Early Chevrolet Impala models cemented themselves in pop culture in the 1970s thanks to their ready availability, and cheap price tag that made them so popular with the low-rider scene. That of course meant that the Impala became synonymous with American car culture of the time. And it was further immortalized in countless hip hop videos, movies and TV shows. And for good reason.
Updated April 2023: We've updated this article with even more details on what makes the '67 Impala so valuable in the used market, and why classic Impala prices are only going up.
The Chevy Impala was the only muscle car that managed to sell over a million units a year for two consecutive years running. And that is a record yet to be broken! While this feat was achieved in 1965 and 1966, it is the 1967 Chevrolet Impala that has become popular today. The TV Show 'Supernatural' has also played a vital role in spreading the '67 Impala's fame far and wide. And today, the most desirable 1967 Chevy Impala model is also the most dramatic and rarest of them all.
How Much Is The 1967 Impala Worth?
A used 1967 Impala sells for an average of $40,703 today, according to Classic. And it wasn't until 2019 that this iconic Chevy caught the attention of enthusiasts, who started restoring this particular Impala model year. Interest steeped, and the demand for the '67 Impala has shot up ever since. There are used 1967 Impalas starting from as low as $15,000, but a well-maintained model easily crosses the $40,000 mark.
And it doesn't stop there, as six-figure '67 Impalas are not so rare. Also, there are various Impalas that have sold for well over $100,000. And with the increase in fame and interest, six-figure value 1967 Impalas are not going to be a rare sight pretty soon.
Why Is The 1967 Impala So Popular?
Chevrolet was bathing in the success of its Impala nameplate in the 60s. The fourth-generation model, back in the day, was the highest-selling muscle car. The 1967 Impala is special because of its tweaked coke-bottle redesign. The classic coke glass bottle inspired this narrow center and flaring fenders, hence the name.
The first car ever to use Coke bottle styling was the Studebaker Avanti Gran Turismo which was penned by designer Raymond Loewy. The 1967 Impala was 213 inches long, and it looks gorgeous with coke styling in all forms - two-door, four-door, and convertible. This formed an emotional connection with muscle car owners and made the '67 Impala so popular. The same feeling is still prevalent today.
Another major reason for the '67 Chevy Impala's huge popularity was its diverse set of engine options. It was a laid-back, cozy, and luxurious family hauler. But there were various Chevy V8 small blocks available that transformed the '67 Impala into an exciting muscle car. The standard engine option was 250 cu.in (4.1-Liter) inline-6 engine churning out 155 hp.
The V8 options ranged from 283 cubic inches all the way up to 427 cubic-inch engines. The '67 Impala could be had with a humble 195-HP V8 or a ferocious 425-HP V8 in the top-spec 1967 Impala SS models! And this insane range of efficiency and performance made sure that there was an Impala that made everyone happy. It's important to remember that this was a full-size Chevy that could still hustle. For those looking for even less weight and size, the Chevrolet Chevelle was the answer. Though, it's somewhat puzzling as to why the Chevelle doesn't quite enjoy the same stardom that the Impala does.
What Happened To The Chevy Impala From Supernatural?
Apart from the onset of enthusiasts reviving the '67 Impalas, the popular TV Show Supernatural played a vital role in making this classic Chevy popular and cool among the millennials. Nicknamed "Baby", the black 1967 Chevy Impala four-door hardtop has been a star throughout its 15-year, 15-season airing. The Supernatural Impala was a modified muscle car packed in a beefier big-block V8.
Taking care of the stance of this classic car was custom Hotchkiss suspension that helped this Chevy stand out in the show. "Baby" single-handedly made a lot of people fall in love with this classic muscle car. While getting your hands on any of the nine Chevy Impala show cars is out of the question, there are many out there who have religiously created their own "Baby". And with as little as $15,000, you can too!
Are 1967 Impalas Rare?
The most desirable model of the 1967 Impala is the SS Convertible model. This car manages to fuse luxury, styling, comfort, performance, and heritage in one cool package. The fact that only 9,545 Chevy Impala Super Sport Convertibles were made in 1967 makes it very rare too. And that is exactly why the costliest 1967 Impala ever sold on Classic.com to date is a SS 427 Convertible model.
So while the Chevy Impala was never a rare car back then, which is how it shot to the top of pop culture in the first place, its tables have been turned now. Which is ironic, and part of the allure of the Impala all at the same time. As OMC once famously said, "How bizarre!"
Source: Chevrolet, Classic.com