The 1967 Chevrolet Impala was the best-selling car in America, built in roughly 575,600 examples across a body-style range that ran from a plain four-door sedan to a 385-horsepower SS 427 convertible. It was the second and final year of a body shell whose exaggerated “Coke-bottle” lines and Corvette-inspired fender bulges make it among the most admired full-size Chevrolets ever built. 1967 also brought a landmark set of federally mandated safety features, a dual-circuit brake master cylinder as standard, and front disc brakes on the options list for the first time. This is an overview of the whole 1967 Impala line – every body style, every engine, and where each one sits today.
Table of Contents
- Overview and History
- The Full-Size Ladder
- All Six Body Styles
- Styling and Identification
- Engine Lineup
- The Impala SS and SS 427
- Transmissions and Drivetrain
- Chassis, Suspension, and Brakes
- The 1967 Safety Requirements
- Interior and Equipment
- Production and Market
- Which 1967 Impala to Choose
- Key Features Summary
- Full Specifications Table
Overview and History
By 1967 the Impala had been Chevrolet’s full-size flagship for nearly a decade and was carrying the division commercially. The full-size Chevrolet had been comprehensively re-engineered for 1965, when the old X-frame gave way to a full-width perimeter frame with all-coil suspension, and 1967 was the second and final year of that particular body shell before another restyle arrived for 1969.
The 1967 model year matters for reasons beyond styling. It was the first year of a number of federally mandated safety features, the first year a dual-circuit brake master cylinder was standard, and the first year front disc brakes appeared on the full-size Chevrolet options list.
The Impala remained the best-selling car in the United States, with roughly 575,600 examples built across all body styles. The overwhelming majority left the factory with V8 power; only around 18,800 kept the base six-cylinder engine.
The Full-Size Ladder
Chevrolet’s 1967 full-size line ran across four rungs, from bottom to top:
- Biscayne – the plain fleet and budget model
- Bel Air – a modest step up
- Impala – the high-volume near-luxury model
- Caprice – the top-trim flagship, itself spun off from an Impala option only two years earlier
The Caprice relationship is worth understanding. It had been introduced for 1965 as a top-line Impala Sport Sedan and became a separate series above the Impala in 1966. So by 1967 the Impala was no longer the absolute top of the range – but it remained the car the division was built around, and the one with by far the widest body-style and engine spread.
All Six Body Styles
The 1967 Impala offered the fullest range in the full-size line:
- 4-Door Sedan – the pillared car, with a fixed B-pillar and framed door glass. The least expensive Impala at $2,720 and the practical volume seller.
- 4-Door Sport Sedan – the pillarless four-door hardtop at $2,790. No fixed B-pillar, frameless glass, and with all four windows down the entire side of the car opens up.
- 2-Door Sport Coupe – the pillarless two-door hardtop at $2,740, with the semi-fastback roofline that defines the generation’s sporting image.
- 2-Door Convertible – $2,990 with the six, $3,097 with the base V8.
- Station Wagon – available in six- and nine-passenger configurations.
- Impala SS – the Super Sport, on the Sport Coupe and convertible bodies.
The two four-door bodies are frequently confused, and the distinction matters for value: the pillared Sedan is body style 69 (16369 for the six, 16469 for the V8) and the pillarless Sport Sedan is body style 39 (16339 and 16439). Both are covered in depth in their own articles on this site.
Styling and Identification
The 1967 restyle took the clean 1965–66 shape and pushed its “Coke-bottle” theme considerably further, adding pronounced bulges over the front and rear wheel arches inspired by the Corvette and giving the car a muscular, hip-heavy stance. A pinch line ran along the top of the front and rear fenders, and the grille was extended to wrap around the leading edges of the front fenders.
The Impala was distinguished from the cheaper Bel Air and Biscayne by generous brightwork: bright lower body-side mouldings, roof drip-cap and reveal mouldings on the hardtops, bright side-window accents on the sedans and wagons, a silver deck-lid centre-panel accent with a Chevrolet emblem, and black-accented taillight surrounds. Full wheel covers were standard.
The traditional Impala identifier – six taillights, three per side, against four on lesser models – continued to mark the series out at a glance.
Engine Lineup
One of the defining features of the full-size Chevrolet in this era was the sheer breadth of the engine list. Any body style could take any engine:
- 250 cu in Turbo-Thrift six – the standard engine, an overhead-valve inline-six with a single-barrel carburetor producing 155 hp at 4,200 rpm and 235 lb-ft at a low 1,600 rpm
- 283 cu in Turbo-Fire V8 – the base V8 and by far the most common Impala engine, a two-barrel small-block rated at 195 hp
- 327 cu in Turbo-Fire V8 (L30) – the step-up small-block with a four-barrel and 275 hp. 1967 was the first year the three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic could be paired with it.
- 396 cu in Turbo-Jet V8 (L35) – the entry big-block, a Mark IV with a four-barrel and 325 hp
- 427 cu in Turbo-Jet V8 (L36) – the top regular-production engine at 385 hp and 460 lb-ft at 3,400 rpm
- 427 cu in Turbo-Jet V8 (L72) – a very rare, late-availability 425 hp version believed to have gone into only around eleven cars
In practice the vast majority of Impalas left the factory with the 283 or the 327. A big-block car is genuinely uncommon in any body style, and in a four-door it is rare indeed.
The Impala SS and SS 427
The Super Sport sat at the sporting end of the Impala range, available on the Sport Coupe and convertible bodies with bucket seats, a console, and specific trim and badging.
76,055 Impala Super Sports were built for 1967 across both bodies – a substantial number, reflecting how established the SS formula had become since its 1961 debut.
Above it sat the SS-427, RPO Z24, which paired the Super Sport with the 385 hp L36 427 and brought front disc brakes as standard equipment along with heavy-duty chassis components. Only 2,124 were built, making a genuine SS-427 one of the scarcer full-size Chevrolets of the decade.
Across the whole full-size line, 29,937 convertibles were built in 1967, including 9,545 SS convertibles – figures that put the relative rarity of open-topped cars into perspective.
Transmissions and Drivetrain
The standard transmission across the range was a column-shifted three-speed manual with full synchromesh. From there:
- Two-speed Powerglide automatic – offered with the six-cylinder and the base 283 V8
- Three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic (M40) – the superior automatic, available with the 327, 396, and 427, and newly extended to the 275 hp 327 for 1967
- Four-speed manual (M20) – offered with the V8 engines, and the natural choice on a performance-oriented SS
- Overdrive – optional on the base six and base 283
For most Impalas the common combination was the base or 327 V8 with an automatic, which defines the car’s character: relaxed, torque-rich, and built for effortless cruising. Positraction limited-slip was available throughout.
Chassis, Suspension, and Brakes
The 1967 Impala used the full-perimeter frame introduced for 1965, a substantial improvement over the older X-frame in both rigidity and crash protection. The wheelbase was 119 inches, with an overall length of roughly 213 inches and a width around 79.9 inches.
Suspension was independent at the front with coil springs and control arms, with a coil-sprung live axle located by trailing arms at the rear. The tuning was unapologetically soft, prioritizing the smooth, isolated ride full-size American buyers expected. Optional heavy-duty suspension with front and rear sway bars was available for flatter cornering and is worth seeking on a driver.
Brakes marked a meaningful step forward. The dual-circuit master cylinder became standard, and front disc brakes were available as an option for the first time – standard on the SS-427. Disc-brake cars used 15-inch wheels rather than the standard 14-inch, with 8.15 × 15 tyres against the standard 8.25 × 14.
The 1967 Safety Requirements
1967 was a landmark year for automotive safety, and the Impala reflects it. Standard equipment now included:
- A fully collapsible, energy-absorbing steering column
- Side marker lights
- A dual-circuit brake master cylinder
- Shoulder belts for closed body styles
These were among the first generation of mandated safety systems that would become universal, and they make a 1967 a marginally safer classic to drive than its 1965–66 predecessors – a small but genuine practical consideration.
Interior and Equipment
Inside, the Impala was pitched a clear step above the workaday Biscayne and Bel Air. Standard equipment included upgraded door panels with carpeting on the lower section, an electric clock, a cigarette lighter, armrests with built-in ashtrays, a lockable glovebox, and colour-keyed floor carpeting. Cloth-and-vinyl upholstery was standard on most closed models, with all-vinyl optional – and, new for 1967, offered in a range of colours rather than only black.
New options for 1967 included a stereo 8-track tape player, a fibre-optic exterior light monitoring system, and vacuum-operated power door locks – features that signalled how far the full-size Chevrolet had moved toward genuine near-luxury.
Production and Market
Chevrolet built approximately 575,600 Impalas for 1967. The company did not publish consistently reliable body-style-by-body-style breakdowns for the base Impala series, so figures circulating for individual four-door or two-door totals should be treated with caution. What is well documented:
- Total Impala production: approximately 575,600
- Six-cylinder Impalas (all styles): roughly 18,800
- Impala Super Sport (all SS): 76,055
- Impala SS-427 (RPO Z24): 2,124
- Full-size Chevrolet convertibles: 29,937, including 9,545 SS convertibles
Which 1967 Impala to Choose
Because the range is so broad, it helps to set out what each version offers a buyer today.
4-Door Sedan. The most affordable entry into the generation, with the same styling and ride as any other Impala plus a stiffer, quieter body thanks to its fixed B-pillar. The value pick.
4-Door Sport Sedan. The pillarless hardtop, a clear step up in style for a modest premium over the Sedan and still far cheaper than a two-door. The best balance of looks and value in the range.
2-Door Sport Coupe. The body most associated with the generation’s image, with the semi-fastback roofline. Significantly more expensive than either four-door.
Convertible. Scarce at under 30,000 across the entire full-size line, and priced accordingly.
Impala SS. Bucket seats, console, and SS trim on the Sport Coupe or convertible – a clear premium over a standard car.
SS-427. The one to have if budget allows: 385 horsepower, standard front discs, heavy-duty chassis, and only 2,124 built. Verification is essential, since badging is readily available.
Across all of them, the 327 V8 with the Turbo Hydra-Matic is the sensible drivetrain for everyday use – smooth, torque-rich, and better suited to modern traffic than the two-speed Powerglide. And on any car intended to be driven regularly, factory front disc brakes and power steering are both well worth seeking.
Key Features Summary
- Status: Best-selling car in the United States for 1967
- Platform: GM B-body, 119-inch wheelbase, full-perimeter frame
- Body Year: Second and final year of the 1965-introduced shell
- Body Styles: 4-dr Sedan (style 69), 4-dr Sport Sedan hardtop (style 39), 2-dr Sport Coupe, convertible, station wagon, plus SS versions
- Range Position: Above Biscayne and Bel Air; below Caprice
- Identifier: Six taillights, three per side
- Standard Engine: 250 cu in six, 155 hp
- Most Common: 283 cu in V8, 195 hp
- Top Regular Engine: 427 L36, 385 hp; very rare L72 at 425 hp in approx. 11 cars
- SS Production: 76,055; SS-427: 2,124
- Safety Firsts: Dual-circuit master cylinder standard; collapsible steering column; side markers; shoulder belts
- Brakes: Front discs optional for the first time; standard on SS-427
- New Options: Stereo 8-track, fibre-optic light monitoring, vacuum power door locks
- Production: approx. 575,600, of which roughly 18,800 were six-cylinder
The 1967 Chevrolet Impala Specs
| BODY AND RANGE | |
| Manufacturer | Chevrolet (General Motors) |
| Body Maker | Fisher |
| Class | Full-size |
| Platform | GM B-body |
| Chassis | Full-perimeter frame, separate body |
| Body Shell | Second and final year of the design introduced for 1965 |
| Range Hierarchy | Biscayne → Bel Air → Impala → Caprice |
| Caprice History | Introduced 1965 as a top-line Impala Sport Sedan; separate series from 1966 |
| Series Numbers | 163 (6-cyl) / 164 (V8) |
| BODY STYLES AND PRICES (with six-cylinder) | |
| 4-Door Sedan (style 69) | $2,720 – pillared, framed glass |
| 4-Door Sport Sedan (style 39) | $2,790 – pillarless hardtop |
| 2-Door Sport Coupe | $2,740 – pillarless hardtop, semi-fastback roof |
| Convertible | $2,990 (six) / $3,097 (V8) |
| Station Wagon | 6- and 9-passenger |
| Base V8 Premium | approx. +$105 |
| Body Style Codes | 16369/16469 (Sedan); 16339/16439 (Sport Sedan) |
| DIMENSIONS | |
| Wheelbase | 119.0 inches (3,023 mm) |
| Overall Length | approx. 213.2 inches (5,415 mm) |
| Overall Width | approx. 79.9 inches (2,029 mm) |
| Front Track | 62.5 inches |
| Rear Track | 62.4 inches |
| Curb Weight | approx. 3,500–3,700 lbs depending on specification |
| ENGINE – STANDARD (250 Turbo-Thrift Six) | |
| Engine Type | OHV inline-6 |
| Displacement | 250 cu in (4,097 cc) |
| Horsepower | 155 hp @ 4,200 RPM |
| Torque | 235 lb·ft @ 1,600 RPM |
| Carburetor | Rochester 1-barrel |
| ENGINE – BASE V8 (283 Turbo-Fire) | |
| Displacement | 283 cu in (4,638 cc) |
| Horsepower | 195 hp @ 4,800 RPM |
| Carburetor | Rochester 2-barrel |
| Compression Ratio | 9.25:1 |
| OPTIONAL ENGINES | |
| 327 Turbo-Fire V8 (L30) | 275 hp @ 4,800 RPM, 4-barrel, 10.0:1 |
| 396 Turbo-Jet V8 (L35) | 325 hp, big-block, 4-barrel, 10.25:1 |
| 427 Turbo-Jet V8 (L36) | 385 hp, 460 lb·ft @ 3,400 RPM, 10.25:1 |
| 427 Turbo-Jet V8 (L72) | 425 hp – very rare, approx. 11 full-size cars |
| TRANSMISSION | |
| Standard | 3-speed manual, column shift, full synchromesh |
| Powerglide | 2-speed automatic – six and base 283 |
| Turbo Hydra-Matic (M40) | 3-speed automatic – 327, 396, 427 (new to the 275 hp 327 for 1967) |
| 4-Speed Manual (M20) | Optional with V8 engines |
| Overdrive | Optional on base six and base 283 |
| Limited Slip | Positraction optional |
| SUSPENSION, STEERING, BRAKES | |
| Front Suspension | Independent, coil springs, control arms |
| Rear Suspension | Live axle, trailing arms, coil springs |
| Optional Suspension | Heavy-duty with front and rear sway bars |
| Steering | Recirculating ball; power assist optional |
| Master Cylinder | Dual-circuit – standard for 1967 |
| Standard Brakes | Drums front and rear |
| Front Disc Brakes | Optional (new for 1967); standard on SS-427 |
| Standard Tyres | 8.25 × 14 |
| Disc-Brake Tyres / Wheels | 8.15 × 15 |
| SUPER SPORT | |
| Bodies Available | 2-door Sport Coupe; convertible |
| Content | Bucket seats, console, SS trim and badging |
| Production (all SS) | 76,055 |
| SS-427 Option Code | RPO Z24 |
| SS-427 Engine | L36 427, 385 hp |
| SS-427 Brakes | Front discs standard |
| SS-427 Production | 2,124 |
| SAFETY (new/standard for 1967) | |
| Steering Column | Collapsible, energy-absorbing |
| Brakes | Dual-circuit master cylinder |
| Lighting | Side marker lights |
| Restraints | Shoulder belts (closed body styles) |
| VIN / IDENTIFICATION | |
| VIN Example | 164397T115167 |
| Digit 1 | Chevrolet Division |
| Digits 2–3 | Series (63 = six, 64 = V8) |
| Digits 4–5 | Body style (39, 69, 47, 67) |
| Digit 6 | Model year (7 = 1967) |
| Digit 7 | Assembly plant (e.g. T = Tarrytown NY) |
| Cowl Tag | Firewall – body style, paint, trim, build date |
| PRODUCTION (1967) | |
| Total Impala | approx. 575,600 |
| Six-Cylinder Impalas | approx. 18,800 |
| Impala Super Sport | 76,055 |
| Impala SS-427 | 2,124 |
| Full-Size Convertibles | 29,937 (incl. 9,545 SS) |
| Breakdown Note | Chevrolet did not publish reliable body-style splits for the base Impala series |
| EXTERIOR COLOURS (1967, with codes) | |
| AA Tuxedo Black, CC Ermine White, DD Nantucket Blue, EE Deepwater Blue, FF Marina Blue, GG Granada Gold, HH Mountain Green, KK Emerald Turquoise, LL Tahoe Turquoise, MM Royal Plum, NN Madeira Maroon, RR Bolero Red, SS Sierra Fawn, TT Capri Cream, YY Butternut Yellow – 15 single tones plus seven two-tone combinations | |
| OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT (SELECTED) | |
| Front Disc Brakes | Opt. – new for 1967 |
| Power Steering / Power Brakes | Opt. |
| Turbo Hydra-Matic Automatic | Opt. (327/396/427) |
| Positraction Rear Axle | Opt. |
| Heavy-Duty Suspension with Sway Bars | Opt. |
| Air Conditioning | Opt. |
| All-Vinyl Interior | Opt. – now in multiple colours |
| Stereo 8-Track Tape Player | Opt. – new for 1967 |
| Fibre-Optic Light Monitoring | Opt. – new for 1967 |
| Vacuum Power Door Locks | Opt. – new for 1967 |
| Power Windows / Tilt Wheel / AM-FM Radio | Opt. |
| Vinyl Roof | Opt. |
1967 Chevrolet Impala – Frequently Asked Questions
What body styles did the 1967 Impala come in?
Six. A pillared 4-door Sedan (style 69), a pillarless 4-door Sport Sedan hardtop (style 39), a pillarless 2-door Sport Coupe, a convertible, a station wagon in six- and nine-passenger form, and the Impala SS on the Sport Coupe and convertible bodies. The two four-doors are frequently confused – the Sedan has a fixed B-pillar and framed glass, the Sport Sedan has neither.
Was the Impala still the top Chevrolet in 1967?
No, though it remained the most important. The Caprice had been introduced for 1965 as a top-line Impala Sport Sedan and became a separate series above the Impala in 1966. So by 1967 the ladder ran Biscayne, Bel Air, Impala, Caprice. The Impala nonetheless remained the volume car and had by far the widest body-style and engine range.
How much horsepower does a 1967 Impala have?
It depends entirely on the engine. The standard 250 six made 155 hp; the base 283 V8 made 195 hp; the popular 327 made 275 hp. Big-blocks ran to the 396 at 325 hp and the 427 L36 at 385 hp, with a very rare late-availability L72 427 at 425 hp believed to have gone into only around eleven full-size cars. The body style did not limit the engine choice.
What is the Impala SS-427?
RPO Z24, which paired the Super Sport with the 385 hp L36 427 and added front disc brakes as standard along with heavy-duty chassis components. Only 2,124 were built, against 76,055 Impala Super Sports overall, making a genuine SS-427 one of the scarcer full-size Chevrolets of the decade. Badging is readily available, so verification matters.
How many 1967 Impalas were built?
Approximately 575,600, making it the best-selling car in the United States that year. Only around 18,800 kept the base six-cylinder engine. Chevrolet did not publish consistently reliable body-style-by-body-style breakdowns for the base Impala series, so figures quoted for individual body totals should be treated with caution.
What made 1967 significant for safety?
It was the first year of a number of federally mandated safety features. Standard equipment now included a fully collapsible, energy-absorbing steering column, side marker lights, a dual-circuit brake master cylinder, and shoulder belts on closed body styles. It was also the first year front disc brakes appeared on the full-size Chevrolet options list.
How do I tell an Impala from a Bel Air or Biscayne?
Count the taillights. The Impala uses six – three per side – where the cheaper models use four. The Impala also carries noticeably more brightwork: bright lower body-side mouldings, bright side-window accents, a silver deck-lid centre-panel accent with a Chevrolet emblem, black-accented taillight surrounds, and full wheel covers as standard.
Which 1967 Impala is the best buy?
For value, the 4-door Sedan; for the best balance of looks and price, the 4-door Sport Sedan hardtop. Two-door Sport Coupes and convertibles cost considerably more, and an SS-427 sits at the top. Whichever body you choose, the 327 V8 with the Turbo Hydra-Matic is the sensible drivetrain for modern use, and factory front disc brakes and power steering are both well worth seeking on a car you intend to drive.
