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Car Of The Day: February 2, 2010; Revell '95 Chevrolet Impala SS
Topic Started: Feb 2 2010, 07:05 AM (973 Views)
Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
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Today's car of the day is Revell's 1995 Chevrolet Impala SS.

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Wikipedia
 
The Chevrolet Impala is a full-size automobile built by the Chevrolet division of General Motors. The Impala became the best-selling automobile in the United States when full-sized cars dominated sales. From 1958 until 1965,it was Chevrolet's most expensive full-size car. In 1965, reaching its sales peak, Chevrolet introduced the Caprice. The Impala was then positioned down one trim level but still above the more economical models the Bel Air and Biscayne. It remained the most popular full-size Chevrolet model through the mid-eighties. The Impala, named after the southern African antelope, is most readily distinguished by having three sets of tailights. It competed in the market against other full-size cars such as the Ford Galaxie 500 and the Plymouth Fury. The Impala nameplate is currently used since 2000, for the full size, front-wheel-drive Chevrolet. The Impala SS nameplate was introduced in 1961 and continued through 1969; was revived in 1994 through 1996, and revived again for the 2004-2009 model years.


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For more information and pictures of the real car please visit: Chevrolet Impala SS

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One of only two '91-'96 Caprice/Impalas with an opening hood in this scale (the other belongs to Racing Champions), this was a fairly popular choice in 1/64 scale with Maisto, Welly, Yat Ming, Johnny Lightning, and others making replicas. The real model's popularity with law enforcement agencies was not lost on any of these companies as every version (except for the Revell pictured here) was available as a police cruiser and most were also offered as taxis. As stated, the only exception to this was the Revell, which I am unaware of any police versions being done.

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In 1991, the GM B platform was extensively redesigned, though it retained the same shortened frame design of the 1977 redesign.

The Impala SS badge was resurrected at the 1992 Detroit Auto Show as a concept car designed by GM designer Jon Moss. The concept car was two inches lower to the ground than the regular Caprice, and was powered by a 8.2-liter (500 cu in) engine. Eventually, the concept car's engine was replaced with a 5.7-liter (350 cu in) engine derived from the Corvette in order to show the public what would be offered if put into production (an off-road specification 510-cubic-inch (8.4 L) V8 was eventually put into the engine bay of the prototype years later).

The 1994 Impala SS went into production 14 months later at GM's plant in Arlington, Texas, and was almost identical cosmetically to the concept car, the only noticeable change being the chromed bowtie logo on the grill (vs a red logo on the concept). The car was, in essence, a high-performance version of the Caprice. From a mechanical standpoint, it used the Caprice 9C1 police package as its base and as such got most of the equipment formerly available only to law enforcement and government agencies. This included a sport-tuned suspension with reinforced shocks and springs, a high-capacity upgraded reverse flow cooling system, larger and more powerful four-wheel disc brakes, transmission cooler, dual exhaust, a higher-output electrical system, and other minor mechanical alterations. Not all of the police equipment was carried over however, as the Impala SS did not get the external oil-to-air engine oil cooler, nor were all the body mounts secured (the standard Caprice and Impala SS were assembled at the factory with the front 3 body mounts missing one of the rubber cushions, while the 9C1 was assembled with all rubber cushions in place), although both are popular aftermarket additions to the Impala SS by their owners.

The Impala SS was uniquely fitted with a standard 3.08 gear. The limited-slip rear differential was standard (as opposed to the option G80 on Caprices) and suspension that was an inch lower. A retuned LT1 5.7-liter (350 cu in) small-block V8 was standard on the Impala SS, making 260 horsepower (190 kW) and 330 pound-feet (450 N·m) of torque (retuned from the prototype's 300 horsepower (220 kW) rating). The primary difference between the LT1 in the Impala and the LT1 that was in the Corvette and Camaro was that the Impala engine was fitted with cast-iron cylinder heads instead of aluminum ones, and a camshaft that was designed more for low-end torque than high-end horsepower. Another difference was that the Impala LT1 had 2 bolt main bearing caps while the Corvette LT1 had 4 bolt main bearing caps. The transmission used in the car was the 4L60E, which was itself an upgraded and revised version of the previous 4L60. However, the transmission was not beefed up for the power of the LT1, and transmission failures after 100,000 miles (160,000 km) were commonplace.[citation needed] A standard transmission was never available in the 1994-96 Impala SS. However there is a growing trend of replacing the 4L60-E transmission, with the T-56 (6 speed manual) from the Camaro and Firebird using aftermarket kits. Alternatively, a popular enhancement was the addition of a shift-kit and/or a more aggressive torque converter.

Several other cars in the B-body line also shared a similar powertrain: these were the Chevrolet Caprice, Buick Roadmaster, and the Cadillac Fleetwood which all shared the LT1 engine and 4L60E automatic transmission.

Cosmetically, the Impala SS received body-colored trim, which helped reduce the sometimes "bloated" look of the standard Caprice, a unique single-bar grille with no hood ornament and, a rear deck spoiler. It was fitted with 17-inch (430 mm) brushed aluminum wheels with 255/50ZR17 tires. Inside, the car came with a central console with cup holders (1994 and 1995 models) and a storage compartment, leather seats embroidered with the Impala SS logo, and a standard leather-wrapped steering wheel.

For the 1994 model year, it was available only in black with a grey interior. Due to a shortage of the unique 5-spoke aluminum wheels (manufactured by ROH in Australia), only 6,303 cars were sold. However, the wheel shortage was remedied for the 1995 model year and 21,434 cars were sold. In 1995, Dark Cherry Metallic and Dark Grey Green were added as exterior color options, and the body paneling on the rear quarter panel was altered to reflect the cosmetic effect formerly achieved by a window insert. Another change from 1994 was the placement of the side mirrors from pods attached to the door to a larger format attached to the 'A' pillar. 1996 was the last year of production with 41,941 units sold. The 1996 Impala SS production went late into the model year; the last one being produced on December 13, 1996. It saw minor interior alterations, with the digital speedometer being replaced by an analog one, along with a tachometer. The shifter was moved from the column to the center console, and the engine was given an OBD-II computer control system (the camshaft was reground to adjust for the new computer).

A special ceremony was held at the plant on December 13, 1996 for M.G. "Pinky" Randall, a Chevrolet collector from Houghton Lake, Mich., who bought the last Impala SS. When Randall drove the car with the dark cherry-metallic paint off the line, he was accompanied by County Judge Tom Vandergriff in the front passenger seat. In the back seat were Mayor Richard Greene, plant manager Herb Stone and Lonnie Morgan, president of United Auto Workers Local 276, which represents about 1,900 of the plant's 2,100 employees. "I didn't think this last car would get publicity like this," said Randall, 69. The Impala becomes the 46th vehicle in Randall's Chevrolet collection.

The entire B/D-body line, consisting of the Chevrolet Caprice, Impala SS, Buick Roadmaster and Cadillac Fleetwood, was discontinued by General Motors, as GM wanted more assembly lines to be able to produce more profitable SUVs. Another fact was that the Caprice was the only B-body with a market share since fleet sales to law enforcement outnumbered sales of all other B-bodies.


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craftymore
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Support your local demo derby.

Sweet car. I found this one at WM several years ago discounted down to $1 and bought it for the rims/tires for customs. It was too good of a price to not buy.
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STUTZ
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Diecast junkie
Nice casting Swifty!

The wheels and tires are also nice!
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James
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Mr.Bowtie
I suspect this one will get my vote this week
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Sak
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Ezekiel 25:17
I have this one in a greenish gold. I'd rather have it in teal!
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ivantt
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New casting? Quick! Take it apart!
I always thought this was one fine diecast, and I think I may have this one packed away somewhere---I know I have at least one Revell Impala like this.
Good choice, a breath of real fresh air after some really awkward castings these past two weeks.
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Tone
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Rocket 88
In addition to the car shown, I have some other Revell casts (1959 Impala, 1977 Monte Carlo) and, though pretty, they feel flimsier than similar toy model vehicles from other makers.

Jada made the Chevy as a cartoonish fire chief car.
Edited by Tone, Feb 2 2010, 10:24 PM.
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