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.