For Gearheads Only…

Here are the first few pages of the 1996 Chevrolet Impala SS sales brochure…and the window sticker from the SS I owned and loved. As always, click the pics for the larger versions (which are larger than is my usual practice, but only to keep the text readable).

I’ve only owned 18 cars in my entire life, being a “buy and hold” kinda guy when it comes to cars…particularly if I like the things. (A case-in-point: The Green Hornet and I celebrated our seventh anniversary together this past October. Some actual marriages between human beans don't last that long.) And even if I didn’t like a car all that much I usually wound up keeping it, at least until it was paid off and I could rationalize— really rationalize — buying something new. The SS is one of only five cars I wish I still owned, and it’s in my “Top Three” favorite cars of all time. I’d probably still own the thing if I had maintained a conventional life instead of opting to run all around the country for a few years in a motor home. And then stay in the danged thing… but I digress, yet again.

The Impala SS is what used to be called a “Gentleman’s Express,” which is to say a hot rod for adults (as opposed to, say, a pony car or a rice-rocket). She was BIG, weighing just over two tons (!), comfortable, and fast… as in “set the cruise control on 95 mph and haul-ass” fast. I actually did this on Highway 401 between Toronto and Windsor on numerous occasions, back in the day when I commuted between Rochester, NY and Detroit. You really could drive that fast on “The 401,” and faster. There were times when I was batting along at 95 mph and got passed. Swear-to-God. Anyhoo… I don’t believe I’ve ever owned another car that was better on the open (American) road. I’ve owned a couple that were equal, but none better.

Here’s a professional take on the ’96 Impala SS, and here’s what The Wiki has to say about her.

Dang. I miss that car!