1961 - 1964 Impalas

1961 marked the debut of the "Bubbletop" Impala, with its curved windshield, large backlight, and small roof pillars. The Impala SS was new for 1961 and was in essence simply a trim package on the sport coupe and convertible, and the 409-ci, 409-hp "W-series" Turbo Thrust V8 was available, tearing up drag strips across the country and attaining immortality via the Beach Boys' hit single "409."

But the drag-strip glory of the SS would be short-lived, as tastes turned to smaller muscle cars such as the Plymouth Sport Fury, Dodge Polara, and Pontiac GTO by 1964. Still, the SS remained a respectable option for the performance-minded who needed (or preferred) a full-size ride.