The Top 20 shrank to the Top 14 for 1962 (the Biscayne Utility Sedan, Biscayne Fleetmasters, Bel Air Sport Sedan, Impala 2-door sedan and Brookwood nine-passenger station wagon were all dropped)...of course, with the Corvette, it was still the Top 15!
Plus 9 Chevy IIs - 100 and 200 2- and 4 door sedans and wagon, Nova 4-door sedan and wagon, Sport Coupe and convertible. Not counting the Corvair both years.
@@nlpnt True, but the film strip was focusing on the full-size Chevies and the Corvette. The Corvairs merited their own film strip for 1961 (and the Chevy II was new for 1962)
With the introduction of the less expensive 1962 Chevy II, there was no longer a need for the ultra utilitarian full-size Chevrolets. Later in 1964, the Chevelle introduction led to the gradual decline in sales over time of the Biscayne.
@@SpockvsMcCoy Yeah, the base-trim full size cars became more and more fleet cars and eventually turned into special fleet-only police and taxi packages.
The 1961 Impalas are some of the most classically beautiful Chevrolets of all time! Air Conditioning was a rare option... as were both a power front seat and power windows.
I like the 61s much better than the 62 - 64 Chevys - those look too "generic GM", just like the 49 - 52 and 55 - 56 Pontiacs. Of course, compared to today's Japanoid tin cans, all those "generic GM" cars are gorgeous.
@@jamesbosworth4191 I'm biased in favor of the 1961 models because my parents and grandparents had them when I was very young. The 1962 Impala would be my second choice after the 1961. A neighbor of our family drove a 1964 Impala Sport Coupe much longer which I really liked...so that would be my third choice. My last choice would be the 1963 Impala whose redesign never appealed to me as much. However, if I was a new car buyer at that time... then the Catalina is what I would have chosen because it was a lot more car than the Impala for only a little more money.
The '61 Chevy had the job of "finishing out" the branching-out horizonal back end styling starting with the '58 then (of course) reaching its peak with the '59, receding with the '60, then the '61 having basically a 'ridge' that started in the center (a little like the '59) but cleverly wrapped around to the sides. It even retained the white jet-trail seen on most model years since 1953. The '62-'64 models that followed had no traces of the 50's left thanks to the '61. The Corvette previewed the coming Stingray model in '63, from the back end and rear quarter panels.
Yes, the 1962 Impala (and the Bel Air and Biscayne) were more muted than their 1961 models. The curved A-pillar and instrument panel remained the same. However, the optional wheel covers, Impala side trim, narrower white sidewall tires, thicker C-pillar (on post sedans and the Impala Sport Coupe), and larger bumpers were changed. The theory is that the 1961 Lincoln Continental influenced General Motors to abandon their previous "spaceship" styling cues.
I already knew that the side trim of the 1961 Impala was painted in either Black or White. However, I did not know that it could be painted in the same color as the roof if the car had two tone paint.
@@SpockvsMcCoy The Lincoln definitely had a strong influence on the '63 Oldsmobiles and Pontiacs, especially the Grand Prix. I think the 'spaceship' styling cues were waning anyway. The '61 paved the way for the '62 which (to my eye) peaked with the '63 Impala. The '64 was beautiful too, but more conservative. Interestingly enough, the back end of the '62 and '64 Impalas had a similarity that the '62 and '64 Ford Galaxies also did.
@@bobpierce115 The full-size cars from General Motors introduced in 1965 were a design triumph from Bill Mitchell, and unique compared to the automotive industry. They featured pronounced curved side glass, integrated bumpers, and "Coke bottle" contours on some models. At the same time, both Ford and Chrysler emphasized arrow straight line body design, which Ford quickly modified for more rounded contours on their 1966 cars.
I dragged a 63 Impala out of the bush 25 years ago. After tearing it apart, I gave up and sold it. Part of me regrets it, but another part is relieved I didn't cruise around in that death trap. Especially with how scary the roads are these days.
"...morale-lifting driving pleasure at a moderate price." This kind of sales lingo was deliberately copied from the fashion industry. Stylists in those days literally ran the American car companies.
![[Dealer Film] The 1961 Chevy is the LEADER? Vs Dodge/Plymouth/Ford...](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EKiDvUF_5cI/mqdefault.jpg)
![[Dealer Film] The 1961 Chevy is the LEADER? Vs Dodge/Plymouth/Ford...](/img/tr.png)
![[Dealer Film] The 1968 Full Size Fords... A great car? No respect?](/img/1.gif)
My dad had a new '61 Biscayne - it is the first car I recall riding in. Thanks for the memories!
The Top 20 shrank to the Top 14 for 1962 (the Biscayne Utility Sedan, Biscayne Fleetmasters, Bel Air Sport Sedan, Impala 2-door sedan and Brookwood nine-passenger station wagon were all dropped)...of course, with the Corvette, it was still the Top 15!
Plus 9 Chevy IIs - 100 and 200 2- and 4 door sedans and wagon, Nova 4-door sedan and wagon, Sport Coupe and convertible. Not counting the Corvair both years.
@@nlpnt True, but the film strip was focusing on the full-size Chevies and the Corvette. The Corvairs merited their own film strip for 1961 (and the Chevy II was new for 1962)
With the introduction of the less expensive 1962 Chevy II, there was no longer a need for the ultra utilitarian full-size Chevrolets. Later in 1964, the Chevelle introduction led to the gradual decline in sales over time of the Biscayne.
@@SpockvsMcCoy Yeah, the base-trim full size cars became more and more fleet cars and eventually turned into special fleet-only police and taxi packages.
And that was a big mistake on Chevy's part.
The 1961 Impalas are some of the most classically beautiful Chevrolets of all time! Air Conditioning was a rare option... as were both a power front seat and power windows.
I like the 61s much better than the 62 - 64 Chevys - those look too "generic GM", just like the 49 - 52 and 55 - 56 Pontiacs. Of course, compared to today's Japanoid tin cans, all those "generic GM" cars are gorgeous.
@@jamesbosworth4191 I'm biased in favor of the 1961 models because my parents and grandparents had them when I was very young. The 1962 Impala would be my second choice after the 1961. A neighbor of our family drove a 1964 Impala Sport Coupe much longer which I really liked...so that would be my third choice. My last choice would be the 1963 Impala whose redesign never appealed to me as much. However, if I was a new car buyer at that time... then the Catalina is what I would have chosen because it was a lot more car than the Impala for only a little more money.
The '61 Chevy had the job of "finishing out" the branching-out horizonal back end styling starting with the '58 then (of course) reaching its peak with the '59, receding with the '60, then the '61 having basically a 'ridge' that started in the center (a little like the '59) but cleverly wrapped around to the sides. It even retained the white jet-trail seen on most model years since 1953. The '62-'64 models that followed had no traces of the 50's left thanks to the '61. The Corvette previewed the coming Stingray model in '63, from the back end and rear quarter panels.
Yes, the 1962 Impala (and the Bel Air and Biscayne) were more muted than their 1961 models. The curved A-pillar and instrument panel remained the same. However, the optional wheel covers, Impala side trim, narrower white sidewall tires, thicker C-pillar (on post sedans and the Impala Sport Coupe), and larger bumpers were changed. The theory is that the 1961 Lincoln Continental influenced General Motors to abandon their previous "spaceship" styling cues.
I already knew that the side trim of the 1961 Impala was painted in either Black or White. However, I did not know that it could be painted in the same color as the roof if the car had two tone paint.
@@SpockvsMcCoy The Lincoln definitely had a strong influence on the '63 Oldsmobiles and Pontiacs, especially the Grand Prix. I think the 'spaceship' styling cues were waning anyway. The '61 paved the way for the '62 which (to my eye) peaked with the '63 Impala. The '64 was beautiful too, but more conservative. Interestingly enough, the back end of the '62 and '64 Impalas had a similarity that the '62 and '64 Ford Galaxies also did.
@@bobpierce115 The full-size cars from General Motors introduced in 1965 were a design triumph from Bill Mitchell, and unique compared to the automotive industry. They featured pronounced curved side glass, integrated bumpers, and "Coke bottle" contours on some models. At the same time, both Ford and Chrysler emphasized arrow straight line body design, which Ford quickly modified for more rounded contours on their 1966 cars.
In 1978 I almost had a Green 1961 Bel Air, 4 door sedan. But it was not meant to be.
I dragged a 63 Impala out of the bush 25 years ago. After tearing it apart, I gave up and sold it. Part of me regrets it, but another part is relieved I didn't cruise around in that death trap. Especially with how scary the roads are these days.
Sometimes you have to cut bait... :) sometimes its just better to buy a runner if you can... I really enjoy restoring classics though.
Wow. I bet no other company sold a car in 1961
The marketing of GM cars was focused on style. Nothing was said about brakes and safety features of the cars.
Always thought the 59-60 rear trim with the butterfly-gull wing shape was ghastly
Could have bought a 61 convertible from the neighbours for $50. I guess i should have. Wasn't even rusty.
Absolutely... we all have stories of should have :) and could have :) who knew? :)
"...morale-lifting driving pleasure at a moderate price." This kind of sales lingo was deliberately copied from the fashion industry. Stylists in those days literally ran the American car companies.
And look at how beautiful cars were.
Yeah the adjectives were flowing in this one...
@@autochronicles8667 That was going to be my comment. The copy could have used some editing.
i dont like the bubble top roof....i like the starliner roofline better
Both were nice, but, strangely, most people liked the box-top Ford Club Victoria and the 62 GM hardtops better.