This book examines the evolution of the popular Chevrolet Impala from the late 1950s stylish `specialty' vehicle to become Chevrolet's best-selling, iconic model in North America. This volume focuses on specifications, rarer performance models, industry facts and figures and optional equipment, through detailed text, brochure and advertising images, and is copiously illustrated with many previously unpublished photographs. The important role played by the Impala for Chevrolet (and GM as a whole) is also examined, from its status as a top-of-the-line `specialty' model, through the broad range of body styles, to a mainstream, volume-production car. As the 1950s ended, the Chevrolet Impala evolved into a status symbol, and added more and more style, comfort and optional equipment to its ever-increasing model range. From its similar styling and tri-colour pastel paint finishes, the original Chevrolet Impala was the flashy, stylish sibling in the line-up, only to eventually return to a more conservative, high-volume, mainstream car. As well as the historical aspects of the car, a final chapter explores present-day custom Impalas and Resto Rods - from custom bodywork modifications to spectacular works of art.

About the Author
Canadian-born Norm Mort has had a lifelong interest in historic vehicles, and by the age of 10 was photographing old vehicles parked by the side of the road; by the age of 12 he was the youngest member on the executive of the Antique and Classic Car Club of Canada. After graduating from the University of Toronto, Norm became a teacher and librarian in the public school system. However, it was not long before his love of old cars and trucks led him to become a freelance automotive writer for magazines and newspapers in the field of transport, which he has now done for over 30 years. Norm has written over a dozen books about historic vehicles, and has become Canada's most prolific writer on old cars and trucks. Norm is also an animal lover, and has written books about travelling with pets (combining both of his passions) and about living with a pet menagerie. Norm lives in Canada with Scottish wife, Sandy, and a variety of pets. Their son Andrew has been the photographer for all of Norm's books.

Reviews
Year-by-year analysis of Chevolet's everyman dream machine. - Classic Cars. Recommended. If you are a Chevy fan, you will certainly enjoy this book. For me, seeing images of Impalas from the late 1950s and early 1960 brought back many memories. - The View Through The Windshield. It is nice and succinct, and there is a really interesting section at the end focusing on some incredible customised models. - Auto Express. The Chevrolet Impala was one of the most flamboyant of all American automobiles. This book charts their transformation into more toned-down and conservative machines, doing so more with period and modern imagery than in-depth words. While not detailed, there is a decent enough summary of Impala changes over the 12 years covered by this book, but the main reason to buy is for the quality and quantity of the pictures, especially the historic ones. - Classic Car Weekly. [Norm's] 96-page softcover should have a lot of appeal to fans of the 'bow-tie' during a classic period of US car manufacture. - Mark Holman (Freelance).



Book Information
ISBN 9781787113107
Author Norm Mort
Format Paperback
Page Count 96
Imprint Veloce
Publisher David & Charles