dead at GM. The Monte Carlo SS and Buick Grand National were
long gone and families didn't fit in a Camaro or Corvette. Then in
1992, Jim Perkins, a car-guy and the man in charge of Chevrolet,
asked Jon Moss to make a hot rod out of the homely and slow-selling
Caprice, a full-size rear-wheel drive sedan bought by taxi
companies, police, and women over the age of 90. Moss was the
engineer in charge of GM's Special Vehicle group, or as some called
it, "The Toy Box". His team built the cool stuff. The What Ifs.
Prototypes like big-block Camaros and other one-offs to excite the
media and the enthusiast public. His skunkworks finished the Impala
SS Concept just in time for the 1992 SEMA Show. Moss' team took a
black Caprice with the 9C1 Police Package, added five-spoke wheels,
dropped in the LT1 V8 from the Corvette, dressed it with Impala SS
badges (a legendary name GM hadn't used since 1969), and created an
instant classic.
An instant classic... just add gas, and we have a 2 owner 1996
Chevrolet Impala with a slightly detuned Corvette LT-1 engine, and
in all original condition. With its rounded European aero look, 4
doors, and sporty wheels, no wonder police departments ordered
these by the ton!
Exterior
All rounded off and aero looking and all bathed in maroon. A 4-door
sedan with a kick, for the family who looks to travel in comfort,
style and above all... speed. Beautiful prancing Impala badging
throughout and a silver bowtie upfront all paint and trimmings are
in fine condition with well minded gaps and all original paint.
Throw in a sloping curved to the trunk deck B pillar and wrap
around inset taillights and just say fast.
Interior
If you have a penchant for things from a factory, then this car is
worth a serious look. Seats are covered with wonderfully aged gray
leather and are buckets in front and a bench in the back. 6 way
power adjusts these chairs. The original dash of course is in front
showing off in black and gray, as are the door panels which contain
more power buttons than a 747. Slightly soiled gray carpet below,
also a perfect headliner in gray above.
Drivetrain
The garage within which this car was stored was climate controlled
as the engine and bay are showing virtually no corrosion or any
signs of ever being even remotely wet. Plastic is shiny, metal bolt
ons are clean and corrosion free, and even the exhaust manifolds
are still shiny. A detuned Corvette 5.7 liter LT-1 V8 with EFI
resides under the hood and on the back is a 4L60E 4-speed automatic
transmission. A 10 bolt 3.08 posi rear axle puts power to the road.
Add some hi test go juice and you are down the road faster than you
ever thought.
Undercarriage
Shows in slight aging but mostly surface rust free. Power disc ABS
brakes, full coil suspension, and power disc brakes for the front,
and power drums for the rear.
Drive-Ability
Runs like its namesake and nothing is even chasing it. Nimble
handling, neck snapping acceleration and good solid handling. All
with 4 doors and room for 5 comfortably, it can turn the highway
into mush!
If the police swear by it, I'd take a close look because they are
using these vehicles in all conditions, all situations, high speed,
constantly running and they love them. Some come on into Classic
Auto Mall and fall in love with this cruiser.
VIN DECODE
1G1BL52PXTR179034
1-USA
G-General Motors
1-Chevrolet
BL-Impala SS
5-4 Door Sedan
2-Manual Belts, Front Airbags
P-350ci V8 LT1 260hp
X-Check Digit
T-1996
R-Arlington, TX Assy Plant
179034-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.