A television era came to an end in 2020 as the CW’s Supernatural signed off. Over fifteen seasons and 320 episodes, fans loved to watch Sam and Dean Winchester (Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles), a pair of brothers travel across the country fighting monsters. While the show boasted several great characters, only one has been there alongside the brothers from the beginning: “Baby,” their beloved 1967 Chevy Impala.
The car has gone from just a vehicle to a loved character in its own right. It even came as part of an action figure set as fans can’t imagine the Winchesters without this vehicle. It’s been smashed up a few times, but (like the brothers) keeps coming back. Fittingly, the series ended with the Impala as part of the final shot. Here are some fun facts about the car and how it became a TV vehicle icon.
10 Jensen Ackles Got To Keep One
When a long-running show ends, the actors always get to keep some props. For Jensen Ackles, he went the extra mile as the showrunners (bowing to fan demand) gifted Ackles with one of the Impalas used for the show.
In fact, Ackles even had it in his contract he could keep one when the show ended. The actor has said his only planned change is adding in air-conditioning (he lives in Texas) but otherwise keeps the car as beat up and rough as Dean himself would want it to be.
9 It Was Inspired By Knight Rider
When creating Supernatural, Eric Kripke wanted the brothers to use a particular car as a homage to his favorite show as a kid: Knight Rider. The idea of a specialized car used to battle evil appealed to Kripke, so did his best to deck out the Impala like a cool fighting car.
In fact, the famous episode “Changing Channels” has Sam and Dean put into TV series worlds, one where the Impala has a KITT-like front end and is voiced by Sam. It was Kripke’s wonderful homage to the Impala’s inspiration.
8 One Gets Special Treatment
The main Impala used on the show, called “Hero 1” isn’t your typical Impala. This is used for the scenes of the brothers driving, so it’s specially fitted for cameras and microphones to be set on the windows and hood.
The trunk is also crafted so a crewmember can fit inside to make recordings, which the actors can later dub over as the engine sound can occasionally drown out the dialogue. Just like the human stars, this Impala needs some special work to look so good on camera.
7 Just About Everything In It Has Been Replaced
One episode has the brothers hit by a “dose of reality,” which includes how the Impala breaks down because it’s a 50-year old car driven tens of thousands of miles across the country.
In reality, the Impala has needed serious upkeep over the years, with just about everything from the engine to wheels to suspension and even interiors replaced over time. There have also been paint jobs to cover the damage. The scenes of Dean keeping the car going aren’t just for the show, the Impala has needed major work over the show’s run.
6 The Original Is Totaled
There were nine Impala used by the crew throughout the show, which is one less than when they started. In the first season finale, the brothers and their dad are in the Impala when it got hit by a semi-truck.
As there was no way to fake it, the producers did indeed have that Impala completely totaled. While on the show, it’s restored, the original model sat in a Vancouver field for a decade while they salvaged it for parts. Unlike the Winchesters, this Impala couldn’t return from the dead.
5 It’s No Prop
Sometimes, a car on a TV show is more like a prop just used for minor scenes. “Baby” is different as it’s a fully functional 1967 Impala in all its glory. That includes a fantastic stock 6.5L 502-cubic-inch big-block V8.
That’s actually bigger than the show’s described 275-hp V8. While Supernatural films in Vancouver, the Impala is used for long-distance driving and has put on some serious mileage to be a potent car.
4 It Was Going To Be A Mustang
It’s hard to imagine “Baby” being anything but an impala. But Kripke originally wanted a 1965 Ford Mustang as he thought the Winchesters would enjoy this classic muscle car. What made him change his mind?
The discovery that the Impala’s trunk was large enough to hold a body. Kripke did pay tribute to the original idea as an episode set in an altered timeline has the brothers using the Mustang, which only proves how important the Impala is to the show.
3 It Got Its Own Episode
Supernatural is known for quirky episodes, but Season 11’s “Baby” is something else. The entire episode is told literally from the point of view of the Impala with the camera situated in the back the whole time.
The audience watches the brothers bicker in the front; Sam has a meeting with a waitress; the same waitress and a friend take the car on a joyride, and finally used to attack some demons. It was a creative use of the car to make it the star of its own story.
2 There Are Nine Of Them
As far as Dean and Sam are concerned, there’s only one “Baby.” The reality is that a mini-fleet of them have been used for the show. One is the “Hero” car used in driving scenes and close-ups.
Others are “stunt cars” used for more action scenes. Another has a lesser engine and is only used for publicity shots with the cast. Still, another is utilized for conventions and fan meetings and was even used in a "guest appearance" on the CW's Legends of Tomorrow. Nine total have been used for the show as even “Baby” gets her doubles.
1 The Show Has Impacted Its Prices
Whenever a car becomes famous, it’s natural the prices on it on the used market rise up. Thanks to the series, the ‘67 Impala has become a hot item at used lots. It took a bit as the show gained momentum, but it finally sent Impala prices up majorly.
Back in 2004, one could find a model for just five grand. Today, an Impala can go for upwards of $50,000 as fans love to experience the ride the Winchesters made famous.
Sources: topspeed.com, driving.ca, hagerty.com, thenewshweel.com