Past Collection – 1973 Chevy Impala Fire Chief Car (White)

Fifth generation (1971–1976)

Main article: Chevrolet Impala (fifth generation)
Fifth generation

Production 1970–1976[17]
Model years 1971–1976
Assembly
Arlington, Texas
Oshawa, Ontario
Body style
2-door convertible
2-door Sport Coupe (hardtop)
2-door Custom Coupe (formal hardtop)
4-door hardtop
4-door sedan
4-door station wagon
Layout FR layout
Platform B-body
Engine
250 cu in (4.1 L) 250 Inline Six
350 cu in (5.7 L) Turbo Fire V8
400 cu in (6.6 L) Turbo Fire V8
402 cu in (6.6 L) Turbo-Jet 400 V8
454 cu in (7.4 L) Turbo-Jet V8

The Impala remained Chevrolet’s top-selling model with the fifth generation. A high-performance big block V8 was still available in the form of the Turbo-Jet 454, which produced 365 hp in 1971, but power decreased as the years went along. The 1971 redesigned B-body would be the largest car ever offered by Chevrolet. The hardtop Sport Coupe continued to be offered; it was a smoothly sloped semi-fastback reminiscent of the 1961 “bubbletop” styling. A three-speed manual transmission remained standard at the beginning of the year, but in the spring of 1971 all V8-equipped full-size GM cars got Turbo Hydra-Matic as standard equipment. Interestingly, Powerglide remained optionally available for six-cylinder cars until the 1973 models.
1973 Impala Custom Coupe
1973 Chevrolets featured a larger, shock-absorbing front bumper due to new federal mandates which required 5-mile-per-hour (8.0 km/h) impact protection. New taillights were mounted in the (still) conventional rear bumper. This was the first year of the Caprice Classic convertible. Tweaks to the suspension and frame gave better roadability, according to Chevrolet general manager John Z. DeLorean. Steering wheels and instrument panels were color-keyed to interior colors, as opposed to the matte black used in 1971–72. The inline six-cylinder engine was now offered on the Bel Air 4-door sedan only, and only with the 3-speed manual transmission.