Is a 67 Chevy Impala a stick shift?
Yes — a 1967 Chevy Impala can be a stick shift if it was built with a manual transmission. Most cars that year were equipped with automatics, but a floor-mounted 3- or 4-speed manual was an optional configuration on certain engines and trims.
Transmission options in the 1967 Impala
To understand what a 1967 Impala could offer, it's useful to map the available transmissions across the line and recognize how to tell them apart on a car that’s decades old.
- Manual transmissions were offered as an option with several engine choices, including small-block and big-block V8s. The common manual setups were 3- or 4-speed units (typically early Muncie or similar family gearboxes) connected to high-performance or mid-range engines.
- Automatic transmissions were the default for most buyers. The era’s automatics included the two-speed Powerglide and the three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic, which many Impalas received, especially for comfort and ease of driving.
- Signs of a manual car include a clutch pedal on the far left and a floor-mounted shift lever (often with a console) rather than a simple column shifter.
In practice, the majority of 1967 Impalas on the road today are automatic, with manual-equipped cars being increasingly rare and often sought after by collectors for their drive feel and historical significance.
Notable variants and rarity
While most Impalas wore automatic transmissions, certain high-performance or premium packages could be ordered with a manual gearbox. The most documented manual setups appear on SS models with bigger engines and the era’s performance options.
Manual-equipped SS and big-block options
In the 1967 lineup, some SS cars with engines like the 396 or 427 could be ordered with a 4-speed manual. These cars are uncommon today but are widely prized by collectors who seek the classic “three pedals” driving experience.
How to verify if your Impala is manual
If you’re trying to confirm whether a specific 1967 Impala is a stick shift, use a practical checklist that can be applied by owners, buyers, and restorers alike.
- Check for a clutch pedal on the far left in the driver's footwell. A manual transmission will typically have three pedals: clutch, brake, and accelerator.
- Inspect the gear shifter. A floor-mounted lever (often with a direct, mechanical linkage) indicates a manual; many automatics use a column shifter or a floor shifter with a different pattern.
- Read the transmission code from the car’s VIN/build plate or build sheet, if available. GM codes can indicate M20/M21/M22-style manual or automatic options.
- Consult the original dealer window sticker, option sheet, or service manuals for confirmation of the transmission type with your specific VIN.
Given the car's age, a professional appraisal or restoration log can also confirm the transmission type and help distinguish a factory manual from a later swapped unit.
Summary
The 1967 Chevrolet Impala could be equipped with a manual transmission, but automatics dominated the lineup. If a 1967 Impala has a clutch pedal and a floor shifter, it’s a stick shift; otherwise, it’s likely an automatic. To be certain, check the car’s build sheet, VIN, or window sticker, and inspect the pedals and shifter in person.
