What Impala is the fastest?
The fastest Impala in production history is the late-1960s Chevrolet Impala SS 427, notably the 1967 model and its 1968–69 successors, which paired a 427 cubic-inch big-block with performance-ready engineering.
This article surveys the fast Impalas across generations, explains why the 427-powered SS cars earned their speed reputation, and compares them with later Impalas to place the crown in historical context.
Fastest Impala in production history
Before listing the fast models, here's a quick note on what qualifies as "fast" — top speed, acceleration, and production status.
- 1967 Chevrolet Impala SS 427 — 427 cu in V8, typically around 425 hp, and roughly 460 lb-ft of torque; available with 4-speed manual or automatic, delivering strong straight‑line performance for its era.
- 1968 Chevrolet Impala SS 427 — similar big-block configuration with incremental refinements for handling and cooling, maintaining top-end speed in the 130–140 mph range.
- 1969 Chevrolet Impala SS 427 — final year of the first-gen 427 option; horsepower roughly in the same 425–430 hp range, widely recognized for its straight-line speed.
These variants collectively defined the speed benchmark for the Impala line during the late 1960s, combining power, torque, and drivetrain options in a full-size chassis.
What made the 427-powered Impalas so fast
To understand why these cars stand out, consider the central performance levers of the era. The SS 427’s big-block V8 delivered roughly 425 horsepower and around 460 lb-ft of torque, paired with configurable gearing and transaxle options that favored acceleration and top speed. The combination of substantial power with a relatively light, albeit full-size, platform created performance that stood out among peer cars of the period.
- High-displacement V8: 427 cu in with performance cam and exhaust for peak power.
- Aggressive gearing: options like shorter rear-end gears to maximize launch performance.
- Tuned suspension: handling packages and stiffer springs by era’s high-performance options.
Together, the above factors gave the Impala SS 427 its reputation as one of the fastest full-size production cars of its time.
Modern context: how the crown compares to later Impalas
Chevrolet’s line evolved away from large-block power in the Impala after the late 1960s, transitioning to smaller engines and, later, more modern suspension and drivetrain configurations. The 1994–1996 Impala SS, for example, used a tuned LT1 V8 delivering around 260–305 hp, which, while impressive for a late‑1990s sedan, did not approach the raw performance of the 427-powered classics. The modern Impala remained a refined, capable sedan but did not threaten the iconic speed record set by the 427-powered SS cars of the late 1960s.
Summary
In short, the fastest Impalas are the 1967–1969 SS 427 models, driven by the 427 cubic-inch big-block that produced roughly 425 horsepower. These cars are widely regarded as the peak of production Impala performance, with acceleration and top speed that topped their peers on the showroom floor. While later Impalas offered modern reliability and refined power, they did not match the era-defining speed of the 427-powered SS cars.
