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 1990's 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 used but not
abused 1996 Chevrolet Impala with 350 cubes of LT1 power under the
hood, 17-inch snazzy mag wheels, the original window sticker, 4
doors to keep it all unassuming, and an aero design creates this
suburban piece of go go driveway candy. No wonder law enforcement
ordered these by the ton! Here comes the Popo...YIKES!
Exterior
All rounded off and aero looking and all bathed in Dark Cherry
Metallic. 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 red highlighted bowtie upfront all
paint and trimmings are in presentable condition with well minded
gaps. A few flaws are noted in the finish, including orange peel,
some dents, dings, scratches and some clear coat issues on the
roof. So let's call this a solid 10 footer. Throw in a rear deck
spoiler just for some low profile sportiness and 17-inch polished
blingy wheels to round out the package.
Interior
If you have a penchant for things from a factory, then this car is
worth a serious look. Gray leather in clean condition abounds on
this interior with body hugging bucket seats up front showing just
the right amount of age and wear. These are matched in back with a
long bench. The original dash of course is in front showing a
simple and nice gauge cluster and central black panel which houses
the temp dials and digital readout AM/FM/CD stereo. Slightly
smudged but very nicely preserved light gray carpet below, and a
perfect headliner in gray is floating above. We note a few cracks
in the top of the plastic dash and a missing courtesy light lens on
the rear of the driver's door panel.
Drivetrain
A 350ci LT1 EFI V8 with a super smooth 4-speed 4L60E automatic
transmission takes you down the road in a breeze. The 10-bolt 3.08
Posi rear axle aids in things getting down the road as well with
both rear tires making tracks. The engine bay is in overall fair to
good condition with slight corrosion and aging shown.
Undercarriage
Plenty of patina and some surface rust on drivetrain parts and
frame structure are noted underneath. Floor pans are solid, rockers
have slight surface rust, and a dual exhaust with Flowmaster single
chamber mufflers is noted. Power disc brakes are on all 4 corners
and up front we note an independent coil spring front suspension
and a 4 link and coil springs for the rear.
Drive-Ability
A slip inside the gray leather and after a quick fire up and seat
adjustment we were ready to go. The ride and drive, suspension and
Decarbon shocks, as well as a limited slip axle contribute to the
smoothness of the ride with all functions operating as they
should.
A real cruiser and eye catcher, and a fav of the police. I still
hit the brakes when I see one of these coming. It's just a habit,
and I'm usually at least 10mph over! Comes with lots of service
records. Culture and class all the way, with a wolf under the hood
for performance.
1G1BL52P5TR126242
1-USA
G-General Motors
1-Chevrolet
BL-Impala SS
5-4 Door Sedan
2-Manual Belts, Front Airbags
P-350ci V8 LT1 260hp
5-Check Digit
T-1996
R-Arlington, TX Assy Plant
126242-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 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.
