2 years, 1 month ago
via impalaanswers.com
What year did the first Impala go on the market and what were its selling features?
The Impala was a car produced by Chevrolet, the first year models are considered to be Vintage cars by collectors.
Then
http://www.chevypic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/1958-chevrolet-impala-convertible-1.jpg
Now
http://www.chevrolet.com/assets/en/images/model/2010/impala/gallery/exterior/masthead/chevy_impala10_pg_ext_10CHIM00020-4S.jpg
The first Chevy Impala I ever saw and drove was when I was 17 and a friend of mine bought one. It was a boat of a car but well decked out with all the luxuries of the day. Believe it or not, he paid all of $75.00 CDN for it, used of course, a 1959 Chevy Impalla. A lot of fond high school memories.
Similar to his one
http://photos.cokertire.com/data/505/1959-chevy-impala-white2.JPG
Tell me all about the very first Impala model and why it was made and for what market it was aimed at.
Then
Now
The first Chevy Impala I ever saw and drove was when I was 17 and a friend of mine bought one. It was a boat of a car but well decked out with all the luxuries of the day. Believe it or not, he paid all of $75.00 CDN for it, used of course, a 1959 Chevy Impalla. A lot of fond high school memories.
Similar to his one
Tell me all about the very first Impala model and why it was made and for what market it was aimed at.
Separate topics with commas, or by pressing return. Use the delete or backspace key to edit or remove existing topics.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$2 Answers
Always love to hear people's memories of the old cars ... thanks for sharing yours :-)
The first place I look to approach the question of target market is old advertising ... a youtube video of an ad for the Impala in it's debut year is posted below. It shows a happy suburban family, with young people heading off for prom night. It's all about the "American Dream," and here we might just have them playing the angle that it's an "adult" luxury car but it's not uncool ... the kids are feeling special and having a great time in it.
Beauty, luxury, power and excitement all rolled into one! In 1958, the Impala made it's debut as Chevrolet's top of the line car, and it was well received... the company sold 43,000 Impala hardtops and 17,000 convertibles.
The first Impala model followed the basic style of Chevrolet's popular "Bel Air" cars and was part of the Bel Air series; however, the Bel Air name didn't appear anywhere on the car. The Impala differed from the basic Bel Air by including special trim and design features, deluxe interiors, and performance that was presented as above and beyond the earlier Bel-Air cars.
As for the performance aspects of the car, I will cite directly from a source who understands that better than I ..."Performance was important from the beginning as the first Impala could be optioned with up to a 348 V8 putting out 315 HP. The stout 348 cubic inch big block was borrowed from the Chevrolet Truck Division. The 'Turbo Thrust' 348 was offered with a 4 barrel carburetor and rated at 250 HP. Two 'Super Turbo Thrust' 348 V8's with three 2 barrel carburetors were offered with 280 HP and 315 HP. " (See source list below to ready more from the excellent article by Steven Farber at http://www.58classicchevy.com).
Such a beautiful old car ... would love to take a ride in one today!
The first place I look to approach the question of target market is old advertising ... a youtube video of an ad for the Impala in it's debut year is posted below. It shows a happy suburban family, with young people heading off for prom night. It's all about the "American Dream," and here we might just have them playing the angle that it's an "adult" luxury car but it's not uncool ... the kids are feeling special and having a great time in it.
Beauty, luxury, power and excitement all rolled into one! In 1958, the Impala made it's debut as Chevrolet's top of the line car, and it was well received... the company sold 43,000 Impala hardtops and 17,000 convertibles.
The first Impala model followed the basic style of Chevrolet's popular "Bel Air" cars and was part of the Bel Air series; however, the Bel Air name didn't appear anywhere on the car. The Impala differed from the basic Bel Air by including special trim and design features, deluxe interiors, and performance that was presented as above and beyond the earlier Bel-Air cars.
As for the performance aspects of the car, I will cite directly from a source who understands that better than I ..."Performance was important from the beginning as the first Impala could be optioned with up to a 348 V8 putting out 315 HP. The stout 348 cubic inch big block was borrowed from the Chevrolet Truck Division. The 'Turbo Thrust' 348 was offered with a 4 barrel carburetor and rated at 250 HP. Two 'Super Turbo Thrust' 348 V8's with three 2 barrel carburetors were offered with 280 HP and 315 HP. " (See source list below to ready more from the excellent article by Steven Farber at http://www.58classicchevy.com).
Such a beautiful old car ... would love to take a ride in one today!
images:
videos:
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
The Chevrolet Impala was first made in 1958. Chevrolet wanted a car that would appeal to young people. It was spacious, yet it did not cost a lot of money.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
I love the video. That commercial is awesome.