1971 Chevrolet Impala

- Rebuilt 350 V8
- Green over White
- Classic Cruiser

(Please note: If you happen to be viewing this 1971 Chevrolet Impala on a website other than our Garage Kept Motors site, it's possible that you've only seen some of our many photographs of the car due to third-party website limitations. To be sure you access all the more than 150 photographs, as well as a short start-up and walk-around video, please go to our main website: Garage Kept Motors.)

“1971 Chevrolet Impala: Detroit's regular models grow as attention focuses on small cars."

Car and Driver, October 1970

Car and Driver profiled the new 1971 Impalas: “The Impala is Detroit's leading car, without a doubt. And when its format is altered noticeably it is only as the end result of a thought process that might not be obvious and therefore, deserves attention.”

“That is why in the year 1971—when all of the automobile world is touting the new Vega as the leader of an inexorable small-car trend—the news of the bigger Impala strikes a sobering blow. This size increase is even more significant when you understand that Chevrolet does not indiscriminately adjust the dimensions of its bread-winner. For 1971, the Impala's wheelbase has been increased to 121.5 inches after a 12-year period at 119 inches. Overall length, on the other hand, has grown on a more-or-less-yearly basis and the 0.8-inch increment this year is typical of the annual rate for the last five years. The latest Impala is now a full foot-and-one-half longer and six inches wider than its counterpart of 15 years ago on a wheelbase that is greater by 6.5 inches. In fact, a Cadillac of that vintage was actually shorter than today's Impala by two full inches.”

Offered here is a 1971 Chevy Impala hardtop, nicely refreshed in metallic green under a white vinyl top, over a white-and-green interior. The car's odometer shows 121,462 miles, or fewer than 2,500 miles per-year since new. With its rebuilt V8, this Impala has plenty more cruising miles ahead.

The car's exterior metallic green paint—a choice not available back in the day—was professionally applied and retains very good gloss overall. Door jambs, and the undersides of the trunk lid and hood are properly painted. A custom detail: the car's grille is painted in the body color. The coupe-style body is free of damage; no dings or dents anywhere. Side protective trim is white and complements the white vinyl top. Chrome—on the bumpers, grille, side mirrors, dual-exhaust tips, door sills, headlight trim, cabin-glass trim, and door trim—is in very good condition overall with some light patina on some surfaces. Cabin glass—in particular, the beautifully curved rear glass—is clear and uncracked; lighting lenses are also clear. The look is custom without being over-the top. Cruising-style 5-spoke chrome aftermarket wheels are mounted with very-low-profile tires.

Inside, the tasteful custom look continues. Vertically pleated, white vinyl upholstery trimmed in dark-green piping covers the seats. Door trim incorporates the same white vinyl above lower dark-green panels. Dark-green carpeting covers the cabin (and trunk) floors. A wood Pilot® steering wheel frames the stock, horizontally laid-out instruments. Additional engine-monitoring gauges for electrical output, oil pressure, and coolant temperature have been mounted below the dash. The shift lever for the automatic transmission is column-mounted. Stock factory slide-lever controls for the HVAC and an added Bluetooth-capable Kenwood® audio head unit (replacing the factory radio) complete the dash. The lower dashboard is dark-green while the dash top is upholstered matching the seats.

Under the hood, the rebuilt 350-cubic-inch V8 with Edelbrock® chrome air-cleaner cover, chrome valve covers, and correct Chevrolet engine-block paint occupies a clean but not overly detailed engine bay. Viewed from below, the chassis is very clean, straight, and free of damage. The full-length dual-exhaust system with performance headers is a focal point. Light surface rust is present on some untreated metal.

While the more than 150 high-definition photographs and the short walk-around-and-startup video available on the GarageKeptMotors website showcase this '71 Impala in detail from every angle, including from below, we expect and encourage in-person inspections at our Grand Rapids, Michigan showroom. Please call to arrange an appointment in advance as our showroom is not open to the public. And feel free to get in touch anytime by phone or email if you have questions.

Very well-executed, lightly customized cruisers are an automotive delight. They telegraph their owner's sense of style even as they garner approval from admiring crowds. That's something for this green Impala's next owner to look forward to every time the car heads out on the streets.