1962 Chevrolet Biscayne, Bel Air, and Impala
 The 1962 Chevrolet Bel Air remained the mid-level full-size Chevy. |
Continuing their role as the posh Chevrolets, Impalas wore full-length upper bodyside moldings (with contrasting-color inserts), ribbed body sill moldings, stainless steel window reveal trim, and special rear-fender script. Each Impala model had its own distinctive roofline, including the slim-pillar four-door sedan. Sport coupes got convertible-like rear roof creases, while new inner fenders protected against rust.
Impala output totaled a whopping 704,900 cars, versus 365,000 slim-pillar Bel Air sedans and 160,000 Biscaynes, the latter minimally trimmed but promoted for its "beautiful simplicity."
This year, the big 409-cubic-inch V-8 could be installed in any full-size model, not just the Super Sport, developing either 380 or 409 horsepower. The 409-horsepower edition breathed through twin four-barrel carburetors, while its less-potent mate made do with a single carb. Both had solid lifters and dual exhausts, with 11.0:1 compression. All-out enthusiasts could even order lightweight aluminum front body panels.
The 348-cubic-inch engine was gone, replaced by a 327-cubic-inch option that delivered 250 or 300 horses. The 283-cubic-inch V-8 came in only one guise, at 170 horsepower, as the standard V-8 powerplant.
The Super Sport option was now a $156 trim package for the Impala Sport Coupe or convertible, available with any engine -- even the Hi-Thrift six-cylinder. That extra outlay bought front bucket seats of "leather-soft" vinyl with aluminum edging, a passenger assist bar, a console with locking compartment, aluminum molding inserts, and knock-off-style wheel covers. Hard drivers could add sintered-metallic brake linings, heavy-duty springs/shocks, 8x14 tires, and a tachometer.
 The 1962 Chevrolet Impala offered a Super Sport Trim Package. |
| Model | Weight range (lbs.) | Price range (new) | Number built |
| Biscayne | 3,400-3,845 | $2,324-$2,832 | 160,000 (approx.) |
| Bel Air | 3,405-3,895 | $2,456-$3,029 | 365,000 (approx.) |
| Impala | 3,450-3,925 | $2,662-$3,171 | 704,900 (approx.) |
For more picture-packed articles about Chevys and other great cars, see:
- Classic Cars: Learn about more than 400 of the world's finest classic and collectible automobiles.
- Muscle Cars: Look back at tire-smoking Chevys and scores of other machines from the golden age of American high performance.
- Sports Cars: Discover the pleasure of sports motoring at its purest in these captivating articles on the best sports cars from around the world.
- Consumer Guide Automotive: Here's your source for news, reviews, prices, fuel-economy and safety information on today's cars, minivans, SUVs, and pickups.
- Consumer Guide Used Car Search: In the market for a used Chevy or virtually any other pre-owned vehicle? Check out these reports, which include safety recalls and trouble spots.
- All Chevrolet Impalas: For even more information about the Chevy Impala, see these up-to-the-minute ratings, prices, specs, and more.
- How Chevrolet Works: Get the inside story of one of America’s greatest automotive marques in this lavishly illustrated history of Chevrolet, beginning with its founding in 1911.
