You know that feeling when you see a car that just looks right? Not over-designed, not trying too hard—just a massive, rolling piece of Americana that seems to swallow the horizon. That is the 1967 Chevrolet Impala wagon.
It’s huge. It’s heavy. It’s got enough chrome to blind a low-flying pilot.
While the two-door SS fastbacks get all the glory at auctions like Barrett-Jackson, there is a growing, almost cult-like obsession with the station wagon variant. In 1967, Chevy was firing on all cylinders. This was the year of the "Coke bottle" styling, where the rear fenders got those gorgeous, muscular kicks. On the wagon, that line stretches forever. It doesn’t just end at a trunk; it carries through to a massive D-pillar that makes the car look like a streamlined locomotive.
Honestly, if you're looking for the peak of the American family hauler, this is probably it.
The Design Shift That Changed Everything
Before 1967, wagons were often just boxes. Square, utilitarian, and a bit boring. But for the '67 model year, Chevrolet designers, led by the legendary Bill Mitchell, decided to lean into the curves.
They gave the 1967 Chevrolet Impala wagon a sweeping profile that looked fast even when parked at a grocery store. The front end featured that iconic wraparound grille and deeply recessed headlights, a look shared with the Caprice. It felt premium. It felt expensive.
You had two main flavors: the standard Impala and the wood-grained Super Suburban. People forget that the "Impala" nameplate on a wagon actually meant something specific regarding the interior trim and exterior brightwork. If you see one with the Di-Noc woodgrain siding today, you’re looking at a time capsule of 1960s suburban aspirational living.
It wasn't just about the looks, though.
The 1967 model year saw significant safety improvements across the GM line. This was the first year for the energy-absorbing steering column, a padded instrument panel, and dual-master-cylinder brake systems. Chevy was trying to prove that a family car could be both beautiful and, for the era, relatively safe.
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What’s Under the Hood Matters
Most of these long-roofs left the factory with the reliable 283 cubic-inch Small Block V8 or the venerable 250 straight-six. But the beauty of the B-body platform is that Chevy would basically stick whatever you wanted in there if you had the cash.
Some lucky original owners checked the box for the 327, or even better, the 396 Turbo-Jet V8. Imagine a 325-horsepower big block in a car designed to carry nine people and a week's worth of camping gear. It’s ridiculous. It’s wonderful.
The 396-equipped wagons are the unicorns of the classic car world. They turned a grocery getter into a "sleeper" that could embarrass many Mustangs of the same era. However, most 1967 Chevrolet Impala wagon builds you see at car shows today have been swapped. People love dropping a modern LS or a 454 crate engine into these because the engine bay is so cavernous you could practically host a board meeting inside it.
The Magic of the Nine-Passenger Seating
We need to talk about the "Magic-Doorgate."
Chevy didn't call it that yet—that was a bit later—but the 1967 tailgate was a masterpiece of mechanical engineering. It could flip down like a traditional truck tailgate, or on some models, it had the power window that retracted into the gate.
If you opted for the three-row version, you got the rear-facing third seat. This is where childhood memories were forged. Sitting back there, looking out the massive rear window at the cars you just passed, was a rite of passage. It also meant you were the first to know if the exhaust was leaking, but hey, that was part of the charm.
The sheer volume is hard to grasp until you stand next to one. With the seats folded flat, the 1967 Chevrolet Impala wagon offers nearly 100 cubic feet of cargo space. You can fit a 4x8 sheet of plywood in the back. Try doing that in a modern "full-size" SUV without scratching the plastic trim.
Why Collectors Are Scrambling for Them Now
For decades, wagons were parts cars.
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If someone had a cherry '67 Impala convertible with a rusted-out frame, they’d go buy a wagon, rip the frame and drivetrain out, and scrap the rest. Because of that, surviving, clean 1967 Chevrolet Impala wagon examples are actually quite rare.
The market has shifted. Millennial and Gen X collectors are tired of the same three Camaros at every car show. They want something they can actually use. You can take a 1967 wagon to a brewery, throw three dogs in the back, four friends in the seats, and still have room for a cooler. It’s a social car.
Prices are reflecting this. A decade ago, you could snag a decent driver for $8,000. Now? You’re looking at $25,000 for something respectable, and north of $50,000 for a pro-touring build with modern suspension and a big block.
Common Issues and What to Look For
If you’re hunting for one of these, you have to be careful. They rust. They rust in places you wouldn’t expect.
- The Rear Quarters: Because they are so long, moisture gets trapped behind the wheel wells.
- The Roofline: Specifically around the drip rails. If those are rotted, walk away. Fixing a wagon roof is a nightmare.
- Tailgate Channels: Water sits in the window seals and eats the bottom of the tailgate from the inside out.
- Body Mounts: These cars are heavy. Over fifty years, the rubber mounts compress or disintegrate, leading to "wagon sag."
Mechanically, they are bulletproof. Parts for the Small Block Chevy or the Turbo 350/400 transmissions are available at every local auto parts store in the country. That’s the beauty of the B-body; it’s the most supported platform in automotive history.
The Driving Experience: Land Yachting at Its Finest
Driving a 1967 Chevrolet Impala wagon is an exercise in physics.
You don’t "corner" so much as you "suggest a change in direction." The power steering is usually over-boosted, meaning you can turn the wheel with one finger, but you have zero feedback from the road. It feels like you're piloting a very fast, very comfortable sofa.
But on the highway? It’s bliss.
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The long wheelbase (119 inches) soaks up bumps that would rattle a modern car to pieces. It tracks straight, the V8 rumbles at a low drone, and you realize why people used to drive across the country without a second thought. There is a sense of momentum that modern cars, for all their tech, just can’t replicate.
Practical Steps for the Aspiring Owner
If the 1967 Chevrolet Impala wagon has captured your heart, don't just jump on the first one you see on Facebook Marketplace.
First, join the "Longroof" forums or groups like the Station Wagon Forums. The community is incredibly tight-knit and they know where the "good" cars are hidden.
Second, decide on your goal. If you want a 100-point restoration, be prepared to spend a fortune on trim pieces. Wagon-specific trim—like the long chrome strips on the rear quarters—is almost impossible to find in good condition and isn't being widely reproduced like the coupe parts are.
Third, check the glass. The rear side glass and the curved tailgate glass are unique to the wagon. If they’re cracked, you’ll be scouring junghards for months to find a replacement.
Lastly, look into disc brake conversion kits immediately. Stopping two and a half tons of vintage steel with four-wheel drum brakes is... an adventure you don't want to have in heavy traffic. Converting the front to discs is the single best safety upgrade you can make.
The 1967 Chevrolet Impala wagon isn't just a car; it's a statement. It says you appreciate the era of excess, but you've also got enough stuff (and friends) to actually fill it up. Whether you keep it stock or build a restomod beast, you’re driving a piece of history that refuses to be ignored.
Actionable Insights for Buyers
- Verify the VIN: Ensure the "164" prefix is present to confirm it's a true V8 Impala series and not a modified Bel Air or Biscayne.
- Check the Frame: Focus on the area behind the rear wheels where the frame kicks up; this is a high-stress, high-moisture point prone to cracking.
- Interior Restoration: Companies like SMS Auto Fabrics are your best bet for matching the specific 1967 Impala "cloth and vinyl" patterns that are often shredded in unrestored wagons.
- Upgrade the Cooling: These cars were designed for 1967 traffic. If you're driving in 2026, install a high-quality aluminum radiator and electric fans to handle the stop-and-go heat.