Impala SS
History
Second Generation
1994-1996
Introduction: To add some flash to its fullsize Caprice, Chevrolet brought back the
Impala SS in 1994, 25 years after the last one rolled off the assembly lines in 1969.
Sporting a high performance V8 and rear wheel drive, and wrapped in body work to match
its performance intentions, the Impala SS was truly a modern muscle car. Though it
only lasted three model years, it became an instant cult classic and a fitting
tribute to the great Impala's of the 1960s.
1994 Impala SS
Comments: The Impala SS debuted in 1994 as a high performance model based on the fullsize
Caprice platform. It was the first four door sedan to carry the fabled "Impala SS" name
(all previous SS models were coupes or convertibles), but Chevrolet made sure that it
lived up to its heritage. As such, it sported rear wheel drive, a xxx inch wheelbase, and a
commanding presence on the road. The Impala SS was only available in black and featured
a ody-colored grille, body-color front and rear fascias, rocker moldings, door handles and
key locks, taillamp moldings, body-colored raised Impala SS logos along the rear fenders,
a unique rear deck-lid spoiler, and Impala emblems on the sail panels and rear deck lid.
The interior featured a gray leather interior with deeply contoured front bucket seats and
black statin finish on the instrument panel and door trim panels. But the heart of a
muscle car is the engine, and Chevrolet didn't disappoint there. Replacing the Caprice's
rather weak 180 bhp V8 was a new Corvette-derived 5.7 liter LT1 V8 with Sequential Fuel
Injection, reclaibrated to deliver 260 bhp at 5,000 rpm and 330 lb-ft. of torque at 2,400 rpm.
The engine was hooked up to the standard GM electronically controlled 4L60-E four speed
automatic transmission with a 3.08:1 final-drive ratio and a limited slip differential.
Chevrolet also added a special ride and handling suspension derived from the Chevrolet
law enforcement package for its Caprices and threw in a quick-ratio power steering unit
(12.7:1 vs. the standard 15.3:1 ratio). Tuned front and rear stabilizer bars and de Carbon
gas-pressure shocks helped the Impala keep its composure in the twisties while massive
17" x 8.5" five-spoke cast-alloy wheels fitted with huge P255/50ZR17 tires kept the
Impala SS connected to the road. Standard four-wheel, 12" diameter ventilated disc brakes
and a 4-wheel anti-lock braking system brought the car to a stop if things got out of hand.
Production: About 6,000
Engines: 350 (5.7 liter) V8 260 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 330 lb-ft @ 2400 rpm.
Performance: 0-60 in 7.1 seconds, 1/4 mile in 15.4 seconds @ 91.1 mph.
1995 Impala SS
Comments: Changes were minor for 1995. Whereas the previous year had a small plastic insert
in the window just forward of the C-pillar, in 1995 this curve was stamped into the body
panels. Impalas could now be ordered in two more colors: Dark Cherry metallic (a dark
purple), and Dark Green-Gray Metallic. Also, the mirrors moved from being door mounted to
being mounted on the window frame and could now foldaway.
Production: 18,649 - Black: 7,134, Dark Cherry: 9,858, Gray Green: 4,442.
Engines: 350 (5.7 liter) V8 260 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 330 lb-ft @ 2400 rpm.
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Performance: 0-60 in 7.1 seconds, 1/4 mile in 15.4 seconds @ 91.1 mph.
1996 Impala SS
Comments: Changes were minor for 1996, the last year of the Impala SS. The shifter
was now mounted on the console and the dash sported an analog gauge cluster. The fuel
pressure and voltage gauges were dropped, but a tachometer and analog speedometer was
added. Production of the Impala SS actually lasted untill December 13, 1996 (well into
the 1997 model year), but all Impala SS's built were labeled as 1996 models.
Production: 41,941 - Black: 19,085, Dark Cherry: 12,180, Gray Green: 10,676.
Engines: 350 (5.7 liter) V8 260 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 330 lb-ft @ 2400 rpm.
Performance: 0-60 in 7.1 seconds, 1/4 mile in 15.4 seconds @ 91.1 mph.
