One of the biggest surprises of the 1990s was the reintroduction of the Chevrolet Impala, but in this rendition, it was only available as a four-door, Super Sport (SS) performance variant. Full-size performance, which faded away at the end of the sixties, was back! It also marked the return of Chevrolet’s best-known, though long ago discontinued, model, the Impala. Today’s find, located in Orange, California, is a 1995 edition that is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $3,756 with 57 bids tendered as of this publication.
Dropped at the end of the 1985 model year, Chevrolet’s erstwhile Impala, their darling of the ’60s and ’70s, was replaced by the similar, but more upscale Caprice. By the mid-90s, the Caprice was bestowed with new-found power in the form of the LT1 V8 engine. The Impala SS, reintroduced in 1994, jumped on that engine option, wrapped it in a blacked-out finish, applied heavy-duty suspension, unique tires and wheels, as well as other enhancements, and thus, the new Impala SS was born. In 1995, Black Cherry, such as our subject car, and Gray-Green were added to the SS’s color palette. The final year, 1996, saw the movement of the gear selector lever from the steering column to the center console. Production was brisk with a total of almost 70K units put together over three years, with 21K occurring in ’95.
Finished in Black Cherry, our subject car’s finish has faded, where it hasn’t peeled, to a discolored purple. But the body is straight and gives no indication of crash damage or other destructive mayhem, particularly, the soft bumper covers – looks like no parking by ear has occurred. The condition of the SS-unique alloy wheels is better than expected. They show some signs of visible surface corrosion but not to the extent that is often the case with alloys of this age.
As previously mentioned, the 260 net HP, 350 CI “LT1” V8 engine is what stirs the soul of this 4,000+ lb. bruiser. In this case, however, this 181K mile small block, “ONLY STARTS WITH EXTERNAL FLUID; FUEL PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED” according to the listing. What the motor may, or may not, need beyond that is open to question but anyway that you cut it, 181K miles is a lot of motoring action. Gear changing comes about courtesy of a four-speed automatic, overdrive transmission.
The biggest detraction to the interior is the bunching of the leather driver’s seat upholstery. The leather used was not the highest quality material that could have been employed, a GM hallmark, but, it has seen a lot of use too so what’s visible is expected. There is some left-foot carpet wear-through and faded plastic components, but I was expecting a much more worn environment. Good to see is the non-split dash pad. There is an after-market radio in place but it appears to be missing its faceplate control unit.
This Impala series has a devoted following. Go to any sizeable car show and you’ll see a cadre of SS owners grouped together showing off their various under-hood mods. This example has mostly cosmetic issues but that engine starting problem could be indicative of needs that go beyond a fuel pump. It’s a no-reserve auction with the current bid in reasonable territory and only two days to go. So, what do you think, worth taking a chance?
My brother had a twin to this one. Never could get past the look of the misaligned rear wheels in their wheelwells due to a manufacturing error.
It’s clearly evident on this cat as well…
I had never noticed that until you said it. Now it’ll bug me whenever I see one.
The LT1 is a good engine until it isn’t. Having changed the distributor on one of these I don’t wish it on anymore.
It isn’t a manufacturing error. The Caprice’s ‘91 restyle used the same frame and wheelbase as the previous car, but was designed with skirted fenders in mind. The wheel well above the rub strip wasn’t intended to be exposed, so when Chevrolet opened it up in ‘94, they found curve of the door interfered with a centered wheel well. They did the best they could and this is the result.
Thought I read something a while back stating an error with something locating those rear axles….
Let me see if I can find that.
TSB #53-34-03
Rear Wheel/ Tire Position in Wheel Well
94-95 Caprice/SS
CONDITION:
Some customers may comment that ONE rear wheel may appear more forward in the wheel well opening than wheel on opposite side of vehicle or that vehicle appears to dog track when viewed from the rear when operating.
CAUSE:
Rear lower control arm frame bracket holes pierced off location during frame manufacturing.
CORRECTION:
Elongate holes in rear axle control arm bracket per service procedure indicated below.”
It’s not a manufacturing error, they’re all like that – you need slightly longer rear control arms to perfectly center the rear wheels on the wheel openings. Those were available from several different aftermarket sources, including Metco.
And you didn’t even need a new driveshaft.
(I worked on these when they were new as a Chevy dealer tech in the mid 1990s and they were my speciality at my independent shop for a decade after that)
I almost bought one of these when they first came out. But, the kids’ car seats wouldn’t fit in the back seat. Bummer!
Lee I enjoyed one just like this for several years and could fit 3 car seats across the back! It was a great car in many ways despite some GM foibles. Many prefer the 96 but I was happy with the column shift and digital speedo.
My kids were little and I had to put the seats in backwards. Could you do this? (Or maybe if you were short you could put the front seat forward all the way)
I remember when SS actually meant something special and sporty.
GM & manufacturing errors…..go figure.
Although the other 2 of the big 3….aren’t so hot either.
But regardless we do luv our American heaps !
Gahh who messed up that engine compartment to bad? That’s not what it’s supposed to look like! Makes me wonder what other horrific “mods” the previous owner decided to bless this poor car with! Add to that the need for a full respray plus a questionable engine with 170,000+ miles, this cars gonna need A LOT of love. Too bad, in unmolested form these are some of my favorite cars, someday I hope to own a nice example. But I fear this old gal is gonna be $15,000 on top of the purchase price.
170K is not much. I have a ’96 with over 240K. It needs a new fuel pump and some emissions system repairs, then a tranny rebuild. It has the 4.6 V-8 with the LT1 top. Not a performance car, but holds its own well. Computer shuts it down at about 107 mph. The 9c1 and SS, are good for 150 or so. The SS will light up the back tires. If my health, and pocketbook, could handle it, I would be willing to buy it. I drove Chevy Express vans, where I last worked, that had over 500K, with 350’s, and running strong.
I looked at the engine bay again. The only thing I could see was a K&N air filter. Better airflow than the stock canister. Probably gave it better performance and mpg.
That ram air setup actually did something for the performance and made for better throttle response, because it relocates the MAF right next to the intake and the cold air scoop is actually sealed.
If i remember correctly GM quit making these because the plant where they were built was converted to making pickups
Close – the Arlington TX plant was converted from B/D body cars to Tahoe and Suburban production after the 1996 model year. This was when the full size SUV market was roaring and GM was making $10,000+ in profit per unit on the Tahoe/Suburban and selling every one they could build.
Nice cars. The Mercury version was a real sweetheart too. The Maurader. ⚫️
This car is a Caprice SS/Clone. And a poor one at that.
What makes you say that?
The chrome trim around Caprice tail lights for on is a dead give away, the lettering on the rear quarters isn’t correct. Front tag holder isn’t correct.
Nah, the black around the taillights fades out in the sun over the years, especially in the brutal sun of the Los Ángeles area, and from the rest of the paint, this car has seen a LOT of sun. The flimsy stock plastic front tag bracket doesn’t last long in the city, I’ve replaced dozens of them at the dealership back in the day when these were under warranty, let alone now that they’re approaching 30 years old.
And the stock rear quarter emblems are just stick on thin plastic, aftermarket ones were popular replacements over ten years ago after the originals were discontinued by GM.
What to look for is all the expensive body colored stuff that the clone cars don’t usually have – the body colored door handles, the body colored wheel opening moldings, the SS specific seats and door panels, etc.
And also the 9C1 features that aren’t on a real SS: the green silicone radiator and heater hoses, the certified speedometer and the blackout button for the lights. And real SS models don’t have some of the lower body mount – to-frame pucks unless they were added later by owners.
Among many other things.
I would have to see the driver side door sticker before I purchased this as a real SS.
The option code, or RPO code, should be “WX3” for a legit SS. It’s not in the VIN but should be on the option sticker.
JO