You’ve seen it. Even if you aren't a "car person," you know that silhouette. It’s the long, sweeping fastback roofline that looks like it’s doing a hundred miles an hour while parked in a driveway. We are talking about the 67 Impala two door, a car that basically defined the peak of Detroit's obsession with "longer, lower, wider."
It’s iconic.
Honestly, most people today recognize it because of a certain long-running TV show about brothers hunting demons, but that’s only half the story. The 1967 Chevrolet Impala wasn't just a prop; it was a massive, thumping piece of engineering that represented the absolute zenith of the full-size American coupe before the oil crisis and safety regulations squeezed the soul out of the industry.
If you’re looking at one of these today, you’re looking at a 17.5-foot long masterpiece. It’s heavy. It’s loud. It’s surprisingly comfortable. But it’s also a bit of a nightmare if you don't know what you’re getting into.
The Design Shift: Coke Bottles and Fastbacks
By 1967, the boxy look of the early sixties was officially dead. Chevrolet designers, led by the legendary Bill Mitchell, went all-in on what we now call "Coke bottle styling." Look at the rear fenders of a 67 Impala two door—there’s this distinct swell over the rear wheels that mimics the curves of a glass soda bottle.
It’s aggressive. It’s beautiful.
The two-door Sport Coupe featured a graceful fastback line. Unlike the four-door sedan, which had a more upright pillar, the coupe’s roof flowed almost seamlessly into the trunk deck. It gave the car a fast, sleek profile that belied its massive weight. You have to remember, this thing weighs nearly 4,000 pounds. It’s a boat, but a boat that looks like a fighter jet.
Standard features were sparse by modern standards, but the 1967 model year brought some big changes. Because of new federal safety mandates, Chevy had to add things like a collapsible steering column and a dual-master cylinder braking system. This was the first year for those specific safety "upgrades," and collectors often look for these details to verify the car’s authenticity.
What’s Under the Hood Matters (A Lot)
You could get a 67 Impala two door with a straight-six if you were boring, but nobody remembers those. The real magic happened with the V8s. You had the 283, the 327, and the 396. Then there was the king: the 427.
The Turbo-Jet 427 V8 was a monster. It pushed out 385 horsepower in its standard big-block configuration, which was enough to make this heavy steel beast move with some serious urgency. If you’ve ever sat in a car with a big-block 427, you know the feeling. The whole chassis torques to the side when you rev it. It’s visceral.
📖 Related: Kiko Japanese Restaurant Plantation: Why This Local Spot Still Wins the Sushi Game
Transmission Choices and Driveability
- The Powerglide: This was the two-speed automatic. It’s indestructible but, frankly, a bit dull for performance driving.
- Turbo Hydra-Matic: The three-speed auto. Much better. It keeps the engine in the power band longer.
- Four-speed Manual: If you find a real-deal SS 427 with a four-speed "rock crusher" Muncie transmission, you’ve found the holy grail.
Most of these cars came with "Armstrong steering"—meaning no power assist—unless the original buyer paid extra. Trying to parallel park a two-door Impala without power steering is basically a gym workout.
The Supernatural Factor and Market Value
We have to address the elephant in the room. The show Supernatural made the 1967 four-door sedan famous, but the ripple effect hit the 67 Impala two door market just as hard. For decades, these were just "old cars." You could pick one up for a few grand in the 90s.
Not anymore.
Prices have skyrocketed. A clean, numbers-matching Sport Coupe can easily fetch $30,000 to $50,000. If it’s an SS (Super Sport) with the original big-block, you’re looking at deep six figures in some auctions. The demand is driven by nostalgia, but also by the fact that they don't make steel like this anymore. When you slam the door on a '67, it doesn't "click." It clunks. It sounds like a bank vault closing.
Common Issues to Watch For
Rust is the enemy. Specifically, look at the rear quarter panels and the trunk floor. Because of the way the rear window is sloped on the two-door, water tends to pool in the channels and seep into the trunk. If you see bubbling paint behind the rear wheels, walk away or prepare your wallet for a long stay at the body shop.
Also, check the frame rails. The 1967 used a "Perimeter Frame" which was great for ride quality but prone to rot if the car spent time in the salt belt.
The Interior: A Living Room on Wheels
Sitting inside a 67 Impala two door feels like sitting on a sofa. The bench seats were standard, though you could get Strato-bucket seats as an option. The dashboard is a wide, sweeping expanse of chrome and vinyl.
There’s no screen. No Bluetooth. No distractions.
Just a long horizontal speedometer and a clock that probably stopped working in 1974. The sheer amount of shoulder room is staggering. You can fit three adults in the back of the coupe comfortably, which is something you can’t say about a modern Mustang or Camaro. It’s a true full-size car.
👉 See also: Green Emerald Day Massage: Why Your Body Actually Needs This Specific Therapy
Why People Still Obsess Over Them
It’s about presence.
When you drive a 67 Impala two door down a main street today, people stop and stare. It’s not just the size; it’s the proportions. The 1967 model year was the last year before the bumpers got huge and the lines got clunky. It represents the final moment of pure, unadulterated American car design.
Some purists argue the '65 or '66 were better because of the taillights (the '67 moved away from the iconic triple-round lights to a wrap-around design), but the '67 has a more muscular, "heavy" look that just works. It feels more grounded.
Restoration and Parts Availability
One of the best things about owning this car is that you can actually fix it. You don't need a computer. You need a wrench and some patience. Companies like Year One and Classic Industries produce almost every single part you could possibly need.
- You can buy a brand new wiring harness.
- You can find reproduction seat foam.
- Even the chrome trim is being remanufactured.
This makes the 67 Impala two door one of the most accessible "big" projects for a hobbyist. However, original "New Old Stock" (NOS) parts are becoming incredibly rare and expensive. If you want a perfect, museum-quality restoration, expect to pay a premium for original GM glass and trim pieces.
Handling the Big-Block Beast
Let’s be honest: these cars handle like a wet sponge on the stock suspension. The 1967 Impala utilized a coil spring suspension at all four corners, which was revolutionary for ride comfort at the time. It floats over bumps. But if you try to take a corner at 40 mph, you’ll feel like the car is going to tip over.
Most modern owners "Restomod" these cars. They swap out the old drums for disc brakes (absolutely necessary if you want to live) and put in stiffer sway bars. It keeps the classic look but makes it driveable in modern traffic.
If you are keeping it stock, remember that your stopping distance is roughly the length of a football field. Plan accordingly.
Final Realities of Ownership
Owning a 67 Impala two door is a labor of love. You’re going to get 8 miles per gallon. You’re going to spend your weekends hunting down vacuum leaks. You’re going to have to explain to people at gas stations that no, it's not the "Supernatural car" because that one had four doors.
✨ Don't miss: The Recipe Marble Pound Cake Secrets Professional Bakers Don't Usually Share
But none of that matters when you’re out on a coastal highway at sunset.
The rumble of the V8, the wind coming through the pillarless side windows (the "hardtop" look), and that long hood stretching out in front of you—it’s a feeling you can't get from a Tesla. It’s mechanical. It’s real.
Actionable Advice for Buyers
If you’re hunting for a 67 Impala two door, do these three things immediately:
First, check the VIN. A true V8 car will have a specific digit in the VIN (usually the third digit is an odd number for 6-cyl and even for V8). Don't pay V8 prices for a car that originally had a straight-six swapped out in a backyard.
Second, look at the "Cowl Tag" under the hood. This tells you the original paint color and interior trim. "Resale Red" is common, but finding a car in its original Granada Gold or Nantucket Blue adds serious value to collectors.
Third, get a magnet. Run it along the lower fenders and the bottoms of the doors. If it doesn't stick, you’re looking at a car made of Bondo (body filler) rather than GM steel. You want steel.
The 67 Impala two door isn't just a car; it's a timestamp of an era when gas was cheap and the American road felt infinite. Whether you want a show-stopper or a "ten-footer" daily driver, it remains one of the most rewarding classic car experiences you can have. Just make sure you have a big enough garage. This thing is huge.
Key Technical Specs for the 1967 Impala (Two-Door Sport Coupe)
- Wheelbase: 119 inches
- Total Length: 213.2 inches
- Standard Engine: 250 cubic inch Inline-6 (155 hp)
- Top Engine: 427 cubic inch V8 (385 hp)
- Fuel Capacity: 20 gallons
- Production Total: Roughly 575,000 units (all Impala models), but significantly fewer for the Sport Coupe.
Avoid the temptation to buy a "basket case" unless you have serious metal-working skills. The cost of bodywork on these large panels often exceeds the final value of the car if you aren't careful. Stick to cars with solid frames and documented engine histories.